He made a wish to the machine, prayed to be a grown man

But nothing happened that night, just a card said"wish granted" in his hand

Next morning came around, he aged up a whole decade

But the machine vanished into thin air, no chance to trade

Growing up is punishment, mama don't believe his cry

Every explanation sounds like a kidnapper's alibi

Went to school to find his homie, but they treat him like a stranger

Sang their secret nursery rhyme, finally recognized through danger

To find that wishing machine, gotta turn back into a kid

Two friends hit the big city, searching for what the magic did

Stayed in a rundown motel, noise creeping through the wall

First night away from home, he realized the world ain't small

Next day his friend skipped class, hunting for the machine's trace

But every lead went cold, like it vanished without a trace

Filed a report at the station, six months just to wait

How you supposed to survive when time won't cooperate?

Growing up is punishment

Trading wonder for the stress

Every step into the future

Leaves your childhood in a mess

Growing up is punishment

Trading wonder for the stress

Every step into the future

Leaves your childhood in a mess

Friend found a job listing, at a toy company downtown

Faked a whole résumé, walked in ready to get the crown

Interviewer loved his vibe, hired him on the spot

Data entry nine to five, giving everything he got

Coworker said"Slow it down, learn to slack and play the game"

One month later, first paycheck, life will never be the same

Cashed it out with pure excitement, ate like kings that night

First taste of adult freedom, yeah it felt so right

Growing up is punishment

But tonight we celebrate

Work been breaking down his spirit

But this moment feels so great

Hit the company toy store, playing games without a care

People watching, people judging, but he didn't have a prayer

Met the boss who caught his spirit, saw the child inside his soul

Promoted to Creative VP, testing toys became his role

The Creative Director threatened, tried to make him trip and fall

In the meeting threw him shade, tried to make him feel so small

But Josh spoke from a kid's view, and the boss was entertained

Now the Director's burning jealous, beef officially ingrained

Company gave him a mansion, turned it to a playground scene

Party came, everyone in black, he showed up in white so clean

Boss loved his different spirit, standing out against the grain

Secretary came to holler, said"Let's walk out in the rain"

She don't wanna hear the drama, office politics and lies"Feel the wind blow" that's the moment when he opened up her eyes

Childlike heart won her over, but the Director's seeing red

Tennis match he couldn't win it, Director swung at his head

She patched him up so gently, confessing how she feel

Started dating, growing closer, everything became so real

Growing up is punishment

But love is feeling sweet

Caught between two different worlds

Where childhood and manhood meet

Growing up is punishment

But love is feeling sweet

Caught between two different worlds

Where childhood and manhood meet

He started buying the illusion, forgot where he came from

'Til his friend found the machine, like a beat drop from a drum

Stay and live this grown-up life, or go back to thirteen?

Ten years of memories missing, so much left unseen

Growing up is punishment

He told the truth to her that night

She misunderstood at first, but then she held him tight

Her loving gaze became a farewell, no words left to say

Josh turned back into a child, is it freedom or decay?

Growing up is punishment

Trade your innocence for armor made of pain

Every step you take toward the future

Crushes fairy tales like walking through the rain

Growing up means trading freedom

For a face that's worn and grey

Tell me friend, do you remember

What you wished for yesterday?