Soundcloud - It's never too late Youtube - It's never too late - with slightly different BVs to the Soundcloud version - and who doesn't love seeing seniors dancing?
This is a song I wrote to the challenge 'Write something in swing or shuffle style'. The theme is about aging. I remember my parents - who are now in their 90s and still with us - saying that after a certain age, it's harder to remain relevant and have your voice heard in society - not completely true, but I can see it sometimes. I'm 62, so some would still consider me a babe - age-wise.
The initial chord progression
F - Bm - E7 - Am was inspired by a songwriting tip (from analysis of The Beatles 'Yesterday') to move from a diatonic root chord to a borrowed chord, then resolve to a chord in the diatonic - in my case through 'circle of 5ths' changes. The
F - Bm move at first sounds jarring but becomes familiar over time. This song also uses descending lines which I am fond of using - see the Chorus 1 second line 'You can't be afraid when you're watching the years ...'.
****** BIAB Song Summary *************
Style is _COOLEVE.STY (Cool Evening On Beach Swing)
RealTracks in style: ~2485:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed HeldSimple Sw 085
- replaced by my bassRealTracks in style: 2633:Horn Section, Background JazzBallad2PartJack Sw 085
RealTracks in style: 2961:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm BluesSlowSwingColin Sw 085
- replaced by my guitarRealTracks in style: 2706:Ukulele, Rhythm FolkSwingBallad Sw 085
- mutedRealDrums in Song:JazzSwingDannySticks: a: Ride, HiHat b: Ride, Snare
I added my own bass, rhythm and lead guitars. I recorded in Cakewalk.
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LYRICSBracketed words are my interpretive commentaryINTRO
VERSE 1
It’s ambushed me, I’m in the highest quartile by age
(I've suddenly become older - mentally I thought I was still young)I hoped I’d arrive more spritely than this and a context less dire
VERSE 2
Even though I am free, I’m encumbered by my ignorant state
(I'm not young and invincible any more)I didn’t intend to leave you with the mess you’ve found
(the mess being my declining health)CHORUS 1
(this is me trying to take a positive view of aging)It’s never too late to shed your tears
You can’t be afraid when you’re watching the years go by so fast
Don’t be dismayed by the falling leaves
Their beauty is admired by all who see it
VERSE 3
I’m changing my ways, but take your hand out of my purse or worse
(arguing that it isn't *all* the boomer generation's fault)I’ll gladly sacrifice if you give me a chance or learn to dance
CHORUS 2
It’s never too late to count your years
You can’t be afraid when you’re feeling the tears roll down your face
Don’t be disgraced by what they say
Your worth is admired by those willing to receive it
BRIDGE
Can you hear me? I’m giving my opinions
(do we hear what older generations are saying, or do we lessen their voice?)I think you can’t see me, like I’m living life in some kind of parallel plane
Where I have no mouth and my flesh is falling off of my frame
CHORUS
It’s never too late to shed your tears
You can’t be afraid when you’re watching the years go by so fast
Don’t be dismayed by the falling leaves
Their beauty is admired by all who see it
CHORUS 2
It’s never too late to count your years
You can’t be afraid when you’re feeling the tears roll down your face
Don’t be disgraced by what they say
Your worth is a prize by those willing to receive it
OUTRO