The song "Heartaches Older Than You" by Waylon Jennings is about the emotional experiences and wisdom that come with age. The narrator reflects on their own lifetime of memories and heartaches, realizing that they have gone through so much that they surpass the experiences of the person they are singing to. The narrator acknowledges that they may not be able to get over the memories and emotions they carry, even if they wanted to. The lyrics suggest that the person the narrator is addressing is young and may not fully understand the depth of their emotions. The narrator questions whether the other person truly comprehends what they desire in their young heart. They caution that if the person is just playing around and not taking their emotions seriously, they are toying with fire and potentially risking getting hurt. Overall, the song explores the contrast between the narrator's experienced heartaches and the youthful passion of the person they are addressing. It speaks to the differences in emotional maturity and the caution that comes with age and accumulated life experiences.
