I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I still feel twenty five
Most of the time
I still raise a little Cain with the boys
Honky Tonks and pretty women
But Lord, I'm still right there with 'em
Singing above the crowd and the noise
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing's gonna change
What I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
Well, the truth about a mirror
Is that a damned old mirror
Don't really tell the whole truth
It don't show what's deep inside
Or read between the lines
And it's really no reflection of my youth
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing's gonna change
What I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
Most of the time
I still raise a little Cain with the boys
Honky Tonks and pretty women
But Lord, I'm still right there with 'em
Singing above the crowd and the noise
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing's gonna change
What I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
Well, the truth about a mirror
Is that a damned old mirror
Don't really tell the whole truth
It don't show what's deep inside
Or read between the lines
And it's really no reflection of my youth
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing's gonna change
What I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
I'll be an old troubadour
When I'm gone
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More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
man...nobody's commented on this song yet? This is one of my favourite George Strait songs. Troubadours were composers of songs or poems who flourished from about 1100 to about 1300.
What I gather from it, is that he's saying even though he's getting older, he still fondly remembers his young days and still lives them.
As far as the second verse goes, I'd say that could be interpreted as when you look in the mirror, it only shows you the outside, (face value) of a person, and doesn't show their personality.
The song as a whole I think is about life's journey, and about how everyone is always on one continuous trek that never ends until you're 6 feet under. I can feel what George is singing about...I'm going to be 23 soon a senior in college, and boy do I miss being 18 and a senior in high school...best times of my life.
Yeah, if you've made it from 18 to 23, you've just about seen it all. The good times are behind you now.
Haha, exactly what I thought.
Even though George doesn't write most of his songs, you would think he would've wrote this one, considering it sounds like his personal life story. It's amazing how after 30 years of being in the business George is not only still performing, but he still has a successful career, & hasn't lost touch with his fanbase or been dropped from his record label, as many "old" artists tend to do so. He has over 50 #1 hits on the country chart, & amazingly he's still as popular today as he was in '82!
I agree Gold Star Deli. Im a freshmen in college, and I already miss High School. But when I think about it, it reminds me to keep having fun while Im young.
Great song.