Blues, rock, protest songs all have come from his pen as a writer, and his solo albums reflect his eclectic musical influences such as Patrick Sky.
Ain't Nothing Like It Used To Be
John Kay Lyrics
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One glass in the mornin', two shots at night
Three fourths anytime that you wanna get tight
Drink wine to remember, swill gin to forget
And blame the world for the peace that you haven't found yet
He stood at the bar with a bottle in his hand
He said "All my life, I've hustled and paid to survive
Say, can't you see, what's wrong with the world ain't me"
Ain't nothing' like it used to be
Ain't nothing' like it once was
Ain't nothin' like it ought to be
Ain't nothin' right no more
One pill in the mornin', two joints at night
Three spoons any time that you want to feel right
Toot coke to remember, shoot smack to forget
And blame the world for the life you haven't lived yet
Get up in the mornin', give love at night
And take time for yourself when you're losing the fight
Take care to remember, it takes time to forget
Thank God for the time that you haven't had yet
© 1977 Rambunctious Music
ASCAP
John Kay's song Ain't Nothing Like It Used To Be is a lamentation of the changes in the world that the singer observes. The song describes the ways in which people cope with their frustrations by indulging in vices like drinking, drugs, and blaming others for their problems. The first stanza emphasizes the use of alcohol to both remember and forget, depending on the situation. The second stanza introduces the use of drugs to cope, with the singer telling us that people blame the world for their problems because they haven't lived the life they wanted to.
The third stanza breaks from the previous pattern and offers an alternative solution to the problems described earlier. The singer advises people to give love, take care of themselves, and be patient with the process of forgetting. The final line "Thank God for the time that you haven't had yet" is a hopeful one, implying that there is still time to experience the good things in life. The refrain "Ain't nothing' like it used to be" emphasizes the singer's regret that the world has changed from what they knew.
Line by Line Meaning
One glass in the mornin', two shots at night
Drink alcohol in moderation for relaxation, but don't overdo it
Three fourths anytime that you wanna get tight
Drink just enough to feel the effects, but not too much
Drink wine to remember, swill gin to forget
Alcohol can evoke memories or numb the pain of the present
And blame the world for the peace that you haven't found yet
It's easier to attribute one's problems to external factors than to internal struggles
He stood at the bar with a bottle in his hand
The person described is a regular patron and perhaps a functioning alcoholic
And he complained so bitterly 'bout a world he could not understand
The individual doesn't understand their role in their own life predicaments, and it's easier to blame the world
He said 'All my life, I've hustled and paid to survive
The person has lived a hard life and is struggling to make ends meet
Say, can't you see, what's wrong with the world ain't me'
The individual sees the problems with the world but not their own destructive behavior
Ain't nothing' like it used to be
The world has changed and is not the same as it once was
Ain't nothing' like it once was
The world has changed entirely, and cannot go back to the past
Ain't nothin' like it ought to be
The world not only changed, but also took a wrong turn in the eyes of the beholder
Ain't nothin' right no more
The world is full of wrongs yet to be corrected
One pill in the mornin', two joints at night
Drug use can be a coping mechanism, but must be done in moderation
Three spoons any time that you want to feel right
Use drugs influences the brain, but it cannot solve any long-term psychological issues
Toot coke to remember, shoot smack to forget
Drug use can evoke memories or numb the pain of the present
And blame the world for the life you haven't lived yet
It's easier to attribute one's problems to external factors than to internal struggles
Get up in the mornin', give love at night
Love and kindness are essential ingredients for happiness
And take time for yourself when you're losing the fight
Self-care is important to mental health and wellbeing
Take care to remember, it takes time to forget
Healing requires time, patience, and effort
Thank God for the time that you haven't had yet
Be grateful for the future opportunities and joys awaiting you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN KAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind