About the song
Background:
- Released in 2007 on Kenny Chesney’s album “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.”
- Written by Chesney collaborators Casey Beathard and Chris Wallin.
- The idea for the song came from Chesney having the lyric “don’t blink” for a while and wanting to build a song around it.
- The final version features a fictional encounter between a young reporter and a very old man (originally 102, but later changed) being interviewed about the secret to his long life.
Themes:
- The passage of time: The song uses the old man’s perspective to reflect on how quickly life can pass by.
- Living in the moment: The old man’s cryptic advice, “don’t blink,” can be interpreted as urging listeners to savor each moment and not let life slip away unnoticed.
- Loss and regret: The old man recounts the joys and heartbreaks of his life, including losing his wife of 50 years. This adds a bittersweet layer to the message about appreciating life.
- Making the most of your opportunities: The song can be seen as a reminder to pursue your dreams and not let fear or complacency hold you back.
Overall, “Don’t Blink” is a powerful ballad that uses a simple metaphor to explore complex themes about life, loss, and the importance of living in the present.
Video
Lyrics
I turned on the evening newsSaw an old man being interviewedTurning a hundred and two today
Asked him what’s the secret to life?He looked up from his old pipeLaughed and said, “All I can say is
Don’t blink, just like that you’re six years oldAnd you take a napAnd you wake up and you’re twenty-fiveAnd your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink, you just might missYour babies growing like mine didTurning into moms and dadsNext thing you know your better half
Of fifty years is there in bedAnd you’re praying God takes you insteadTrust me friend a hundred yearsGoes faster than you think, so don’t blink
I was glued to my TV, when it lookedLike he looked at me and said“Best start putting first things first”
‘Cause when your hourglass runs out of sandYou can’t flip it over and start againTake every breathe God gives you for what it’s worth
Don’t blink, ’cause just like that you’re six years oldAnd you take a napAnd you wake up and you’re twenty-fiveAnd your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink, you just might missYour babies growing like mine didTurning into moms and dadsNext thing you know your better half
Of fifty years is there in bedAnd you’re praying God takes you insteadTrust me friend a hundred yearsGoes faster than you think, so don’t blink
So I’ve been trying to slow it downI’ve been trying to take it inIn this ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ world we’re living in
So don’t blink, ’cause just like that you’re six years oldAnd you take a napAnd you wake up and you’re twenty-fiveAnd your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink, you just might missYour babies growing like mine didTurning into moms and dadsNext thing you know your better half
Of fifty years is there in bedAnd you’re praying God takes you insteadTrust me friend a hundred yearsGoes faster than you think, so don’t blink
No, don’t blink
Don’t blinkLife goes faster than you thinkSo don’t blink
Life goes faster than you thinkDon’t blink
Don’t blinkLife goes faster than you think