Old Before I Die

Album: Life Thru A Lens (1997)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Old Before I Die" can be seen as a response to The Who's "My Generation," which contains the line "I hope I die before I get old." Instead, Robbie Williams sings, "I hope I'm old before I die."

    Williams explained: "What is scary is that a lot of people do these songs that can be self-fulfilling prophecies about how they're going to die, or how they're going to end up when it happens to them. I genuinely want to be old when I die."
  • Robbie Williams wrote "Old Before I Die" in Miami alongside Desmond Child and Eric Bazilian (of The Hooters). It was the only successful song to emerge from the short-lived partnership, with Williams eventually flying back to London to work with The Lemon Trees' Guy Chambers.
  • Shot in February 1997, the David Mould-directed video sees Williams performing with a band of aging rock stars.
  • The Mexican artist Alejandra Guzmán recorded a cover of this song called "Quiero Vivir (I Want to Live)." Featured on her Grammy Award-winning album Soy, "Quiero Vivir" was produced by the aforementioned Desmond Child.
  • "Old Before I Die" was the first single released from Williams' debut solo album, Life Thru a Lens. The song, which peaked at #2 in the UK, heard Williams leaving behind the pop roots of Take That in order to embrace a rockier sound inspired by the likes of Oasis and Blur.

Comments: 1

  • Bettyblu from ParisThis song marks a new beginning for young Robbie. New look, new sound, and, hopefully, new fans. I think this is Robert Williams who finally expresses all his talent, which had been kept compressed by long-dated, disappointing Take That experience. We are not what the others define us, we are what we deserve to be. And Robbie Williams has always deserved to be the great pop star he has finally become
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.