Lyrics of the Day: Neil Young

“I’ve been first and last

Look at how the time goes past

But I’m all alone at last

Rolling home to you

Old man take a look at my life

I’m a lot like you

I need someone to love me

the whole day through”

Neil Young, “Old Man”

Beginning three Fridays ago, ResonantPassage chose to make the Lyrics of the Day installment each Friday a dedication to classic rock. The Doors kicked off the inaugural Classic Friday, and have been followed by Velvet Underground and Beck (a more recent classic). This Friday, the classic lyrics come courtesy of the living legend Neil Young, who continues to be a prolific force almost fifty years after his musical debut. Recently his first band, Buffalo Springfield, reunited for six concerts this year and even performed at Bonnaroo, the country’s largest music festival. “Old Man” is taken from Young’s 1972 album Harvest, and details the inner struggle of a young man who is confused as to what he wants out of life. He wants to be loved above all, but is wary of just how quickly love can become lost. The young man confides in an older man who he feels somewhat kindred to, and believes that he and the older man have shared similar experiences and conflict in their lives. Ultimately, the lyrics of “Old Man” speak to the shared human experience, the struggle of discovering one’s purpose, and the desire for fulfillment and lasting satisfaction.