Hands up any non-Americans who think it would be weird for a 17-year old girl to be with a 18 or 19-year old boy?
Non-Americans because America is extremely hypocritical and prudish compared to Europe and we’re all well aware of it so no need to. Although even in the US the most common age of consent is 16 (only in 11 states have it at 18). In Europe only Malta has 18 and Malta is half the size of Rhode Island by population and ten times smaller per area.
Seventeen is also easier to fit into lyrics. Dancing Queen by ABBA. Sexy + 17 by the Stray Cats (although the song was about ditching high school classes). At Seventeen by Janis Ian (who was singing about herself at 17). Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf (again about both being high schoolers, but he’s a bit of a creep anyway).
When they released that song, Paul was 20, which means he probably wrote it at 19 or 18. Not too creepy.
Plenty of people would disagree with you nowadays
Hands up any non-Americans who think it would be weird for a 17-year old girl to be with a 18 or 19-year old boy?
Non-Americans because America is extremely hypocritical and prudish compared to Europe and we’re all well aware of it so no need to. Although even in the US the most common age of consent is 16 (only in 11 states have it at 18). In Europe only Malta has 18 and Malta is half the size of Rhode Island by population and ten times smaller per area.
Seventeen is also easier to fit into lyrics. Dancing Queen by ABBA. Sexy + 17 by the Stray Cats (although the song was about ditching high school classes). At Seventeen by Janis Ian (who was singing about herself at 17). Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf (again about both being high schoolers, but he’s a bit of a creep anyway).
I might be giving my age away here.