Old To Begin
Pavement Lyrics


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Embrace the senile genius
Watch him reinvent the wheel
I don't need your summary acts,
Summary acts to give into the narrative age

Old to begin
I will set you back, set you back, set you
Old to begin
I will set you back, set you back, set you

We get to feeling like a fixture
Set in 1966
Time came that we drifted apart
Drifted apart to find an identical twin

Old to begin
I will set you back, set you back, set you
Old to begin
I will set you back, set you back, fella

Searching for latent cause
Blame it on menopause
Or perhaps stress and strain
Credit cards, lumbar pain
But I've seen your double dares




Everything extraordinaire
I know the things you do are gonna come back

Overall Meaning

to you


In Pavement's song Old to Begin, the lyrics talk about an older person who is still creatively talented and innovative. The singer implores the listener to embrace the "senile genius" and watch as they reinvent the wheel. The song conveys a sense of respect for older individuals and their ability to continue to be productive and creative well into their later years.


The chorus repeats the line "Old to begin, I will set you back" which can be interpreted in different ways. It could be seen as a warning to young people not to underestimate the older generation or it could be a statement of defiance from the older generation saying that they still have a lot to contribute. The lyrics also touch on the theme of nostalgia and the feeling of being stuck in a certain time period. The reference to 1966 could represent a time of cultural significance for the singer or the character they are portraying in the song. The line "drifted apart to find an identical twin" could suggest a search for like-minded individuals who share the same creative interests.


Overall, Old to Begin is a testament to the enduring influence and creativity of older individuals in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of not dismissing older individuals as past their prime and instead recognizing their value and contributions to society.


Line by Line Meaning

Embrace the senile genius
Respect the brilliance of the elderly person who appears to be old and forgetful but is actually wise and talented.


Watch him reinvent the wheel
Observe as this genius creates something new and innovative through unconventional methods.


I don't need your summary acts,
I don't want a condensed version of events, as the real story is more important.


Summary acts to give into the narrative age
Shortened stories are used to adhere to an age that values convenience over the truth.


Old to begin
Even at the starting point, you're already far gone into your journey.


I will set you back, set you back, set you
I will take you back to the starting point, again and again, until you realize how far you've come.


We get to feeling like a fixture
We start feeling like a permanent feature in a certain time and place.


Set in 1966
We are stuck in a particular era, unable to move forward.


Time came that we drifted apart
There came a point where we began to grow apart.


Drifted apart to find an identical twin
We separated, only to discover someone else just like us.


Searching for latent cause
Looking for a hidden reason for problems.


Blame it on menopause
Blaming issues on hormonal changes.


Or perhaps stress and strain
Maybe problems are caused by pressure and tension.


Credit cards, lumbar pain
These asinine justifications are funny, but they won't solve the issue.


But I've seen your double dares
I've witnessed and observed when you dared to do more.


Everything extraordinaire
You've done amazing things, and I won't let you forget that.


I know the things you do are gonna come back
Your actions will catch up to you eventually, so be careful.




Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: STEPHEN MALKMUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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