Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)
Encyclopedia
"Much Too Young" is the debut single of Garth Brooks
from his self-titled debut album. It was also featured on The Garth Brooks Collection
, The Hits and The Ultimate Hits
. It was co-written by Garth Brooks and Randy Taylor. In the U.S., the song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs
chart.
was mentioned in this song led to him being introduced to a wider audience. Chris was surprised to hear his name in the song on the radio one day and set out to meet Garth: "We finally met about eight months after that song had come out. A promoter put us together on the same bill. At the Cocky Bull in Victorville, California. And Garth for some reason insisted on opening for me, but it was great. One of the things that impressed me about him, The first thing he said to me, "You know Chris using your name in that song, you wouldn't believe how that's helped my career." We hit it off pretty good." Brooks, who is a major fan of his, convinced Capitol Records
to give him a record contract and would later sing a duet with him on "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy
".
Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes from The Hits:
"Much too young' will always be my sentimental favorite because it was my very first single. It was a baby that I watched grow up. Whenever I hear it today, I have a smile on my face. It want to give a big thanks to Randy Taylor and Chris LeDoux. Randy was the writer and Chris was probably the reason that it was played. He Chris, Randy and I decided that we owe you a beer, pal."
Collection featured an overdubbed and edited performance of the song for Austin City Limits
in 1990.
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
from his self-titled debut album. It was also featured on The Garth Brooks Collection
The Garth Brooks Collection
The Garth Brooks Collection is the first compilation album of American country pop artist Garth Brooks. It was released on September 2, 1994 and contains ten of Brooks' favorite songs, including his debut single, "Much Too Young "...
, The Hits and The Ultimate Hits
The Ultimate Hits
The Ultimate Hits is an album from country music artist Garth Brooks, released on November 6, 2007, comprising 34 songs over two compact discs, as well as a DVD containing his music videos....
. It was co-written by Garth Brooks and Randy Taylor. In the U.S., the song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart.
Content
This song talks about the stressful life of a rodeo cowboy. The narrator of the story tells about always being on the road and how, "The competition's getting younger" is making him feel old.Background and Production
The fact that Chris LeDouxChris LeDoux
Chris Ledoux was an American country music singer-songwriter, bronze sculptor and rodeo champion.During his career LeDoux recorded 36 albums which have sold more than six million units in the United States as of January 2007...
was mentioned in this song led to him being introduced to a wider audience. Chris was surprised to hear his name in the song on the radio one day and set out to meet Garth: "We finally met about eight months after that song had come out. A promoter put us together on the same bill. At the Cocky Bull in Victorville, California. And Garth for some reason insisted on opening for me, but it was great. One of the things that impressed me about him, The first thing he said to me, "You know Chris using your name in that song, you wouldn't believe how that's helped my career." We hit it off pretty good." Brooks, who is a major fan of his, convinced Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
to give him a record contract and would later sing a duet with him on "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy
Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy (song)
"Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" is the title of a song written by Garth Brooks and Mark D. Sanders, and recorded by American country music artist Chris LeDoux with Garth Brooks. It was released in July 1992 as the first single from his album Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy...
".
Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes from The Hits:
"Much too young' will always be my sentimental favorite because it was my very first single. It was a baby that I watched grow up. Whenever I hear it today, I have a smile on my face. It want to give a big thanks to Randy Taylor and Chris LeDoux. Randy was the writer and Chris was probably the reason that it was played. He Chris, Randy and I decided that we owe you a beer, pal."
Music video
A music video wasn't made at the time of the song's release. A video that was included on The Ultimate HitsThe Ultimate Hits
The Ultimate Hits is an album from country music artist Garth Brooks, released on November 6, 2007, comprising 34 songs over two compact discs, as well as a DVD containing his music videos....
Collection featured an overdubbed and edited performance of the song for Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
in 1990.
Chart positions
"Much Too Young" debuted at #94 on Billboard's Country Singles chart on March 25, 1989. It peaked at #8 on that chart on July 15, 1989.| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 8 |
| Canadian Country Singles Chart | 9 |