Ballad of Youth is a song by American rock singer/guitarist Richie Sambora, released as the first single from his first solo album Stranger in This Town in 1991.
Running to 3 minutes 52 seconds, "Ballad Of Youth" was co-written with Tom Marolda. Richie Sambora was born in 1959, so when it was released - in 1991 - he might just have been considered old enough to dispense this sort of advice. Unfortunately, the public didn't seem to think so, and the single peaked at number 63 on Billboard, considerably higher than the album. A second edit runs to 3 minutes 38 seconds.
Lyrics
Growing up today
There's many mountains you must climb
You're not the only one
'Cause everybody's on that line
Hey mister know it all
What do you recommend
You think you know the answers
But the questions never end
Young hearts better hold on
Beyond the innocence
Your youth is gone
So look in your mirror
You got nothing to lose
Don't waste your time away
Thinkin' 'bout yesterday's blues
Born outta passion
To a world gone cold
Ya wear it on your shoulders
It's a heavy, heavy load I know
Love and its emotions
Come knocking at your door
Young hearts will be broken
And time's the only cure
Young hearts better hold on
Beyond the innocence
Your youth is gone
So look in your mirror
It'll tell you the truth
Don't waste your life away
Thinkin' 'bout yesterday's blues
Temptation makes us fall from grace
But the angels were sinners
And the sinners saints
Forgive yourself cause we're all the same
Everybody rides on the karma train
Young hearts
Better hold on
Beyond the innocence
Your youth is gone
Look in your mirror
It'll tell you the truth
Don't waste your time away
Don't waste your life away, no, no
Live today
There's no time to lose
Cause when tomorrow comes
It's all just yesterday's news
All just yesterday news