Once I was seven years old my momma told meGo make yourself some friends or you'll be lonelyOnce I was seven years old
When the speaker turned seven, he was already obligated to do things so that he would live a "happy" and "full" life by society's standards.
It was a big big world, but we thought we were biggerPushing each other to the limits, we were learning quickerBy eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquorNever rich so we were out to make that steady figure
When we're young, we're often under the delusion that although we are one in 7 billion (coincidence?), we are special children. This is especially true in today's world where children are growing up faster, literally and figuratively. The speaker is of the working class, so being young and naive, he figured that he would catch a big break from working hard.
I always had that dream like my daddy before meSo I started writing songs, I started writing storiesSomething about that glory just always seemed to bore me'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
He takes after his father who was obviously a creative person. He loved the creative process but the fame that goes with it was not something that captivated him because he did not feel like strangers would ever love him truly. This is such a deep and mature realization for someone of a young age to make.
Once I was twenty years old, my story got toldBefore the morning sun, when life was lonelyOnce I was twenty years old
He began to follow his dreams when he was a young adult, when it was unsure how it was going to turn out.
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it majorI got my boys with me at least those in favorAnd if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
This is the mentality of someone who is confident in this abilities. The smallest comments or people can determine what one will decide to do in life and how it will affect them--which can be a good or bad thing, depending on their motives. The speaker has supportive friends around him who support him. If they don't see him before he leaves the past of being ordinary forever, he hopes that he will remain the same person at heart and will keep the relationships.
Once I was twenty years old, my story got toldI was writing about everything, I saw before meOnce I was twenty years oldSoon we'll be thirty years old, our songs have been soldWe've traveled around the world and we're still roamingSoon we'll be thirty years old
He started seeing results and got a lot of inspiration from them. Now he is talking to his band. It is unsure what his thoughts of being 30 are but it seems to me that its a restless life. By the time you're thirty, you probably want to stop "roaming" and settle down.
I'm still learning about lifeMy woman brought children for meSo I can sing them all my songsAnd I can tell them storiesMost of my boys are with meSome are still out seeking gloryAnd some I had to leave behindMy brother I'm still sorry
The speaker's songs are his essence because he wants to pass his own self down to his children. Some of his band members are with him in success but other people he cared about (perhaps members who aren't in the band anymore) are still living life in the working class. He feels bad about this (but survival of the fittest, you know).
Soon I'll be sixty years old, my daddy got sixty-oneRemember life and then your life becomes a better oneI made a man so happy when I wrote a letter onceI hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month
The speaker's father died young, which is an important aspect of the song. If you remember to live life like you are going to die tomorrow, you will live it to the fullest and be happier. Sometimes people are so depressed that you can do little things to make them happy and understood. Because of this, his children visiting a few times a month would make him incredibly happy.
Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is coldOr will I have a lot of children who can warm meSoon I'll be sixty years oldSoon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is coldOr will I have a lot of children who can warm meSoon I'll be sixty years old
The singer's voice jumps up during this verse because well, who ever wants to face the unknowns at all, let alone old age? He wonders if the lack of youth will turn him bitter and if his children will be enough for him. This is bold because it's basically saying that his children won't make him as happy as he was when he was famous/young.
Once I was seven years old, momma told meGo make yourself some friends or you'll be lonelyOnce I was seven years old
Once I was seven years old
The key of the last sentence versus the first is the different definition of "once." Once can mean literally the opposite of the same word. Meaning, WHEN he turned seven in the present moment and then ONCE in the PAST he was seven. This is a beautiful play on words to show how life passes by. It's poetry.
I really love this song. It's the best on the Top 40 but I guess today that is nothing to be excited about.
