LAST MAN STANDING
It started late one night before the war
My candle’s light was winding down
I needed food and drink to call it quits
I’d found an inn outside of town
He turned away and asked me what I’d like
I said a case of Spotted Brown
He said I don’t think that’s what you meant
He turned and he began to frown
And he said
Last man standing on the front lines
Last man standing on the stage
Last man standing in the spotlight
Is the last man who gets to walk away
I thanked him quickly as I turned away
My eyelids turning into lead
I stumbled up the stairs toward my room
To find the safety of my bed
That night I never made it to my room
His words still echoed in my head
And as I floated down into the gloom
I remembered all the things he’d said
He said
Last man standing on the front lines
Last man standing on the stage
Last man standing in the spotlight
Is the last man who gets to walk away
Ten summers came and went before too long
My whiskers now a muted gray
My choices near and far had come and gone
My tab was left with hell to pay
I scowled deeply as I looked above
A dragon I could never slay
And when the time had come to call it quits
The only thing I’d left to say
And I said
Last man standing on the front lines
Last man standing on the stage
Last man standing in the spotlight
Is the last man who gets to walk away
This is a case where the music was done long before the words were even remotely started. The chorus words and music were done and then I didn't touch it for a couple years. I approached the words in a different way than I usually do. It wasn't so much about what the words were, but how the words felt. Ultimately, the words are a little silly. A dude gets a piece of advice that he holds on to that is ultimately pointless, yet the dude really holds on to them for years.
The chorus vocals were recorded with the kids of the Salem High School marching band. I went in, taught them line by line, and recorded it during their class period. The inspiration for the chorus came from my time at the University of Illinois. There was a shitty college bar (that has since closed down) that the entirety of the Marching Illini would hit up right until they closed at 1am. Mug night. If you know, you know. The last song of the night was always American Pie. Both floors of the bar would all sing the chorus loudly and drunkenly. That was the feeling I was going for.
I am eternally thankful to the kids from Salem for going along with me and being a part of this project. Their names are listed on the inside cover of the CD, and they all received a free copy of the album for their time. Thank you again, Marching Lions. You turned something decent into something special.