Alan Jackson Releases New Song “The Older I Get” Ahead of Hall of Fame Induction
On Sunday, October 22nd, 2017, Alan Jackson will officially take his rightful place in the Country Music Hall of Fame right beside all the other greats of country music, and his fellow 2017 inductees of Jerry Reed and songwriter Don Schlitz. And ahead of the private medallion ceremony for fellow inductees and distinguished guests in Nashville, Jackson has released the first taste from a new, upcoming album in the form of a song called “The Older I Get.”
At a time when Alan Jackson and country music are reflecting back on his career, it’s no surprise that a new song would find Alan Jackson in a contemplative, appreciative mood. “I don’t mind all the lines from all the times I’ve laughed and cried,” Jackson sings. Though Jackson is known as one of the few more modern superstars to write a majority of his own material, “The Older I Get” was actually penned by Adam Wright, Hailey Whitters and Sarah Allison Turner.
“This song reflects a lot of how I feel these days,” Alan Jackson says. “It’s a good song; I really liked it, but the message was a little different when I first heard it. I thought maybe it could be a little more positive about being older and wiser and more content…so they rewrote a few things, and this is how it ended up.”
Alan Jackson’s last album Angels & Alcohol ended up at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, as well as Top 5 all genre. There is no word on when the new Alan Jackson album might be delivered or what the name of it will be at the moment, but it has been confirmed that Jackson will be making a big appearance at the 2017 CMA Awards on November 8th.
“The Older I Get” is currently available for download and streaming through all major services.
October 20, 2017 @ 8:56 am
Being on the flipside of 40 now, these lyrics ring oh so true for me in a way they wouldn’t have 10-15 years ago. Great song, even if AJ didn’t write it.
October 20, 2017 @ 9:03 am
Beautiful.
October 20, 2017 @ 9:10 am
Alan has a great ability to know what we need to hear and when we need to hear it. I love the song and look forward to the album release. Wish I could be there to see the ceremony this weekend. #congratsAJ
October 20, 2017 @ 9:12 am
Lovely tune, and sentiment! 🙂
October 20, 2017 @ 9:35 am
Good stuff. Life has a way of putting things in perspective for us.
And Adam Wright is Jackson’s nephew.
October 20, 2017 @ 9:48 am
True country!!!!
October 20, 2017 @ 10:37 am
oh… wow…
this… is… fantastic.
Alan Jackson has time and again proven he knows a lot about music. and has impeccable taste.
this is not only well written it’s gorgeous and the arrangement is exquisite.
I like this sort of song, I like hearing time and hard living reflected in an artist’s voice and I get a bit frustrated by how shallow and vapid young people are.
I never liked Alan Jackson growing up. he was just the itty bitty guy to me and that song is dumb.
but he’s recorded so much awesome stuff that the older me can stand a break from Hawkshaw and Copas and put on some Alan Jackson.
the older I get the more I appreciate some of the newer Country artists who’ve grown up since I was younger, since I said they’d never be Jones, Roy Clark or Doug Kershaw.
some of them never did, but some of them grew up and put out some great art. Vince Gill and Alan Jackson are two of the greatest examples of respecting the roots and spirit of country music.
October 20, 2017 @ 3:03 pm
I agree. “Remember When” is another great song that reflects the wisdom and experience that comes with maturity. The meaning of these songs shifts as I get older and my perspective changes.
I’m glad to see you comment; I do enjoy your reactions to different artists 🙂
October 20, 2017 @ 7:40 pm
The older you? Aren’t you around 22 years old?
October 20, 2017 @ 11:39 am
Oh man, gorgeous tune. This is exactly the type of song the mainstream country scene needs, but probably won’t pay attention to.
October 20, 2017 @ 12:09 pm
I hear a fiddle and steel guitar so I am pretty sure this is not a country song.
October 20, 2017 @ 7:56 pm
Yeah. Needs more synth and autotune. 😉
October 20, 2017 @ 12:49 pm
A couple chords and the truth is all we really need.
October 20, 2017 @ 12:59 pm
Yet another example of how well Alan Jackson has transitioned into the role of Elder Statesman of Country Music. Would that we could all age with such grace and dignity…
October 22, 2017 @ 7:05 pm
Yet another sign of how where our media have been going, when I read the words “Alan Jackson has transitioned,” I did a double-take and said “What the hey!”–before I got to the end of the sentence and saw it was a false alarm.
October 20, 2017 @ 1:43 pm
Couple of problems with this tune as I see it …..
1. Its actually about something and has a point of view
2. There are just the right number or words to make that point
3. There are REAL singers and players and instruments all over this track
4 . The performance is , as usual with AJ , totally from the heart , authentic and honest ..
5. The lyric ‘ fits ‘ the artist …its not about a 40 year old trying to score with a teenager .
6. The lyric is simple , accessible , memorable and singable
7. Wrong hat
Sorry cowboy . This thing doesn’t stand a chance on ‘country’ radio ……way too many things ‘wrong’ with it.
October 20, 2017 @ 2:02 pm
Perfect example of a healthy handshake between songwriting and performance.
October 20, 2017 @ 2:19 pm
Perhaps the best song I’ve heard all year.
October 20, 2017 @ 2:43 pm
You all can have your Turnpike release. I’ll take AJ
October 20, 2017 @ 4:08 pm
Why not both?
We are blessed to have such great choices!
October 20, 2017 @ 8:03 pm
I don’t want to be banned from here for saying this… But I can’t get into TT. They don’t feel like traditional country to me. AJ is traditional country. Daryle Singletary is traditional country. Through and through no exceptions, every single time. I’m not saying I wouldn’t like a few TT songs if I took time to listen to every thing they’ve ever done, but the ones I have heard… I’m not a fan.
October 21, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
i completely 100% agree with you, I’ve been thinking the same thing
October 21, 2017 @ 2:04 pm
No problem with me. I am a huge TT fan but you are entitled to your own opinion and frankly I think AJ is better as well!
October 24, 2017 @ 7:54 am
I go back and forth on them. One problem I have is that sometimes the TT lyrics are so personal that they lose their universality.
Hank Williams exposed to the public every domestic problem he was going through but you were always right there with Hank, like, yep I get it, been there.
October 24, 2017 @ 11:33 am
You are so right on, Clyde. Who can listen to I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry and not be hearkened back to a time when they felt all was lost?
October 26, 2017 @ 2:16 am
I appreciate your take on this as feel similarly. When I listen to the TT albums, I generally like the music, but I never find myself going back to listen again and again. I have some of their songs on my Spotify playlist and I enjoy them when they come on but, again, this still doesn’t make me think “oh, I have to listen to that album right now,” which does happen with many other artists. On the new album, I couldn’t really get into the first half, but the last five songs were quite enjoyable. I’ll add these to my playlist, but I don’t anticipate listening to the album on a regular basis.
As for this Alan Jackson song, it’s excellent. His consistency through the years is remarkable.
October 20, 2017 @ 2:47 pm
Damn that’s a great song.
October 20, 2017 @ 4:10 pm
Saving Country Music…. one song at a time.
October 20, 2017 @ 6:01 pm
Lovely. Pure Alan Jackson, but it feels like Don Williams was sitting alongside him in the studio.
October 21, 2017 @ 1:09 am
absolutely …this could have been quite at home on a don williams record -particularly either of his last two records -.and , in fact , he crossed my mind listening ….
don would have , as AJ did , done this song justice ….
October 20, 2017 @ 9:45 pm
Such a great song. This is the kind of country I’ve always loved. It’s also another example of why radio should’ve never stopped playing Alan. This kind of maturity and wisdom is sorely missing in today’s mainstream country.
October 21, 2017 @ 4:26 am
A fiddle in a 2017 country song? No way…too country for the 2017-version of country music. “Country” radio is busy playing hipster-dreck like “Singles You Up”.
October 21, 2017 @ 1:29 pm
i agree with u about how a lot of of modern country isn’t very good or really country at all. but more artists use fiddles than ur giving them credit for. also, u can tell country music is currently swinging in the right direction.
October 21, 2017 @ 8:12 pm
The hipsters are listening to Sturgil, the frat bro’s and girls are listening to “singles you up”
October 21, 2017 @ 5:54 am
Love that sog.
October 21, 2017 @ 11:20 am
Like Alan there are a ton of great performers who no longer have the support of Country Radio. The problem with no radio is the word of new music is limited. I love Classic Country and try to follow all my favorites. FYI there is a new album coming out in November for all you Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillie fans. Remember your support will keep them a float as the Titanic Country Radio sinks.
October 21, 2017 @ 8:11 pm
Yeah, this is excellent
October 21, 2017 @ 9:30 pm
Just turned this song on. INCREDIBLE. I expect nothing less from Alan but this song is something special. THIS song should be the number one song on country radio right now. Incredible musically…that fiddle is amazing. and the lyrics are so good and so true. this is just a badass song. LOVE it. this one is going on my “REAL Country Music, Old & New” playlist on Spotify right now. wow! ????????????
October 22, 2017 @ 10:18 am
I keep coming back to this post and playing the track . Its just such a breath of fresh air to hear new COUNTRY music-REAL country music-.that’s this good .They often talk about the ‘ marriage ‘ of lyric and melody in a great song . But in this we have it all …lyric and melody AND the right artist . This is reminiscent of the grammy-nominated ‘ SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOVE ME ANYMORE ‘ by AJ which was also an Adam Wright composition . This guy knows his Uncle Alan pretty good I’d say . Wright is a pretty wonderful writer . If anyone here isn’t familiar with his album work with his wife ( The Wrights ) do yourself a favour and check it out .
In the meantime I’ve gotta hit ‘rewind’ on this track again to help me keep my composure and sanity next time someone turns on ‘country’ radio .
October 23, 2017 @ 4:20 pm
yeehaw alan
October 24, 2017 @ 8:02 am
One of the things I liked best about 80’s/90’s Alan Jackson was the fantastic musicians he had on his records. Sometimes they would really stretch out on songs like “I Don’t Even Know Your Name.”
October 25, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
I heard this yesterday. I don’t know I feel about it yet, but I’m sure I’ll love it in time. That’s kind of how Alan’s newer music has hit me; it takes a handful of listens or so for it to click. That happened with “You Can Always Come Home” from his last album, a song that I think was under-appreciated.
I’ve always thought Alan’s reflective songs are his best, even the ones early in his career like “I’d Love You All Over Again.” He speaks from that position of wisdom I think we all hope to obtain as grow older.