Old Time Love

Song Meaning

This song paints a picture of a deep, almost spiritual connection to a love that feels both familiar and timeless. The narrator is captivated by this "old time love," finding joy and movement in its presence, likening it to music that keeps them going all night long. It's a love that isn't always physically present but is powerfully felt, capable of inspiring songs and drawing the narrator back repeatedly. The central tension lies in the intangible nature of this love. While the narrator can "love to dance to your music" and "feel something yearnin'," they also acknowledge a certain elusiveness: "You can't see me anywhere you choose it." This suggests a love that operates on its own terms, appearing when it chooses, yet its effect is profound, making the narrator "singing that song" and wanting to "stand closer to your flame." The lyrics cleverly use the metaphor of music and records to describe this love. The ability to "start it from the first side again" implies a desire for repetition and a deep satisfaction with the experience, suggesting the love is something to be savored and revisited. The question "Are you just a storyteller / Tellin' stories just to kill your own pen" adds a layer of introspection, wondering if the source of this feeling is real or a carefully crafted narrative, yet ultimately concluding "it sounds so fine to me." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics comes from their evocative imagery and the persistent, almost hypnotic repetition of "old time love" and "come on, come on." The narrator's yearning and the sensory details – the "risin' sun," the "flame," the "wind of the water" – create a warm, inviting atmosphere. It captures a feeling of being deeply moved and drawn to something powerful, even if its exact form remains somewhat mysterious.