My son recorded his parts on “The Younger Me” on his fourth birthday. As a fun detail, the background audio during the teleportation sequence is pulled from a play I performed my sophomore year in high school, where I humorously mocked our principal’s tendency to repeat himself unnecessarily. I wrote that joke, by the way. At the start of the song, you can hear my children singing “Happy Birthday” to me. It was my 39th birthday on May 20th, and interestingly, the duration of the song is exactly 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
On my birthday, I shared “The Younger Me,” a nostalgic and introspective song, with my Facebook friends. The song reflects on the passage of time and the personal growth I’ve experienced as both a person and a father.
Teleporting to the Past
The song kicks off with a beautiful scene, a heartfelt family moment on my birthday. My kids are singing “Happy Birthday” to me, and it’s a powerful reminder of the passage of time. It sets the stage for a unique conversation between my past and present selves.
Offering Advice to the Younger Self
As the song progresses, I take a moment to offer some crucial advice to my younger self. I reflect on various of life, from personal growth to relationships and self-perception. This advice isn’t just for me back then; it’s a message to everyone listening. We all have a past, and it’s shaped us in unique ways. As the song progresses, I take a moment to offer some blunt advice to my younger self. At times getting downright rude, “You dumb. Youth is really wasted on the young.” I reflect on various aspects of life, from personal growth to relationships and self-perception. This advice isn’t just for me back then; it’s a message to everyone listening. We all have a past, and it’s shaped us in undesirable ways.
Embracing the Passage of Time
The chorus, performed by the older, wiser version of me, underlines the idea that sometimes, it takes time to truly grasp the lessons life teaches us. It’s a reminder that personal growth and self-awareness are lifelong journeys. We shouldn’t be too hard on our past selves because we were learning, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Practical Advice for Success
In the second verse, I offer some practical advice for success and well-being. I encourage my younger self (and everyone listening) to prioritize health, seek patterns in life, and be comfortable with discomfort. It’s about questioning everything and embracing vulnerability, as these qualities can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
Timeless Wisdom
The chorus repeats, emphasizing that the wisdom shared in the song is timeless. The lessons of the past continue to guide us throughout our lives. We can always learn from our experiences and the experiences of others.
A Dialogue Across Time
In the final verse, the song takes an intriguing turn. As the older self continued the unsolicited advice, my younger self finally responded. Disgusted with the older me, the younger me emphasized that our past decisions, even if imperfect, have led us to the people we are today.
It’s a cautionary note against unfairly judging our younger selves, as that judgment may extend to our kids, whom we often see as reflections of our past selves. The realization dawns that it was all a dream after hearing my son say, “Wake up, Dad,” both literally and metaphorically.
Final Thoughts
I understand that it’s customary to regard all the songs on “Live From Fatherhood” as favorites, each for different reasons. Yet, considering factors like length, content, featuring all my kids, the overarching concept, and its personal significance, “The Younger Me” is my favorite. Its lyrics serve as a guiding source for whatever challenges my kids encounter in life. So take a listen and let the song echo through the corridors of time.
The Younger Me lyrics
“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday, ear daddy. Happy birthday to you.” “Make a wish.”
Wish I could teleport back to when I was a little boy and chat to the younger me.
“Wow” “Whoa” “Relax” “But, you’re” “Focus” “I, you’re ” “Look, at me.” “But, you’re, I…” “Focus”
Focus on ya’self, Ladaryl.
That shit don’t make you selfish. I know you think it does but you gotta change your perception. And change the television. You know what, turn that shit off. Boy, them televised lies gotcha lost. You ain’t gon’ find yo’self in that Bible. You wasting of time – trust me, I know – you don’t know about depression. Take heed or that’s where you’re heading. But I’m here to prevent that and unhealthy addiction. It’s kinda hard to look at you. I know what you finna put me through. It’s been 15 years since I’ve been here.
I know, it’s a lot to process. Wait, there’s more for you to digest. Oh, oh, my stomach. You gon’ make me vomit. Stop looking for the love of your life and becoming it. Stop justifying others actions and their absence because you looking too delusional and that there don’t look good on you. Everyone isn’t as direct. Learn to catch hints. They ain’t gon’ tell ya their intentions are not in your best interest. Don’t letting your emotions deprive you of information that really fucking with your decision-making.
What were you sayin’? Fuck yo’ assumptions. Go find sum real confidence. Dream bigger, I mean bigger. That shit literally costs nothin’. Fear, that’s the only thing you should fear. Ou, you dumb. Youth is really wasted on the young. Some are so disrespectful and used to being disrespected when you show them respect they feel most disrespect. Look, I know it’s all subjective. Just be more selective. If you gon’ please a person, make sure you’re the first one.
If I could go back and talk to the younger me, it probably wouldn’t make a difference. Now, I’m not saying I wouldn’t listen. But, sometimes, it just takes time.
I’ll write some tips for you to get rich and how to keep it. Do a something for me. Make health your main priority. Look for patterns. They’ll predict future behavior because people are jealous of you ain’t try’na do you favors. Stop try’na fit in. No one does therefore we all do.
‘Bout 8 billion people on this planet, you’ll manage. Asking the right questions will keep the wrong people off you. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, be more vulnerable. Trust me, don’t fight to be right. I am hindsight. Here to remove every ounce of regret from you. I mean prevent. Look, don’t be so gullible. Dem folks don’t fuck wit you but don’t be so hard on yourself. That job’s for everybody else. Most elders ain’t mature as you think, want you to sank, including family members.
Being nice to them doesn’t mean your exempt. But, they didn’t hurt you. They hurt your expectations. Them folks been that way. Somebody had to say it. You’re not qualified to be nobody’s therapist. You’re doin’ more damage to yourself than you are helpin’. Careful with whom you joke, humor hurts and provoked. Some are waitin’ on yo’ downfall then they gon’ laugh it off. So facilitatin’ for others could have an adverse effect. When your intentions are met by pessimists, what did expect? Focus on you.
They listen to respond, not to understand, and want you to justify their assumptions when they question you. That’s the truth. Best conversations about you are being held without you. And they expect you to act as if you heard every word. Its absurd. I know, I know, I know. But, it’s all relevant. Question everything but please do not insult my intelligence. ‘Cause your not bitin’ your tongue to protect no one’s feelings, you’re just justifying your phoniness with nobility. You really wouldn’t care what people think of you.
If you truly knew how little that they do.
If I could go back and talk to the younger me, it probably wouldn’t make a difference. Now, I’m not saying I wouldn’t listen. But, sometimes, it just takes time. If I could go back and talk to the younger me, it probably wouldn’t make a difference. Now, I’m not saying I wouldn’t listen. But, sometimes, it just takes time.
How long will I be in here?
In what is this the multiverse, meta-verse? Is this just a dream, I mean, how’s this work?
I don’t know. You’re first to come back from the future. Sorta hope you’re the last, because you doin’ too much. I appreciate yo’ advice and demands. I truly do. But before you came here, I mean, were you okay with you? You coulda been anywhere, anytime but you’re here. What? You’ll be 50, shortly? Still dwelling on my choices? Focus on the present and make you a better future or
years from now, what will you be back to blame you fa? Took you decades, for you ta, get ta where you at and you expect me to skip the journey and get there with a chat? Live life without regret? How imma do dat. That shit don’t make sense. You are such a hypocrite. Don’t be hard on myself? That’s a job for everybody else? How? My warped memory is my worst enemy. And now I’m disappointed ’cause circumstances your disregardin’. Have you forgotten my environment. Yet still inspirin’. Oh, this what they mean by “Don’t forget where you
come from.” You should be here to praise me. I’m waiting. [clears throat] You look a little confused. Expected to be praised too? Well, isn’t it ironic, how much we still have a lot in common. Oh, you don’t think so? You probably don’t think age is wasted on the old but, well, with you it shows. And who are you to decide what’s your fault or mine? And how in the fuck does one draw the line? You attacked my hope, my religion, all my coping mechanisms. Aye, but me being delusional has made life beautiful.
But you let your hindsight distort yo’ vision. Cause if I do make decisions better decisions. Well, your hindsight would be different and you still would regret my decisions. But forgive me for being a teenager with age-appropriate behavior. For not predicting the future. Well, for being human. I’m young enough to be yo’ son. But, if I were, would this occur? Shit, afraid to ask, am I a “Dad, wake up!”
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