About the song
Few artists embody the wisdom and warmth of experience quite like **Willie Nelson**. With his unmistakable voice and signature blend of country, folk, and blues, he has spent decades telling stories through song—stories that feel as personal as they are universal. One such gem is **”It Gets Easier,”** a quietly profound reflection on aging, acceptance, and the gradual release of life’s burdens.
Released in 2017 on his album *God’s Problem Child*, **”It Gets Easier”** captures the essence of Nelson’s late-career songwriting: simple, direct, yet deeply meaningful. The song unfolds with a gentle, meandering melody, carried by Willie’s weathered yet soothing vocals. His delivery is effortless, almost conversational, as if he’s sharing a bit of hard-earned wisdom over a cup of coffee.
The lyrics are both comforting and sobering. The opening lines, *”It gets easier as we get older / It gets easier to say not today,”* set the tone for a song that acknowledges the weight of time while offering a sense of peace. As we age, Nelson suggests, we learn to let go—of obligations, of expectations, of the need to fight battles that no longer matter. It’s a theme that resonates deeply, especially for those who have lived long enough to understand the truth in his words.
Musically, **”It Gets Easier”** is beautifully understated. The arrangement is spare but effective, with soft guitar strumming and a subtle rhythm that allows the lyrics to take center stage. There’s no rush, no urgency—just a quiet acceptance of life’s ebb and flow. This restraint is part of what makes the song so powerful; rather than reaching for grandiosity, Nelson lets simplicity speak for itself.
What makes this song particularly poignant is the perspective from which it’s written. Willie Nelson, well into his 80s at the time, isn’t just singing about growing older—he’s living it. There’s a sense of peace in his voice, a wisdom that can only come from experience. In a world that often resists the passage of time, **”It Gets Easier”** is a gentle reminder that aging isn’t just about loss—it’s also about freedom.
Whether you’re young and looking ahead, or further along and nodding in agreement, this song is a quiet gift—one that lingers long after the final note fades.
Video
Lyrics
It gets easier, as we get older
It gets easier to say “not today”
And it gets easier, as we get older
To say “go away and 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
It gets easier to say “some other time”
It gets easier to tell the world to wait
And it gets easier to watch the world fly by
And tell it, “I will catch up, but 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
Except for missing you
And that won’t go away
