And through decades of solid output, rigorous touring, and unyielding punk ethos, he cemented himself as one of the most influential heroes of the DIY scene.
Rosenstock is a self-made artist who's built a bridge between enraged, angst-ridden political catharsis and hard-hitting depressive emotional introspection. His voice is loud, raspy, and on the cusp of anger, but underneath that lies enough nuance and subtlety to make his music fun and arresting all at once.
In just a couple of years, Jeff Rosenstock has gone from beloved underground punk mainstay to a DIY legend and one of the most acclaimed figures in modern punk.
Get Old Forever
Jeff Rosenstock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drinking at a house show can feel childish and embarrassing
With people glaring because despite what the advertisements said:
Malt liquor doesn’t make you young.
On a fancy thing into the future
Thumbing through a raincloud of reminders.
And “it’s a death trap” so I wanna get smashed before we get an inch off the ground.
But we stepped outside and I realize it’s been a while
Since I’ve seen those eyes.
And it felt so nice to see you smile.
Breathe in deep and debride your life
Stale regrets are a waste of time
Only one thing remains secure
That we all get old together
And we all get old forever.
Yeah, I’ve got dreams.
Big stupid dreams.
Dumb fucking dreams.
But Little Chris is getting married Saturday.
I need to get unstuck on the things I won’t achieve.
I need to let it go and just
Breathe in deep and debride my life
Stale regrets are a waste of time
Only one thing remains for sure
That we all get old together
and we all get old forever
Yeah we all get old together
and we all get old forever.
We had the time so we watched the ocean for a while.
And it felt alright.
Was it kind of nice to see me smile?
The song "Get Old Forever" by Jeff Rosenstock is a reflection on the challenges of growing up and accepting the inevitability of aging. The opening lines of the song set the scene for feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment when surrounded by a social circle that is moving forward with milestones like purchasing homes and settling down. The singer of the song feels out of place among his peers and turns to alcohol to numb the pain of feeling left behind. However, even this coping mechanism fails, as he acknowledges that drinking malt liquor isn't a magical cure for feeling young again.
The second verse of the song takes a darker tone, with references to a "fancy thing into the future" and a sense of impending doom. The singer wants to get drunk before take-off, suggesting a fear of flying or a more general anxiety about the future. He acknowledges that his presence might not be wanted, but when he steps outside, he sees an old friend and is comforted by the connection they share. This interaction prompts a moment of clarity and acceptance - the realization that we all get old and that there's no use dwelling on the past.
The chorus of "Get Old Forever" offers a message of hope and acceptance. Stale regrets are a waste of time, and the only thing we can truly count on is that we all age together. The repetition of this simple sentiment reinforces the idea that we're all in this together, and that there's no use comparing ourselves to others or measuring our success by their standards. In the final lines of the song, the singer finds solace in the beauty of the present moment, watching the ocean with a friend and feeling his spirits lifted by a simple smile.
Line by Line Meaning
When your friends are buying starter homes with their accomplishments
When your friends are making significant strides in their lives, such as buying homes, it can be difficult to continue feeling satisfied with your own life choices.
Drinking at a house show can feel childish and embarrassing
Participating in activities that were once considered carefree and enjoyable, such as attending house parties, can feel shameful as you grow older and feel the pressure to constantly be achieving more.
With people glaring because despite what the advertisements said:
Malt liquor doesn’t make you young.
Although advertisements may suggest that consuming certain products will help you stay youthful, it is important to acknowledge that this is not true and that getting older is an inevitable part of life.
On a fancy thing into the future
Embarking on a new adventure or endeavor with hopes of achieving success or making progress in life.
Thumbing through a raincloud of reminders.
Reflecting on past experiences and memories, some of which may be painful or regretful.
And “it’s a death trap” so I wanna get smashed before we get an inch off the ground.
Feeling nervous or apprehensive about a situation, such as traveling in a potentially dangerous vehicle, and using alcohol as a coping mechanism to calm these nerves.
I’m not so sure you want me around.
Feeling uncertain about the level of acceptance or approval from others, and questioning whether or not they truly want your presence or involvement.
But we stepped outside and I realize it’s been a while
Since I’ve seen those eyes.
Finally seeing someone you haven't seen in a long time, and feeling happy and nostalgic upon reuniting with them.
And it felt so nice to see you smile.
Feeling a sense of joy and contentment in seeing someone else happy.
Breathe in deep and debride your life
Stale regrets are a waste of time
Taking a deep breath and focusing on making positive changes in your life, rather than dwelling on past regrets or mistakes.
Only one thing remains secure
That we all get old together
And we all get old forever.
Recognizing that no matter what happens in life, the inevitability of aging and growing older is a shared experience for all human beings.
Yeah, I’ve got dreams.
Big stupid dreams.
Dumb fucking dreams.
Acknowledging that your hopes and aspirations may seem silly or unrealistic to others, but holding onto them regardless.
But Little Chris is getting married Saturday.
I need to get unstuck on the things I won’t achieve.
I need to let it go and just
Realizing that the accomplishments and milestones of others can cause feelings of inadequacy, but ultimately needing to let go of those negative emotions and focus on your own path in life.
We had the time so we watched the ocean for a while.
And it felt alright.
Was it kind of nice to see me smile?
Taking a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, such as spending time with loved ones and enjoying nature, and feeling happy in seeing someone else's joy reflected back at you.
Contributed by Sarah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Zart
Jess Rosenstock is the goddamn man. No contest. Between him and PUP... they are reigniting punk creativity
Bucket
@M00SE414NAHH bro Jeff Glumpet is better
M00SE414
Jeff Rosenstock is also pretty good
Austin Laverdure
Prince Daddy and the Hyena
Diana Bazon
totally
Joshua Wiersum
Anthony Zart The first time I listened to PUP was 2 weeks ago. I'm still listening.
The Internauts
I fucking love this song. I think they should've repeated the chorus again at the end though. it's just too catchy not to.
Aleph Null
he does that in live shows for sure
William Nownes
Makes sense in terms of leading right into "you in weird cities" which had a rather fast upbeat intro. But I agree, that as a single, an extra chorus would be killer.
Luke
+The Internauts lol whenever i jam to this song with friends we add the extra chorus. its so great.