Monday 30 April 2018

Mid-Life Crisis Songs #24: Hello In There


My dad was 42 when I was born. I was 42 when Sam was born. The downside to being an older parent is that if Sam waits as long as I did to have kids, I won't be able to run around in the park with my grandkids that much (if I'm even still here). On the other hand, I do believe that kids keep older people young. I understand there was even a TV show where they sent little kids into an old folk's home and saw positive benefits all round. I can see the same thing with my own parents: I'm pretty sure being surrounded by grandkids and great-grandkids has kept them going longer than most.

24. John Prine - Hello In There

This is one of the most heartbreaking songs I've ever heard about growing old. Makes me glad I wasn't a young parent, glad I waited. Who wants to be old and alone?

Hello In There comes from John Prine's 1971 debut album. I just picked up his most recent record On Friday. If this is how he saw old age back when he was 25, I wonder how it looks 47 years later? I'll let you know.




5 comments:

  1. There was indeed, it was called Old People's Home For 4 Year Olds and was excellent.

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  2. One of John Prine's best."

    There should be statues of him all over the USA.

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  3. Oh no, don't talk about old age and being alone! Mr SDS and I are going to have to get some surrogate children, I think. Either that or an emergency supply of lethal drugs. I'm already considering how I can get myself a morphine overdose when it all gets too much...

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, C. Didn't mean to come over as "smug parent". For many years I didn't think I would ever be a father, so I can see things from the other side of the fence. Besides, I truly believe that old punks never grow old!

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    2. Don't worry, Rol, you don't come across like that at all and I think it's lovely that you have Sam. It's just funny how we never wanted children - until realising only too late just how handy they might come in later ;-)

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