Once upon a time back in 1981 I found a guy who was a whole lot like me. He was living in the lyrics to a song. It was a song I had just written.

It was one of those songs I sometimes write by just letting words flow out to a background rhythm. As the words begin to flow by I check to see if they’re keeping a rhythm and making any sense. But otherwise I don’t stop them because I’m curious to see where they’ll lead and if they’ll tell me a story.

This time was a little different. It wrote about a guy I know pretty darn well. Me. I didn’t start out to do that. It just happened to happen. For what it’s worth…the lyrics are…

He’s A Whole Lot Like Me

He’s got stars in his eyes,
But he humbly denies,
And the harder he tries the brighter they shine.

He’s a lot like me
With a love that’s free
And he gives it away so easily.
Oh I wish I knew
What it is that carries him through…
‘Cause he’s a whole lot like me.

He’s got joy in his soul.
He’s in total control,
And he burns like a coal in an unending fire.

(chorus)

He knows life isn’t long.
Do your best while you’re strong.
Gotta sing your best song before you grow old.
So he gives all he’s got
And without second thought,
And his mind can’t be bought with a pocket of gold.

He’s a lot like me
With a love that’s free
And he gives it away so easily.
Oh I wish I knew
What it is that carries him through…
‘Cause he’s a whole lot like me.
Oh I think I know what it is that’s driving him so…
‘Cause he’s a whole lot like me.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,