World’s Worst Songs: Dan Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne”
"We bought a six-pack at the liquor store/And we drank it in her car." (Getty Images/William West/AFP)
Everybody who loves music also hates music — certain specific examples of it, anyhow. This feature is about those songs: the World’s Worst Songs.
“Same Old Lang Syne,” the famous tale of a Christmas Eve meeting between old lovers recorded by Dan Fogelberg in 1980, is like fruitcake at Christmastime: do not want.
Although the story is true, the details ring false: All the bars are closed but the liquor stores are open? The language used to describe the details is tortured: “We drank a toast to innocence/We drank a toast to now”? People don’t talk like that, except in bad songs. “The beer was empty and our tongues were tired”? Clunky as it is, that line might be forgivable if Fogelberg needed “tired” to rhyme with something, but he doesn’t. It just sits there like a meatball for no good purpose. “And as I turned to make my way back home/the snow turned into rain.” It never just rained or snowed in Dan Fogelberg songs — it always rained or snowed in such a way as to show the universe wryly commenting on Dan’s life. And finally: why, if the action takes place on Christmas Eve, does the song end with “Auld Lang Syne” — and a hideous smooth-jazz “Auld Lang Syne” to boot?
Musically, “Same Old Lang Syne” fails, too. Fogelberg goes for sensitive and soulful, but comes off like a wuss. And it’s too bad, really, because he was actually a fairly competent singer of rock songs when he tried to be. But by Christmas 1980, “Longer” had become his wimp-rock monument, and it would stalk him for years thereafter.
Here’s “Same Old Lang Syne” dramatized in Legos, which improves it immensely.
If you think we blew it — if there’s a case to be made for why this song is better than we think it is — click “Add a Comment” and tell why, then listen to and debate more of the World’s Worst Songs.
bean
December 10, 2011 11:42 pm
I heard the melody came from Dan playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Orchestra on the piano. Tha’t how the intro came about – listen to it, same song, just slowed down.
I don’t hate this song nearly as much as you do, Jim, but I have never analyzed it like this before. You make some very vaild points!
Dan Dunn
January 23, 2012 5:29 pm
1. J.A. Bartlett 289 followers.
2. Dan Fogelberg 30,113, currently active, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame petitioners (followers), on his behalf.
3. There are no lyrics “…all the bars were closed..”, rather “.. [we] couldn’t find an open bar..”
4. Obviously J.A. Bartlett never had an Old Lang Syne moment, which for those of us who have, know they come anytime of the year.
5. Fogelberg’s Same Old Lang Syne is a true piano classic, starting out like a music box, then dropping down to the mid-register. Comprising 122 measures it includes an Introduction, ten Verses, three Choruses, and an Out section. The piano composition is ingeniously divided between two hands, although much of it sounds like one hand which reflects his wonderful talent as a multi-instrumentalist.
6. Dan Fogelberg will be remembered for his eloquence.
7. J.A. Bartlett, if remembered at all, will be known for his emptiness.
Gary Breton
January 27, 2012 12:14 am
Wow, where does one begin with such a statement? People don’t talk like that? Of course not! Thats what sets music and songs apart from everyday conversation! Dan took a special moment in time between two young people, turns it into a holiday classic that everyone can relate to, creating a simple yet beautiful melody that moves one smoothly through the holiday season from Christmas to the New Year coming and you guys pick that as a world’s worst song?! Yikes!! The transition from the original melody into the Old Lang Syne section is just gorgeous and beautifully thought out. The harmonies are perfect and Dan knows just when to cut back on them during the transition. Longer haunted him?!! It is replayed at millions of marriages all over the world every year and remains one of the most beautiful, and original romantic melodies of all time (especially the bridge.) For those of us who saw Dan play rock and roll guitar on stage we know that he could play with anyone. But rock was too limited a venue for his talent. He was just as great at playing blues slide guitar, electric blues guitar, jazz guitar, and bluegrass. One of the most versatile guitarists in history. He could also rip off classical pieces on the piano. In concert, you never knew what was coming next, so vast was his talent. Rock musicians too often have tin ears. They can sometimes appreciate nothing that is not loud and in your face. Melodic beauty that moves one’s soul is often wasted on them. Hopefully your website matures musically beyond this person’s limited ear.
J.A. Bartlett
January 28, 2012 9:19 am
I can always count on Fogelberg’s fans to hyperbolically defend him, usually by pointing out that I suck and he doesn’t. You’re gonna have to do better than that.
Julia
March 19, 2012 11:04 pm
It’s a beautiful song. So the facts aren’t straight. Do all songs have to be perfect in that sense to be good? I mean most don’t even make logical sense now. Look. It’s a story we can all relate to. Losing the love of your life. It is viewed by millions as wonderful. Even if it’s not your style, appreciate the fact that someone had the balls to write about something this personal. It’s this guys expression of love to his greatest capacity. Try to appreciate things. Just because you don’t understand it, doesn’t make it a bad song. I’m truly happy you’ve never had to feel what he felt. I hope you never do. But try to be a little more considerate. (I wasn’t trying to sound mean btw. If it came off like I was bashing you, I assure you I have no reason to. I am just taking the opposing side)