“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Imagine sitting in a quiet room, just you and your thoughts, when a song comes on that gently nudges you to reflect on the passage of time. That’s what “I Never Thought I’d Live To Be A Hundred” by The Moody Blues feels like. It’s a song that doesn’t just play in the background—it whispers to your soul, stirring up feelings of wonder and introspection.
This track, from the album To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969), is more than just a piece of music; it’s a moment captured in sound. The title alone makes you stop and think—how often do we truly contemplate living to be a hundred? The Moody Blues have this incredible ability to weave deep, philosophical questions into their music, and this song is a prime example.
The song itself is quite short, just over a minute long, but don’t let that fool you. In its brief span, it delivers a poignant message. The acoustic guitar, soft and delicate, sets the tone for a contemplative journey. Then comes the voice of Justin Hayward, tender and introspective, almost as if he’s sharing a quiet revelation with you. “I never thought I’d live to be a hundred…” he sings, and instantly, you’re drawn into that intimate space where time and life’s fleeting nature are the only things that matter.
What’s particularly striking about this song is its simplicity. There’s no grand orchestration or complex lyrics—just a gentle melody and a thought-provoking line. It’s as if the band is saying that sometimes, the most profound thoughts come from the simplest of places.
For fans of The Moody Blues, this song holds a special place, often seen as a reflective pause in the grander narrative of their music. It invites listeners to take a moment, breathe, and think about the journey of life—not in a heavy or burdensome way, but with a sense of quiet wonder. The song is paired with “I Never Thought I’d Live to Be a Million,” a darker, more ominous counterpart on the same album, creating a fascinating juxtaposition between the innocence of youth and the weight of eternity.
In a world that’s constantly rushing forward, “I Never Thought I’d Live To Be A Hundred” reminds us of the beauty in slowing down, in cherishing the moments we have, and in pondering the mysteries of our own existence. It’s not just a song—it’s a gentle nudge to appreciate the now, even as we wonder about the future.
Video
Lyrics
I never thought I’d live to be a hundred
I never thought I’d get to do
The things that all those other songs do
And they do
I never thought I’d ever have my freedom
An age ago my maker was refusing me
The pleasure of the view