Co-written alongside his longtime friend Buddy Cannon, who also served as the producer for God’s Problem Child, this song beautifully encapsulates not only the advantages of aging but also the seamless collaborative process between Willie Nelson and Buddy.
In an interview with Rolling Stone Country, Willie Nelson shared their harmonious songwriting approach: “We have a system that works. I write a verse and he’ll write a verse, and next thing you know, we’ve got a song completed. Then we’ll get a melody, and he’ll go into the studio with a band to record it and put his vocal on there. Then, when I get a chance, I go into the studio and I’ll record my vocal. Over the years, we’ve put out four or five albums. It’s been really easy to do it that way.”
The accompanying video, exquisitely shot in soulful black-and-white, opens with a cinematic scene of blades of grass swaying gently in the breeze, the sun gracefully painting the horizon. Interspersed with these serene outdoor moments, we see Willie seated in a recording studio, his presence commanding as he softly croons the song, utilizing his signature elastic phrasing. No extravagant embellishments are needed to enhance his wispy-around-the-edges voice; it’s just Willie Nelson, his voice, and his trusty old guitar.
The lyrics carry profound wisdom: “It gets easier, as we get older / It gets easier to say ‘not today’ / It gets easier, as we get older to say ‘go away, not today’ / I don’t have to do one damn thing that I don’t want to do except for missing you / And that won’t go away.”
In this beautiful composition, Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon not only celebrate the grace that comes with aging but also the enduring harmony of their creative partnership. Their music stands as a testament to the profound connections that can be forged through years of shared experiences and the magic that arises when true friendship and artistic collaboration intertwine
