Talking Old Soldiers

[ForeverAutumn]

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

[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.

[Finch Platte]

What? I sent somebody something they liked? Dammit, I must be slipping.

[poppachubby]

I spin that album occasionally. The old Elton stuff rocks...

[ForeverAutumn]

What? I sent somebody something they liked? Dammit, I must be slipping.

God help me...there's lots here that I like.

[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!