I’d assume its a song about a father talking about how much he loves his young daughter. Perhaps I’m just an optimist.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Tyler#Family_and_relationships
See also Ted Nugents “jail bait”.
Tyler claimed their relationship was consensual and that he had immunity because he was her legal guardian at the time.
In what world does that make any fucking sense? “It’s okay for me to groom her because I only had absolute legal authority over her.”
Super fun fact that isn’t fun at all:
In most states (possibly all) if a child under 18 is married to an adult over 18, their legal guardian changes from their parents to their now-spouse. So teeeeechnically, depending on the situation for the change of guardianship, that could actually be a totally legit loophole. In a very much should never be allowed to happen sort of way, naturally.
Before this gets weird, I only know that because I needed to know liquor laws, as my state allows minors to drink with their legal guardian who is over 21 which does include spouses. Nobody honors that at all (typically not even for parents because it’s really hard to prove legal guardianship), but technically that’s how it works.
So while the guardianship is legal, in the wikipedia article it goes on to clarify legal experts weighed in that it is still illegal to groom, coerce into sex, and give drugs, etc to a minor, even if you are their guardian. That’s the illegal part
illegal to groom
“Your honor I promise my 16 year old wife consented.”
Probably a Ted Nugent song
She was just seventeen, you know what I mean
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.