Talking Old Soldiers

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  • 01-28-2010, 08:16 AM
    ForeverAutumn
    Talking Old Soldiers
    Finch sent me a nice package of samplers and other goodies. On one of the samplers was this song sung by Bettye Lavette. It was incredibly moving and sad. I searched on-line for the lyrics to discover that it was actually written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John. I'm going to have to get a copy of Elton John's original version. But here are the lyrics that moved me so...


    Why hello, say can I buy you another glass of beer
    Well thanks a lot that's kind of you, it's nice to know you care
    These days there's so much going on
    No one seems to want to know
    I may be just an old soldier to some
    But I know how it feels to grow old

    Yeah that's right, you can see me here most every night
    You'll always see me staring at the walls and at the lights
    Funny I remember oh it's years ago I'd say
    I'd stand at that bar with my friends who've passed away
    And drink three times the beer that I can drink today
    Yes I know how it feels to grow old

    I know what they're saying son
    There goes old man Joe again
    Well I may be mad at that I've seen enough
    To make a man go out his brains
    Well do they know what it's like
    To have a graveyard as a friend
    `Cause that's where they are boy, all of them
    Don't seem likely I'll get friends like that again

    Well it's time I moved off
    But it's been great just listening to you
    And I might even see you next time I'm passing through
    You're right there's so much going on
    No one seems to want to know
    So keep well, keep well old friend
    And have another drink on me
    Just ignore all the others you got your memories
    You got your memories
  • 01-28-2010, 09:54 AM
    jonnyhambone
    I'll have to check out Bettye's version. It's orig. from Tumbleweed Connection, undubitably my fave Elton John album and one that reverses many a scoffing friend's opinions on Sir John's potential greatness.
  • 01-28-2010, 12:32 PM
    Finch Platte
    What? I sent somebody something they liked? Dammit, I must be slipping. :cryin:
  • 01-28-2010, 01:10 PM
    poppachubby
    I spin that album occasionally. The old Elton stuff rocks...
  • 01-28-2010, 01:26 PM
    ForeverAutumn
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Finch Platte
    What? I sent somebody something they liked? Dammit, I must be slipping. :cryin:

    God help me...there's lots here that I like. :nonod:
  • 02-02-2010, 08:06 AM
    ForeverAutumn
    I ordered Tumbleweed Connection from Amazon. The first song I played was Talking Old Soldiers and I have to say Elton's version just doesn't do it for me the way that Bettye's does. It just doesn't have the same soul and emotion. It could be that Elton John was 23 when he recorded this and lacked the experience to put his heart and soul into a song about aging...vs Bettye recording it at age 63. Or it could just be Rock and Roll vs R&B.

    But whatever it is...Bettye's version made me stop and listen. Elton's version is completely forgettable.

    I forgot how much I love Come Down In Time though. What a great song that is!