CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS^©

Album's version

Come on!

You gotta get up pretty early in the morning, babe
If you think you can just up and out-slick me
Cause I've been fooled by the best
BS-ed by the rest
I've tried everything there is in life from A to Z
I've dined with friends in high places
Slept with girls of all races
Got down with the brothers in the bowery
And they all taught me one thing
There's no such thing as a sure thing
Life as we know it has no guarantees

I've been in the battles
Taken my licks
Had lots of parties
Had all the kicks
I'm not often well
But, I ain't never been sick
Oh, can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks

Come on!

People talk and make promises 'bout this and that
But action's the only thing that excites me
All those promises they're making
I'd be crazy if I take 'em
I'd keep them stored up in my memory
I'm just living in a world where society
And what people say and do
No longer interests me
I'm just living out my days
Set in my ways
Living for my friends and my family

Well, I've lived in the city
I ain't what you call slick
Grew up in the country
But don't call me no hick
I've been through the thin, I've been through the thick
So you can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks

Come on!

Well, I've been in the battles
Taken my licks
Had lots of parties
Had all the kicks
I'm not often well
But I ain't never been sick
So, you can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks

Seems like everybody knows how things should be
Yeah, they've all got their stories they can't wait to tell
I've got my own way of being who I wanna be
I can't live my life for no one else
I keep my mind wide open
To what you gotta say
Lord, I ain't always right
But I know when you're wrong
'Cause I've been doing it too doggone long
You can sing it if you wanna
But it's still my doggone song

You can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
(Oh, no, no, no)
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
(You just can't do it now)
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
(No, you can't do it)
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
(You just can't do it now)
(No, no you)
Can't teach a
Can't teach a
No, you can't teach a
Can't teach a
(Whoah, whoah, whoah)
Can't teach a
Can't teach a
(No, no, no)

(Come on, Bondsie!)*

Oh you can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an old dog new tricks
Can't teach an...

Page last updated: 02 Oct 2007

Written by Gary U.S. Bonds and Laurie Anderson, released on Gary U.S. Bonds' 2004 album Back In 20, his first studio album in 20 years. CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS is the album's opener, and was recorded in February 2004 at Thrill Hill East, Rumson, NJ. It features Springsteen on guitar and backup vocals and Southside Johnny on harmonica (Southside also appears on two more tracks from the album). The above lyrics are for the album's version.

As far as it's known, the song was never performed live with or by Bruce Springsteen.

* This line is shouted by Bruce. He can be heard intermittently throughout the song.

Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake from BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics and info help.