Wisdom of Aging Playlist

Although this month’s themes of “in with the new” and the “wisdom of the aged” may seem contradictory, musicians across genres and generations have given us great and thoughtful songs to inspire us about them.

(But as television commercial tunes?)

Here are a few we like, from artists as varied as Modern English and Jimmy Buffett (including one song also performed by Talking Heads) to Harry Chapin and CSNY.

And no playlist would be complete without the Beatles or Bob Dylan – and we have them both, as well.

Take a listen, along with a stroll through your own memories and dreams of memories still to be made.

"My Back Pages" (From the 30th Anniversary Concert) (Version 2), Bob Dylan

Youthful idealism may cause us to see things as absolutes. Experience has moderated those extremes to where we can see more than one side of an issue. But what does this say about the myth of the wisdom of the elders?

"Ooh La La," Faces

If we have done our due diligence, we shouldn’t have cause to regret our decisions. When we gain the knowledge of negative facts, we won’t have to wish that we knew then what we would discover later.

"Graceland," Paul Simon

Paul Simon tells us that the realization of the end of a relationship, hurtful though it may be, can herald a new beginning. Here, he travels with his young son and will bond with him as they are received in Graceland.

“I Melt with You,” Modern English.

1982 Original

2020 Lockdown version

42 years after Stan first heard it as a senior in college, this wisdom song still gets it right – “it’s getting better all the time.” Just compare the 2020 “lockdown” version recorded during the Pandemic with the original.

“Cat’s in the Cradle,” Harry Chapin

When Stan ran a Challenger Little League baseball program for players with disabilities when his son was young, he often thought of Harry Chapin’s advice when he had to leave work early on a weekday for a game. Twenty years later, he still appreciates the wisdom that Harry offered.

“When I’m Sixty-Four,” The Beatles

Mike remembers singing this at his engagement party – twenty years ago. Stan came “in with the new” in 1960 – need we say more?

“Let It Be,” The Beatles

As a young adult and later as a parent, Stan coped with death and illness in his family – and took strength whenever this wisdom song came up on his mental playlist.

“Once in a Lifetime,” Jimmy Buffett/Talking Heads

Although Talking Heads’ original version was the soundtrack to Stan’s senior year in college, Mike loves Jimmy Buffett’s take on this (or anything else Buffett did). A song that offered wisdom in such different settings just had to be on this playlist.

"Teach Your Children," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

When we realize the negatives in our lives, we attempt to help our children to avoid them in their own. It should come as no surprise that they want to do the same for us!

"The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful," Jimmy Buffett

Chances are pretty good we all have looked around one day and realized that devotion to our career might have been keeping us from having fulfilling lives. Here is the lighthearted story of someone who decides to move forward on a new adventure.