On Growing Older

{{Infobox song | name = On Growing Older | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = Strawbs | album = Grave New World | released = {{start date|1972|2}} | format = | recorded = {{start date|1971|11}} | studio = | venue = | genre = Progressive rock | length = 1:56 | label = A&M | writer = Dave Cousins | producer = Strawbs }} "'''On Growing Older'''" is a song by English band Strawbs written by Dave Cousins. The track first appeared on the ''Grave New World'' album, although it was written and recorded a few years earlier. The original recording was later released on the ''Strawberry Sampler Number 1'' album.

==Lyrical and musical content== As befits its place on the album, the song describes "a regret for the waste of my youth" of a middle-aged person who nonetheless realises that they still have time to accomplish some of their ambitions. The imagery is pastoral and natural, similar to "Another Day" from the ''Dragonfly'' album or perhaps "A Glimpse of Heaven" from ''From the Witchwood''. The instrumentation is simple, and the jangling guitar sounds are evocative of The Byrds, of whom Cousins is a fan.

==Personnel== *Dave Cousins – lead vocals, acoustic guitar *Tony Hooper – backing vocals, 12-string guitar *John Ford – bass guitar *Richard Hudson – drums

==References== {{Reflist}} *Sleeve notes to album CD 540 934-2 ''Grave New World'' (A&M 1998 Remastered) *[http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/albtrack/gnw/gnw30.asp ''Grave New World'' 30th anniversary article on Strawbsweb]

==External links== *[http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/lyrics/alphres.asp#ongrowingolder Lyrics to "On Growing Older" at Strawbsweb official site]

==Template== {{Strawbs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:On Growing Older}} Category:Strawbs songs Category:1972 songs Category:Songs written by Dave Cousins