Overall, there have been 29 single releases throughout the years with 26 of them charting in the top 20 or better. Eight of those 26 have reached the coveted No.1 spot on the national country charts.
His first release, “Back Side of thirty” went nowhere fast. Three more singles also met with a minimum success, although they all charted. But in March of 1978, the label released “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song Conlee wrote, which became a huge hit as well as his signature song. In January of 1979, the label re-released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a No. 1 record, and the hits continued to roll. The John Conlee hit list includes songs such as “Lady Lay Down,” “Before My Time,” “Friday Night Blues,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Busted,” “I Don’t Remember Loving You,” “Common Man,” “I’m Only In It For The Love,” “In My Eyes,” “As Long As I’m Rocking With You,” “Years After You,” “Domestic Life,” “Mama’s Rockin Chair,” “Hit the Ground Runnin,” and “Fellow Travelers.” All of Conlee’s hits have that unmistakable common thread – that unique voice. Conlee has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1981.
Old school
John Conlee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
'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
The lyrics of John Conlee's song Old School portray the memories of a man and a woman who came from different sides of society but shared a deep and innocent love during their high school years. The song offers a detailed description of their past - cruising through town in the man's daddy's car, holding hands out back of the old school, laughing and having fun together. They believed their love would last forever because that was the way things were done at the old school. Yet, life had other plans for them, and they went their separate ways after graduation.
The man chose a driving vocation, while the woman went to college and ended up marrying a big shot from her class. She became the talk of the town, and her picture was in all the papers. The man, on the other hand, got married to a sweet young girl and continued driving for the line. The woman ended up alone after her husband left her behind, living in a big house with a swimming pool and driving her kids down to the old school. At their class reunion, the man and woman slow danced across the old gym floor, and the woman whispered to him that they could be just like before if he called her sometime. However, the man, who is from the old school, values the principles of holding true to one's heart, and tells her that he understands her but doesn't care about what everybody else does.
Line by Line Meaning
I can remember us cruising through town
I have fond memories of driving around town with you.
In your daddy's car with the top pulled down
We used to ride around in your dad's convertible with the top down.
Looking so cool
We felt really cool and carefree riding around in that car.
We came from different sides of the track
We were from different backgrounds and social classes.
But we still held hands out back of the old school
Despite our differences, we were still close and affectionate.
We spent all our time together
We were always together and enjoyed each other's company.
Laughing and having fun
We were carefree and happy when we were together.
We swore that we'd love forever
We promised each other that we would love each other forever.
'Cause that was the way things were done
We believed in old-fashioned values and traditions.
At the old school
Our memories were formed at our old high school.
We both made it to our graduation
We both graduated from high school together.
You chose a college
You decided to attend college.
I chose a vocation driving eighteen wheels
I decided to become a truck driver instead of attending college.
I became a part of your past
We drifted apart and I became a part of your distant past.
You went and married some guy in your class
You got married to someone in your graduating class.
He was a big deal
Your husband was influential and successful.
Your picture was in all the papers
You were featured in the news and were well-known.
You made such a lovely bride
You looked beautiful on your wedding day.
They said you were going places
People believed that you were destined for great success.
But me I just went for a ride
I pursued a different path in life and didn't achieve the same level of success.
Down by the old school
I still think about the times we shared at our old high school.
I got married to a sweet young girl
I got married to someone else who was kind and loving.
And kept driving for the line
I continued my career as a truck driver.
Your husband made his mark on the world
Your husband achieved great things and became well-known.
Then he left you behind
Your husband left you alone and moved on with his life.
In the big house
You live in a large, impressive home.
With the swimming pool
Your home has a swimming pool.
Now you drive your kids
You are now a parent and drive your children around.
Down to the old school
You take your kids to our old high school.
Now here we are at the reunion of the class
We are attending a class reunion together.
You ask my wife if we could have one dance
You want to dance with me, but ask permission from my wife.
For the old times
We want to relive our memories from the past.
We slow danced across the old gym floor
We dance together to an old-fashioned, slow song in the gym.
You whispered it could be just like before
You suggest that we could relive our past together.
Call me sometime
You give me your phone number and suggest we stay in touch.
You asked if I understand you
You want to know if I can relate to your current feelings and experiences.
"Well, yes I'm afraid to do"
I admit that I can't fully understand what you're going through.
You say everybody does it
You suggest that everyone goes through what you're experiencing.
Well, I don't care if they do
I don't care about what other people do or think.
I'm from the old school
I believe in traditional values and ways of life.
Where hearts stay true
I believe in the importance of remaining faithful and committed.
I thought you were too
I thought you also believed in these traditional values.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON SCHLITZ, HOWARD RUSSELL SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ENCwwe
I love this song. Old school values never go out of style. “Where hearts stay true.”
@rockylombardo6978
Yes I agree
@scottpowell5605
I thought you were too
@jcdpb
"I'm from the old school, where hearts stay true, I thought that you were too" whoa! Firm but kind. Need more men like this in the world. My friend asked me to listen to this song. It is terrific.
@annieallen09
There is a few of us left home you find the man deserving of you
@fenderbender1515
Its russel smith
@smallblockchevy1022
I'm proud to be one of those men.
@alpharaptor7185
Amen. Such a powerful message.
@johnconlee69
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
Please send me a mail via. johnconlee09@gmail.com
@marshalllancaster2314
John Conlee helped me rediscover retro country. He’s amazing.