This Age We Live In
Bryan Bowers Lyrics
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There was somebody else of that I was sure
Your kiss was as tight as an old miser's tips
A cool polite mouth, no warm melting lips.
And you never could get enough of my love
You'd cry in the dark when we didn't make love
And we loved many times both gentle and rough
This age we live in is not the old West
Where a man shot his rival and proved himself best.
I smiled and made small talk and sat by his side
I pretended great joy while crumblin' inside.
And you'd only known one love before you met me
While I lost count as years did flee.
I lived things already that you now will start
Sooner or later we had to part.
And sooner it was and I should have known
The earthquakes of youth rock those who are grown
I don't feel ancient. I don't feel young.
Life's still worth livin'. There are songs yet unsung.
And you were a rose unfolding to the light
One peddle was I in your flower of life
Our love has faded as Spring comes to the South
But I'll always remember the taste of your mouth.
This age we live in is not the old West
Where a man shot his rival and proved himself best.
I smiled and made small talk and sat by his side
I pretended great joy while crumblin' inside.
In Bryan Bowers's song "This Age We Live In," the singer reflects on a past relationship and the challenges that came with it. From the first moment he walked in the door, he knew that there was someone else in the picture. The singer describes the coldness of his partner's kiss, which lacked the warmth and affection that he expected. While their love life was passionate in the beginning, eventually their relationship turned into one where once was enough. However, despite the eventual end of their romance, the singer acknowledges that life is still worth living, with songs yet to be sung.
The song's title, "This Age We Live In," hints at a time of change where old values, such as the portrayal of masculinity and conflict resolution, are no longer as rigidly enforced. The singer references the old West, where men would shoot their rivals to prove themselves the best. However, in this new age, conflict is often approached with diplomacy and small talk rather than physical confrontation. The singer pretends joy while "crumblin' inside," suggesting the pain and heartache of a break-up that is hidden beneath a veneer of civility.
The singer also reflects on the differences in the experiences of the two partners in their past loves. While his partner had only known one love before him, the singer had lived through countless relationships. This disparity may have caused a rift in their relationship, as the singer knew what he wanted and expected from a partner, while his partner was still exploring what love could be.
Overall, "This Age We Live In" explores the complexities of love in modern times, where traditional gender roles and values are shifting. The singer acknowledges the pain of lost love, but also the resilience needed to move forward and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew the first moment I walked in your door
From the first moment I saw you, I knew that you were with someone else.
There was somebody else of that I was sure
There was no doubt in my mind that you were in a relationship.
Your kiss was as tight as an old miser's tips
You kissed me in a cold and greedy way, with no warmth or affection.
A cool polite mouth, no warm melting lips.
Your mouth was not passionate or tender, but stiff and reserved.
And you never could get enough of my love
You craved my love and affection constantly.
You'd cry in the dark when we didn't make love
You were deeply affected when we were not intimate.
And we loved many times both gentle and rough
We shared many types of physical intimacy, from tender to aggressive.
But last night for the first time once was enough.
Our last encounter was unfulfilling, and we did not need to repeat it.
This age we live in is not the old West
Our current era is different from the Wild West, and people handle conflict and competition differently.
Where a man shot his rival and proved himself best.
In the past, men used violence to prove their worth and status compared to others.
I smiled and made small talk and sat by his side
I put on a fake smile, made idle chatter, and sat next to the person who made me uncomfortable.
I pretended great joy while crumblin' inside.
Internally, I was struggling and unhappy, but I pretended to be happy and content on the outside.
And you'd only known one love before you met me
You had only experienced one romantic relationship before you met me.
While I lost count as years did flee.
I had so many romantic experiences that I lost track of them over the years.
I lived things already that you now will start
I have already had life experiences that you are about to embark on.
Sooner or later we had to part.
Our relationship had to come to an end at some point.
And sooner it was and I should have known
Our relationship ended sooner than I expected, and I should have seen the signs coming.
The earthquakes of youth rock those who are grown
Changes and instability in one's youth can have lasting impacts on their adult life.
I don't feel ancient. I don't feel young.
I don't feel particularly old or young, but somewhere in between.
Life's still worth livin'. There are songs yet unsung.
Despite the ups and downs of our relationship and life in general, there is still hope and enjoyment to be found.
And you were a rose unfolding to the light
You were like a growing rose, blossoming and discovering more about yourself and the world around you.
One peddle was I in your flower of life
I played a small but significant role in your personal growth and development.
Our love has faded as Spring comes to the South
Our romantic connection has gradually diminished over time, like the arrival of spring in the southern hemisphere.
But I'll always remember the taste of your mouth.
Despite our relationship ending and moving on, I'll never forget the intimate moments we shared together.
Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.