Old Blue
Vermont Lyrics


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Old blue and sweet george brown
Not going out unless I can dress down, unless I can dress down.
Dorian gray and barry black
I'm not going out 'cause you're not coming back.
You're not coming back.
I know you're not coming back.




Overall Meaning

In Vermont's song "Old Blue," the singer mentions four different individuals in the first stanza: Old Blue, Sweet George Brown, Dorian Gray, and Barry Black. These individuals are most likely metaphors for various aspects of the singer's personality or psyche. "Old Blue" could represent nostalgia or a feeling of being trapped in the past, while "Sweet George Brown" may symbolize a sense of optimism and hopefulness. "Dorian Gray," a character from the novel by Oscar Wilde, could represent vanity or a preoccupation with one's appearance. Finally, "Barry Black" could represent a feeling of isolation or loneliness.


The second stanza reveals that the singer is not planning on leaving their current location or situation unless they can "dress down." This could suggest a desire for comfort or a lack of interest in socializing. The repeated line "I'm not going out 'cause you're not coming back" could refer to a lost love or friendship, or it could be a metaphorical statement about the singer's own emotional state. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that whoever or whatever is missing from their life is not coming back, indicating a sense of finality or resignation.


Line by Line Meaning

Old blue and sweet george brown
I feel nostalgic and sentimental when I think about the past, specifically the company of my old friends Old Blue and Sweet George Brown.


Not going out unless I can dress down, unless I can dress down.
I only want to go out if I can wear casual and comfortable clothes instead of dressing up formally.


Dorian gray and barry black
I am reminded of characters from literature, specifically the aging man Dorian Gray and the depressed writer Barry Black.


I'm not going out 'cause you're not coming back.
I have no desire to leave my current place because the person I want to be with is not returning to me.


You're not coming back.
I have accepted the fact that the person I want to be with is not returning and I need to move on.


I know you're not coming back.
My thoughts and feelings have led me to the conclusion that the person I want to be with is never going to return, and I need to find a new direction for my life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MC GUINN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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