How Life Changes with Age- and How Music Evolves With You

Life has a way of shifting under our feet as we get older. The things that once felt like our entire world—late nights, impulsive road trips, that one band we swore we’d love forever (for me it was Def Leppard)—slowly fade into the background as responsibilities grow. Careers, families, and the weight of experience shape us, sometimes making us feel distant from who we used to be. But one thing that remains constant, even as it evolves, is music.

The Soundtrack of Our Youth

When we’re young, music feels larger than life. It defines us. The bands we listen to aren’t just artists; they’re a reflection of who we are (or who we want to be). Every song is an anthem, every lyric speaks directly to us. Music fuels our friendships, our heartbreaks, our rebellion. It’s the backdrop of our first concerts, our first loves, and those moments when we feel like no one in the world understands us—except for that one song playing on repeat.

Growing Up, Growing Apart (or Closer)

As we get older, our relationship with music changes. Some people drift away from the bands they once loved, trading punk shows for playlists they can work to or relax to. Others cling to nostalgia, keeping their old favorites close like relics of who they used to be. Then there are those who evolve with the music, constantly seeking out new sounds while still finding comfort in the past.

Life’s responsibilities shift our priorities, but music remains woven into our experiences. Maybe we can’t make it to every show anymore, but we still feel that rush when a song transports us back to a specific moment in time. A single chord can bring back the smell of a dive bar, the feeling of sweaty bodies packed into a tiny venue, the pure joy of screaming lyrics into the void with hundreds of strangers.

The Emotional Weight of Music Changes

When we were young, music was often about energy—something to get lost in. As we age, it becomes more about connection. We start to hear lyrics differently, relating to them in new ways. A song we loved at 16 might take on an entirely new meaning at 36, 46, 56 and on.

Songs about heartbreak, loss, and struggle hit differently after we’ve lived through them. And the songs that once made us feel invincible now remind us of how quickly time passes. Music becomes a mirror, reflecting not just who we are but who we’ve been.

The Comfort of Music in Dark Times

No matter how much life changes, music remains a constant source of comfort—especially in times of sadness, depression, or loneliness. When the world feels overwhelming, when words fail, when no one seems to understand, music is there.

It has a way of wrapping around us like an old friend, reminding us that we are not alone. A song can speak the emotions we can’t express, giving us a moment of peace in the chaos. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that makes us feel whole again, bringing a sense of familiarity when everything else feels uncertain.

Whether it’s a song that reminds us of better times or one that perfectly captures our pain, music doesn’t judge. It doesn’t demand. It just exists—ready to lift us up, pull us through, or sit with us in the silence.

Music as a Universal Harmony

Beyond personal struggles, music has the power to bring peace in times of global turmoil. When the world feels divided, when chaos surrounds us, music creates harmony. It reminds us of our shared humanity, transcending language, culture, and beliefs. A simple melody can bring strangers together, a song can ignite hope, and a chorus can unify voices that once stood apart.

Music is the rhythm of existence, the harmony of the universe. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is beauty, connection, and something worth holding onto.

Passing It On

One of the most beautiful parts of getting older is sharing music with others—whether it’s introducing a younger generation to the bands that shaped us or finding common ground with someone over a shared love for an artist. For those of us who are parents, there’s nothing quite like watching our kids discover music, seeing them light up at a concert, or hearing them sing along to a song we loved decades ago. Which I have gotten to experience with my 4 kids when they were little all the way to adulthood.

The Music Never Stops

Life changes, and so do we. But music? Music is always there. It adapts with us, grows with us, and reminds us that no matter how much time passes, we’re still connected to the sounds that made us who we are.

So whether you’re still going to shows, blasting your teenage favorites in the car, or finding new artists to fall in love with,(which I do all of) one thing is certain: the music never really leaves you. It just changes, the same way we do. And in the moments when we feel lost, when the world feels heavy, it’s often the thing that helps us find ourselves—and each other—again.

May music be your guiding light.

Peace, Love, Music and Harmony to all. Much love, Mickey