Born in Chicago to Swedish/Italian parents, Lofgren moved to the Washington, D.C., area as a teenager. His first instrument was the accordion. He was also a competitive gymnast in high school, a skill that popped up later in his career.
Lofgren joined Neil Young's band in 1968 at age 17, playing piano on the album After the Gold Rush. Lofgren would maintain a close musical relationship with Young, appearing on his Tonight's the Night album and tour among others. He was also briefly a member of Crazy Horse, appearing on their 1971 LP and contributing songs to their catalogue.
From '71 to '74 Lofgren was active in Grin, the band he founded in '69. After landing a record deal in '71 the band released 4 critically-acclaimed albums but met with little commercial success.
In 1975 Lofgren released his a self-titled solo album featuring songs that went on to become staples of his solo performances; 'Keith Don't Go', 'Back it Up' and the cover of Carole Kings 'Goin' Back'.
Solo albums and tours followed every year through the 70s as Lofgren established himself as a top guitarist and live performer earning the respect and acclaim of his peers.
Bruce Springsteen made the call in 1984 and Lofgren joined the E-Street Band for the 'Born in the USA' tour. Lofgren was instant hit with Springsteens fans through his playing and vibrant on stage persona. Lofgren remains a stalwart of the E-Street Band to the present day.
Lofgren continues to juggle his tenure with the Springsteen Band and a solo recording career, whilst writing and performing with many other artists. His 2008 album 'Nils Sings Neil' was a project featuring Lofgren acoustically covering songs written by Neil Young, his former bandleader in Crazy Horse.
New Holes In Old Shoes
Nils Lofgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all somebody needs to make it through the land
Walk the night, travel light, cross the Rio Grandee
Someone strums a mandolin, soft gulf breezes blow
My new life is waiting in old Mexico
I was once a married man livin' peacefully
Hard to say exactly when the devil blinded me
Darker times, drunken crimes, a dead young working girl
Left a jailer there in Caroline, watching me from down below
My new life is waiting in old Mexico
Livin' in the shadows
Runnin' from my fame
Blowin' where the wind blows
Where no one knows my name
In the El Vaquero Bar in the town of Eagle Pass
Moments from my freedom warm whiskey in my glass
Some Borracho took me for the man who stole his wife
He went for his forty-four as I reached for my knife
He never fired a second shot, he was just too slow
My new life is waiting in old Mexico
I hear of hidden harbors south of Mazatlan
Where cool spring mountain waters meet the warm Pacific sun
I pray the miles I've traveled and all the sins I bear
Burn away like mornin' fog and vanish in the air
Miles beyond the border now, but many miles to go
My new life is waiting in old Mexico
A bowie knife, a woolen coat, a grip bag on my arm
It's all somebody needs to make it through the land
The lyrics to "New Holes In Old Shoes" by Nils Lofgren tell the story of a man who is trying to escape his past and start a new life in Mexico. He describes the items he has with him, including a bowie knife, a woolen coat, and a grip bag on his arm, which he claims is all somebody needs to make it through the land. He speaks of walking the night, traveling light, and crossing the Rio Grandee, and how someone strums a mandolin while soft gulf breezes blow.
The man speaks of his past life as a married man living peacefully before something happened that blinded him and caused confusion when his wife left this world. He speaks of darker times, drunken crimes, and a dead young working girl, which lead to him being jailed in Caroline. He then talks about living in the shadows and running from his fame, blowing where the wind blows, and going where no one knows his name.
The escape to Mexico becomes a reality when the man finds himself in the El Vaquero Bar in the town of Eagle Pass, moments from his freedom with warm whiskey in his glass. However, he soon encounters trouble when someone mistakes him for the man who stole his wife, leading to a confrontation where the man reaches for his knife but ends up succeeding in his escape to Mexico. The lyrics end with the man's hope for a new life beyond the border, where miles still remain to be traveled, but his new life is waiting in old Mexico with his bowie knife, woolen coat, and grip bag.
Line by Line Meaning
A bowie knife, a woolen coat, a grip bag on my arm
These simple things are all I need to have a chance at success in this world.
It's all somebody needs to make it through the land
With some basic tools and a positive attitude, anyone can make it through life.
Walk the night, travel light, cross the Rio Grandee
To succeed on this journey, I must be prepared for anything and remain unburdened by excess possessions.
Someone strums a mandolin, soft gulf breezes blow
Despite the hardships of my journey, there are still moments of beauty and calm that keep me going.
My new life is waiting in old Mexico
I know that if I can push through to the end of this journey, a better life is waiting for me in Mexico.
I was once a married man livin' peacefully
I used to have a stable, comfortable life, but that was taken away from me.
Hard to say exactly when the devil blinded me
I'm not entirely sure when my life took a turn for the worse, but it feels like something beyond my control caused it.
But there was some confusion when my sweet wife left this world
The loss of my wife was a traumatic and confusing event in my life.
Darker times, drunken crimes, a dead young working girl
In my desperation and confusion, I made some serious mistakes that have haunted me ever since.
Left a jailer there in Caroline, watching me from down below
Even after serving time for my crimes, I know that I still have people watching me and waiting for me to mess up again.
Livin' in the shadows
I feel like I am constantly hiding and trying to avoid detection.
Runnin' from my fame
I have become known for all the wrong reasons, and I am trying to escape that reputation.
Blowin' where the wind blows
I have no particular destination in mind - I am just following my instincts and hoping for the best.
Where no one knows my name
I want to start over somewhere new, where nobody knows my past or my reputation.
In the El Vaquero Bar in the town of Eagle Pass
I find myself in a seedy bar in a small town, trying to lay low and figure out my next move.
Moments from my freedom warm whiskey in my glass
Even as I try to change my life, I am still tempted by the familiar comforts of alcohol.
Some Borracho took me for the man who stole his wife
I find myself caught up in someone else's drama and mistaken identity, which only complicates my situation further.
He went for his forty-four as I reached for my knife
I am constantly on the defensive, always ready to fight or flee if necessary in order to protect myself.
He never fired a second shot, he was just too slow
I am always ready to act quickly and decisively in order to protect myself and achieve my goals.
I hear of hidden harbors south of Mazatlan
I have heard rumors of a better life waiting for me in Mexico, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach that goal.
Where cool spring mountain waters meet the warm Pacific sun
I picture a beautiful, idyllic place where I can finally find peace and happiness.
I pray the miles I've traveled and all the sins I bear
I hope that my past mistakes and hardships will not prevent me from finding a better life in Mexico.
Burn away like mornin' fog and vanish in the air
I hope that I can leave my past behind and start fresh in Mexico, without the weight of my past mistakes and troubles holding me back.
Miles beyond the border now, but many miles to go
I have come a long way in my journey, but I still have a long way to go before I can reach my goal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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