Gettin' Old

Lore & Background

Combs recorded Growin' Up and Gettin' Old simultaneously, ultimately deciding to release them as two separate albums that function as a pair. The title of the first promotional single, "Growin' Up and Gettin' Old," explicitly combines the two concepts, while their cover artworks are designed to be placed side by side. Combs co-produced the project with Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, mirroring the production credits on his companion album. In describing the record, Combs stated it reflects a specific life stage many people share: one of "coming of age," loving where life is now while missing how it used to be. The track listing was revealed in early February 2023, solidifying the narrative of an artist balancing current joy with the reflection on time passing.

In Their Own Story

The album captures a specific emotional turning point for Combs and his listeners. It documents the feeling of being in a stage of life that one is sure many have been through or will go through again. Rather than focusing solely on youth, the record delves into the tension of living fully in the moment while simultaneously wondering about the time left. The inclusion of 15 co-written tracks out of 18 highlights Combs' personal investment in these stories, including his rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car." This companion piece to Growin' Up serves as a musical diary entry, where the artwork and single titles physically and thematically bind the two releases together. The release timeline was tight, with the world tour kicking off just one day after the album hit shelves on March 24, 2023.

Reader's Guide

To fully appreciate Gettin' Old, listen to it alongside Growin' Up (2022), as they were recorded together and meant to be companion albums. Pay attention to how the cover arts align when placed side by side, reflecting the unity of the two projects. The album opens with the lead single "Love You Anyway," which set the tone for the release. Fans should note that Combs co-wrote 15 of the 18 tracks, including a notable cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car." Production duties were shared by Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton alongside Combs himself. The track listing was made public in early February 2023, leading up to the March release. The album received largely positive reviews upon arrival.

Did You Know?

• Gettin' Old and Growin' Up were recorded together but released as two separate companion albums.
• The first promotional single is titled "Growin' Up and Gettin' Old," combining the names of both records.
• Luke Combs co-wrote 15 out of the 18 tracks on the album.
• Combs embarked on a world tour starting the day after the album's release on March 24, 2023.
• The album features a cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car."