The group's real history is shrouded in mystery -- they claim to be the last great '50s group and to have been kidnapped by Laotian guerillas while entertaining U.S. troops in Vietnam and not rescued until 1983.
As of 1991, they were an octet featuring four lead singers, Marty Kaniger (also guitar), Tom Lee (also guitar), Bob Wayne, and Don Raymond (also guitar), plus John Hatton (bass), Norman A. Norman (keyboards), Bob Sandman (reeds), and Damon DeGrignon (drums).
The Living Years
Big Daddy Lyrics
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Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defense
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different date
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
"The Living Years" by Big Daddy is a song that speaks to the importance of expressing oneself to one's loved ones before it's too late. The lyrics suggest that every generation blames the previous one for their frustrations, but that this approach merely perpetuates bitterness and fails to resolve anything. The singer speaks of his own situation, explaining that he feels trapped by his father's hopes and fears, but that he never got a chance to share his own perspective in "the living years." He regrets not being able to tell his father everything he needed to say before he died, but believes he heard his father's spirit in the cries of his newborn child.
The song is about the importance of communication and not taking loved ones for granted. It's a powerful tribute to the power of relationships and the impact that they can have on our lives. The song reminds us that it's never too late to reach out to someone we care about, even if there have been disagreements in the past. The message is a universal one that will resonate with anyone who has ever lost someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Every generation
Each new group of people, young or old, have a tendency to point the finger of blame towards the previous generation as the root cause of all their issues and difficulties.
Blames the one before
They hold the previous generation accountable for whatever problems they encounter.
And all of their frustrations
All the negative feelings and anxieties felt from the present is a result of issues in the past that are still looming around.
Come beating on your door
These frustrations, emotions, and concerns don't disappear with time and will persistently weigh on one's mind.
I know that I'm a prisoner
I realize that I am constrained and limited by the beliefs, convictions, customs, and aspirations of my father.
To all my Father held so dear
All the values, traditions, and opinions that meant everything to my father are things that I am bound by as his successor.
I know that I'm a hostage
I am being held captive and held back by all the hopes, fears, and expectations that my father had for me and my life.
To all his hopes and fears
All the aspirations and apprehensions that my father harbored for me and my future are influencing my decisions and course of life.
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
I regret not having had the chance to openly communicate and express my feelings to my father while he was still alive.
Crumpled bits of paper
All we are left with to preserve and communicate our thoughts are bits and pieces of scribbled notes.
Filled with imperfect thought
Our ideas, opinions, and beliefs are never flawless or complete, but rather scattered and unfinished.
Stilted conversations
Our discussions and interactions with others are often uneasy and rigid, lacking in natural flow and ease of communication.
I'm afraid that's all we've got
Our limited ability to put our thoughts into words and communicate them coherently is all we are left with.
You say you just don't see it
You maintain that you don't see things from the same perspective as others.
He says it's perfect sense
He argues that his viewpoint is the logical and justified one.
You just can't get agreement
There is a lack of consensus and support for any singular position or idea.
In this present tense
At this moment in time, there is discord and conflict between groups with differing opinions and beliefs.
We all talk a different language
Each of us expresses ourselves in our own unique manner and using our preferred terms and phrases.
Talking in defense
We are all speaking defensively, unwilling to concede or compromise in our beliefs and opinions.
Say it loud, say it clear
Communicate your thoughts confidently and articulately.
You can listen as well as you hear
Be an active listener who can understand the underlying emotions and messages conveyed in all forms of communication.
It's too late when we die
We should not wait for someone's death before telling them how we feel.
To admit we don't see eye to eye
It is wrong to accept our differences only after we are gone.
So we open up a quarrel
We start a dispute between the past and future, ensuring that the present suffers.
Between the present and the past
We commonly compromise the present by dwelling on the failures of the past.
We only sacrifice the future
By concentrating solely on present-day problems and past opinions, we risk jeopardizing the path to a successful future.
It's the bitterness that lasts
It is the negative emotions produced by past experiences that stay with us the longest and cause the most pain.
So don't yield to the fortunes
Don't be swayed by the unchangeable events of life.
You sometimes see as fate
Don't let yourself be boxed in by the belief that your destiny is predetermined by outside forces.
It may have a new perspective
If you remain open and receptive to new ideas and possibilities, life can change for the better.
On a different date
In another moment of time or other era, life obstacles can become stepping-stones.
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
Persistently persevere, hold your ground, and never lose faith in your journey.
You may just be O.K.
With resolve and a positive outlook, the chances of things turning out well in the end are high.
I wasn't there that morning
I wasn't present at the time of my father's death.
When my Father passed away
When my father died from this world.
I didn't get to tell him
I didn't have the chance to express my thoughts and feelings to him.
All the things I had to say
Everything that was in my mind and heart that I wanted to share with him.
I think I caught his spirit
I sense that I have inherited his essence, values, and character traits.
Later that same year
Some time shortly after his death.
I'm sure I heard his echo
I clearly perceived my father's influence and guidance after his passing.
In my baby's new born tears
Through my child's innocent cries and heartbreaking struggles, I saw my father's spirit and wisdom.
Contributed by Dylan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.