Multi-reed player/saxophonist Denis Solee has lived in Nashville since 1974… Read Full Bio ↴Multi-reed player/saxophonist Denis Solee has lived in Nashville since 1974. Interested and skilled in all types of music, he has played in military bands, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, big bands, and small groups. He has appeared on radio, TV, films, and recordings for artists from Ray Stevens to Ray Charles; Mel Tillis to Mel Torme; Louis Bellson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sarah Vaughn, Amy Grant, Liberace, Aretha Franklin.... and the list goes on. While he makes a living playing virtually all types of music, Denis in the last few years has focused more on his major interest: big bands and small jazz ensembles. Denis has 4 of his own albums on the Green Hills Music label and just recently released his newest CD - "Sinatra on Sax" for Village Square Music. Denis teaches ensembles at The Nashville Jazz Workshop, and is responsible for the transcriptions and arrangements performed by these ensembles.

The Way You Look Tonight
Denis Solee Lyrics

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Wash away all the lines on your face that show how you've aged it's a long way down
Your back's been broken you can't make the rounds the tables are turned as the litany goes...
You're a rotten old man who'll be covered in dirt on your knees
And pray to the maker that caused you to bleed

Turn back the hand on the clock
You're a bitter old man who's done nothing
But work your hands to the bone on the assembly lines

You've grown cold to the touch of the ones that you love
Ignorance is something you can't over come but you've passed it on down
And that's something much worse for a bitter young man...
Is now taking the torch

Silent scorn - you've taken it out on the ones you adore Inside rage
They've left you before but they'll come back again
They'll pray for you with all their love
But this time your indifference just can't be excused Forced amends

Well it's something you'll die with but it goes on for them...
For a bitter young man...has now taken the torch...

Overall Meaning

The Way You Look Tonight by Denis Solee is a melancholic song that talks about the consequences of living a bitter life. The lyrics highlight the painful reality of growing old and bitter, and how it affects one's relationships with loved ones. The song opens with an appeal to wash away all the lines on the face caused by aging, but unfortunately, it's already too late as the back has already been broken, and one can't make the rounds any longer. The tables are turned, and the litany goes on that the bitter old man will be covered in dirt on his knees and pray to the maker that caused him to bleed.

The lyrics further reveal that the bitter old man has done nothing but work hard on the assembly lines, grown cold to the touch of loved ones and passed on his ignorance to a bitter young man who has now taken the torch. The old man has taken out his silent scorn on the ones he adores and harbors an inside rage. The loved ones have left him before but come back praying for him with all their love. This time, his indifference can’t be excused for a forced amends, but it's something he'll die with, even though it continues for them as the bitter young man now holds the torch.

In conclusion, the lyrics paint a sad picture of the bitter consequences of a life lived in bitterness. No one wants to be a bitter old man, and this song seeks to serve as a warning to those heading down that path.

Line by Line Meaning

Wash away all the lines on your face that show how you've aged it's a long way down
Your appearance reveals your age and your struggles in life, but forgetting about them is a difficult process.

Your back's been broken you can't make the rounds the tables are turned as the litany goes...
You've faced a lot of hardships and it's difficult for you to move forward, sometimes life can be ironic.

You're a rotten old man who'll be covered in dirt on your knees And pray to the maker that caused you to bleed
You have made mistakes in life, you know you will die one day, and you hope for redemption and forgiveness.

Turn back the hand on the clock You're a bitter old man who's done nothing But work your hands to the bone on the assembly lines
You regret the choices you’ve made and the life you’ve lived. You’ve worked hard, but it feels like it has been in vain.

You've grown cold to the touch of the ones that you love Ignorance is something you can't over come but you've passed it on down
Your relationships have suffered because of your emotional distance. You know you have flaws, but you can't help repeating them.

And that's something much worse for a bitter young man... Is now taking the torch
Your mistakes and shortcomings will affect the next generation, and you fear for what they will inherit.

Silent scorn - you've taken it out on the ones you adore Inside rage
You’ve been angry and resentful towards your loved ones, but it's been hidden under the surface.

They've left you before but they'll come back again They'll pray for you with all their love
Your loved ones have left you in the past, but they still care for you and want to help you.

But this time your indifference just can't be excused Forced amends
Your loved ones don't accept your apathy anymore and demand change from you.

Well it's something you'll die with but it goes on for them... For a bitter young man...has now taken the torch...
You will carry the weight of your actions until the end, but those you’ve affected will continue to suffer, as a new generation inherits the same problems.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALEXANDER MARTIN BARR, KENNETH WILLIAM CASEY, MATHEW EDWARD KELLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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