“Backside of Thirty”, a song written and recorded by John Conlee for the ABC label, recorded in October 1976 in Nashville, TN. With the production of Bud Logan, the first release was on December 11, 1976, and was re-released in February 1979, on May 5, 1979, it reached # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts, and remained a total of fifteen weeks on the charts. On the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts, he reached number # 5. It was the second number one in John Conlee’s career.

The song was included in John Conlee’s debut album, Rose Colored Glasses (ABC 1978), the album was released on October 11, 1978, on the US Top Country Albums charts, reached number # 11, on June 9 of 1979, and remained a total of 54 weeks in the charts. In the Canadian country albums charts, It reached number # 3.It was the first and last album It recorded for ABC, the following year signed by MCA.
In 1998, the song was recorded live, at Billy Bob’s, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX, Live At Billy Bob’s (Smith Music Group 1999).

Conlee’s song composition also deserves praise. Although he is not a prolific composer, his production is quite strong. Nowhere is this more evident than in his 1978 debut album Rose Colored Glasses. Not only is it one of the best debut albums in the history of country music, but it is also one of the best and most consistent country records of all time. “Backside of Thirty” is a solo composition of Conlee, and he really set the stage for the type of music he would write and record throughout his career.

John Conlee – Backside of Thirty Lyrics

Making money at thirty with a wife and a son
Then a short five years later it all comes undone
She’s gone back to mama with the boy by her side
Now I’m wine drunk and running with them on my mind

I’m on the backside of thirty and back on my own
An empty apartment don’t feel like a home
On the backside of thirty, the short side of time
Back on the bottom with no will to climb

It’s dawn Monday morning and I just called in sick
I skipped work last Friday to drink this much red
And when my friends ask me, Lord, I’ll tell them I’m fine
But my eyes tell a story that my lies can’t hide

I’m on the backside of thirty and back on my own
An empty apartment don’t feel like a home
On the backside of thirty, the short side of time
Back on the bottom with no will to climb

We knew we had problems with no chance to win
Pretended we’d make it, does she have the kid?
And he made life better for two years or more
But now, weekends between us will be his reward

I’m on the backside of thirty and back on my own
An empty apartment don’t feel like a home
On the backside of thirty, the short side of time
Back on the bottom with no will to climb