My Father Told Me

The Nights by Avicii is a poem and a song. The singer tells his experiences and lessons he learned from his own mistakes as well as retelling the advice of his father. At the beginning he sings:

“The animals inside came out to play”

The wild side of young years. Like animals young people are not afraid to follow their instincts. Using word animal creates image of wild and untamed person. He also reflects on his lessons he learned by himself:

“Learned our lessons through the tears”

Learning the lessons by making mistakes. Children learn from mistakes because they hurt and we cry because of it. “Tears” create image of pain every one would relate to. He repeats what his father told him:

“Your wild heart will live for younger days”

His father says as humans we would want to live an extreme lives. When getting older your heart will want to live those days again but body will not be able to.

“These are the nights that never die”

His father said that the adventures as a youngster will always remain in your memories. Since when he will be older those nights or events will not be possible.

“Don't forsake this life of yours.”

Usage of word forsake brings image of loneliness and forgotten. Talking about life it brings the image of a person who gave up on the life or on the happy life.

“My father told me”

Repeating of this line at the beginning and at the end of the song shows how his knowledge comes not just merely from his own experience but his father as well. As well as he preaches as a parent to his children. A lesson that he learned from someone else and not his own tears.
In the end this song is brings together the lessons that we learn by ourselves but also understanding the lessons our parents tell us. As well one specific lesson is to live to the fullest while you can because when you will get older you will not feel as if you lived unhappy life.