I was at the funeral of a family member recently and was looking at some of the old family photos. What a different time it was for me growing up. My world was a piece of Beech Nut chewing gum that was handed to me by my Grandpa while he sang the Mail Pouch Tobacco song. In life as in just about everything else, simpler is better. As I told a cousin, a little hillbilly blood helps to keep you humble.

Recorded in Logic Pro X
Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, CLA Acoustic, Waves Vocal Rider, Waves Bass Rider

Vocals, Flat Pick Acoustic Guitar, Tom Adams
RealTracks in style: ~~592:Bass, Acoustic Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in style: ~~589:Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Rhythm)
RealTracks in style: ~~598:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in style: ~~599:Mandolin, Rhythm Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in song: ~591:Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Soloist)
RealTracks in song: ~820:Mandolin Soloist Bluegrass Ev 100
Royalty Free Loops

https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/life-keeps-getting-shorter


https://tommyadamsmusic.com/music




Life Keeps Getting Shorter



I remember when my Grandpa would take me by the hand

just a boy in that West Virginia town

he’d walk down to the river

put his fingers to his lips

Say quiet son don’t even make a sound


We’d listen to the water as it went rollin past

throw sticks and watch them float away downstream

Not a care in the world of an old man and a boy

Those days were like living in a dream


Was the time of year in Summer when the sunshine feels strong

Afternoons were wasted in the shade

Ain’t no time to hurry on days that seemed so long

while life keeps getting shorter every day



We’d walk across a wooden bridge that took us into town

waving to the people in the square

grandpa seemed to know everyone that came along

He told me once that he’d been everywhere


I came back for the funeral nearly everyone was gone

it had come to pass the factories all closed down

surely i was lucky to have seen the way it was

before the hard times fell upon that town


Was the time of year in Summer when the sunshine feels strong

Afternoons were wasted in the shade

Ain’t no time to hurry on days that seemed so long

while life keeps getting shorter every day


©2018 Thomas Adams

Tom,

Great song and sentiment - love the way the fiddle follows your vocal around the song.

Perfect mix and arrangement - loved it!

Bob

Sweet perfection Tom! Man did you ever hit on something many of us out here can relate to! Beautiful job all the way around on this! Thanks, Torrey

Hey Tom,
Great to see you with a new one, it's been too long!
Yes, life was simpler back then! And better too for a kid growing up I think.
Nice job on this as usual, mix sounds fabulous through the phones.
Enjoyed the listen!

I really enjoyed listening to this one...
It has a Tom T. Hall flavor...
Mighty tasty...
Great work!

What a cool intro. Just the loved the banjo and fiddle, Such a super vocal and lyric. When I clicked on the song link I jumped back to your description of your song. It was like I jumped into a tv shop. Such a professional mix as well.

Wow - what a tune Definitely hits close to home for me as well. Love the way the fiddle and your vocals play off one another, and the groove got my foot tapping in about 10 seconds. As others have mentioned as well, the mix on this is superb.

You knocked this one out of the park - thanks for sharing!

Excellent,

Tom, you're the man!

I certainly flashed back to my youth and relationship with my Grandfather

who was very much like the one in your song.

When I went back home I felt claustrophobic, when you're young everything is so big

and grown up it was like a postage stamp.

Super playing as usual

enjoyed the listen!

Kenny

Another great job.

Everything sits in it's proper place in the mix, crystal, and yep... good writing job too.

Terrific, Tom.

Good write (everyone should have a Grampa Song).

Super mix. Your vocals are truly crisp and clear. And cool harmonies.

Hot acoustic leads! Excellent listen.

fj

This a fun, catchy, foot tapper, yet still nostalgic. Vocal is top notch. I enjoyed this very much. Nice guitar lick at the end.

Great guitar picking!!! Wonderfully nostalgic!

Thanks Bob. I always look forward to your kind words,Tom Torrey, thanks for stopping by. I had hoped that this might be relatable since many of us are close in age. I appreciate you taking the time to comment,Tom

Tom,

What a terrific song. Everything about it invites the listener to sit back and enjoy. I can really relate to the hook.. ain't it the truth!

The clarity of this mix is stunning. The stereo-stage is set really well and I found that if I focused my hearing, I could easily hear every instrument just as clearly as I could hear your singing. That's a pretty amazing accomplishment in my book! Your vocals sit perfectly in this stellar mix.

So yes... What a terrific song!

All the best,
Noel

Dave, thanks for your wonderful review, Tom Jim, as I got into the write, Tom T definitely crossed my mind. Thanks for your kind words,Tom

Well, Tom !

I do agree with you !
It was something completely
different to grow up some
sixtyfive years ago than today !
As what comes to your tune
it is my favourite of all the
tunes from you I´ve heard so far !
Everything about it is absolutely
superb ! Thanks !


Cheers
Dani

"Ain’t no time to hurry on days that seemed so long
while life keeps getting shorter every day"

Ain't it the truth bro!

It's no secret J&B lived and breathed and played bluegrass for decades...so we feel qualified to say "AWESOME!"

Thematically the lyric/melody fits the genre very well. It doesn't sound like one of the old war horses and is certainly thought provoking.

You did a fine job of putting together an authentic sounding BG band and your acoustic is great...the picking and the tone.

And your vocals well deliver the feel of the song both lyrically and rhythmically. Nice phrasing and harmony.

Outstanding Mr Adams!

J&B

Hi Tom,

enjoyed the song - great intro, very catchy chorus.

Cheers,

Stefan

Scott, I think you had a typo. Did you mean tv show? Anyway tv shop is certainly a relic of the past. Thanks for the nice review, Tom

Great musical journey, with a clear cut story and vocals to match.

To me a bit like Rolf Harris with nice harmonies.

Yes Tom that was a typo. As soon as the song jump in it was like watching a very cool tv show....

Deryk, glad you liked it. Thanks, Tom

Hey Thanks for the nice words. Glad it struck a chord, Tom

An instant classic!! I was humming along by the second chorus. This is a song that would probably mean little to a teenage but means so much to us on the forum with the context and years to appreciate such a work of art! Could not be better!!! Take care. Greg

Great feel and ain't it the truth. Such relable imagery and a footstompin' buck dancing toe tapper with the bluegrass. I loved it Tom.

Thanks Herb. Appreciate the good review,Tom

I just had to come back for another listen...
I really like this one!

Tom

Great to hear a new one. Loved it. Some very nice guitar (you got some tab for that end part?) and a wonderful vocal.
Instantly likeable!

Peter

I always look forward to what you have to say. I’m glad you liked it, Tom

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment, Tom Hey Gruve, glad you stopped by, Tom

That's how it's done son! Hot Damn!

That arrangement and performance was just killer. Your voice is always instantly identifiable in all the right ways. LOVED the harmonies. LOVED the leads. The intro, the ending. I mean...my God man! That was out of this world.

I also think those lyrics speak to anyone with life experience.

Thanks for sharing this!

Noel, Thank you so much for this stellar review. You made my day, Tom Dani, I’m glad you enjoyed it, Tom

Heart felt lyrics and great production. Superb vocals.

Mike B.

Hello, Tom

Nice bluegrass song!
And great sentiment.
I agree with Janice & Bud.
"Ain’t no time to hurry on days that seemed so long
while life keeps getting shorter every day"
Ain't it the truth bro!
I feel like seeing a glimpse of my own life.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Well if anyone on this forum has bluegrass cred, it’s you two. So to get such a super review from you means a lot to me. Thanks, Tom Stefan, I’m glad you liked it, Tom

Thanks for this one Tom.
Very much suits my present state of mind.
Fantastically well done.
Reminds me of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Cheers.

Now there’s a name we don’t often hear in the states. I had the original 45 record of Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport along with the companion Wobble Board. We had a lot of fun with that. Hadn’t thought of that in years! Thanks for the nice words,Tom

Greg I always appreciate your comments. Thanks for your continued support,Tom Josie, I wish I could see you do some of that flat footed buck dancing. I know if I tried I’d probably get hurt. Thanks for the nice words, Tom

Tommy

You can't help but smile listening to bluegrass This song paints a beautiful picture of a simple and better life. Thanks

SD

Peter, I have been playing guitar for 55 years and I never got into Tabs. Maybe it’s time I looked into it. Thanks for your nice words,Tom

Thanks for sharing this Tom. Your vocals and the backing fit this great song perfectly.
Cheers,
Mike

Wow,

This is really good Tom. Just a good rock solid song. Loved it.

Caaron, I appreciate your outstanding review! Made my day. Thanks,Tom Hey Mike, Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your generous words, Tom Richard, good to hear from you. Thanks for commenting, Tom SD, Thank you for taking the time to listen and comment, Tm

Great imagery, strong lyrics, Excellent arrangement, production and performance. Enjoyed my listen.

Mike, thanks for the kind review, Tom

Thank you David. I’m glad you liked it, Tom

Hi Tom,

A bit late getting round to listening, but well worth it when I did!

Love and agree with the sentiments expressed here and it's all wrapped up in a fabulous,
classic, country package. Really nice work on the arrangement and the mix is faultless.

All this, plus super vocals and harmonies.

Nicely done.

ROG.

Hi Tom ...

So many folks here can relate to this. As always, you did a fantastic job on everything needed to make this so dang good. This reminds me of something Randy Owen might have written - I'll bet he's jealous!

A heartfelt write delivered with the exact emotional intonation. That fiddle and mandolin are so sweet! grerat job, Tom. What a musical treat!!!

Best to you ...

Alan

Charlie, I'm always happy to see your name pop up in the comments. Thanks for your continued support, Tom

Thank you ROG for the wonderful review, Tom

Songs that make you think back on your life are always fascinating ones to me. It makes me think about how much I've grown, what has changed (not just about myself, but how the world has shifted around me too), and how time is just flying by.

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed this one; very thought provoking.

Thanks Al. I appreciate the kind review. Best to you and Di, Tom

Ember, I’m glad you enjoyed it, Tom