About the song
“The Older I Get” is a deeply personal and reflective song by the Christian rock band Skillet, released as the fourth single from their sixth studio album, *Comatose*, in 2007. The track also appeared on an EP titled *The Older I Get EP*. The song achieved notable success, reaching No. 27 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks and No. 14 on the Billboard US Hot Christian Songs chart. Additionally, it was recognized as the 19th most-played song of 2008 on Christian contemporary hit radio, with 11,693 plays.
The song’s significance extends beyond its chart performance. It is featured on the compilation album *WOW Hits 1*, which highlights influential Christian music.
In discussing the meaning of “The Older I Get,” Skillet’s lead singer and primary songwriter, John L. Cooper, shared that the song is a deeply personal reflection on his relationship with his father. Cooper explains that the song addresses feelings of betrayal and unresolved emotions he experienced. However, the core message of the song revolves around the theme of forgiveness. Cooper describes how, through the process of forgiving his father, he experienced profound healing in his own life. The song conveys a sense of regret for not having made the decision to forgive sooner, but it ultimately emphasizes the positive transformation that came from embracing forgiveness.
The track’s powerful lyrics and heartfelt message resonate with many listeners, offering both a personal story and a universal theme of healing and reconciliation. As Skillet continues to be a significant force in Christian rock, “The Older I Get” remains a testament to their ability to address complex emotions and experiences through their music.
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 getting 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 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 getting 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