Shooter Jennings lived his first few years in a crib on his parents' tour bus. By age five, he was playing drums. Between tours, he took piano lessons. He started playing guitar at fourteen and sometimes played in his father's band. He and his father recorded a few things together when they happened to have some microphones set up and the tape recorder plugged in. At age sixteen, Jennings discovered rock 'n' roll.
As an adult, Jennings left Nashville, Tennessee to seek his fortunes in Los Angeles. He assembled and performed with Stargunn, a southern rock band whose sound he described as Lynyrd Skynyrd mutating into Guns N' Roses. Stargunn performed at local clubs for six years, built a rabid following and earned praise from the local music press. But the Hollywood party scene eventually began to bother him. He says, "I was posing as a rocker—a country guy trying to be something he wasn't."
On March 30, 2003, Jennings dissolved Stargunn and moved to New York City to spend time with his girlfriend and sort out what he wanted to do next. An unexpected gig at the House of Blues a few weeks later revived his creativity. He returned to Los Angeles to form another band, the 357s. After six weeks in the studio, he completed his first solo album, Put the O Back in Country. Universal South released the album in early 2005.
Jennings portrayed his father in the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. He is the host of Shooter Jennings' Electric Rodeo, a two-hour weekly music show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Outlaw Country channel. He currently dates Drea de Matteo. Shooter Jennings' second solo album "Electric Rodeo" was released on April 04, 2006.
Old Friend
Shooter Jennings Lyrics
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It seems like only yesterday
The last time that I saw
You laugh at me and fly away
I remember all of the good times
And the songs we used to sing
Old friend, we sure have missed you
Lord, you should've heard the music
And all the changes it's gone through
But the funny thing is lately
It keeps on easing back to you
But there's always something missing
It'll never be the same
Old friend, we sure have missed you
But you ain't missed a thing
They've been writin' books about you
And the stories that they tell
Make you look like some kind of angel
And we both know you're as mean as hell
Well, I've had my share of hard times
But I've lived through the strain
Old friend, I sure have missed you
But you ain't missed a thing
People talk about you
After all this time
You were many things to many people
But you were a friend of mine
I've been thinking 'bout how long
You've been gone, the things you've never seen
But old friend, I sure have missed you
But you ain't missed a thing
Old buddy, we sure've missed you
But you ain't missed a thing
The song "Old Friend" by Shooter Jennings seems to be about a friend who has been absent for a long time. The lyrics describe how much the singer has missed his friend, but also acknowledge that the friend has not missed anything during his absence. The song goes on to say that even though things have changed and the music has evolved, there is something missing without the friend there. The singer also mentions that there have been books written about his friend, but that he knows his friend's true nature is not that of an angel.
The song is both nostalgic and bittersweet, conveying the sentiment of missing someone you used to be close to. The lyrics depict a relationship that was once strong and meaningful, but has since faded. The singer acknowledges that the friend has not missed anything during his absence, suggesting that the singer has experienced a lot of hardship and challenges in his friend's absence.
Overall, the song seems to be about reflecting on the past and missing someone who was once an important part of your life, but also accepting that things have moved on and changed in your absence.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it really years ago?
It feels as if it were just yesterday when we last saw each other. Can't believe it's been so long.
The last time that I saw, You laugh at me and fly away
I can clearly recall the way you smiled and flew away, leaving me behind. Missing you, and your laughter.
And the songs we used to sing, Old friend we sure have missed you, But you ain’t missed a thing
Thinking back on the good old days, feeling nostalgic about the bond we shared. Missing you, but acknowledging that you may not be aware.
But the funny thing is lately, It keeps on easing back to you
Although times have changed, it seems like there's no escape from your memories - they're haunting us wherever we go.
Old friend, we sure have missed you, But you ain't missed a thing
I still think about you all the time, but it's okay, you didn't miss much; life has been tough. We, on the other hand, have missed you a lot.
Make you look like some kind of angel, And we both know you're as mean as hell
People have glorified your story, portraying you like a saint. But we both know the reality of your nature and actions.
You were many things to many people, But you were a friend of mine
You were a versatile personality, who impacted many lives. But to me, you were always my friend, someone who meant a lot to me.
But old friend, I sure have missed you, But you ain't missed a thing
The essence of your presence is irreplaceable, I miss everything about you. But I also know that you didn't miss anything significant.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYLON JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind