As we transition from old to new, I thought this might be a good send off..

I wrote this when I was 25. It takes on new meaning as I sing it 35 years later.



WHAT AN OLD MAN MUST THINK

the days don't seem quite so long
i seldom sleep real sound
it occurs to me it's colder now
when the woods are turning brown
i don't run the way i once did
the kids all drive so fast
i can offer much too much advice
if anyone should ask
i used to wonder
what an old man must think

where were you in '62
what time does that clock say
you young folks think we're stupid
and only in the way
years take a toll
are you so sure you're immune
let me tell you, ah, what's the use
in time you'll know my tune
i used to wonder
what an old man must think

when the church bells toll, i pray
i haven't lost a friend
i've yet to know an answer
to why a good man's life must end
don't get me wrong
i'm not through by any means
strike up that guitar
hear the joy when i sing
i used to wonder
what an old man must think


The Band:
RealTracks in song: 1036:Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2231:Piano, Rhythm 80sPopBallad Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~1676:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~364:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 065
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2058:Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2336:Viola, Background, Pop Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)


Happy New Year, Y'all...

floyd

Amen!!
Wonderful, as always and very a propos for us of a certain age.
Amazingly thoughtful lyrics for one of 25 years and so relevant.
Your work has been stunning all year and I'm looking forward to 2016.
Happy New Year
Ian

Hi Floyd.

A fabulous track which leaves me wondering how someone could write with such insight and wisdom at the age of 25.

Everything works well in the arrangement and mix and as usual your vocal delivery is superb.

I noticed a couple of small clicks at 2.37 - not sure what they were?

Have a great 2016.

ROG.

Hi Floyd,

Rog expressed my thoughts "A fabulous track which leaves me wondering how someone could write with such insight and wisdom at the age of 25."
A beautiful song.

Guenter

Wow, that's a stunning piece Floyd. The lyrics are up there with the prescience of Jackson Browne. The whole things is perfect and very moving. Music like this deserves to be widely heard. Superb.

John

One of my favorites you have done. Very insightful lyrics especially at 25. First class tune

This is a very touching song and a great production. I love the vocal phrasing. Quite the vintage wine, eh??

Beautifully done!! The arrangement and emotion in the vocal are totally captivating. When I was 25, I didn't think much about anything other than where the party was that night. This is deeply insightful writing. I'm really glad you reincarnated it. It is a beautiful song!! Take care. Greg

Another great tune from FJ. I've got two years on you at 62 and still keep trying. Most of the songs I have posted on Soundcloud are lyrics from the early eighties but I have written quite a few new ones since Band in a Box, (that's a plug, lol) Again a great song and mixed to perfection as usual!!

Great song as usual

very intimate lyrics and music.

Happy new year to you.

Sergio

Thanks, Ian!




I appreciate that, ROG. The "clicks" are finger noise on the strings in one of the acoustic guitar tracks...

fj,


I like this one a lot.

"the days don't seem quite so long"


Great line, and boy, can I relate!

Happy New Year!


Regards,

Bob

I still wonder what an old man thinks! As a youngster, folks the age I am now seemed to be O L D.

Mentally, I still think I'm thirty. It's not until the heavy lifting that I realize I got off at the wrong train stop.

Good song. The lyrics are very well written and you have a fitting arrangement in the music.

Your vocal phrasing at the very beginning of the line, "When the church bell tolls..." I thought you may be giving us a surprise and the verse was going to be conversational rather than singing. Didn't happen, but might have fit in nice.

Enjoyed this -- even with the line or two that were too close to dodge.

Where did the time go?

Great song and a good start to the new year.

Now I know what an old man must think.

Simply beautiful! The lyrics, the vocal, the band. What more can we say...apart from that this is a class entry for 2016!

Left me hangin. I wanted another verse. Something more - now from your current perspective. Please consider expanding this "old" song. I am sure we would all enjoy.

Oh I was so much older then I'm younger than that now! floyd, This was a very sophisticated write for someone only 25. Very heartfelt delivery and great strings. Perfect arrangement and mix. From one old man to another, Happy New Year and may we have many more. Tom

Floyd
Beautifully crafted and as noted excellent lyrics.
You certainly have a knack for writing songs of real substance (even at 25).

Hi Floyd ...

Just wait until you catch up with us ... we're just months away from 70 ... yep!

The insightful wisdom in your lyric is amazing. And your vocal delivery never fails to mesmerize. You have a unique and wonderful voice. Me (Alan) being an old man now, I can certainly fall right into this one.

We like the way you built the layers. That only adds to the anticipation of what's to come.

Great job ... one of our very favorites from you. Have a fabulous 2016!

Alan & Di

Top notch writing and performing. It's a good song for us to contemplate. A great example of "timeless" writing. Means as much today as it would have 35 years ago.