Avril Lavigne Reminisces on Meeting Simple Plan in 2003 as They Release New Collab: ‘We’re Still Those Same Kids’

Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan are looking back on the 2000s.

Following the first leg of Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour with Simple Plan last year, the two pop-punk acts joined forces for their new collaboration “Young & Dumb” on May 9 ahead of another run of shows this summer.

The song’s lyrics find Lavigne and Simple Plan lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier reminiscing on earlier days in their careers — and even referencing specifics from their pasts.

“2002 and I’m hanging on the tour bus / Leaving my hometown, Napanee,” sings Lavigne on the first verse. “Rocking a neck tie, black eye liner / White tank top and I’m chasing my dreams, yeah.”

Later in the track, Bouvier sings, “We’re back again, now it’s twenty years later / Somehow it feels like nothing’s changed / I’m just a kid, still a pop-punk skater / They told me, ‘Get a job,’ but I said, ‘No way!'”

In a statement about the song, Lavigne spoke about how collaborating with Simple Plan marks a “full-circle moment.”

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“Not only did Simple Plan tour with me last year on the Greatest Hits Tour, but we also toured together in 2003 on my very first arena tour,” she recalled. “We were so young — just a bunch of kids from small towns in Canada who had just released our debut albums. We connected instantly and became friends.”

Earlier this year, Lavigne contacted Simple Plan to write “Young & Dumb” together. “We wanted to capture that special time in our lives — when everything was new, and we were chasing our dreams,” she said. “This song is for our fans. It’s a tribute to the past, but also a celebration of the present. In our hearts, we’re still those same kids, and our love for music hasn’t changed.”

The “Girlfriend” singer explained of the new song, “It’s about friendship, nostalgia, and the way music has kept us connected through the years. I can’t wait to share it with you live this summer.”

Simple Plan also gave a statement, noting they’re “so excited” to release a track with Lavigne.

“After years of touring and hanging out together, getting in the studio to work on this track was such a cool experience. She’s incredibly talented, and we’re truly grateful she invited us to be part of it and help bring the song to life,” said the band.

Simple Plan continued, “The lyrics speak to the special bond we’ve shared since we first toured together back in 2003. We became friends right away, and what’s amazing is how that friendship has only grown stronger over the years.”

The next leg of Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour with Simple Plan runs for 19 dates from May 19 through June 27.