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John Hiatt — My Old Friend
Album: The Tiki Bar Is Open
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 544








Released: 2001
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I thought we were gonna make that bridge, what did I know
Me and my expectations was always high
"Like a Rolling Stone" is playing on the radio
It made you cry
But we got by

My old friend
You make me feel young again
My old friend
You're just as pretty as you were back then

A Corvair with no floorboards, a Gibson Hummingbird
Driving south to the mouth of the riversong

Patchouli oil and motor oil
And you knew all the words
Now you're looking fine
In a hook-up line

My old friend
You make me feel young again
My old friend
You're just as pretty as you were back then

You've got kids, I've got kids
And they all want to know
Just what is what like when we were young

I tell them I'm no different now
Just late for the show
So grab your "Aqualung"
The loading has begun

My old friend
You make me feel young again
My old friend
You're just as pretty as you were back then

My old friend
My old friend
My old friend
Comments (81)add comment
Brilliant!  "So grab your aqualung - the loading has begun"
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Playing tonight at the Lyrica in Baltimore with Lyle Lovett, wish I was going.
Posted 6 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Yeah ya really can't go wrong with John Hiatt.  Great songwriter. 
Posted 7 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
 paultom84 wrote:

Sounds like Randy Newman

 
Got the same massive high quality body of work, too. And, like Newman, some of it is goofy and some of it will make you cry.

I've got a lot of favorites, like "You May Already Be a Winner." and "Through Your Hands."
He's a brilliant songwriter, and lots of fun if you can catch him solo. (With a band, he's more organized.) 
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
And for awhile, about 10 years ago, he was touring with  Sonny Landreth on guitar! 

And they played small venues!  

 
Roughly the same time, he did a tour with Cody and Luther Dickenson (of North Mississippi Allstars) in support of the album, Master of Disaster which was produced by their legendary father Jim Dickenson.  Legendary side man, David Hood (father of Patterson of the Drive By Truckers), played bass.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
And for awhile, about 10 years ago, he was touring with  Sonny Landreth on guitar! 

And they played small venues!  
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
What's the problem with this guy's nose? Somebody give him some Afrin please.
Posted 8 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
You must go and you must ramble through every brier and bramble
Till your life is in a shambles
Maybe then you will  know
You were born to blunder
Born to wander,
born  to wonder
Even when you're six feet under
There's a place that you must go
Now that's freakin good song writing
 

 
I've been circling the wagons
Down at Time Square
Trying to fill up this hole in my soul
But nothing fits there
Just when you think you can let it rip
You're pounding the pavement in your daddy's wingtips
As if you had someplace else to go
Or a better way to get there...and here is some more.
Posted 8 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I've got an old friend (40 years+) and I hope I make him feel young again....He makes me feel alive...
Posted 9 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
"Me and my  expectations were always high."{#Good-vibes}
As a student of a large West coast collage in the
early 70's this line describes the entire student body.
( 30k )





 
Posted 10 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
You must go and you must ramble through every brier and bramble
Till your life is in a shambles
Maybe then you will  know
You were born to blunder
Born to wander,
born  to wonder
Even when you're six feet under
There's a place that you must go


Now that's freakin good song writing
 

 
I couldn't agree more! First I've heard. How's the rest of the album? Anyone?



Posted 10 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
You must go and you must ramble through every brier and bramble
Till your life is in a shambles
Maybe then you will  know
You were born to blunder
Born to wander,
born  to wonder
Even when you're six feet under
There's a place that you must go


Now that's freakin good song writing
 
Posted 10 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Another good one from John.  This was the theme to our 35th HS reunion.  This is a great set Bil.
Posted 11 years ago by rhbphoto    [ Reply ]
Another Hiatt gem. {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
don't like
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
 paultom84 wrote:

Sounds like Randy Newman

 
Yes, with a bit more twang. . . 
Posted 12 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]

Sounds like Randy Newman


Posted 12 years ago by paultom84    [ Reply ]
Great song to start my day! Thanks Bill!
Posted 12 years ago by naqutn1    [ Reply ]
I've heard this name before but I guess there must be better tracks than this one
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
Every song I've heard by this guy puts a smile on my face.
 
Agreed. {#High-five}
Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Every song I've heard by this guy puts a smile on my face.
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Puts a smile on my face this AM.....thanks Bill!  Great way to start a Friday.....
Posted 13 years ago by Windspirit    [ Reply ]
Shimmer wrote:
Every song I've heard by this guy sounds contrived, unconvincing, and fake.

copymonkey wrote:

When you've been 'faking' it since 1973, and people still buy your records and come to see you play...can it still be called 'fake'?

 
It can if you are clueless. 


Posted 13 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 Shimmer wrote:
Every song I've heard by this guy sounds contrived, unconvincing, and fake.
 

Does not.{#Nyah}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Wish Bill would play some Little Village.  Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner is quite a collaboration.
Posted 13 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 unclemrbig wrote:
Saw him in concert with Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and Joe Ely and it was awesome. 
 
Yup, me too. An awesome show indeed.

Posted 13 years ago by BigIslandBlues    [ Reply ]
Saw him in concert with Lyle Lovett, Guuy Clark, and Joe Ely and it was awesome. 
Posted 13 years ago by unclemrbig    [ Reply ]
 Shimmer wrote:
Every song I've heard by this guy sounds contrived, unconvincing, and fake.
 
When you've been 'faking' it since 1973, and people still buy your records and come to see you play...can it still be called 'fake'?

Posted 13 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
John sounds like a parody of a redneck hillbilly.
 
Yes, yes. Exactly. MAAAAAAHHHH OLLD FREEEND.

Posted 13 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
I would add Two Bit Monsters,Little Village, Warming Up To The Ice Age.
 peter_james_bond wrote:

As an argument against your inaccurate post I offer the following John Hiatt albums; Riding With The King, Bring The Family, Slow Turning, Master Of Disaster, and Same Old Man. All these albums display superb songwriting, strong melodies, very good musicianship and a singer who can force out at least 2 notes. {#Wink}
 


Posted 14 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
John sounds like a parody of a redneck hillbilly.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 davlon wrote:
John Hiatt = dull melodies and a one-note gravel voice

Want to know what Bruce Springsteen sounds like at age 80?
 
As an argument against your inaccurate post I offer the following John Hiatt albums; Riding With The King, Bring The Family, Slow Turning, Master Of Disaster, and Same Old Man. All these albums display superb songwriting, strong melodies, very good musicianship and a singer who can force out at least 2 notes. {#Wink}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
The chorus made me think of an old girl friend from 1973 that I recently met again on Facebook. 
Posted 14 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 davlon wrote:
John Hiatt = dull melodies and a one-note gravel voice

Want to know what Bruce Springsteen sounds like at age 80?
 

It's pretty much true.
Posted 14 years ago by choderama    [ Reply ]
 davlon wrote:
John Hiatt = dull melodies and a one-note gravel voice

Want to know what Bruce Springsteen sounds like at age 80?
 
You'll get over it.  :)
Posted 14 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
does the fact that i'm diggin this entitle me to AARP membership?
LOL! Guess growing up does have some perks. (I mean getting to appreciate and identify with Master Hiatt, not the AARP membership!)
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I thought we were gonna make that bridge, what did I know
Me and my expectations was always high
"Like a Rolling Stone" is playing on the radio
It made you cry
But we got by


My old friend
You make me feel young again
My old friend
You're just as pretty as you were back then

A Corvair with no floorboards, a Gibson Hummingbird
Driving south to the mouth of the riversong

Patchouli oil and motor oil
And you knew all the words
Now you're looking fine
In a hook-up line



You've got kids, I've got kids
And they all want to know
Just what is what like when we were young

I tell them I'm no different now
Just late for the show
So grab your "Aqualung"
The loading has begun



My old friend
My old friend
My old friend
Posted 15 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
kermit.jpg picture by Stephenmax
Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
John Hiatt Singing

Posted 15 years ago by MrGreg    [ Reply ]
John Hiatt = dull melodies and a one-note gravel voice

Want to know what Bruce Springsteen sounds like at age 80?
Posted 15 years ago by davlon    [ Reply ]
Shimmer wrote:
Every song I've heard by this guy sounds contrived, unconvincing, and fake.

Maybe all his musical peers who think he's a genius are stupid?  {#Stupid}
Posted 15 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
does the fact that i'm diggin this entitle me to AARP membership?
Posted 15 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Oh, man. Just what I needed! Thanks, Bill.
Posted 15 years ago by wafaa    [ Reply ]
Every song I've heard by this guy sounds contrived, unconvincing, and fake.
Posted 15 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
Wow, I really seem to be in the minority, but I find this song absolutely mediocre and dull. Booooring!
Posted 15 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Mama, take this song from me...
Posted 16 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
Joyfulchristine wrote:
Anyway, did he just say, "Grab your Aqualung"? If so, that's kinda cool! There goes RP again, making me listen to the lyrics and find real or imaginary connections among all these songs and artists. Thanks, RP.
Yeah, that line was followed by "The loading has begun" a reference to After the Goldrush, me thinks.
Posted 16 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
Gods help me, the cadence of the refrain is straight out of Spike Jones's version of "My Old Flame" sung by a faux Peter Lorre.
Posted 16 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by driver8    [ Reply ]
Joyfulchristine wrote:
Anyway, did he just say, "Grab your Aqualung"? If so, that's kinda cool! There goes RP again, making me listen to the lyrics and find real or imaginary connections among all these songs and artists. Thanks, RP.
Hiatt has some great lyrics. Some are down-home, some are intelligent, some are hilarious, some are tear-jerkers. I think it's pretty incredible that he can cover all those bases. In my opinion, it puts him in an elite group of song writers.
Posted 16 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]
orpheus wrote:
gag me, dylan he's not
But Dylan certainly thinks enough of him to cover one of his songs...
Posted 16 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
I'd hang out with John at a tiki bar any old time....cheers, babe
Posted 16 years ago by Alifreckles50    [ Reply ]
I love John Hiatt!
Posted 17 years ago by natedog    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Skeletor: Was going to write something but nydoggie beat me to it by capturing exactly how I feel about Hiatt and this song. RP, my old friend, always making me feel young...
amen
Posted 20 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
this song is pretty good. but his new single \"my baby blue\" is awesome. (pimp)
Posted 20 years ago by bakedjake    [ Reply ]
Mr. John Hiatt
Posted 20 years ago by Heathen954    [ Reply ]
I really don\'t like this song. Just a bunch of noise.
Posted 20 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
gag me, dylan he\'s not
Posted 20 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Was going to write something but nydoggie beat me to it by capturing exactly how I feel about Hiatt and this song. RP, my old friend, always making me feel young...
Originally Posted by nydoggie: love this song...great songwriter and inspiring in both melody and lyrics..and for you guys who dont like his voice...have another slice of white bread with processed pseudo margarine spread..and toss out those Dylan CDs and crank up the Manilow..,a voice with some grit and character for me, please
Posted 20 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
I love the comment about the old pair of jeans, it captures how this song feels to me, even though I\'ve only heard it a couple of times. Maybe it\'s a pair of pre-broken-in jeans that someone cool has handed down to me? (Analogy has gone too far...) Anyway, did he just say, \"Grab your Aqualung\"? If so, that\'s kinda cool! There goes RP again, making me listen to the lyrics and find real or imaginary connections among all these songs and artists. Thanks, RP.
Posted 20 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm! Hiatt. Me Like.
Posted 21 years ago by mnuisance    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by nydoggie: love this song...great songwriter and inspiring in both melody and lyrics..and for you guys who dont like his voice...have another slice of white bread with processed pseudo margarine spread..and toss out those Dylan CDs and crank up the Manilow..,a voice with some grit and character for me , please
I hear what you're saying, but doesn't Dylan's voice have character? If anything, I think John Hiatt is easier to like than Bob Dylan -- just Dylan is more famous. They've both got character though... I think. Anyway, Hiatt's voice is truly wonderful and unique.
Posted 21 years ago by TAMARA76    [ Reply ]
Ted Bedderhead rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ((Um, okay, That\'s a fuzzy and furry thing to say!!)) This song simply ROCKS. JH is the reason I listen to RP mostly. Best internet station by a concrete mile. Peace - JG
Posted 21 years ago by Joe_G_Bear    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by nydoggie: love this song...great songwriter and inspiring in both melody and lyrics..and for you guys who dont like his voice...have another slice of white bread with processed pseudo margarine spread..and toss out those Dylan CDs and crank up the Manilow..,a voice with some grit and character for me , please
amen, nydoggie.
Posted 21 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Bill: Another great tune on this CD is \"All the Lillacs in Ohio.\" Any chance of bringing that into the mix?
Posted 21 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
This is such a great album. Another guy that you never hear on the radio. That COULD be a good thing, though
Posted 21 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by rmurray248: Feels like a great old pair of blue jeans. You find 'em at the bottom of the hamper, wash 'em up, throw 'em on and wonder why you ever wore anything else!
Very nice way to put it, murray248. Hit it exactly right, I think. A smash hit on my long list of Hiatt favourites, this one.
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Play it more!!!!! John Hiatt is da man! :D
Posted 22 years ago by Ogman    [ Reply ]
Yessum..John Hiatt does have a comforting voice...but I agree that this track is played a bit too much.
Posted 22 years ago by Cornelia    [ Reply ]
Feels like a great old pair of blue jeans. You find \'em at the bottom of the hamper, wash \'em up, throw \'em on and wonder why you ever wore anything else!
Posted 22 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]
:roll: I vote to start decreasing the frequency of this one
Posted 22 years ago by BD    [ Reply ]
cabo: My thoughts exactly. Never been a big fan of Mr. Hiatt\'s voice but his music tends to grow on ya - sort of like the Neil Young effect I guess. I like it.
Posted 22 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]