FAWM: "Sixty Six"

Sixty Six

1 week ago by @mikeskliar

Sixty Six

mikeskliar

00:00

Liner Notes

#folk #birthday My birthday is in the first week of February, so I have had a tradition for the past six or seven years here at FAWM to do a song referencing my birthday, (and new current age). I still can't believe that number, but it is what it is!

Quick recording with my Taylor acoustic guitar and vocal, recorded live, and a quick harmonica overdub at the end. (and thanks in advance for all yer birthday wishes!)

Lyrics

I’m 66, doing the same old tricks An existential game of pick-up sticks Whatever wisdom I have, its probably at its height

Might be a plateau or a downhill slide Either way, I’m stuck on this ride I guess I’ll be here till someone turns out the light

(hopefully not in the middle of the song)

They say life is a comedy to those who think And a tragedy to those who feel I’m not sure what that all means So far it’s been a pretty good deal

I’m still vertical, trying to stay reasonably sane While the world outside starts to go up in flames There’s so much to say, but probably you can say it just as well

(well, some of you…)

Cause when you’re 66, you can still learn new tricks But not everything can always be fixed I don’t plan anytime soon to be saying my farewell

(wouldn’t it be ironic if this was it, tho? Yeah, hoping that won’t happen, so long for now! Be back soon! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, & would it hurt to pick up the phone sometimes and call?)

Comments

@janeg 4d

Happy very belated 🎂! At 75, I can definitely relate and whatever wisdom I had may be starting to slip. Ending in the middle of a song wouldn’t be the worst way to go but please don’t.

@nfshakespeare 5d

Happy Birthday! I'd love to perform this one as part of my set. I do like that pick up sticks line because Barrel of Monkeys doesn't rhyme.

@bithprod 1w

Happy birthday, and what a cool song! Probably my favorite so far this FAWM. :) Everything just comes together so nicely; the guitar, the vocals, the lyrics, the melody... wonderful.

@cts 1w

"...I’m still vertical, trying to stay reasonably sane" - man, this is me most of my adult life! Haha! Happy belated birthday. I dig this self assessment and kudos gettin' to 66 in spite of world events. I keep forgettin' you play a mean harp, too!

@alyxanderjames 1w

This is delightful! Happy birthday to you, glad you're still vertical and writing songs. :)

@nancyrostMod 1w

Happy birthday and post-birthday! I like the contemplative yet upbeat feel to this. Love the little spoken bit, channeling your inner old person / parent. This made me smile.

@ohljazz 1w

A delightful birthday tribute! I still have a few years to go til that number, and writing songs is certainly keeping me vertical and reasonably sane

@siasa 1w

Happy birthday! This works well.

@bunga 1w

Happy birthday! The harmonica brings everything home in such a joyous, great way.

@joshalmond 1w

Nice tune Mike! I like your chord progression, and the harmonica really does the trick there at the end! Happy birthday!

@billwhite51 1w

i like this lazy casual fred mcdowell feel you have got going here, and the harmonica is just the right thing to end on. nice quote fro racine, and im sure you understand its meaning. i always enjoy your birthday songs. 66 is a good age. time to think about having a kid, dont you think. i was just about that age when i finally got around to it.

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks so much! appreciate your comments as always--- and lol on that last thought! I guess crazier things have happened!

@betoMod 1w

It's your birthday and we get the gift? Such a lovely song, Mike. I love the rhyming scheme, the twist on the lyrics about tricks, the sweet reflective perspective... and that second chord in the progression is special, it sounds so good!

Happy birthday!!!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks! its that C to E7th change...alot of ragtime blues songs use it!

@wynia 1w

Happy birthday! What a cool gift to yourself, a birthday song! So easy to listen to and way to shred on the harmonica! I think my favorite line is “when you’re 66, you can still learn new tricks.” I think the older I get, the more I realize that it’s never too late to learn new things and to explore new horizons. At a time in my youth, I would not have said such a thing, I thought you were done learning after school was done. Anyway, cheers to many more such new things for you!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks, and yeah, new tricks are a great thing!

@beej 1w

Hits the mark on so many levels - happy birthday and very glad you’re still around Mike! And baby, that outro harmonica is lush!!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks!

@coolparadisoMod 1w

Love it Mike, welcome to my world! Really well thought out and delivered.

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks!

@andygetch 1w

I'm right there with ya!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks!

@beacon 1w

So fun, and then the harmonica came in! This is quintessential Mike Skliar! Love it. Happy Birthday, fellow Aquarian!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks! back at ya!

@b3nut 1w

I'm 11 behind ya, but damn...I can relate to this too. (I also have all but adopted "My Sht's Fcked Up" by Warren Zevon as my theme song...I need to fix some things health wise!) But this is lovably playful and endearing...really fun write Mike!

@mikeskliar 1w

thanks! ah and yes, I know that Zevon song well! enjoy every sandwich, but take care of yourself!