Thinkin' about the Old Days

[nyjm]

thinking about the old days
noah mclaughlin

there was a sign upon the wall
that everyone could see as they went by
it was scrawled in arcane tongues
that no one could make out; we let it die
but its rhymes transfixed me
i stood pygmalion before his doll
reached my hand and traced the runes
the wisdom of the ages on a bathroom stall

and i came down
left my soul all shattered on the breeze
but you know me
i just can't stand by and let things be

an angel's horn sounded the call
and every body rose when they heard
but the disonance of david's chord
in our souls did then install the holy third
thinkin' 'bout the years gone by
we sang a foreign hymn all out of key
cuz everyone had his own verse
and sought in his own way for harmony

so we came down
left our souls all shattered on the breeze
but you know us
we just can't stand by and let things be

in sunset light upon the shore
we cheered the mighty beast as it arrived
on armageddon plains the swords
all peeled - cathedral bells of holy size
on charon's shore we gathered all
and begged the ferryman to take us home
from Lethe deep we drank our fill
to erase all the sins that brought us low

so he came down
and left his body on the hill of skulls
cuz he knew us
we would drink his blood 'til we were full

[ElaineDiMasi]

I do try - I am trying to impress you
you regard me with a frown
you are thinking 'bout the old days
when much cooler people were around
you are thinking 'bout the old days - 'bout the old days

I am here! - can you hear me?
do you know what we could be
you and I living truly
do you know what I can see

I cannot be that cannot be that cannot recover your old days
you cannot go back cannot go back cannot go back to old days

I wanted to impress you
you were thinkin' 'bout the old days

[Paco Del Stinko]

Thinkin' About The Old Days - Paco del Stinko

Pixie dust sprinkled on an apple
Charlie Brown in multi-colored spackle
Number five painted on a white car
Jellyfish under frigid northern stars
and bumblebees in glass jars

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Thinkin' about the old days
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Wishing aloud for those ways

Bamboo spears and superhero capes
Corn on fish-hooks and totem poles by lakes
Holding hands when summoning the ghosts
Lose your pants when sisters have the most-
fingers make the table float

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Thinkin' about the old days
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Wishing aloud for those ways

You are all a part of me my friends
Although we may never meet again

You never thought, it would be done
Until you saw, the setting sun
(Those times are gone) Where did they go?
(Long past the dawn) Say it ain't so

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Thinkin' about the old days
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Wishing aloud for those ways

[Manhattan Glutton]

Do you remember the time
I stole your mother's socks
And filled them both with rocks
And lost them way up in a tree?

Do you remember the time
The teacher saw what I drew
But I blamed it on you
And you had to stay after school

Thinking of the good old times
When you and I were partners in crime
Thinking of the good old days
When we could never bleed, and crime would always pay

Hey man do you remember
When we broke your sister's leg
And fed her a raw egg
Because she tried to tell on us?

Do you remember the time
We armed that makeshift bomb
To go off during prom
But it went off during senior ball?

Thinking of the good old times
When you and I were partners in crime
Thinking of the good old days
When we could never bleed, and crime would always pay

I never wanted to be bad
I never wanted to hurt anyone
I never wanted to make my mom sad
But I did it
And it was so much fun

Hey man do you remember
When we overdosed on coke
And wound up being broke
And stole that blind woman's dog?

Do you remember, the one November?
Do you remember, the one November?

Do you remember the time
I stabbed you in the face
For beating me in a race
That benefited cancer patients?

[bambamoozle]

Thinkin’ About The Old Days
words and music by John Kloberdanz

We met when I was twenty
She helped me to be myself
We married on a good day
Never wanted no one else

We had a boy and a girl
They played out in our yard
They graduated from school
And they always worked real hard

Thinkin’ about the old days
That’ll never be
Looking at the empty walls
And wishing I was free

Imagine Pop was still around
And Mom’s cookin’ in the kitchen
The gang’s watching football
And I’m helping with the dishes

Thinkin’ about the old days
That’ll never be
I found Christ too late
But I know that he’s here
He’s here with me

[inevitableguy]

Thinkin' About the Old Days
Naked Philosophy

I remember 1983
We watched the end on our TVs
The atom bombs that sealed our fate
I don't know how we survived those days
I remember 1984
My first kiss with the girl next door
We knew about sex, but we knew about AIDS
And I hate thinking about the good old days

Thinkin' about the old days
Seeing red was all the rage
We couldn't act our age
Knowin' there were better days ahead

I remember my history
Don't want to be doomed to see
That the same things are happening
But the good old days are here again

Thinkin' about the old days
Seeing red was all the rage
We couldn't act our age
Knowin' there were better days ahead
(Thinkin' 'bout the good old days) Better days ahead
(Thinkin' 'bout the good old days) Better days ahead
(Thinkin' 'bout the good old days) Better days ahead
(Thinkin' 'bout the good old days ahead) Better days ahead

[Lucky Spoon]

Thinking about how much i hate reaper and how much i nearly killed myself trying to make this damn song...err days

by Lucky Spoon

we never cared about
the way we saw the sky
we laughed and played in spite
of never knowing why
a children's song
grew faintly dim
our toys had dust
but deep within

remember the day
remember the day
of playing in the sun
remember the way
remember the way
to hold on to fun

and our sweet harmonies
would warmly fill the room
but now your stare is blank
and nothing is in tune
and in a dream
i see your face
a child like smile
i hear you say

remember the day
remember the day
of playing in the sun
remember the way
remember the way
to hold on to fun
remember the years
remember the tears
A life of joy and pain
remember the past
don't take life too fast
for it will wane

[BriGuy92]

Yeah, another shameless video game song.
Thinkin' about the Old Days by Ramen-Flavored ROMs

==
In the past, it's all an exploration
Never knowing what you'll find
But at the same time, this road's already trodden
Somewhere back in the sands of time
==

-1-
Found myself bored one afternoon
Nothing to do, no places to go
So I booted up that little white box
And it tells me there's something that I should know
"New games arrived" in big black print
"Just click on "Shop" and you're on your way"
"Come and see what pricey goodies
Nintendo has for you today"
I took the bait, got out the card
Figured I might as well get a start
on amassing a massive stockpile of stuff
but for now I'll only just fill one cart
The screen sprang to life, let me know what's new
Some sort of wares and games galore
Invites me to browse as much as I like
(But careful to not let my thumb get sore)
I choose the classics, a familiar place
Things I've seen time and time again
BUt I soon realize what I've forgot
"Hey look, it's ... wait, that came out WHEN?"
So I decide I've looked enough
Gotta buy something, better do it fast
Pac-Man looked okay, that's old ground
And thus began my trip to the past

==
So I looked, I thought, and then I dove in
don't regret it, not one bit
This utter joy, just thinkin' bout the old times
How could I let myself forget?
==

-2-
The little cheese dude held up okay
But eventually I needed something new
And by that I actually meant something old
BUt don't worry, my selections numbered quite a few
I figured I'd go with Mario next
A faithful companion through best and worst
I downloaded, played, was glad I'd paid
But wondered why I didn't get this one first
That got boring after a while
But what that means is just another
Trip into the store to find out
what's in store, in order to smother
This creeping lack of things to do
(Why is it that adventures like these
always spawn from nothing at all?
Or better yet, why am I singing to the breeze?)
Anyway, now we're back on track
Next on the queue was a little Sonic bliss
And yes, I meant the hedgehog,
that wasn't any sort of reference you missed.
The joy of the flow, the sheer sense of speed
I remebered now why I loved it so much
good thing I finished the game when I did,
It was almost time for tomorrow's brunch

==
Swimming in this sea of remeniscence
Passed the day like nothing could
Thinkin' bout the old days in this manner
Can't be anything but good
==

-3-
So all in all, I'd played 'em all
My life savings went to the N, for a start
And sometimes I look at that day and say
"Wow, that couldn't have been too smart."
But what the heck, it ended alright
I've reawakened my inner nerd
Blew the dust off the C64
Unleashed the ravaging invader herd
Recently I've found more of my spare time
To sit down and enjoy a good old game
I see now that my lack of play
Had only served to hurt my name
Now mind you that it is a skill indeed
To maintain yourself at a late late hour
Searching for a crystal piece
Finishing the lap, getting boost power
But if you aspire to join the ranks
To fight your way to the very top
Keep your eyes out for things that don't hurt
And always remember the handy Wii Shop
It takes dedication, wisdom and speed
To do such things, say dodge killer kelp
The second chance will keep you alive
And thinking 'bout the old days always helps.

==
In the past, it's all an exploration
Never knowing what you'll find
But at the same time, this road's already trodden
Somewhere back in the sands of time
==

[Larry Knox]

Thinkin' 'Bout the Good Ol' Days
Larry Knox 2009

Of all the girls I've ever met
I can't get her off of my mind
but that seems like a million years ago
another place, another life, another time

She saw me as if from another world
and she was a heavenly ghost
The world seemed brighter in those simple days
maybe that's why I miss her the most

Chorus:

Thinkin' about the good ol' days
Rememberin' my reckless ways
I can't seem to recall now what was her name
Or how to play this young man's game


She said I always made her laugh
And she knew how to make me smile
She had dreams like a shootin' star
So I deciding to split for a while

Now in the days of my waning life
I often wonder where you are
I found love with a different wife
while your smile still beckons from afar

Chorus:

Thinkin' about the good ol' days
Rememberin' my reckless ways
I can't seem to recall now what was her name
Or how to play this young man's game


Thinkin' 'bout the good ol' days
I believe Lorana was her name
I doubt she'd rmember, when we first kissed
Or regret all the lifetimes we missed

I doubt she'd rmember, when we first kissed
Or regret all the lifetimes we missed

[deetak]

Lyrics by K. F. Harlock
Music by Deetak


No account musings of a
philosophical lifestyle;
Man, ain't it great to be so
cultured, so goddamn wise,
we're wise beyond our years (and we only want a few)
we got all the answers (so don't tell us what to do)
We're fucking authentic!

Old guys ain't so special no
more; what was his name again?
Man, why weave baskets all day,
We've got tigers to kill.
Just be awesome, dude, that's all (gotta grab hold of this world!)
Ev'rything else fuckin' lame (play campfire guitar, find a girl)
we're totally righteous!

I woke up, I was twenty
Suddenly it all makes sense
Strum some strings, forget the day
Write all my songs in now-tense

we're wise beyond our years (and we only want a few)
we got all the answers (so don't tell us what to do)
We're fucking authentic!

[Teplin]

Thinkin' About the Old Days (before Tubgirl) By Humboat

Based on an original concept by Irwin

I'm sitting across the table from her. She's eating her entree; I'm looking into her eyes
We're having a very nice evening so far, but something keeps nagging, nagging in the back of my mind
It's after the date and I'm walking her home. She's holding my hand; she laughs and touches my face
She closes her eyes and leans in for a kiss, but something inside me recoils and I shy from her embrace

'Cause she could be Tubgirl
She could be Tubgirl
She might have been Tubgirl
It's totally possible

I'm really getting much sleep anymore. When I close my eyes, my mind just revists the sight
The horrible image I saw on my screen. I clicked the link, I clicked and now nothing feels right.
'Cause the unholy truth is that she's a real person, a genuine woman, a girl with a secret she's protecting
And she's somewhere out there, someone has kissed her, someone has held her all night without suspecting

That she could be Tubgirl
Yeah she could be Tubgirl
She was definitely Tubgirl
And somebody tapped that

I remember the old days
When life was good and I could still look people in the eye
Oooh the old days
Of only a week ago

But she could be tubgirl
That girl over there could be tubgirl
Dude, your sister could be tubgirl
That actually seems pretty likely

And anyone could be goatse guy
My Uncle Paul could be goase guy
I actually used to sit in his lap when I was a little kid
I think I need to lie down for awhile

[ltab]

Thinking about the Old Days
Death Be Not Proud

One day, all barriers to communication
will be brought down in flames.
Mankind will speak a single tongue at that time --
there won't be anything we can't do.

But I say:
What has been will be again;
What has been will be done again.
What has been will be again;
What has been will be done again.

There is nothing new
There is nothing new under the sun.
under the sun, under the sun
under the sun, under the sun

Our feat of engineering will be powered
by the rays of the sun.
We'll launch satellites
Satellites
Off of the top
Off of the top of our machine
Off of the top of our machine

But I say:
What has been will be again;
What has been will be done again.
What has been will be again;
What has been will be done again.

There is nothing new
There is nothing new under the sun
under the sun, under the sun
under the sun, under the sun
under the sun, under the sun

[j$]

Thinking About the Old Days by Johnny Cashpoint

Words and music by j$.
(Vocal and ukulele recorded as a single live track.
Live overdubs of backing vocals, bass, keyboards and stylophone.)

You need a cleaner, a window cleaner for your soul -
Can’t see the old days need retroactive birth control

Please face it, the past was shit. It’s time that you stopped wasting it.
Heading backwards through the past, your head emerges out your arse.

You need a cleaner, a vacuum cleaner for your soul -
Nostalgia’s dirty and sucks you harder than black holes

There’s no getting out of it - why can’t you see the past was shit?
Spent so long just looking back your head’s reversing out your crack

Think about those ‘good old days’, they weren’t so great, just cold and grey,
Full of hate, stupidity – don’t fist me with your history!

You need deep cleaning, a full spring cleaning of your soul -
So full of old crap, you’re like a car boot sale* for ghosts

Past revival’s dead on arrival, like a lorry load of manure
Stinks to think after all this time you’re still stuck in your yore

You’ve been thinking ‘bout the old days …


*I have a sneaking feeling that a car boot sale is a UK-only phenomenon. I guess the closest thing I can think in the US would be a yard sale. Which didn’t scan.

[Heather. Redmon.]

These lyrics are very dear to my heart. They craftily describe the first few months when I met and fell in love with Phil. The events described in this song took place in Santa Cruz, CA in 1996 and also on the road to Minneapolis, MN a few months later. The numbers next to certain lines in the song have corresponding footnotes at the end of the lyrics.


Thinkin' About the Old Days - The Hell Yeahs


Eyes lock as the targets drop we got
fried dough and cola, baby
shootin' the snack bar (1)
Every day had it's own kind of getaway
hide-out, low-down, on-the-run vibe about it (2)

times are tough and the future's fucked
we got a one way ticket to hell
but we're still together
and I still remember

A rented room that I never used, me and you and booze,
fast food slow dancin' to movie tunes (3)
"good times," petty crimes, chances taken
- writing "Do not help" in the condensation (4)

times are tough and the future's fucked
we got a one way ticket to hell
but we're still together
and I still remember


Car crash - cut class - quick cash, (5)
packin' kinda slap dash - for to haul ass (6)
petrol proposal, would you be mine? (7)
State line diners and approaching the skyline (8)


times are tough and the future's fucked
we got a one way ticket to hell
but we're still together
and I still remember
and I always will


1 – We used to spend hours hanging out at Farrells Donuts on Soquel Dr., talking, drinking coffee, and playing Creature From the Black Lagoon pin ball. “Shoot the snack bar” is what the machine said when the snack bar (the hole in the middle of the playing field) was open. I think it would unlock multiball or something. We also used to play a lot of Attack from Mars pinball at one of the arcades on the boardwalk.


2 – Phil and I were both in terrible relationships when we met each other. We snuck around for a while, but then we both broke up with our significant others. The situation in Santa Cruz got uncomfortable – it's not that big of a place. Eventually, we did get away, so we could be together uninterrupted.


3 – during the school year, I rented a creepy room in the basement of an old house on Pacheco Ave. In the summer, the owner's son was coming home from school out of state, so he was going to stay in the basement. The owner allowed me to stay in the attic for free that summer, but I never slept there once. Phil rented a room just down the street from me and I used to climb in his window every night. We drank a lot when he lived there – drinking for fun, ya know? We once slow danced in a Burger King, wearing cardboard crowns that Phil has written “Bo-Dean” and “Darla” on. We still have those crowns. I worked at the Del Mar Theater on Pacific Ave. Phil and I watched many movies there after hours. It's one of the places we fell in love.


4 – I won't explain the “good times” or petty crimes, but they were real. One night Phil and I went for a drive up the coast. It started pouring rain when we were just outside of Half Moon Bay. We couldn't see so we pulled over on the side of the road. What else would a young couple do? The windows fogged up and we wrote “Do Not Help” in the condensation so no one would stop.


5 – One night after work at the theater I was giving this guy Jason Brush a ride home, and then Phil and I were going to go to Farrells. It was after midnight, so some of the streets in Santa Cruz have flashing yellow and red lights. I stopped completely at my flashing red, looked both ways and then went. As we were crossing the intersection, a big pickup truck sped right through his flashing yellow. We were T boned on the passenger side where Phil was sitting in the front seat and Jason was in the back. We spun out and I almost hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk while my car was spinning. It was terrible, but no one was seriously hurt.

When I first met Phil, I was attending UC Santa Cruz as a psychology major. Phil was in S.C. to escape the cold winters of Minneapolis. The more I was with Phil, the more I wanted to be with Phil. I ended up cutting class all the time and eventually dropped out. But, that's ok...

The quick cash refers to the petty crimes line from before...


6 – As I said before, things got rather uncomfortable in Santa Cruz, so Phil and I decided to pack up and move to Minneapolis. I was born and raised in California, and had never ever considered moving away from it, but I had so quickly fallen in love with Phil, and did not want to be anywhere near my ex boyfriend. We hastily packed up a Penske truck and took the I-80 east to the 35 and headed north. It was a great escape. I didn't tell any of my friends I was leaving, I just left. My parents were furious with me. My mom came up to to Santa Cruz to say good bye, but my dad didn't want to have anything to do with it.


7 – One day, after we decided to move, but before we left, Phil and I sat down on the curb outside of a gas station on Soquel. He proposed to me right then and there, and I said yes... it was “jokingly serious” and spontaneous. I had known Phil for a total of 4 months. Those 4 months were so jammed packed with us falling in love that they seemed to be in slow motion. Phil proposed to me for “real” with a ring and everything 3 years later.


8 – Our cross country trip was a blast! We stopped in a diner somewhere in Nebraska and made up goofy baby names like Beverage Yoda. We took the water cups and shoved them in my purse. They were small and red. We still have those cups – the kids have their night time water with those cups. I'll never forget my first glimpse of Minneapolis. I was smitten. We arrived in August of 1996. I had no idea what the winter had in store for me! But my first view of the downtown skyline has stuck with me all of these years. I now work in one of the most recognizable buildings in that skyline.

I apologize for such a long post. Like I said, these lyrics mean a lot to me. Thanks for reading if you did.


-Heather Redmon, happy wife

[Ross]

Thinkin' about the old days
by Ross Durand

You used to take my hand
You but now you pull away
You used to run to me - in the old days

You’re strikin out on yer own
Got to go your own way
Used to need me - in teh old days

Sometimes I feel so all aloooooone - watching you walk away
And my eyes get a little wet - I guess you grew up a little today - and so did I.

And I’m thinkin about the old days- when you used to be small
And I’m thinkin about the old days - when you played with dolls
And I’m thinkin about the old days - you were my little girl
But little girls never know their your whole world

I have to set you free
Let you go your way
Thats how they said you show love - in the old days

And you still get that look
That little grin on yer face
You still smile the same as the old days

And I know I’m not alone - you winked when you walked away
And my eyes get a little wet - I guess you grew up a little today - and so did I.

And I’m thinkin about the old days - when you played with dolls
And I’m thinkin about the old days - you were my little girl
But little girls never know their your whole world

[Steve Durand]

Thinkin' About the Old Days

By Steve Durand

I remember back in the day
TV shows were good
And there were no child molesters
In our neighborhood

There was no premarital sex
Everyone was straight
Parents got their children's respect
And all the kids weren't overweight
At least as I remember

Thinkin' about the old days
Filtered through a golden haze
There must be some way to cure
Nostalgia for the way things never were

We never had to worry about
Saturated fat
Yes I remember it well
Don't confuse me with the facts

Every time that I reminisce
About those halcyon years
I recall how grand it all was
It just about brings me to tears
I guess you had to be there

Thinkin' about the old days
Filtered through a golden haze
I've decided I prefer
Nostalgia for the way things never were

In the end your memories
Are all you've really got
So if you want to spruce them up
Then who am I
To say why not

Thinkin' about the old days
Filtered through a golden haze
I've decided I prefer
Nostalgia for the way things never were