Story Behind The Song
I wrote this out of nostalgia for objects that I grew up with and depended on, which were always destined to be replaced by other, supposedly BETTER technologies.
Song Description
I have just observed over the decades the curious phenomenon that we become truly attached to things that serve us for a while, like cassettes, VCRs, typewriters, instamatic cameras, etc. These things always have a shelf life, it seems. So something "better" and more efficient comes along. Then certain people miss those old technologies and often bring them back, or simply keep using them. There's a kind of melancholy nostalgia for all things that go away. Look at even drive in theatres, and record stores!
| Song Length |
4:24 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Rock - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Endearing, Restless |
Subject |
Change, Computers |
| Similar Artists |
Neil Young, Paul Simon |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Goodbye, typewriter, goodbye.
You're just an old relic, and hey, we all know why/When the PC came along/It was clear that you'd soon be gone/Go goodbye, typewriter, goodbye.
Goodbye instamatic and polaroid/You had a function once, but now you're unemployed/Cause digital just kicked your ass/And now you're a thing of the past/ So goodbye instamatic, farewell polaroid.
Goodbye, hey phone booth! It's been fun/ With all these smart phones taking over, your time is surely done/ You once offered us some privacy/ When we made calls on the corner of the street/ But it's all changed now, so we'll see ya phone booth/Gotta run.
Well you grow up believin' things you kinda like will stay/ But some new invention always comes along to push 'em away/ I don't know if this is good or bad/But I feel undeniably sad/ Cause I wrote letters once, and I used to have more to say.
Goodbye cassettes and VCRs/I will speak of you fondly when I'm writing my memoirs/ For many years you had your place/ But you were scuttled by this techno race/ So goodbye cassettes, see ya, VCRs. (Instrumental)
Goodbye, typewriter, I know it's hard/ Tell the record store, and the drive-in I send regards/ But we're gonna keep on forgin' ahead/And I guess there ain't much more to be said/ So goodbye, typewriter, a fond farewell/ Goodbye typewriter! It's been swell...