These songs are all of a genre. They show a couple of things. For one,
I was definitely not liberated from the sexual stereotypes of the era.
But within that, I was sensitive to women's suffering (although I called
them "girls.") For another, looked at from the past, these songs show
that I was struggling to resolve my sexual confusion in a not-so-healthy
way. But it was the best I could do.
Also, I think some of my ability to create simple but vivid images telling
a story was beginning to develop with these tunes.
Old man is a light, charming story of an old guy
whose kids have moved away from home, the one bright spot in an otherwise
relentless record of tragic songs. Also arguably a children's song.
Young woman as victimized by the insensitive male on a sexual hunt
is the subject of Poor girl from the city.
Trilogy 1: This confused young guy is perusing his scrapbook just
before he runs off to another city to an old girlfriend, hopefully
escaping a
wasted life.
Trilogy 2: But when he gets there, he has to contend
with her cheerful optimism while dealing with his own sense of impending
doom. (I don't know where I'm going to.)
Trilogy 3: Finally, the two of them before a mirror,
they accept his difference, and he faces the future. (I was
a young man with lots of time.)
Despite the sexist stereotypes, a charming view of the cycle of youth
setting out on the road to find its future, only to return and find
happines the place where the parents had stood. (When I was
a lad.)
An even more brutal tale of a victimized young woman at the hands
of an irresponsible young man. Also suggesting the cycle starting again.
(Gonna work it out if she can.)