I guess you had to be there, she said you had to be
She handed me a yellowed photograph and then said, see?
This was my greatest love, my one and only love and this is me
Back when we were beautiful, see?

I don't feel very different, she said I know it's strange
I guess I've gotten used to these little aches and pains
I still love to dance, you know we used to dance the night away
Back when we were beautiful, beautiful, yes

I hate it when they say
I'm aging gracefully
I fight it every day
I guess they never see
I don't like this at all
What's happening to me?

But I really love my grandkids, she said they're sweet to hold
They would've loved their grandpa, those awful jokes he told
You know sometimes for a laugh, the two of us would act like we were old
Back when we were beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful, yes
But I guess you had to be there