About the song
Life has a way of softening our edges, of showing us the world through a lens seasoned by experience. Skillet’s “The Older I Get” isn’t your typical rock anthem. Instead, it delves into a deeply personal journey of forgiveness – a theme that resonates deeply, especially as we navigate the complexities of family relationships over time.
Released in 2007 from their album “Comatose,” the song explores the lead singer John Cooper’s strained relationship with his father. Cooper talks about a sense of betrayal and lingering hurt, emotions many of us can relate to. But “The Older I Get” doesn’t wallow in negativity. It’s a song about growth and the power of letting go.
The lyrics hint at a longing to rewind time, to revisit those moments of conflict with a clearer perspective. The chorus, with its powerful declaration of “maybe I’ll get over it,” reflects the yearning for reconciliation and inner peace.
Musically, the song builds on Skillet’s signature blend of rock and alternative influences. It starts with a melancholic melody, capturing the weight of unresolved emotions. However, as the song progresses, the instrumentation becomes more dynamic, mirroring the gradual shift towards acceptance and potential forgiveness.
“The Older I Get” isn’t just about mending a broken relationship with a parent. It’s a universal call for understanding, for acknowledging the hurt we’ve caused or endured, and ultimately, for finding a way to move forward. It’s a song that reminds us that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves as much as to the other person.
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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