Chris Just Turned 16

Chris just turned sixteen
He’s as a teen as he’ll ever be
(*He says) "School's insane, teachers are lame
It's only there to num your brain"

Chris is now seventeen
One year to go till he runs the show
So many things will sure be said
(*Like) "And if you’re not happy you can just drop dead"

Kid don’t get me wrong when you hear this song
I’m just learning along the way
‘Cause there's no book to tell me
What’s the best for you

Chris is now twenty
And he’s as strong as he’ll ever be
He won’t be old for an eternity
The world awaits for him to see

Chris is now thirty
And he’s as hot as he’ll ever be
Don’t waste your time it goes so fast
Don’t think too much just make it last

Kid don’t get us wrong our love is strong
I know you’ll understand some day
That mom and I we only
Want the best for you

Chris is now forty with wife and family
Sure made his mother happy

Chris you’re really sixteen
Was this song just a bad dream?
That will be for you to decide
You never know what the future can hide

But there’s one thing that I must say
Before these words just fade away
The part about you mom and me
Is based upon reality

Kid don’t get me wrong when you hear this song
I’m just learning along the way
‘Cause there is no book to tell me
What’s the best for you

Kid don’t get me wrong when you hear this song
I’m learning along the way
‘Cause there is no book to tell me
What’s the best for you

(*implied)

This song is for Jonathan, Laurence, Olivier, Sabrina, Shayne, Valmont and, of course, Chris.

The intro riff, Pat had been carrying it for quite a while. It was like he had only half a song. Everything was there except the chorus. Then one day a chorus came along. He matched it to that old riff and It worked. He then wrote some lyrics about a teenage kid.

A little note about Pat’s lyrics: to avoid any misinterpretation regarding the last lines of the two first verses, it’s the teen that voices his opinion.

When the band played the song for the first time, J-P found right away a great beat to support the intro riff. Then, it didn’t take long for Gab and Sly to start working on a counter-melody that added a touch of unexpected but welcome melancholy to the song. This atmosphere comes back in Gab’s « mood swing » solo. The first half is very strong and upbeat and then the second half brings the melancholy back again. Aren’t mood swings part of being 16?

Even if Chris was the direct inspiration for this song, all members of TDI have kids who revolve around them. That’s why this song is dedicated to them (in alphabetical order): Chris, Jonathan, Laurence, Olivier, Sabrina, Shayne, Valmont.