This song has many inspirations. I got the line from Ian Tamblyn, the Canadian singer songwriter. The feeling for the song was inspired by Ron Hynes.
lyrics
Last Man Standing
Music and Lyrics by Jim Love
He feels like the last man standing, as he steps to the mike on stage
And he plays in this bar, on a Martin guitar, both of them showing their age
The crowd is so loud, they’re not listening at all,
The noise nearly drowns out the songs
But every once in a while, there’s a hit of a smile - and somebody singing along
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
There once was a time as a much younger man, when people all said he’d go far
He was all of the rage, as he stepped on the stage annd played that new Martin guitar
Is it choices we make, or the paths that we take
That take us right back where we are?
Tired and lonely and all you’ve got is only - a beat up old Martin guitar
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
Instrumental
Now he stands all alone at the end of the night, and he stares at the glass on the bar
He’s lost in his thoughts, and he’s drinking a scotch and he’s thinking he’ll pack up the car
All the others are gone - Stan, Willie and Ron, and all that’s left are the songs
And every once in a while there’s the hint of a smile and somebody singing along
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la, la….
I wrote my first song when I was about 14 with the line "write me, box nothing, Trans Canada Highway". A few months later,
I ran away to Vancouver. The songs never stopped.
In my 20's a Juno nomination and gold album as a writer for a kid's band. A couple of musicals live and on CBC and a series of songs.
After 40 years I'm back with some of my best songs. Never too late....more