Never Gonna Feel Like That Again

For some reason I keep playing Kenny Chesney's "Never Gonna Feel Like That Again" on the CD player in the car. It's just a breezy country song about phases in a young man's life but I can't get it out of my head.

I am always a sucker for songs that celebrate the playing of sports -- even if they're not about the sport of sailing. The opening lines are actually about high school football. But change the words slightly and they could just as easily be about the start of Laser frostbiting season. Especially that bit about being black and blue afterwards! They capture the feeling of anticipation and nervousness before the start of a day's racing and the feelings of satisfaction afterwards.

Friday night butterflies
Like clockwork they'd arrive
Little chill in an October sky
Nervous till the kickoff came

Four quarters win or lose
Spent Saturdays black and blue
But it was what I loved to do
And it was more than just a game

The song is really about transitions in life. And as I wrote earlier, I am in the process of closing down one phase of my life and starting another. It's over 35 years since I graduated from college but September still feels like the time of year for new starts.

It was my life and it was fun
Another season of my life is done
Another race I'm glad I got to run
Another chapter of my life is over

No I'm never gonna feel like that again
Time's rushin by me like the wind
Never be as young as I was then
No I'm never gonna feel like that again

Of course the bad boy in the song has a girlfriend called Cindy Lou and after a steamy prom night she ends up "in that way". Our hero does the right thing by his girl and the story ends with the tearjerker lines ....

Now I'm out here throwin this ball around
With a boy that looks just like me

Hey - I don't wish looking like me on anyone. Certainly not my first grandchild, due in November. But I am looking to throwing a ball around with him or her. Or even better taking them for a sail.

It's my life and it's sure fun
Another season of my life's begun
Another race I'm glad I get to run
Another chapter of my life I'm writin

No I'm never gonna feel like this again
Time's rushin by me like the wind
Gotta grab each moment that I can
Cause I'm never gonna feel like this again