by Jessica Shelton·
The phrase “auld lang syne”, as used in the chorus, points to two general ideas – reminiscing and boozing. And that is the basic premise upon which the Christmas story presented therein is set.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();The singer unexpectedly runs into his “old lover” at a grocery store on Christmas Eve. And to make a long story short, they decide to go out and have some drinks. While chillin’ they gradually start to open up concerning the details of their current lives. And materially they’re both doing okay but emotionally have major issues they have to deal with.
The lady has found security but at the cost of her happiness due to a loveless marriage. And Dan himself is in fact a successful musician, as the lady had even seen his products “in the record stores”. But while he greatly appreciates his fans, he considers the touring aspect of his profession to be “hell”. And based on the chorus, the idea being put forth is that even though they’ve both recognized these disturbing factors which are intrinsic parts of their livelihood, they don’t know to actually alleviate themselves of them.
So by the time the end of the song comes around, they have talked so much that their “tongues were tired”. So it’s pretty obvious that they missed each other, if in no other way then in terms of having someone to freely talk to. And before she leaves, the singer’s ex gives him a kiss goodbye.
The whole experience causes him to feel “that old familiar pain” of when he “was back at school”. Or another way of looking at these statements is that as well as reliving his first love he also reflects on the heartbreak that is part of the history of their relationship. So the two of them have once again parted ways, with the implication being that they are in emotional states, even though they don’t necessarily display such.
Facts about “Same Old Lang Syne”
This song is autobiographical in nature. The woman whom Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007) is singing about has been identified as one Jill Anderson Greulich, who came forward with her story after Mr. Fogelberg had passed away. She and Dan were high school sweethearts. And one year (in the mid-1970s) they unexpectedly met, on Christmas Eve, as they were both visiting their hometown (Peoria, Illinois). And the exact address of the convenience store they met at is 1302 East Frye Avenue. Moreover interesting to note is that Jill Greulich did go on to divorce her husband, though this song was not a factor in that decision.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();This song was written by Dan Fogelberg, who also produced “Same Old Lang Syne” alongside Marty Lewis. And it was released in November of 1980, serving as the lead single from Fogelberg’s album “The Innocent Age”.
The musical composition of this song has been inspired by the 1812 Overture (1880), which was written by legendary classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
And “Auld Lang Syne” itself is a 17th century song from Scotland which is used to celebrate the New Year.
However “Same Old Lang Syne” itself has become a staple of the Christmas season, as it features at least one direct reference to the holiday.
“Same Old Lang Syne” charted in three countries – Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. And in terms of the latter, peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The saxophone on “Same Old Lang Syne” is played by multi-Grammy Award winner Michael Brecker (1949-2007).
