Ol' 55

[sodascouts]

I mentioned Ol' 55 in another thread and it reminded me of something I've read recently. A fan of Tom Waits believes that the song is about death - that it's from the perspective of a dead man watching his own funeral procession. While morbid, I can see what he's saying. What do you guys think?

To remind everybody, here's the lyrics:

Well, my time went so quickly
I went lickety-splitly
Out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly
Feelin' so holy
God knows I was feelin' alive

And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks

Stars beginning to fade
And I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know, the feelin's gettin' stronger

Six in the morning
Gave me no warnin'
I had to be on my way
Now the cars are all passin' me
The trucks are all flashin' me
I'm headed home from your place

And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks

Stars beginning to fade
And I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know, the feelin's gettin' stronger

Well, my time went so quickly
I went lickety-splitly
Out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly
Feelin' so holy
God knows I was feelin' alive

And now the sun's comin' up, yes it is
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Freeway cars and trucks
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Ridin' with Lady Luck...

[luvthelighthouse]

While I can see his take, I don't think so.

The line "I'm headed home from your place "... to me, that's all about a guy leaving a sweet womans loving after a night of passion.

[sodascouts]

To play devil's advocate... "I'm comin' home" could be about going to the afterlife and "your place" could be the earthly plain.

You're probably right, though. lol

[Mrs Henley]

Uh, I don't it's about death.

[TimothyBFan]

I remember reading something years ago to the same effect that it was indeed about a death of a young man. It sure makes sense to me if you read the lyrics. Just MHO.

[Mrs Henley]

It sure makes sense to me if you read the lyrics.

That's true.

[Mrs Frey]

Soda, before I give my opinion, I must thank you for posting those lyrics. I've been meaning to look them up on GFO for a long time, as I could never make out the second line of the first verse. Now I know it's "lickety-splitly"! I've never heard the expression before , so it's little wonder that I couldn't make it out. Thanks for putting me out of my misery! At least I can sing along with the song in full now!

Regarding the meaning, I shared LTLH's opinion of the song's meaning, until I read the fan of Tom Waits' take on it. It could well be about death. It makes a lot of sense. It could also be about a man leaving his lady love. It's open to interpretation.

[Brooke]

I think you could take it both ways. As with many of the Eagles songs, the interpretation can be left up to each individual listener.

[luvthelighthouse]

While I agree, it could be about death or leaving your lady... I think it may have been written with the intent to have a double meaning... just like the Eagles often do.

I love all songs w/double meanings. However, for whatever reason, I LOVE ol' 55, and I like the imagery of happiness... so I'm sticking w/the man leaving his lady view.

[Mrs Henley]

I knew the song (the title) but never read the lyrics and never heard the song (Gosh..I'm a worse Eagles fan ) But know I did!