Glory Days
Phish feat. Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I had a friend was a big baseball player
Back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about was

Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Well, there's a girl that lives up the block
Back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
And have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times
She says when she feels like crying
She starts laughing thinking about

Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Think I'm going down to the well tonight
And I'm going to drink 'til I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
A little of the glory of, well time slips away
And leaves you with nothing mister but
Boring stories of

Glory days yeah they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Yeah, they'll pass you by




Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Glory Days" by Phish feat. Bruce Springsteen speak about nostalgia and the passing of time. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about a friend who was a talented baseball player in high school. They recount how this friend could effortlessly throw a fast pitch that would make others feel foolish. However, when the singer encounters their friend at a roadside bar, they discover that he continually dwells on his past achievements, unable to move on from those "glory days."


The chorus repeats the phrase "Glory days well they'll pass you by" which serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of success and youth. The reference to "the wink of a young girl's eye" implies that these moments of glory can vanish in an instant. The song suggests that dwelling on past accomplishments can prevent individuals from fully embracing the present and moving forward.


The second verse introduces another character, a woman who used to turn heads in school. Though she has since divorced her husband, the singer periodically visits her, and they reminisce about their past experiences. This woman finds solace in laughter rather than tears, using humor to cope with the passage of time. The lyrics highlight her ability to find joy in memories of her own "glory days."


In the final verse, the singer contemplates his own fate as he "goes down to the well" (a metaphor for seeking fulfillment). They hope to not become someone who merely sits around and nostalgically reflects on their past. However, the lyrics suggest that despite this desire, it is likely that they too will fall into the trap of reminiscing about the past as they get older. The song ends by repeating the chorus, emphasizing the inevitability of the passing of time and the temporary nature of glory.


Overall, "Glory Days" is a reflection on the transience of success, the bittersweet nature of reminiscing, and the challenge of letting go of the past to embrace the present. It explores the universal experience of looking back on previous achievements, relationships, and experiences, and how these memories can both bring joy and hinder personal growth.


Line by Line Meaning

I had a friend was a big baseball player
I had a close companion who was skilled and recognized in the field of baseball


Back in high school
During our time in secondary education


He could throw that speedball by you
He could pitch a fast and challenging baseball that you would struggle to hit


Make you look like a fool boy
Embarrass you and make you appear foolish, young man


Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
Encountered him recently at a bar located by the side of the road


I was walking in, he was walking out
I was entering the bar as he was leaving


We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
Returned inside the bar, took a seat, and consumed a few beverages


But all he kept talking about was
However, the only topic he constantly brought up was


Glory days well they'll pass you by
The days of greatness and triumph, they will eventually elude and fade away from your grasp


Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
The days of illustrious achievements, they transpire swiftly and fleetingly in the blink of a young girl's eye


Glory days, glory days
Those days of magnificence and splendor, they are known as glory days


Well, there's a girl that lives up the block
Well, there is a young woman who resides nearby


Back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
During our time in school, she possessed the ability to captivate the attention and interest of all the young boys


Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
Occasionally on a Friday, I will visit her


And have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
And consume a few beverages after she has settled her children to sleep


Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
She and her spouse named Bobby, well, they separated


I guess it's two years gone by now
I assume that it has been a span of two years since the separation occurred


We just sit around talking about the old times
We simply sit together reminiscing and discussing past experiences


She says when she feels like crying
She mentions that when she experiences the urge to shed tears


She starts laughing thinking about
She begins to laugh while contemplating


Think I'm going down to the well tonight
I believe I will go down to the watering hole tonight


And I'm going to drink 'til I get my fill
And I will consume alcoholic beverages until I am satisfied


And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
And I hope that as I age, I do not spend my time constantly reflecting on those memories


But I probably will
However, it is likely that I will indeed engage in such contemplation


Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
Yes, merely reclining and attempting to regain


A little of the glory of, well time slips away
A small portion of the former greatness, as time gradually passes by


And leaves you with nothing mister but
And leaves you, sir, with nothing more than


Boring stories of
Uninteresting anecdotes about


Glory days yeah they'll pass you by
Those remarkable days of accomplishment, yes, they will surpass and surpass you


Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
The days of grandeur, they come and go instantly, with just a blink of a young girl's eye


Glory days, glory days
Those days of magnificence and splendor, they are known as glory days


Yeah, they'll pass you by
Yes, they will elapse and depart from you


Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
The days of illustrious achievements, they transpire swiftly and fleetingly in the blink of a young girl's eye


Glory days, glory days
Those days of magnificence and splendor, they are known as glory days




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions