Kenny Chesney, “Don’t Blink”

“A hundred years goes faster than you think. Don’t blink.” This is the sage advice given by a man on the television screen, being interviewed on his 102nd birthday. He’s asked to reveal the secret of life, apparently because he’s managed to live so long. We’re amazed by longevity, aren’t we? I think the wisdom in this song is that it takes the assumption that living for a long time is a blessing, and turns it on its head.

There’s a sad reality that this man is living. As he catalogs his life for the viewers at home, he mentions watching his “better half for fifty years” dying, and praying to God that he dies instead. Living the longest usually means losing the most. You’re left behind as the ones you love go on to the next world before you do, and all you’re left with are the memories that went by in the blink of an eye.

The songs I value the most, country or otherwise, are the ones that linger in my mind long after they’ve finished playing, making me think about the greater truths and examine my own life from a new perspective. This is one of them.

Grade: A+

Listen: Don’t Blink

15 Comments

  1. The last comment:

    “The songs I value the most, country or otherwise, are the ones that linger in my mind long after they’ve finished playing, making me think about the greater truths and examine my own life from a new perspective. This is one of them.”

    You hit the nail on the head. This song is haunting, powerful, and inspiring. This is Kenny and country music at its best.

  2. You’ve probably read my review and know that our views of the song are quite different. What it comes down to is that I take issue with the very first line of your review: how is “don’t blink” even advice, let alone sage advice? Advice must be somehow actionable, but I have no idea what “don’t blink” means in real-life terms. Does it mean don’t work too hard, or give it your all? etc. The song seems to concede that we really can’t help that life goes by fast, so at this point “don’t blink” becomes at best not advice, but simply an observation, and not a particularly unique or sage one at that. It’s certainly not the “secret of life” that Kenny sells it as in the first verse.

  3. I didn’t read your review until after writing mine, but I have read it. I disagree that he’s selling “Don’t Blink” as “the secret of life.” The question is posed to the old man, but his reaction is a laugh and then the observation that it all goes by fast and you’re left alone to look back on it. I read that as him saying that there is no secret, just enjoy it while you can and hope that you’re not here so long that you’re looking back alone. I think the old man himself is undermining the presumption on the part of the questioner that he’s somehow lucky or special to have made it to the age he has, and the old man reveals it’s more curse than blessing, and tries to make the younger people aware that they’re experiencing the good days now and it will be over before they know it.

    The purpose of the advice is to become more aware of how time is fleeting, and that is very actionable. You can’t control time itself, but you can become more focused on the present and appreciate it while it’s still here. I find the old man in this song very haunting because he just seems like he’s mourning being 102 while the world around him sees it as cause for celebration.

  4. Just enjoy the momemt. Dont put tape on your eyes and take it so literal. I loved the dad in this video. When he hugged the boy at the end, you really felt the warmth & saw what enjoying the moment was all about.

  5. Trash, typical Kenny with a retread of the Good Stuff. Wny don’t you go to your island and retire Kenny and give us all break from you. So overplayed and so overrated, go away kenny.

  6. WOW. This song really has a great message to it and will probably be another great hit Love it. Don’t retire anytime soon Kenny.

  7. this first time i heard this song it really hit home. I have just graduated high school and all my friends are going seperate ways. When i was in high school i was in such a hurry to get out and go to college and everyone said that when its gone i will miss it, and i know now that it is the truth! DONT BLINK!

  8. THIS IS FOR DEBBIE….HOW DARE YOU TELL KENNY TO GO TO HIS ISLAND AND RETIRE….YOU WOULDN’T KNOW GOOD MUSIC IF IT HIT YOU IN THE HEAD!!!!! KENNY IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO COUNTRY MUSIC IN A LONG TIME!!!!! YOU PROBABLY DON’T EVEN LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE BASHING KENNY…..IF YOU DON’T LIKE KENNY, DON’T LISTEN TO HIM!!!!!

  9. I am a huge kenny fan, BUT this song is a lyrical bits and pieces of material kenny has already covered. cut us a break kenny, and sing something that isn’t expected.

  10. Kenny definitely needs some other theme to sing about! It’s always the same old same old from him. I go back or back when or taking a beer or a bottle of wine somewhere on the seashore. A little boring Kenny! Guess this is all he knows because he refuses to grow up. Just my opinion!

  11. Lyrically, I think this song is really good. Although I find it a little strange that taking a nap when you are 6 will suddenly make you turn 25 a little odd, I understand the point that he is trying to across.

    I just find Kenny’s songs dull melodically. This one certainly isn’t his worse, but he rarely fails to bore me with his melodies.

  12. I like this song I have never heard of Kenny so I am not a judge of his other songs. I am 57 and know my life has gone quickly so far. I am not sure I want to live to 102 and I am in very good health. I do know at this age it felt like a blink and here I am 57. The song said enjoy every breathe that is a good message to all. Life goes toooooo fast. Children grow up to fast. The people you love mom and dad friends family etc all die. I am a postive person but the song reminded me to enjoy the people I love, each day I live, and not get struck in a rut.

  13. I’m going to have to agree with the person who stated that Kenny’s music is always melodically boring. That’s exactly how I feel. There’s a song here or there that I like by him, but he mostly bores me. I definitely thought of “The Good Stuff” when I heard this song. I also have to agree with the person who said, “Kenny definitely needs some other theme to sing about! It’s always the same old same old from him. I go back or back when or taking a beer or a bottle of wine somewhere on the seashore. A little boring Kenny! Guess this is all he knows because he refuses to grow up.”

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