39 Again

One of the great things about getting older is seeing young people turn into functioning adults. I mean, it doesn’t happen as much anymore, but you know what I’m saying. I’ve been blessed to have married into a fantastic (and very large) family full of former kids who have become pretty cool adults.

I often call people on their birthday and sing horrible renditions of the birthday song. Horribly bad. And always extemporaneous. But the size of the family means that I had to limit myself a bit – I call parents and siblings, and text spouses, nieces, and nephews.

But the “big” birthday songs have been limited to my dad and brothers. Until today. One of my nephews has a birthday in February. Ordinarily, I would have simply texted him, but this was “the big four-oh” and since I had to write a song anyway, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Lyrics First

This was definitely a lyrics-first song, and the hook was what pushed me toward doing it. As soon as I thought of the line and premise, the rest of it came out pretty quickly. My first few verses were overly literal and specific, so I kept going through and backing things out. I didn’t have to labor over the lyrics or couplets. A few places gave me a puzzle, but nothing too difficult.

I love guitar-pop bands like Bowling for Soup and Fountains of Wayne, and while I was writing the lyrics I kept hearing those bands in my head. I’ve been itching to play guitar again since day 1, and a “basic” garage band guitar song seemed like a good way to finally try out that simplification thing I said I was doing this month. One or two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. Done. Right.

What Went Wrong?

I sped through production, partly because I needed to get the song done while there was still time to send it to my nephew,¹He’s two hours ahead and also because I wanted it to have that raw sound like rehearsal or a live performance. Listening to the finished product, I’ve identified a couple of things that I need to do better. First, my singing style isn’t exactly suited to it, especially with regard to vibrato. Most of vocalists in bands playing this style have a very straight delivery. I think I can do it, but it’s going to take a concentrated effort.

Second, I wanted it to sound like two different people playing guitar, but I probably should have dialed in the exact arrangement and guitar parts before recording. It sounds more like two guys who are still learning the song and working out when they’re doing what. Which is actually true in this case, but if I’d recorded a few more takes I think it would have come out a lot tighter. It sounds pretty sloppy.

This isn’t a big problem, because I’m really trying to get over this compulsion to have perfect productions for Song-A-Day. Listening back the next morning, I did go back and add the high note on the chorus because it was an obvious omission, but I didn’t do any other tweaks except pulling the lead vocal volume down a tiny bit.

What Went Right

I’m pleased in general with the song itself. I think I landed in a good place with regards to the craft side of songwriting. It’s a good story, has a good hook, and a chorus you want to sing. I’m particularly happy with the bridge; it effectively pivots the song from being about one person to being about everybody.

This is a fun song and I really enjoyed making it. When I sent it to my nephew, I included the disclaimer, “This is inspired by and *for* you, but not (necessarily) *about* you.” He used to have a mustache, but I have no idea if he does now. But a fantastic opening line is a fantastic opening line. He seems to have liked the song and said it made him smile, so I’ve got that going for me. For the rest of my nieces and nephews who will now want a song, move your birthday to February and we’ll talk.

Lyrics

He's got an awesome mustache
And a record collection
You might not notice
But on further reflection
He's a fairly interesting guy
But if you pressed me I couldn't say why

He's got a house in the suburbs
And a beautiful wife
He mows his yard
And lives a comfortable life
He's pretty much a really cool dude
But he's been in a bit of a mood
(Because he's turning)

39 again! It's not a sequel he's
39 again! He's got no equal
All his friends are going along
Cause nobody wants to tell him he's wrong
(About being)
39 again! He's gonna tell you he's 
39 again! He'll try to sell you
On the idea that you have to reject
That time has had any effect

He's got a pretty good job
And gets great satisfaction
From going to the farm to get
Some shooting action
Sometimes there's trouble but there's no doubt
That he's gonna get it all figured out

He loves to go to concerts
And he makes his own brew
He's got it together
But he's missing one clue
He can't seem to enumerate
The year at the end of the date
(Get him a calendar!)

39 again! He's vague on facts
39 again! He can't subtract
Reality's not gonna prevail
That ship has already set sail
(Weigh the anchor!)
39 again! I can't believe it he's 
39 again! How'd he achieve it?
A point to which you'll have to agree
He's a temporal anomaly

In the back of his mind
He knows it's not true
But what the hell is he going to do
Admitting he's old wouldn't do any good
And honestly we all wish that we could be

39 again!
39 again!
39 again!
39 again!
39 again! It's a priori
39 again! He can't be forty
39 again! Don't you say forty!
39 again!

Colophon

Instruments & Samples

Superior Drummer 3, Trilian, Squire Fat Strat, Kemper Profiler

Effects, Mixing, & Mastering

MOTU Dynamics & Diamond Drive, FabFilter, Valhalla, Gullfoss

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Notes

• 1
  He’s two hours ahead