Old Man

Album: Sail Away (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Newman told Mojo magazine September 2008 that this song, in which an elderly man is offered cruel but truthful comfort by his son, turned out to be closer to reality than he thought. He explained that he didn't tell his father on his deathbed in 1990 "that this was the way you raised me so this is what you get. I saw him every day, but he took a while dying. I wanted to show more, somehow, and later I thought about that song." Newman added that though his father was physically affectionate, "I don't know whether in his head he was particularly affectionate. I thought of him hearing 'Old Man,' if he ever listened to it."

Comments: 1

  • Linda from Frisco TxFinally, after three years, ‘able to mourn the death of my husband of 55 years
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.