Mick Jagger Says Aging Offers No Benefits

Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones claimed that aging has no upside, rejecting the notion that growing older brings wisdom.

The 82‑year‑old shared his thoughts on aging in a recent episode of The New York Times’ podcast, The Interview.

When asked if there were any positives or negatives to aging, Jagger responded, “There’s nothing good about it. Nothing. You don’t gain wisdom; you forget everything. I’ve lost all my wisdom.”

He added, “I might have once held a few pearls of insight, but I can’t recall what they were.” Aging isn’t enjoyable; you can’t move as fast as you’d like, and physically you’re limited. You can still act, but you must proceed with caution.

Jagger also noted that over six decades of fame have shaped his connection with the outside world.

“Obviously, it’s not normal,” he said. “It differs from most people’s lives and does affect you, potentially leading to a sense of detachment from others.”

When asked how he stays grounded, Jagger said, “I go out and walk alone on the street, doing ordinary things.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Jagger spoke about the band’s relationship with their audience, saying he aims for their shows to provide an escape from daily concerns rather than turn into political commentary.

“My role in live music is to ensure that attendees have the best possible experience, allowing them to forget their personal and global troubles for two hours,” he said. “Their mortgages and other worries—just so they can enjoy themselves.”

He added, “Your job is to make the crowd go wild; you don’t want to lecture them.”

The remarks follow the release of the Stones’ 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, on July 10. The record became the band’s 15th UK number‑one album, tying them with The Beatles for joint‑second place on the all‑time list, behind Robbie Williams.

Despite his views on aging, Jagger recently told NME that he remains creatively active and has already begun writing new material.

“It could turn into a trio of records,” he said when asked about a follow‑up album. “I’ve already started writing songs, though they might end up for other artists.”

In a three‑and‑a‑half‑star review of Foreign Tongues, NME wrote: “Mick, Keith, and Ronnie have hit a surprising purple patch—and if you trust the eternally energetic entertainer’s claim that he’s already working on the follow‑up to Foreign Tongues, there’s still plenty left in the tank.”

The Stones have not yet announced any new live dates, though Jagger has repeatedly said he hopes they will return to the stage in 2027.

“Hopefully we haven’t played our final show,” he told NME. “I don’t expect any shows this year, but I hope to perform some next year with the Stones.”

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