Shortly before he turned 100, Alan R. Tripp wrote a poem.
It was about life, and getting old, and losing friends — and it made Marvin Weisbord, his fellow resident at a Pennsylvania retirement community, want to sing. Weisbord decided to set it to music as a surprise gift for Tripp’s 100th birthday, and pretty soon the two men were listening to their own, original song.
“I was very happy, he was happy,” Weisbord said. “Next thing you know, I have another poem on my desk” — and, two years later, Tripp and Weisbord have teamed up to release an eight-song album, the “Senior Song Book.”
The album, released Nov. 15 and available for purchase online or as a CD, features modern lyrics set to tunes reminiscent of Cole Porter or Irving Berlin: “the great music of the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, [but] the words are looking ahead to the 2020s,” Tripp said. Tripp, 102, served as lyricist and producer; Weisbord, 88, set the lyrics to music, organized the jazz band and played piano on all the songs.
Neither Tripp, who had a career in advertising, nor Weisbord, a former consultant, have ever written and produced music before. They believe they are the oldest songwriting duo in history.
“I’ve never had so much fun in my life, and I never expected to be doing this in my old age,” Weisbord said.
Tripp snorted, interjecting: “He doesn’t know anything about old age.”
As the eight songs reveal, the older balladeers have a wealth of life experience to share. The tunes touch on subjects ranging from the bliss of true, reciprocated love (“Wonder Woman”) to bad breakups (“Goodbye, Goodbye Forever”) to the need for self-reflection (“Looking in the Mirror”).
Every single one, Tripp insisted, is relevant to both older and younger people, reflecting the fact that their target audience is “well, everyone.” That holds true, both men said, even for a number that seems particularly meant for the elderly: “I Just Can’t Remember Your Name.”
You’re so engaging, but we’re both aging
What once was on the tip of my tongue
Seems to elude me, so I say crudely
It ain’t like it was when I was young . . .
I know I oughta kiss you, but baby there’s an issue
I just can’t remember your name.
“That turns out to appeal to both younger and older people,” Tripp said. Perhaps “because the lyrics reflect how does a real adult look at life, and what’s going on with life today...READ MORE + WATCH VIDEO
