Human Drama was, in many ways, the personal vehicle for singer/songwriter J… Read Full Bio ↴Human Drama was, in many ways, the personal vehicle for singer/songwriter Johnny Indovina, who guided the band through a variety of lineup changes and stylistic experiments. During their lifespan, Human Drama released a series of recordings built around Indovina's passionate singing and dramatic melodies.

Indovina and Human Drama began their career in New Orleans in the early 80s as The Models, releasing two singles along with compilation appearances. A mid-'80s move to Los Angeles and the discovery of an already existing Australian band also named The Models set the stage for Indovina and company to begin their new incarnation.

The newly renamed Human Drama became a member of the "Scream scene" of the mid-'80s, which sprang up around the short-lived Los Angeles underground goth/metal club that brought Guns N' Roses and Jane's Addiction to the world. Human Drama contributed a song, "Wave of Darkness", to the 1987 Scream Compilation LP, which led to a major label deal with RCA.

1989 saw the release of the debut Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death EP and the full length Feel LP. Both releases featured a electric guitar-oriented approach. Indovina felt that RCA wasn't properly promoting the band, and the band and label parted ways.

Moving to the independent Triple X label, the next Human Drama release was 1992's The World Inside. Stylistically different from the first two releases, Indovina moved Human Drama into a quieter, more strings-based sound. This album is widely regarded as Indovina and Human Drama's most important work. The LP earned the band critical raves and a near fanatical following, especially in Mexico. A solo performance of various cover songs by Indovina at the album's release party predicted the next Human Drama album. Released in 1993, PinUps was an open tribute to David Bowie's album of the same name, a collection of remakes of various sources of inspiration.

A move to New York city accompanied a temporary co-release stint on the Projekt label, resulting in two additional mid-decade releases, 1994's Human Drama EP and 1995's Songs of Betrayal, which was later re-released as two separate discs with additional tracks.

The next Human Drama release would be a live album. 1997's Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later, featuring many of the early Feel-era songs, along with some new cover song choices.

1999 brought Solemn Sun Setting, which saw a merging of the two "different" Human Drama styles, before the following year's career overview, Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World.

The final Human Drama album, 2002's Cause and Effect, continuing themes from Solemn Sun Setting, was an unexpected goodbye from Indovina and company, for both the band and their fans.

In 2004, Human Drama recorded their final track, the Beatles "Let It Be", which was given to fans who attended the band's farewell performance in Los Angeles. When asked why he chose "Let It Be" as their final recording Indovina answered, "I strived my entire career to write a song as good as that, but since I couldn't, I decided to record it as a salute to, what is in my opinion, the best song ever written".

Indovina has since moved on with his next project, Sound of the Blue Heart.

Old Man
Human Drama Lyrics

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Old man, look at my life
Twenty-four, and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
It makes me think about two

Love lost at such a cost
Give me things that don't get lost
Like a coin that won't be tossed

Rolling home to you

Old man, take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
The whole day through
Just one look in my eyes
And you will tell it's true

Lullabies, look in your eyes
Run around the same old town
Doesn't mean that much to me
To mean that much to you
'Cause I've been first and last
Look at how the time goes past
But I'm all alone at last
Rolling home to you

Old man, take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
The whole day through
Just one look in my eyes
And you will tell that's true

Old man, take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
The whole day through
Just one look in my eyes
And you will tell that's true

Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life

Old man, look at my life
Old man, look at my life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Human Drama's song "Old Man" reflect the introspective musings of a young individual who is contemplating their life and seeking connection. The singer, at the age of twenty-four, feels a sense of longing for something more meaningful. Living alone in what could be described as a paradise, they are prompted to reflect on their experiences and relationships.

The reference to "two" suggests that the singer is thinking about a specific person or perhaps a past love. They lament the cost of lost love but seek solace in the things that endure, like a coin that won't be tossed away. There is a yearning to return home, both physically and emotionally, to find comfort and connection. The lyrics convey a desire for someone to love them throughout the day, longing for a deep and fulfilling companionship.

The repetition of the phrase "old man, look at my life" conveys a yearning for understanding and validation from someone older and wiser. It suggests a longing for guidance and wisdom, as they desire someone to empathetically see themselves in the singer's experiences and emotions. Through their eyes, they hope this old man will be able to discern the truth of their longing for love and genuine connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Old man, look at my life
Reflect on my life, as an older man

Twenty-four, and there's so much more
At the age of 24, there is still so much ahead of me

Live alone in a paradise
I live in solitude, in a place that brings me joy

It makes me think about two
It reminds me of the importance of companionship

Love lost at such a cost
The pain of losing love comes at a high price

Give me things that don't get lost
I desire things that are everlasting

Like a coin that won't be tossed
Stability and consistency are what I seek

Rolling home to you
Returning to the one I love

I'm a lot like you
I share similarities with you, the old man

I need someone to love me
I long for someone to love me

The whole day through
Every moment of the day