When We're 30

Album: Ashley Cooke (2026)

Songfacts®:

  • Certain couples in complicated relationships will agree that they're not quite right for each other now, but if years go by and they can't find anyone better, they'll just give up and marry each other. Ashley Cooke is based in Nashville, where age 30 is a common cutoff point.

    "It's just a silly, cheeky song saying, 'If we're single when we're 30, go ahead and buy the ring,'" she told American Songwriter. "'Let's do the damn thing.' It feels like an anthem for anybody that has that friend that you're like, 'I think I love you, but not in that way, but it could be that way if we're both single and I'm desperate."
  • The song is part of Ashley Cooke's self-titled fourth album, released when she was 29. She told American Songwriter how it was written: "I was in a room with Kyle Sturrok, who's one of my absolute favorite people, co-writers, friends, all that. And it was him and Will Weatherly. And funny enough, we were actually finishing a different song at the time, and we finished it pretty quickly, so we're like, 'We should just write a song." And we wrote 'When We're 30.' It became one of my favorite songs on the record."
  • "When We're 30" was produced by Dann Huff, one of the most accomplished producers in Nashville - his client list includes Keith Urban, Brantley Gilbert and Lady A. "Dann is the perfect partner in this record because I'm such a lyricist and he's such a musician," Cooke explained. "He loves the musicality of it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?