jerry lee lewis – thirty nine and holding

Title: Jerry Lee Lewis – “Thirty-Nine and Holding”: A Reflection on Aging and Rock ‘n’ Roll

Introduction:

Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the most iconic figures in rock ‘n’ roll history, is known for his wild energy and piano-pounding performances that forever changed the music scene. However, as with all legends, time eventually catches up. In his 1972 song “Thirty-Nine and Holding,” Lewis reflects on the passage of time, aging, and his place in a world that has shifted around him. The song is an introspective look at a rock star facing the realities of middle age while still clinging to the rebellious spirit that defined his youth. In this blog, we will explore the significance of “Thirty-Nine and Holding,” its lyrical content, and how it resonates with fans of all ages.

The Story Behind “Thirty-Nine and Holding”

Released in 1972, “Thirty-Nine and Holding” is one of Jerry Lee Lewis’s more reflective songs, capturing a moment when the energetic rocker was beginning to confront the inevitability of aging. At the time, Jerry Lee Lewis was in his mid-30s, but the song’s title and lyrics give a sense of both defiance and vulnerability about reaching an age that wasn’t quite “young” anymore, but not quite “old” either.

The track was written by Jerry Lee Lewis and a few of his collaborators, and it’s a classic example of the mix of personal expression and humor that characterized much of his career. The song’s lyrics playfully talk about the challenges and frustrations of getting older, particularly from the perspective of a man who had been living life fast and hard, enjoying the excesses of fame, and now had to face the prospect of slowing down.

Lyrical Themes: Youth, Aging, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

At its core, “Thirty-Nine and Holding” is a reflection on the inevitability of aging. Lewis, known for his youthful exuberance, grapples with the fact that he can no longer claim the reckless abandon of his younger days. The song plays with the idea of “holding” at thirty-nine, as if trying to defy the passage of time or stretch his youth for a little longer. Some of the lyrics touch on the humorous contradictions of getting older, such as the idea of being “thirty-nine and holding,” which implies that the singer is still clinging to the vigor of youth even as the years pass.

Yet there is also a sense of resignation in the lyrics. Lewis sings about the physical and emotional toll of a life lived in the spotlight. He openly addresses the aging process with a sense of humor but also an undercurrent of nostalgia for the good old days when life was simpler and full of energy.

The Music: A Perfect Match for the Message

Musically, “Thirty-Nine and Holding” reflects a more restrained version of Jerry Lee Lewis’s usual fiery rock ‘n’ roll style. The song features a slower, more laid-back country-rock arrangement, which mirrors the contemplative mood of the lyrics. The smooth piano playing, characteristic of Lewis’s style, is still there, but it’s played in a more reflective, almost wistful way. The song also features prominent backing vocals, which add to the sense of a “looking back” vibe, as if Lewis is musing over his past life while trying to make peace with the present.

Despite the more subdued arrangement, there is still a twinkle in Jerry Lee Lewis’s voice as he sings the song, a reminder that, even at thirty-nine, he hasn’t completely lost his spark. His distinctive vocal delivery, which alternates between playful and serious, captures the inner tension of someone coming to terms with the idea of aging while still hanging on to the rebellious spirit that made him a rock ‘n’ roll icon.

“Thirty-Nine and Holding” in Context: Rock Stars and Aging

While “Thirty-Nine and Holding” is a personal reflection for Jerry Lee Lewis, it also touches on a broader theme that many rock stars face: what happens when the fame and wild days of youth start to fade? For someone like Jerry Lee Lewis, who had lived through the heyday of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s and 1960s, it was a poignant realization that the spotlight was shifting to younger generations of artists.

In the world of rock music, youth and rebellion are often idealized. As such, the aging rock star is a figure caught between wanting to hold onto the thrill of youth while simultaneously facing the realities of aging. “Thirty-Nine and Holding” is Jerry Lee Lewis’s attempt to address this issue with humor, self-awareness, and grace.

This theme of aging and nostalgia is not unique to Lewis. Many rock legends, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and even more recent stars like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, have had to grapple with their evolving place in the music world as they age. Lewis’s song, however, stands out because of its frankness and humor, showing that while time may have caught up with him, his spirit remains unbroken.

Why “Thirty-Nine and Holding” Still Resonates Today

“Thirty-Nine and Holding” has aged as gracefully as Jerry Lee Lewis himself. The song resonates with listeners not just because of its humor, but because of the universal themes of aging, nostalgia, and self-reflection. While the song is very much a product of its time, it speaks to anyone who has ever faced the realities of growing older or wondered if they could ever recapture the energy of their younger years.

For fans of Jerry Lee Lewis and rock music in general, the song offers a glimpse into the life of a man who has lived through the wildest years of rock ‘n’ roll but has also learned to come to terms with the passing of time. It’s a song that encourages listeners to accept aging with dignity, humor, and an unwillingness to let go of the passions that have always defined them.

Conclusion:

“Thirty-Nine and Holding” may not be as high-energy or wild as some of Jerry Lee Lewis’s other hits, but it is undeniably one of the most introspective and heartfelt songs in his catalog. It’s a beautiful example of how rock ‘n’ roll can transcend mere youthful rebellion and speak to the experiences of growing older, finding peace with the past, and embracing the future with humor and grace.

As Jerry Lee Lewis himself proved, while time may age the body, it cannot diminish the power of the spirit. And with songs like “Thirty-Nine and Holding,” Lewis showed that even as the years go by, the rock ‘n’ roll spirit lives on.

Lyrics

 

He’s out there somewhere every night
Where the music’s playing loud
Doing all the 50’s steps, in a 1980 crowd

The dim lights hide his millage lines
The Clairol hides the gray
And he won’t mention anything
That gives his age away

Lord, he’s thirty-nine and holding
Holding everything he can
From seventeen to twenty-five
He’ll prove he’s still a man

He’s holding to a candle
And it’s burning at both ends
He’s thirty-nine and holding
Holding everything he can

You can bet he’ll never see
Thirty-nine again
He should have turned loose long ago
But still he’s hangin’ it in

He still thinks that he is the man
That he used to be
He’s thirty-nine and holding
And acting twenty-three

Lord, He’s thirty-nine and holding
Holding everything he can
From seventeen to twenty-five
To prove he’s still a man

He’s holding to a candle
My God, it’s burning at both ends
He’s thirty-nine and holding
Holding everything he can