Old Man
LIVING ROOM - Neil Young Lyrics
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I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
Twenty-four and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
Love lost, such a cost
Give me things that don't get lost
Like a coin that won't get 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
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that'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
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
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
"Old Man" by Neil Young is a heartfelt and introspective song that reflects on the similarities between the singer's life and the life of an older man, possibly a father figure or an elder in their community. The lyrics express a sense of longing and the desire for connection, as the singer compares their experiences and emotions to those of the older man.
The repeated phrase "Old man, look at my life, I'm a lot like you" encapsulates the theme of the song. The singer recognizes that they are following in the footsteps of the older man, realizing that their choices, struggles, and desires bear resemblance to his own. This recognition evokes a mix of nostalgia and a deep yearning for understanding and acceptance.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's loneliness and the need for love. They express a desire for someone who can love them unconditionally and be a constant presence in their life. The line, "I need someone to love me the whole day through," reveals a longing for emotional connection and companionship, suggesting that the singer may feel isolated despite the appearance of a paradise-like setting.
Overall, "Old Man" is a poignant exploration of the human condition, highlighting the universal experiences of growth, reflection, and the search for love and belonging. It serves as a reminder of the shared qualities that connect individuals across generations and underscores the timeless nature of these emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man, look at my life
Please observe and understand the way I am currently living
I'm a lot like you were
I share many similar characteristics with you in your past
Twenty-four and there's so much more
At the age of twenty-four, I have a lot of potential and opportunities ahead
Live alone in a paradise
I reside by myself in a place that brings me joy and contentment
That makes me think of two
But being alone makes me yearn for companionship
Love lost, such a cost
Experiencing the pain of lost love can be quite significant
Give me things that don't get lost
I seek things in my life that are enduring and won't disappear
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Similar to a coin that stays unchanged despite being flipped
Rolling home to you
Returning to you as my place of comfort and belonging
I need someone to love me the whole day through
I desire a person to show me love and care throughout each day
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true
A single glance into my eyes will reveal the authenticity of this statement
Lullabies, look in your eyes
When I sing lullabies, I see a reflection of them in your eyes
Run around the same old town
Continuously moving within the familiarity of our small town
Doesn't mean that much to me
However, it doesn't hold as much significance for me as it does for you
To mean that much to you
Because it holds great meaning for you
I've been first and last
I have experienced being both the initial and final person in various situations
Look at how the time goes past
Observe how quickly time elapses
But I'm all alone at last
Nevertheless, I am ultimately alone
Old man, take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you
Elderly man, please examine my life as it closely resembles yours
Old man, look at my life
Elderly man, observe my current existence
I'm a lot like you were
I possess many similarities to how you were in the past
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@haydenhoopla
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
Twenty four
and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
That makes me think of two.
Love lost, such a cost,
Give me things
that don't get lost.
Like a coin that won't get 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
Ah, one look in my eyes
and you can tell that'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.
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
Ah, one look in my eyes
and you can tell that's true.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
Old man look at my life,
I'm a lot like you were.
@Aaron-lk6pl
My dad died this year. I was born and raised in Mississippi and it was once loudly singing Sweet Home Alabama with the radio..
My dad turned down the radio, Son do you know why they put that lyric in there.
No.
Do you know who Neil Young is?
No.
Well a Southern Man does need him around.
😢I get now dad.
@Xdrtoboggan
My dad passed away in 2020, I'm 32 now and I recently went thru some more of my dads things. This song was on my mind so I had to play it. I love you dad and I miss you.
@seanmeisner3190
I'm 54 and Dad's still living nearby. I'm going to go help him split and stack some firewood today. You just reminded me to tell him that I love him while I'm there. Thank you.
@sestini8
same here, my dad also passed away in 2020 and that’s one of the musics that i listen to when i want remember him (more)
@NeoGames2016
♡
@thesnipersmith3436
Rip to him, you'll meet him again when your time comes, in the mean time, enjoy your life as much as you can because he would want it too, he will watch over you from the heavens, waiting for you to join him
@D3R3LICTRECORDS
I lost Dad in '21 to suicide. I'm so sorry. You are not alone. I find a lot of comfort and closeness to him in the rich music he listened to and loved.
@diannecarey9031
My Dad passed away this year,2024. I love you Dad❤❤❤
@steveacree5827
My dad died 7 years ago at 86. The anniversary of his death was two days ago. He was the consummate father. Our mom was an alcoholic. She had demons but I loved her. He divorced her when I was 13 and took custody of me and my two younger brothers. If you were friends with his children you became family, too. Meaning he would give you hell about things as if you were his own child. But in a good way. He taught us to fish and love sports. I played 3 sports in HS and earned 9 letters. He never missed an event. Between basketball football and running track probably close to 160 events. He was there. My dad was born in 1930. The youngest of four. We never missed a family reunion. He had 64 cousins. His father had 11 siblings. Im now the old man. I was young until last year when prostate surgery knocked the hell out of me. But Im working on it. My dad was my hero and mentor and rock my whole life. I was a lucky man.
@K1DTC
2024 anyone?
@sbusutton2209
My father passed away just this week. I’m 18. I’m lost without him, but wearing his old leather jacket and hearing this brings me just a bit of comfort.