Grow Up (LIVE) by Peter Greenstone
Genre: Folk-Rock
Get Flash to see this player.
Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial
Fan List
Keywords:
growing up (7), expectations (1), dreams (75), aspiration (2)
Description:
Well, it's mostly live. I performed it (guitar and vocals) in one take but then I went a laid a track of bass on it.
There is a much older version of this that I recorded years ago in my friend's home studio. This live version includes a new verse and changes to the chorus lyrics as well as some changes to the melody structure. After letting it sit for those years I finally got around to really finishing the writing of the song, and so now I have this version that I am happy with and have started performing in my live sets, though obviously without the bass.
There is a much older version of this that I recorded years ago in my friend's home studio. This live version includes a new verse and changes to the chorus lyrics as well as some changes to the melody structure. After letting it sit for those years I finally got around to really finishing the writing of the song, and so now I have this version that I am happy with and have started performing in my live sets, though obviously without the bass.
Lyrics:
When I grow up don’t wanna be who I am nowI wanna be like superman , wanna be like Thurston Howel
I’ll be the man with the plan
I’ll have an island all my own
like Dr. No
before I’m old
I’ve got some issues, yes, I know
When I grow up I’ll have them solved
To everything we thought I'd be
Just what do you expect from me
When I grow up don’t wanna drink myself to sleep
I wanna pill that makes me look cool to the girls on my tv
So long to dreams and big ambitions
There’ll no need, I’ll have it all in the end
Before I’m old
I’ve got some issues, yes, I know
When I grow up I’ll have them solved
To everything we thought I'd be
Just what do you expect from me
And when I’m old, don’t wanna pass away in bed
I wanna ride an nuclear missile
just like Slim Pickins did
And everything I ever did and everything I ever said
will make perfect sense... before I'm dead
I’ve got some issues, yes, I know
When I grow up I’ll have them solved
To everything we thought I'd be
Just what do you expect from me
To hell with all these stupid dreams
Hardware:
G5, M-Audio 410 interface, AudioTechnica MB4000C condensor mic, ART tube preamp/compressor, Taylor acoustic guitar, Fender P-Bass Jr.Software:
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
listen
I still listen to the older version quite often. The new one sounds fantastic and professional. I like the new lyrics. You are a gifted songwriter and storyteller - a 10!
Peter Greenstone
Hey, thanks, Listen. I haven't seen you around MJ in quite a while. :)
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
Vic Holman
dylan and neil young. great lyrics and intimate performance. where was
the harmonica solo? just kidding. great song!
Peter Greenstone
Thanks. The original version I did of this way back (see "Grow Up" down my
song list) was kind of a recording experiment before I had really finished writing
it. I just had an opportunity to record with a friend one day. I'm not really
happy with that original production but there were ideas in there that I do like
and may try to use again like the sitar. Working on this new version I can
imagine maybe a lonesom dorbo part in there.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
jiguma
Peter, I listened to this elsewhere and loved it - it's really interesting to
hear your voice and guitar without all the bells and whistles of your
usual (bigger) production (which I really enjoy btw). You sound so in
control of the performance, and the lyrics are excellent - I've been
there. My only nit is that you didn't mention Maryanne in the first
verse: "I'll be the man with Maryanne" would have fit perfectly. I'm
really looking forward to hearing some live stuff from you on VG next
week. Another D/L for my PG collection.
Thanks,
Neil
Peter Greenstone
Thanks, Neil. I'm looking forward to the show next week. I played a live
webcast gig earlier tonight in Second Life and performed this. Would be so nice
to have somebody with me on a bass for these live things. Exactly how I play it
is still evolving with each run.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
jiguma
Wish I could get Second Life happening - broadband and iMac here are far
too slow I'm afraid. I looked at my dream Mac yesterday - optioned up as far
as a Mac could be - and it cost A$25000. My wife said no strangely enough :
)
Neil
---
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23596"> Guantanamo Vacation w Cydniko</a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/23350"> Blown Away w ziti</a>
Peter Greenstone
I love going to the Apple store and doing that. I always wonder if somene in the
sales dept. is monitoring and wringing their hands in excitement with my
$25,000 total.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
Ed Hannifin
...what I'm hearing is that you want to...ride...a nuclear missile...
And yet I also notice that you're wearing a football helmet while riding
your Big Wheel...
Do I sense some ambivalence about the whole 'safety' thing? Is 'riding'
a sort of metaphor for you?
Ambivalence...is it 'live', or is it, 'I multi-tracked a bass?'... Is it
Thurston Howell and drinks in coconuts, or is it Dr. No and a life of
danger... Most importantly, is it Ginger or is it Mary Ann?
Mind you, I completely relate to this song. I'm fifty, and I'm still waiting
for the growing up you describe...and the coolness pill...
I continue to be in awe of your voice. Even with the stripped down
production, that is 'signature Greenstone'. Great lyrics.
Ed
Peter Greenstone
Thanks, Ed. hehehe. Need to write a whole other song about therapy.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
Willywagga
Little nuances of John Prine in the construction which I really like, if only if
only if only, you know what I mean. Your words are heartfelt and
sometimes funny, a little like looking over old photographs and smiling
inside knowing how important different things can be at different times in
our lives. The song really works it's magic nicely.
TMRSoul
This is great. Nice fingerpickin, great lyrics, perfect recording. So
Sweet, congratulations, this is a winner!
ktb
lyrics, performance and recording. This one spoke to me. A very cool
track.
composerclark
This is the first time I've heard this - I never heard the old version -
and I am completely, unequivocally blown away. It's very powerful, and
the ending is like a mallet to the head. A song this good doesn't need
anything more than your wonderfully expressive voice and great guitar
playing.
Only one thing about it seemed just a bit odd to me:
"When I grow up I%u2019ll have them solved
To everything we thought I'd be"
Why "To"? It seems like an awkward construction to me. If you put in a
comma after "solved," then replace "to" with "be," it would solve the
problem. This is probably nitpicking, so feel free to ignore it if you
don't agree.
And anyway, the main point is that this is a truly amazing song.
Peter Greenstone
Thanks, Clark. Actually, "To everything we thought I'd be" is meant as it's own
statement, like a toast; like "To good health". But I can see how it could be
taken as the end of the sentence before.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
composerclark
Aha! A toast! Okay, that makes sense now.
BTW that picture of the kid on the low-rider trike; is that you? I remember
those things, but now that I have little kids you can't buy them any more, or at
least I can't find 'em. Not sure why, except they made a heck of a racket.
---
Visit <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free MP3s and scores.
Peter Greenstone
THat's my old BigWheel. One of many over the years. The front wheel would
wear out and break up after a while and the back seat supposrt always would
break. Always had to replace.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
joeyjojo
When I grow up I would love to be able to write a song like you can.Great
song.
TobinMueller
So cool to see a song evolve. I loved your earlier version of this, and I
found it hard to let go of my old expectations. This one is so much more
melancholy, from the falling melody in the first verse to the new lyrics.
Before, the cynicism and disappointments reflected in the lyrics took a
back seat to the alt rock groove, and yet also had an anger and frustration
boiling underneath, perhaps even some deflect blame; unlike now, which
seems more like regret and sadness. Yes, this version is far more intimate
and draws more attention to the great lyrics, but I still like the older
version better. I think you should include both version in your next EP/
CD and give the listener a taste of the depth and breadth of your vision.
Really nice track and song, either way.
Peter Greenstone
Thanks, Tobin. There a certainly things I like about the original version's
arrangement that I was happy with and that I'd like to incorporate intoa new full
production of this someday, particularly the sitar.
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
seamus
I have 3 sisters,there all where a pain in the butt,when I was 8 I ran away from home, with a nickel,peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple, in my night clothes, I was going to buy an island, and if they came near my island, I wopuld blow up the boat,and fly around,to see the sea,well I found out a light house wasn't for sale, for a nickel, but I never really grew up, now I am 73, and still looking.
You read my mind, I love this song,the music,words,It"s great to have your talent.
Thanx, to you and those good people that started Mac, and let dummies like me in.
Not so lonely anymore.
Seamus
eleveneyes
I love this song.
your voice is beautiful.
did I say I love this song?
DOCTORBIZARRE
It sounds a little too Live?
Peter Greenstone
Doc, why do you always put question marks at the ends of you sentences
regardless of whether or not they are questions&
---
<b><a href="http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm">My debut album, "Something", available on CD here</a></b>
DOCTORBIZARRE
To make you wonder!
---
http://www.myspace.com/doctorbizarre
Feter
this is a cool song indeed .. !
Cori Ander
I enjoyed this a lot! This one has so many quatities. I believe it will live
long. (Personal, naked and living productions often have longer lives).
Insightful lyrics! But it was also a little painful, because i felt somewhat
unmasked. In many respects it is me, who am going to do so much,
before fingers get stiff and ears cannot hear clearly anymore. Thank you
for the wake-up-call!
Morris R
Well, as far as I'm concerned, this is the perfect song. Very moving lyrics
and you sing really nicely too.
jgurner
Hopefully, when I finally grow up, I'll be able to figure it out myself. May
take another 39 years, but that's alright.
Very nice, Peter. You've got a great "live" sound. Very strong lyrics. Really
enjoyed it.
Somehow I missed the first version, I think. I almost fell off my chair
during that "Thurston Howell" line! Great writing, singing and playing
throughout. I love it!
Be well!
Bittersweet: http://www.macjams.com/song/23807
thetruffulaseeds
I've listened to a lot of stuff on here and so far this is my favorite...very nicely done.
Great song Peter, words are awesome.
Gav
The lyrics are great and the melody is great -its a bit of an innocent kind of melody which compliments the subject matter really well. The live recording comes through really well. Your performance is fantastic. Love it!