When I'm Gone
Stoned and Beautiful Lyrics
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There's and old man with a wicked smile
Not through smug politeness
He's doing it in style
No savings book or flannel slacks
No "Pardon" when I heard them ask
Just a vodaphone and a filofax
When I'm 64
I'll dream on
They all bore the milkman
Stop him for hours at their front gate
He just sits and thinks
I'll make the bastard wait
No dribbling or incontinence
No longing for the old sixpence
Just smoking weed till age makes sense
When I'm 74
I'll dream on
They all save for Blackpool
Just for the cheap companionship
Meanwhile he counts pennies
For a different trip
No smoking pipes and drinking bitter
No eyeing up the baby sitter
I'll trip up kids and I'll drop my litter
When I'm 84
I'll dream on
When I'm 84
I'll dream on late
I'll dream on
And I'll whisper late
You're in your nineties Arthur
Be careful with your back
Exercise your muscles
I'd rather Jack
I'd rather Jack
Stoned and Beautiful's song "When I'm Gone" explores the idea of aging and how people view it. The first verse talks about queuing with the old folks and making people wait in style even when they're old. The old man mentioned in the song has no savings book or flannel slacks and no "pardon" when he is asked. Instead, he has just a Vodafone and a Filofax. The lyrics are indicating that old folks don't have to give up their sense of style and can continue to do things in their way, even at an advanced age.
The second verse says that they all bore the milkman and that he waits for them for hours, but the old man just sits and thinks, knowing that he will make him wait. The old man mentioned in the song doesn't have any of the physical problems that old age can bring, such as incontinence. Instead, he has the ability to smoke weed until age makes sense in his mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Queuing with the old folk
Standing in line with elderly people
There's and old man with a wicked smile
An old man with a mischievous grin
Not through smug politeness
Not due to arrogance
He's doing it in style
He's living his life with flair
No savings book or flannel slacks
No savings account or old-fashioned clothing
No "Pardon" when I heard them ask
No need to ask for clarification
Just a vodaphone and a filofax
Just a mobile phone and personal organizer
When I'm 64
When I'm older
I'll dream on
I'll continue to have ambitions
They all bore the milkman
They all talk endlessly to the milkman
Stop him for hours at their front gate
Prevent him from doing his job for a long time
He just sits and thinks
He just sits and contemplates
I'll make the bastard wait
I'll delay the milkman
No dribbling or incontinence
No loss of bladder control
No longing for the old sixpence
No nostalgia for past currency
Just smoking weed till age makes sense
Just using marijuana until it's appropriate for my age
When I'm 74
When I'm even older
They all save for Blackpool
They all save money to go to Blackpool
Just for the cheap companionship
Just to have inexpensive company
Meanwhile he counts pennies
Meanwhile, he's counting his money
For a different trip
For a different kind of journey
No smoking pipes and drinking bitter
No smoking a tobacco pipe and drinking strong beer
No eyeing up the baby sitter
No flirting with the babysitter
I'll trip up kids and I'll drop my litter
I'll deliberately make children fall and litter
When I'm 84
When I'm really old
I'll dream on
I'll continue to have aspirations
When I'm 84
When I'm very elderly
I'll dream on late
I'll continue to dream until the end of my life
And I'll whisper late
And I'll speak softly near the end of my life
You're in your nineties Arthur
A reminder to Arthur that he's in his 90s
Be careful with your back
Avoid hurting your back
Exercise your muscles
Stay active to maintain muscle strength
I'd rather Jack
An alternative preference
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind