Old Man. Young Man. Song written when 17..

YOUNG MAN.

When I was 16 or 17 I wrote my first song. Well I’d tried before but they were weird little strange things that have long been lost in the fog of deep neural pathways. This one I do remember.

It is a song of not knowing your future. Almost asking yourself as imagined as an older guy.

‘Did you plan your future.

Or let each day astound you.

Old Man, why don’t you show me what’s right’…..

And ultimately, optimism it’ll be okay.

‘He’s a mystery to me.

Someone I’d dreamed

I’d never be’.

Why this excursion to the past? I was bored this afternoon of trying to find a riff or tune that befitted a rock vibe to write a new song. All a bit ‘Melodies have all but disappeared for the present and are taking a break’ it seems.

So, sitting in front of the Mac recording malarkey I thought I’d play the chords to that very first tune from back then. And then sing it. I smiled at the irony. But the memory was something that brought a huge happiness to the ball game.

It was whilst playing this song in an ad hoc, discordant, weird and nutty dutty way that actually lifted spirits. Just choosing and layering tracks and drum and synth sounds at random. Simply passing time for ‘Fun Summer-y Vibes’ really.

Oh! The lyrics and their irony coming back to haunt me.

Old Man hey! And my gosh. Here I am. But in my head? Nah! Still feel fresh and raring to go….

Actually. In all seriousness. In a little less than two years it’ll be the 70 years on the planet realisation. Thank the heavens that I am very comfortable in my life at present.

So Yah Boo and Fiddlesticks to my younger lyrical self. You ain’t lived my life yet! It has been a fairly decent adventure so far. So treat yourself kindly and tread softly. Go with your flow. You won’t need to change a thing.

OLD MAN. I DO USE HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS AS THEY ARE ALWAYS NICE FOR COMFORTABLE LISTENING. UNSURE OF OTHER DEVICES, SO HOPE IT WORKS OKAY. NOT A MIXED SONG. JUST RECORDED AND POSTED.

Old man, your life’s been wasted

Too bad it crumbled round you

Old man why don’t you show me the light

Did you plan your future

Or let each day astound you

Old man why don’t you show me what’s right.

Now there’s a man over there

His head in his hands

That man over there

I guess that’s me

Ain’t nobody.

The man over there is not who he seems

He’s a mystery to me

Someone I’d dreamed

I’d never be.

OLD MAN.

11 thoughts on “Old Man. Young Man. Song written when 17..”

    1. Cheers Shep. Probably writing the tune and vibe back when I was about 17, I would have been heavily influenced by Sergeant Pepper. Reminds me of the Utopia Avenue bit where they sat stunned by what they were hearing on the album.

      My views have definitely changed Shep. But it’s been nice to look back and tick the boxes of what I have been and am still happy with. Sounds like you’ve had a vibrant life Shep.

      Henry the Horse. Funnily enough, because my first and middle name both begin with G. G. I got the nickname Geege at school. And yesterday, when listening to Old Man I was Jarvis Cocker ‘Babies’ (YouTube video) style dancing around the kitchen to its vibe. So ‘Summers the GeeGee dances the weird waltz’ is as close as I can get to Mr. Kite country. That Pulp song is how I would love my songs to sound. But they’re a million miles away from my reality. All the best Shep. 🙏🏽 as ever.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. It does sound nice too, to be able to do that…
        ” Go back and tick the boxes ….”
        Lol, I like eavesdropping on your comments 🤭😂
        One that Cookie said to echo… dashing, Gray
        🤍🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you Destiny. I read your comments too. Most say my own sentiments about your word power. You have a very nice collective of followers. Music is very difficult to keep totally unique. We get influenced over the decades by songs we all listen to. Dashing is a very nice word and it was nice to have it a descriptor. 😊 Cheers Destiny. 🙏🏽

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I believe most of us following each other here have artistic leanings. Musicians, script writers, photographers, authors, painters, etc. and of course…..poet. With us all, as artists, we can be our own worse critics. So we all tend to encourage each other with well meant, yet positive, replies. Being Kind to each other is a fantastic circle of friendship to belong to. And of course. My site has elongated answers, especially from myself 😉, which are almost as long as the blogs in themselves. 😆🙏🏽 Destiny.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. lol, your time to interact is appreciated, Gray…not many of us are able to do this on other blogs…and so true about being kind too…and that worse critic 🥴lol…
        Thanks, Gray 🤍🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I don’t mind about this. My photography site had about 8 to 10 people who consistently exchanged with grace, motivation, great vibes and long analysis. One amazing man sadly passed away a few years ago. We exchanged often and he had stories to tell that were like essays. But so rich in descriptive reminiscences that they were top tier enjoyable. His history of experiences he’d had was profound. And what a life! He lived life fully. What was so amazing is that he was absolutely a 100% genuine positive and inspirational guy. And loved my photographs. I felt humbled. Shame he didn’t hear the music. He knew I was a musician. He was simply Pure Gold. Cheers Destiny. 🙏🏽.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. he sounds like an amazing person, Gray…and it must be really nice to have known him.
        Lol, you’re very much that way…. positive and motivating. Thank you , Gray .. 🙏🤍

        Liked by 1 person

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