My Old Man
Mac DeMarco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who do you see?
Someone familiar
But surely not me
For he can't be me
Look how old and cold and tired and lonely he's become
Not until you see
Uh oh, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Walk on the outside
Holding her hand
Someone familiar
Her and her man
But it just can't be
Look at all the steps that brought you where you are today
Not until you see
As a heart grows stronger, sometimes love is pushed away
Uh oh, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Uh oh, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like
I'm seeing more of my old man in me
In Mac DeMarco's song "My Old Man," he reflects on the fact that as he grows older, he sees more and more similarities between himself and his father. The lyrics open with the lines "Look in the mirror, who do you see? Someone familiar, but surely not me." He further elaborates on the visual differences he sees between himself and his father, remarking on the older man's age, exhaustion, and loneliness. However, despite these differences, DeMarco acknowledges that "There's a price tag hanging off of having all that fun," indicating that life experience has taken its toll on both him and his dad.
The song's second verse focuses on DeMarco's observations of a couple walking together, possibly his own partner and himself. He walks on the outside, the traditional position for men to protect their partners from traffic, and reflects on the evolution of relationships. While love can feel like it strengthens the heart, it can also be a force that distances people from each other over time. The chorus further underscores the theme of the song, with DeMarco acknowledging that he's seeing more and more of his father in himself as he grows older.
Overall, the song seems to convey a sense of wistfulness and reflection on the inevitability of aging and the passage of time. DeMarco is grappling with the fact that no matter how much he might have wanted to keep the youthful, carefree version of himself intact, maturity and experience have taken over, leading him to see more and more of his father's face staring back at him from the mirror.
Line by Line Meaning
Look in the mirror
Take a good look at yourself in the mirror
Who do you see?
Who do you perceive in the reflection?
Someone familiar
You see yourself, someone you know very well
But surely not me
But you feel like you are not really looking at yourself
For he can't be me
You feel like what you see in the mirror is not really you
Look how old and cold and tired and lonely he's become
You notice how you have changed and grown older, frigid, tired, and isolated
Not until you see
Only when you realize
There's a price tag hanging off of having all that fun
You realize that all the fun you had before has its consequences
Uh oh, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
You can see more of your father's personality, behavior, and vibe in yourself
Oh no, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
You are scared and apprehensive about becoming like your dad
Walk on the outside, holding her hand
Walking near the curb while holding your partner's hand, protecting her from traffic
Someone familiar, her and her man
Your girlfriend and her significant other who she used to date before you
But it just can't be
It's hard for you to believe their history and feelings for each other
Look at all the steps that brought you where you are today
Reflect on all the actions and decisions that shaped your current situation
As a heart grows stronger, sometimes love is pushed away
The more you become emotionally strong and independent, the more love and attachment may fade
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MacBriare Samuel DeMarco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eton9931
Look in the mirror
Who do you see?
Someone familiar
But surely not me
For he can't be me
Look how old and cold and tired and lonely he's become
Not until you see
There's a price tag hanging off of having all that fun
Uh oh, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Walk on the outside, holding her hand
Someone familiar, her and her man
But it just can't be
Look at all the steps that brought you where you are today
Not until you see
As a heart grows stronger, sometimes love is pushed away
Uh oh, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Uh oh, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Oh no, looks like I'm seeing more of my old man in me
Lets keep putting lyrics on coments for a better youtube!
@theweatherman6124
lyrics:
look at the mirror
who do you see
somewhat familiar
surely not me
for it can't be me
look at how old and cold and tired and lonely he's become
not until you see
there's a pricetag hanging off of having all that fun
oh oh looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
oh no looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
walk on the outside
holding her hand
somewhat familiar
her and her man
but it just can't be
look at all these steps that brought you where you are today
not until you see
as the heart grows stronger sometimes love is pushed away
oh oh looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
oh no looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
ah oh looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
oh no looks like
i'm seeing more of my old man in me
@EtherealGoddess21
Trying to creep into the kitchen to get snacks at 3 am like
@AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH
mac's dad
@tuktuk7588
Thank you, Mr. Skeltal.
@e.c5786
Shakespeare boss level mate
@no-barknoonan8798
Only difference is I don't take steps backwards... unlike trying to complete my goals. Which is what I think this song is really about.
@williamchambers1579
I love my dad, but I am also not blind to his imperfections and his natural tendencies that make him come off as cold person in many respects. He's very complicated, yet brilliant at what he does. There is something about this song... I don't know if it's pride, or disgust, but I cry often listening to it. It's truly the only song that brings out both an equal amount of hate and love into perspective (and how my own behaviors are starting to follow a similar pattern). Idk it gets me deep, fuckin great job Mac.
@lexi-wb1dh
me too
@henrysalguero1934
He wrote this song for sons that love their Dad yet hate him a little bit for being rough but as we get older we realize how’s it feel to grow and be man
@alisende4844
me too
@amateurwave3593
Bro... Same... My dads a fucking genius and an idiot all the same. Struggling to teach me not to be like him or his father all the while at times treating me like his father treated him. ❤