Old School
Conlee John Lyrics


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I can remember us cruising through town
In your daddy's car with the top pulled down
Looking so cool
We came from different sides of the track
But we still held hands out back of the old school

We spent all our time together
Laughing and having fun
We swore that we'd love forever
'Cause that was the way things were done
At the old school

We both made it to our graduation
You chose a college
I chose a vocation driving eighteen wheels
I became a part of your past
You went and married some guy in your class
He was a big deal

Your picture was in all the papers
You made such a lovely bride
They said you were going places
But me I just went for a ride
Down by the old school

I got married to a sweet young girl
And kept driving for the line
Your husband made his mark on the world
Then he left you behind

In the big house
With the swimming pool
Now you drive your kids
Down to the old school

Now here we are at the reunion of the class
You ask my wife if we could have one dance
For the old times
We slow danced across the old gym floor
You whispered it could be just like before
Call me sometime

You asked if I understand you
"Well, yes I'm afraid to do"
You say everybody does it
Well, I don't care if they do

I'm from the old school
I'm from the old school
Where hearts stay true




I'm from the old school
I thought you were too

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Conlee John's song Old School depict a love story that transcends time and societal norms. The singer reflects on his past with a woman he once loved, reminiscing on their youthful days spent cruising through town and holding hands out back of the old school. Despite coming from different backgrounds, they both shared a deep connection and made promises to love each other forever, as was the way things were done back then. However, as they graduated and went their separate ways, life took them in different directions. While the singer became a truck driver, the woman went to college and eventually married someone from her class who was deemed a big deal.


Yet, through it all, the singer's love for the woman has never faded. When they reunite at their class reunion, he requests a dance with her and they slow dance across the old gym floor. She whispers that it could be just like before and asks if he understands her. He responds that he's afraid to, but he doesn't care if everyone else does it. The final lines of the song reveal that the singer is still from the old school, where hearts stay true, and thought that the woman was too.


Overall, the lyrics of Old School demonstrate the power of love to defy societal expectations and remain strong through the years. The singer's nostalgia for the old days and his enduring love for the woman make this a poignant and heartfelt song.


Line by Line Meaning

I can remember us cruising through town
I remember the two of us leisurely driving around town


In your daddy's car with the top pulled down
Your father's convertible was what we used, having the roof down and enjoying the ride


Looking so cool
We appeared to be really trendy


We came from different sides of the track
We used to have very different lifestyles


But we still held hands out back of the old school
Despite our differences, we still held hands behind the school building


We spent all our time together
We would be together all the time


Laughing and having fun
We had a lot of good times together


We swore that we'd love forever
We made a commitment that our love would last eternally


'Cause that was the way things were done
This was a common thing to do in our town


At the old school
These memories were formed in our high school


We both made it to our graduation
We both managed to complete high school


You chose a college
You proceeded to college education


I chose a vocation driving eighteen wheels
I elected to drive 18-wheeler trucks as my profession


I became a part of your past
I ceased being an active part of your life


You went and married some guy in your class
You decided to marry someone you went to school with


He was a big deal
He was an important person


Your picture was in all the papers
Your wedding photo appeared in all the magazines


You made such a lovely bride
You looked perfect as a bride


They said you were going places
People commented that your future was looking bright


But me I just went for a ride
I just went for a drive, not really making progress in life


Down by the old school
I drove near our old high school


I got married to a sweet young girl
I, too, got married to a younger lady


And kept driving for the line
I stayed with my profession of driving trucks


Your husband made his mark on the world
Your spouse succeeded and left a legacy


Then he left you behind
He abandoned you


In the big house
You currently reside in a lavish, luxurious home


With the swimming pool
The house has a built-in pool for swimming


Now you drive your kids
These days, you drive your offspring around


Down to the old school
You bring them back to our alma mater


Now here we are at the reunion of the class
We now meet again at the high school reunion event


You ask my wife if we could have one dance
You requested to dance with my wife


For the old times
For old times' sake


We slow danced across the old gym floor
The two of you danced at a leisurely pace on the old gym floor


You whispered it could be just like before
You whispered that things could be like how things used to be


Call me sometime
You suggested that I reach out to you sometime


You asked if I understand you
You asked if I empathize with you


"Well, yes I'm afraid to do"
I answered that I am afraid to say if I comprehend your predicament


You say everybody does it
You argue that everybody experiences similar situations


Well, I don't care if they do
I don't care about the general population’s behavior in this situation


I'm from the old school
I adhere to the traditional ways of life


Where hearts stay true
In the past, love between two people never faded


I thought you were too
I believed that you upheld this value as well




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON SCHLITZ, HOWARD RUSSELL SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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