"21 Candles" by Zoe Wees explores the pain and frustration of a broken relationship between the singer and her absent father. The lyrics depict a sense of longing and disappointment as the singer recounts the passage of time and her desperate hope to find her father. However, instead of finding him, she is met with abandonment and the destruction of their familial bond. The mention of setting fire to the family tree metaphorically represents the destruction and loss caused by the father's actions.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's frustration and resignation. Burning twenty-one candles on her birthday symbolizes her persistent longing for her father's presence and love. However, she feels cursed with bad luck as her wishes go unanswered and the pain of missing him intensifies. This repetition of unfulfilled desire on every birthday heightens the emotional impact and the lasting effects of her father's absence.

In the second verse, the singer shifts her perspective. Despite the pain, she realizes that meeting her father has revealed the lack of common ground and the incompatibility between them. She acknowledges the father's role in their strained relationship and expresses anger towards him for leaving her with unanswered questions. By asserting that he should have only been a parent, she underscores the missed opportunity for a nurturing and fulfilling relationship.

The bridge and outro serve as an emotional release, with the singer declaring her decision to stop wasting her breath on someone who continually blocks her attempts to connect. The reference to Happy Father's Day in the outro conveys a bittersweet tone, illustrating the ongoing hope for reconciliation despite the father's silence.

Overall, "21 Candles" delves into the deep emotional scars left by an absentee parent and the journey towards acceptance and closure. It highlights the pain of longing for someone who is unwilling or unable to fulfill the role of a loving and present parent.