The song "Old Habits Die Hard" by Eric Burdon talks about the experiences and mindset of someone who has lived a troubled life and has made some questionable choices. The lyrics suggest that the narrator was born in troubled times and wasted their youth, moving too fast to fully experience middle age. Despite their troubled past, the narrator claims to have found the truth and recognizes that when it comes to trouble, they have always had a head start. They imply that nothing has really changed and they are still the same person with old habits that are difficult to break. The narrator mentions being hassled by the authorities, indicated by the reference to Scotland Yard, but they remain resilient and keep trying. They believe that one day the world will understand them. They acknowledge that there is a file on them, suggesting a history with law enforcement, but they remain unchanged and hold on to their old habits. The song also mentions the idea of finding people who are similar or like-minded. The narrator refers to an "international brother" and emphasizes that orphans always find each other, implying a sense of camaraderie among those who have experienced troubled lives. In the latter part of the song, there are references to the narrator's travels and experiences in different places, such as buying a brass pipe in Hebron and climbing Masada at dawn. These experiences are described as ancient rituals that are an art. The lyrics call for the listener to open their eyes and see what is happening around them. Overall, "Old Habits Die Hard" speaks to the resilience and unchanging nature of the narrator, who has lived a troubled life but remains true to their old habits. The song also touches on themes of finding camaraderie and the importance of being aware and observant of the world.
