submissions
| Simon and Garfunkel – Old Friends Lyrics
| 2 years ago
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I was introduced to the Bookends album by a teacher at my secondary school in 1968 during one of those end of term classes when you were able to bring in your own albums to a music lesson to play and discuss. I brought in Hendix’s Are You Experienced but that is another story. This particular teacher told me that I had a passing resemblance to the picture of Paul Simon on the cover. I was 15 and innocent then and nowerdays I wonder what motive he had introducing me to the album but that aside I was completely hooked on the wonderful guitar melody of the Bookends theme. I saved up my paper round money and eventually bought the album. Old friends became my favourite track and is in my top ten all time songs. I distinctly remember laying on my bed and considering the lyric ‘how terrible strange to be 70’. As a 15 year old 70 was indeed literally a lifetime away and the thought of getting to that age scared me as on the album it was preceded by the voices of old people. As the years went on and I got older I was always aware of this lyric and in my thoughts particularly on my birthdays. 70 slowly creeped forward and this year eventually became a reality. Now when I play the track I have an extreme feeling of nostalgia of those days when I was young listening to the track on my bed and wondering just where time has gone. A feeling so strong that I am inclined to weep. I hope that it is still a long time off but it will be probably played at my funeral. Not only because it is a beautiful song but has a statement that life passes by quickly and to seize every opportunity. So as not to end on a melancholy note I am currently very happy and in good health enjoying life to a background of wonderful music I have discovered and enjoyed the last 70 years. I do sit on a park bench with my old friends! |
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