Old and Wise by The Alan Parsons Project

Album: Eye in the Sky (1982)

Charted: 74

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Songfacts®:

Alan Parsons wrote this song with his partner in the group, Eric Woolfson. The song is about a man approaching death, addressing those he knew with fond remembrance, as he now has no time for bitter memories.
The Alan Parsons Project used a variety of vocalists, and on this one, Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone sings lead. Parsons and Blunstone had known each other for quite a while, as Parsons was an engineer on the 1968 Zombies album Odessey and Oracle, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the same place the Eye in the Sky sessions were held. Blunstone got to know Eric Woolfson through Parsons.

In our interview with Blunstone, he talked about how this song came together. Said Blunstone: "I was talking to Eric one night in Abbey Road and he said, 'I'd like to play you this song' and we walked into a deserted Studio Three - Alan Parsons usually used Studio Two, which is the same studio The Beatles used most of the time – but we walked into Studio Three, which is where The Zombies recorded 'Time Of The Season.' Eric sat down and played me that song on the piano, and I thought, 'That's a wonderful song.' He said, 'Well, we'd like you to have a go at putting a vocal on it.' And that's what happened.

So the first time I heard it was Eric playing the song live in its entirety in Studio Three in Abbey Road. I just thought it was a wonderful song. Still do."

Comments: 13

Andrew Peter Collins from Melbourne Victoria AustraliaI have been following your music since I Robot and I have all of your beautiful albums. Old and Wise is one of my favourite songs. I was saddened by the death of Eric Woolfson. Thankyou for creating some of the best music that defined my youth (I was born in 1961). Cheers
R. Albanese from Ny,nyI’ve been a fan for many many years! In 1981, I made a new friend in my trips around The U.S for just a few days not knowing this soul fell in love with me & wrote me a card in my retuning back home & the song ‘ TIME ‘ ~
God is Good
Paul from TexasWhen I first listened to this song in my late teens, my premature heart just fell in love with the song. There were so many things in the world I could not comprehend at that time. I was eager to get "Old and Wise". I did not quite understand the meaning of lyrics, but I felt that it was about a graceful departure. In my early thirties, I lost my best friend, who introduced this song to me. It was just like that the song was written for our good-bye, 20 years prior to our parting. Over the years, he came to my dreams a few times. His vivid image made me doubt his death. But when I woke up, I realized that 25 years have passed. Now, I am much older. But am I wiser? I still miss him. There is so much I want to share with him, my dear friend.
Edward from FloridaThis was one of my wife's and my favorite songs and all though we did not know it at the time this would be also a sad song for me in the end as you see I lost my beloved wife 7 years ago ! I am now awaiting my time to join her as you know this body is only a vessel to the here after ! I wait patiently but know in the end I will be reunited with her. Only my God has the answer to this plan !
Mary D from Manteca,ca. UsaThis song is so sad but very profound. I want it played at my funeral!!
Alon from Forest Hills, NyI would like this song to be played at my funeral...
Randy from Suburban, MnWhile I share some posters' attitudes about the pharmaceutical industry, and sympathize with their losses... advertising is spam even if well-intentioned. Let's talk about the songs and not about commercial interests.
Matthew from Milford, MaIt appears that many of the people here have had there loved ones pass away from illness. This never should have happened, and the pharmaceutical industry and its wicked allies are responsible for these disasters. Thankfully, there is somebody fighting to expose and eliminate these evil disease-mongers. This person is Kevin Trudeau, the owner of www.naturalcures.com. The pharmaceutical industry, its allies, and those who have been brainwashed by their lies all vehemently criticize Kevin Trudeau, but their insults are nothing more than empty falsehoods designed to shield them from their own wickedness. I support Kevin Trudeau, and I'm encouraging each and every one of you to do the same!!! (That means you, Michael!)
Matthew from Milford, MaI'm Michael's brother, so I can confirm his statement. I swear by my uncle's name, I will crush the pharmaceutical industry! The pharmaceutical industry is not the kindhearted organization that it claims to be. It's actually fueled by pure, undistilled greed, and it will stoop to any depth, including propaganda, unlawful imprisonment, and the ruthless debunking of natural cures in its pursuit of cold, hard cash. The pharmaceutical industry has no respect for the existence of anything but itself and its money, and has committed countless crimes against humanity in order to make ludicrous profits. This evil entity cannot be allowed to exist, so I beseech you to visit www.naturalcures.com in order to learn how you can help to stop it!
Michael from Milford, MaMy Uncle died of a Glioblastoma Multiforme after a 16 month fight with this deadly cancer, and at his funeral, at his request, this song was played.
Maureen from Philaelphia, PaI have contemplated suicide before..I have put this song on and remembered all the ones I love who passed before me while struggling to live!! I saw thier faces as the slipped from this world... I have a life yet I wish to feel numbness. I realized then I will not feel numbness, rather death. This song keeps me in tears and reminds me of my gift
Susan from Edmonton, CanadaI came to this site today to read the words to Old and Wise. On July 9, 2005, my sister passed away from an aggressive, diagnosed-too-late ovarian cancer, shortly after her 40th birthday. After she died I opened an envelope she had left, to be opened only if she died. In it were the written instructions for her funeral, and this song was specifically requested by her - to be sung by her co-worker, the worship leader at our church. I had never heard the song before and I wanted a copy of the words to keep but it's taken me this long to reach the point emotionally where I can read it and not fall apart. Susan.
Joseph from Bowling Green, KyAn awesome song reminding me of what has happened in the past and how to cherish those memories (yes, it's sappy but true).

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