Stephen Wilson Jr. - 'Year To Be Young 1994' (Official Music Video)

"Year To Be Young 1994" is a chapter of the story of my life and the VHS footage from my young and adolescent childhood stars my hero, my dad, Stephen Wilson Sr., who passed away in late 2018. This video is a tribute to him, as well my best friend Marc Chandler who passed away shortly after my 16th birthday where I got my first electric guitar, which you will see in this video. It is also a tribute to my late stepbrother William (Paul William) who is featured in this video as a young boy. They are dearly missed.
My father was a great boxer and trained me and my younger brother Nicolas to be competitive boxers starting at a very young age. He taught me if I can step into a ring and fight another man, win or lose there's very little I couldn't handle beyond that. In this VHS footage you will see me warming up & competing in the Indiana State Golden Gloves as a teen. These boxing lessons prepared me for all the battles to come. He got me my first guitar. He taught me how to work and how to fight for something. I will love him as long as I live.
I also post this with a heavy heart because we just lost the great John Prine, may he rest easy. I am heartbroken. The irony isn't lost on me that this was also released 2 days after Kurt Cobain's death, which was not intentional. Kurt died in 1994. They were two of the greatest songwriters on planet Earth and will be missed for ages.
All these influences and experiences as well those in particular from the significant year 1994 lead to the creation of this song. It was indeed a year to be young.
I hope you all enjoy it.
Much Love,
- SWJr.

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Performed by: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Video Directed by: Tim Cofield
Video Produced by: Tim Cofield & Stephen Wilson Jr.
Production Assistant: Mattie Waters
Camera Operator: Tim Cofield
B-Camera Operator: Rachel Porter
Grip: Jesse Carney
Video special thanks to: Teagan Behan, Maddie White, Caden Hughes, Liam Schoedel, Dan Rather, Jason Goforth, Elijah Edwards, Scotty Murray, Jon Murray, Darren Dodd, The Behan Family, The White Family & Jingo Market

Words & Music by: Stephen Wilson Jr. & Benjamin West
Produced by: Benjamin West & Stephen Wilson Jr.
Mixed by: Benjamin West
Lead & Background Vocals: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Guitar (Acoustic & Electric): Stephen Wilson Jr.
Dobro & Steel: Scotty Murray
Bass: Jon Murray
Keys: Billy Justineau & Benjamin West
Drums: Darren Dodd
Percussion: Benjamin West
Programming: Benjamin West
Cello: Matt Slocum
Engineering: Caleb Fisher & Benjamin West
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LYRICS
I must admit I felt the flame
Kurt Cobain, a Fender Mustang
MTV brought me up
"This is your brain on drugs”
I won’t forget that first girlfriend
That got me into Boyz lI Men
I grew up a lot that year
My sweatshirt said, “No Fear”…ha

My life was a stereo and it was everything
First one in line for the Last Dance With Mary Jane
Hiding in my headphones, laying on the bedroom floor
1994

Tell mom, “See ya later, don’t be blowin’ up my pager
When the show’s over I’ll come home
When that is, I don’t know…”
Teen spirit in the air before we all owned cellphones
Study hall passing notes, yes/no or I don’t care

When my life was a stereo and it was everything
Soundtrack, first kiss out at the roller rink
Hands held, two hearts falling on a hardwood floor
1994, 1994

Think you know it all when you don’t know any better
Tell yourself you’re gonna live forever
Fire’s burning and I’m still holding the torch from 1994

A year to be, hey...a year to be young
A year to be, hey...a year to be young
A year to be, hey...a year to be young

My life was a stereo and it was everything
Soundtrack takes me back through all those memories
Hiding in my headphones, laying on the bedroom floor
It takes me back to the days when a song was worth so much more
1994, 1994, 1994

[theautodidacticman_]

Here’s to all of us who are homesick for a place that no longer exists.

[sharpersflorist]

This is the type of tune that songwriters chase their entire career. dude absolutely nailed it.

[kathybakes]

I heard Steven Wilson, Jr., for the first time this morning on CBS. I was sold! I am a new fan at an old age. I cannot get over how much he sounds TO ME like Bruce ... whom I love. Looking forward to listening to more of his music and hearing more of his story.

[huckleberry]

Listened to this song for first time just now. 43 yrs old crying like a baby

[NorrisVt]

I brought my daughter to a HARDY concert at SPAC last night. Stephen opened, and I heard this song. What a great song he really killed it. Hope he finds great success in his career.

[Jackshehadi]

I never thought I’d have a new favorite song at the age of 43. Thanks so much.

[shanbarrett]

For the 3 people that gave this a thumbs down. I guess you never got A note From a girl asking if you like her You don't know the smell of a skating rink And you've never cruised the boulevard in a 300 zx

[herdondoozer]

This man literally summed up my high school years to a tee. The only way to have accomplished this was to have lived it. Kindred souls

[Codyhildebrand]

Never thought I'd gain anything from Tik Tok but man I'm sure as hell glad I came across you on there. Insanely talented

[chickennugget]

This right here has 1994 vibes all over it. I lived it and now felt it in 3 and a half minutes all over again. Thank you.

[rosieonlyrosie]

MY NEW FAVOURITE SONG!! WHY OTHER PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THIS PERFECTION?

[gph]

Fucking love all you in the comments. Glad y’all think back as fondly on that
Time as me!!! Love to all of us still here and the ones that didn’t make it !!! Steve this song will go on with me til my last day. ✊🏼

[AndyFfsCrosby]

I just stumbled across a man singing my childhood. Good to be here.

[hooligan]

1994… drummer in punk band..junior year…16… kid on the way. Had to lose my friends, quit playing music, work full time, school full time and trying my hardest to graduate early to join the Army. My headphones were my only escape. In 1994 ❤️ and now. Thank you for the flashback. I needed to get some shit out. You can only push it down so many times. I thought of all my friends from then. A majority of them are gone. I can see them in this video. I miss them so much. Yeah….1994 ❤️ we truly were alive! (I could go on forever)

[curtisdemarse]

Just absolutely amazing. Song has been on repeat all day! This is our generations "summer of 69"

[johnwhited]

I heard this and had to sit down for a minute, and then made a few phone calls to friends that I’m luckily still in touch with after 25 years, man how time gets away

[testpilotldc]

This song is massive. It’s one of those I wish I wrote that songs. Choked me up honestly it brought me right back to being a kid.

[WVCUR]

Beautiful song I feel like it was written for me. I was 17 in 1994 and that was the last year I spent with my father.

[williameckert]

Hey Stephen way to knock it out of the park. The Old Man is Grinning Ear to Ear
Because he trained you well and you stepped up to the plate like
Babe Ruth pointing for the fence and delivered.

[vplutmm]

13 years old in 94, 42 years old now. Crying like a baby thinking of what could have been. Smokin me in the feels bro!