The Old Playground features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, vocals, synthesizer); George Marinelli (guitar); Peter Harris (guitar); John Molo (drums); Joe Puerta (bass).
The Old Playground meaning of the song
Nostalgia for basketball culture
In “The Old Playground,” Bruce Hornsby reflects on the culture of playground basketball, using it as a metaphor for life and identity. The song opens with a vivid scene of walking down the sidewalk with a basketball, where the act of playing is intrinsically tied to one’s sense of self: “Everybody knows how you play is who you are.” This line highlights the significance of basketball in the community, suggesting that one’s skill on the court can define social standing and personal identity.
Hornsby’s lyrics encapsulate a sense of nostalgia, inviting listeners to reminisce about the innocence and camaraderie of youth spent playing basketball with friends. The phrase “the real moves come through” implies that authenticity and talent are often revealed in informal settings, where skill is honed through practice and competition rather than in structured environments.
The duality of the playground
The recurring refrain of wanting to be taken back to “the old playground” emphasises the desire for a simpler time where the dynamics of the game were clear-cut. The lyrics contrast “the old ones rule” with “the young ones do their time,” suggesting a hierarchy where experienced players command respect while younger players must earn their place. This interplay highlights the competitive nature of playground basketball, where respect is given through performance and familiarity.
The lines “Where the talk is cheap / And the restless stalk the baseline” evoke the casual banter and playful competitiveness that characterise playground games. The term “restless” suggests a sense of urgency and eagerness among players, driving them to constantly seek out new opportunities to play. This attitude reflects the way basketball serves as a means of escape for many, providing an outlet for stress and a sense of belonging.
Life lessons and camaraderie
Hornsby introduces the wisdom of “the old sage,” who advises passing the ball around and highlights the communal aspect of the game. This wisdom can be interpreted as a life lesson about sharing and cooperation, where success is not solely about individual achievement but also about working together. The mention of “all-world junior’s pulling up from downtown” speaks to the ambition and bravado of younger players, capturing the excitement and aspirations that come with youth.
The line “For some it’s a way out, for some it’s a way in” reflects the dual purpose that basketball can serve. For some players, it provides an escape from challenging circumstances, while for others, it serves as a gateway into new opportunities. This duality underscores the diverse motivations behind why people play sports, whether for personal growth, competition, or community.
Playing by your own rules
The advice to “call your own foul when you break the rules” highlights the informal nature of playground basketball, where players are expected to govern themselves. This self-regulation speaks to a deeper philosophy about accountability and integrity in both sports and life. The concept of “make it, take it” reinforces the idea that success in the game translates to further opportunities, encouraging players to be proactive and assertive.
Overall, “The Old Playground” is a rich tapestry of imagery and themes related to basketball culture and the lessons learned through play. Bruce Hornsby masterfully encapsulates the nostalgia, competition, and community that define the experience of growing up playing basketball, offering listeners a chance to reflect on their own formative experiences and the values that resonate beyond the court.
Your further thoughts
Looking through Bruce’s setlists on Bruuuce.com, The Old Playground is a song which appears to have been more or less discarded by the passage of time. This would be understandable, as the song is a reminiscence about good times past – and there comes a time when we must all move on in life at some point, for better or worse.
However, the theme (and rhythm) of the song is not all that different from a song such as Rainbow’s Cadillac, which still appears regularly on many, if not most, of Bruce’s recent setlists. So it is at this point that I appeal to Bruce to bring back The Old Playground once in a while, possibly in segway with Rainbow’s Cadillac.
There – that’s my soapbox out of the way – on with the lyrical interpretation…
As a touring folk harpist here in Wales, I am familiar with the following joke:
Q: How many folk musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Two. One to change it, the other to sing about how good the old one was.
The Old Playground is, musically, one of the more complex songs on Scenes from the Southside. Goodness knows what the time signature is. However the overall theme is very much in the folk tradition of singing a straight song from the heart about the way things used to be.
It also touches on the positive aspects of human existence: “Everybody knows how you play is who you are” (identity, self-respect) “For some it’s a way out, some its a way in, most of us don’t even care” (belonging, finding an individual role) “Just call your own foul” (finding common ground / consensus – at which the young usually put the old to shame).
Whichever way you care to look at it, it’s a strong song which deserves to survive either on its own or in sequence with Rainbow’s Cadillac, although I’ve probably been defeated by the passage of time on this one.
Carwyn Tywyn
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The Old Playground
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Orlando, FL
Band show; soundboard
August 27 1988