Feb 2022 country guy-with-guitar acoustic-one-take almost
My imposter's syndrome has been beating me up whenever go to write lyrics. So I decided to go back to the roots and write a country love song. Three Chords and the Truth , amIright? This was almost a one take. The guitar and vox were in one. I don't play harmonica, so the harmonica instrumental took 3 tries.
This Old Man © Sean McGaughey Feb 8, 2022 Key of D (Very slow 4/4)
D G D
These old eyes can’t see like they used to
A7 D
So I move the page ever farther away.
D G D
Someday soon, gonna need longer arms,
A7 D
Who needs to read anyway?
V2
These old arms are nearly strong as they were
But they tire more quickly than before.
But that’s O.K. they can work a long while
Till I have to get these old feet off the floor.
Chorus
G
This old man I see when I look in the mirror
D A A7
Does not resemble the guy in my mind’s eye
D G D
But you’re always right beside this old man
A7 DA7 D
And you are all I ever needed to get by.
These old feet, are not much to look at
But they can still walk over 15 k a day
They’ve walked me down through 4 pants sizes,
And this old heart is healthier this way.
Instrumental verse
Chorus
This old heart doesn’t love you like it used to
It’s love has grown deeper through the years
Think it’s safe to say as long as keeps pumping.
It will beat in time together with yours
@erucaesounds Mar 2022
All very true...... a catalog of truthful observations! Kinda scary! Good job!
@janeg Feb 2022
Are you sure you are old enough to write this, Sean? Well, you can sign this for the rest of your life and it will be more and more relatable.
@tunecat Feb 2022
Sh what lovely final sentiments. Yes some of these things becoming factors in my life too. A great write
@chrisshepard Feb 2022
"This old man I see when I look in the mirror
Does not resemble the guy in my mind’s eye" - A sentiment I am sure many people have shared. I think I need to do some acoustic one takes with just one mic. It's such a feeing format for songs like this where just the feeling is key. A little Neil Young feel on the harmonica solo... Nice cowboy song!
@tippyteapot Feb 2022
I love this. Gonna need longer arms , who needs to read anyway is clever. I love the way you transition through eyes to arms, arms to feet, feet to heart. Nice storytelling.
@robynmackenzie Feb 2022
Classic and endearing. Such a sweet chorus. The harmonica sounds great!
@jsini Feb 2022
I enjoyed the bits of humor and the sweetness of his love for his girl. It’s a lovely song and the simple performance is perfect for it. BTW, I’ve played harmonica for over fifty years and I think you did a great job!
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
so much wisdom pouring out of this cowboy song remiinds me of the deceptively simple songs of the great townes van zandt
@bethdesombre Feb 2022
You totally need to claim the body parts tag for this one! I love the way you choose to focus on each specific part at a time to stand in for/explain what's happening with time. And the way each verse hints at (calls out to) the next one is excellent! Impressively done, because it actually works and doesn't hit you over the head.
@moonraccoon Feb 2022
Yes, three chords and the truth, eh? Another great one, every line well measured, and no filler. Totally earns 'artist favourite'. "Who needs to read anyway" I remember those conversations. When we walk I'll share a couple of new tricks.
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
This is really wonderful, and channels that feeling so many of us are having about the reality of getting older. The feeling of 'what is in the mirror is not what i think of as myself anymore' is relatable for sure! I can picture Willie Nelson singing this, it'd be a perfect fit. nice work!
@rayboneor Feb 2022
Feels like a classic. I really like how it steps along, slow but surefooted. It's really the vocal that sells the emotion though.
@crutherford Feb 2022
wow sean - you were channelling something really special when you recorded this one. i love it. my fav verse is the first. that last line made me laugh. sometimes i feel and think this way when i cannot find my glasses! bravo sean!
@frank Feb 2022
So heartfelt! I can feel the emotion in the song. You don't need more than three chords to get that message across! Great Job!
@spikedirection Feb 2022
Sometimes the simple ldeas are the most effective, this is absolutely true here! Love the sound of this. I'd really like to play this on my Fawm radio show tomorrow night if I have your permission?
@darcistrutt Feb 2022
I felt your words to my core. I don't recognize myself in pictures sometime because it doesn't match what is in my memory. The lyric makes getting old OK. The harmonica was a nice add. Well done!
@kevinmason Feb 2022
What a sweet song about the beauty of aging! The lyrics are simple but just right and poignant as heck. Your voice is perfect for country music.
@frey Feb 2022
"They’ve walked me down through 4 pants sizes,
And this old heart is healthier this way." I looooove those lines, so sweet
@tuneslayer Feb 2022
This sounds like me. Funny, I'm not supposed to be old. Well done.
@blindkiwi Feb 2022
'I move the page even further away'
Man that hits home with me.
More than that is is a nice country ballad, works really well.
Don't worry about impostor syndrome. One of my favourite lines is from a Mark Knopfler interview where he talks about playing live with Chet Atkins and as they walked off Chet says, 'Well looks like we fooled 'em again' :D
@carleybaer Feb 2022
This is so sweet! I like the way the verses connect to each other, and I like the reframe of "this old heart don't love you like it used to." Three chords and the truth will never do you wrong. Imposter syndrome is the worst and doesn't know what it's talking about, don't ever listen to it.