Feb 2022 alcoholism decisions blues cryptic temptation
I’ve been watching Mom on Netflix - I remember the show first coming on tv but it didn’t take with me.
I’m now up to season 5 of 8(?) and it’s humourous and confronting for me as my dad never ever admitted he was an alcoholic (despite the evidence otherwise).
This song pretends my dad is in a bar, making the decision to stop drinking and that we meant more to him than the bottle.
It never happened of course, but it wasn’t until I was halfway thru writing the lyrics that I realised the deeper cryptic meaning behind the words.
Then I made some tweaks.
By the time I got to the last line, I found myself a little raw.
OLD FRIEND
(C) Christine M Kerr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2022
V1
Hello old friend
Where have you been?
Did you miss me much
As I’ve missed you?
V2
Hello old friend
It’s nice to see you again
It’s time we had a chat
You and I
Chorus
Thing’s have got to change
I can’t keep pretendin’ that ev’rything’s okay
I’m finally out of reasons and lies
Things have gotta change
Tonight
V3
Hello old friend
You smell so good
We had some good times
Didn’t we?
V4
Hello old friend
Remember that song?
We’d sing together
When the nights were too long?
Chorus
Thing’s have got to change
I can’t keep pretendin’ that ev’rything’s okay
I’m finally out of reasons and lies
Things have gotta change
Tonight
Bridge
Thanks for all the forgotten memories
And the damage we left behind
Chorus
Thing’s have got to change
I can’t keep pretendin’ that ev’rything’s okay
I’m finally out of reasons and lies
Things have gotta change
Tonight
V5
Goodbye old friend
Don’t ask me for a kiss
I’ll think I’ll pass
This time
@johnstaples Feb 2022
Christine, this is really very good! You tell this sad tale beautifully as he "talks" to the bottle and resolves to change! You paint a vivid picture of the addiction of alcoholism. And in that bridge he finally acknowledges the damage caused.
This song touched me because my father was a terminal alcoholic. Died at 56 from complications due to alcoholism. Divorced and left his family without support when I was in 7th grade. I wrote a song about him called Invisible Father.
Your song reached me for sure!
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
This does dig deep. There's _coming_ back ... yeah, and then there's _going_ back. Congrats on working a tough topic and experience out into the light.