“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
There’s something magical about the way Alan Jackson captures life’s wisdom in “The Older I Get.” Released in October 2017, this reflective ballad arrived at a perfect moment—just days before Jackson’s well-deserved induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
What makes this song special isn’t just its beautiful melody, but the story behind it. Though written by Adam Wright, Hailey Whitters, and Sarah Allison Turner, it was Jackson who shaped its soul. When he first heard it, he loved the concept but wanted something more uplifting about aging. In his own words: “I thought maybe it could be a little more positive about being older and wiser and more content.” The songwriters reworked it, creating something that resonates deeply with listeners of all ages.
The song’s magic lies in its honesty. Jackson, who was 59 when he recorded it, sings about appreciating every minute because “it’s gone in a blink,” and how true wealth comes from “the people you love, not the money and stuff.” There’s a gentle acceptance of aging—embracing laugh lines as “souvenirs and little signs of the life I’ve lived” and finding that prayer becomes more meaningful with time.
The music video adds another layer of intimacy, featuring personal photographs and memories from throughout Jackson’s life and career, giving fans a glimpse into the experiences that shaped this country legend.
What I love most about this song is how it doesn’t shy away from life’s realities—fewer friends as you age, learning when to care and “when to just not give a damn”—while still remaining hopeful. It’s like sitting on the porch with a wise friend who’s sharing life lessons over a glass of sweet tea.
“The Older I Get” eventually found its home on Jackson’s 2021 album “Where Have You Gone,” but it stands alone as a testament to what country music does best: telling authentic stories that touch our hearts and remind us what truly matters in life.
Video
Lyrics
The older I get
The more I think
You only get a minute
Better live while you’re in it
‘Cause it’s gone in a blink
And the older I get
The truer it is
It’s the people you love
Not the money and stuff
That makes you rich
And if they found a fountain of youth
I wouldn’t drink a drop
And that’s the truth
Funny how it feels I’m just gettin’ to
My best years yet
The older I get
The fewer friends I have
But you don’t need a lot
When the ones that you’ve got
Have always got your back
And the older I get
The better I am
At knowing when to give
And when to just not give a damn
And if they found a fountain of youth
I wouldn’t drink a drop
And that’s the truth
Funny how it feels I’m just gettin’ to
My best years yet
The older I get
And I don’t mind all the lines
From all the times
I’ve laughed and cried
Souvenirs and little signs
Of the life I’ve lived
The older I get
The longer I pray
I don’t know why
I guess that I’ve got more to say
And the older I get
The more thankful I feel
For the life I’ve had
And all the life I’m living still