20 million streams and counting!
New York City Times Square Debut
There’s something about this song that lingers. Jimmy Charles wrote They Grow Up Too Fast for the people who’ve sat in the quiet after a long day and thought, “where did the time go?” The first steps, the bedtime songs, the ride to school that felt like nothing but wasn’t. It’s for the parents who’d give anything to rewind.
And on May 12, it’ll be up on a billboard in Times Square for the world to see. If you're in New York, look up. You’ll find it on the big screen.
They Grow Up Too Fast Official Music Video
Meet the Artist
Jimmy Charles doesn’t make music to chase trends or fit into a box. He makes it because it’s the one thing that’s always felt honest. He grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, spent years chasing the Nashville dream, and along the way built something real, one show, one song, one listener at a time. His voice is raw in the best way, like someone who's lived a little, lost a little, and still found something worth singing about.
His songs tend to stick with people. They're not background noise. They say what a lot of folks feel but don’t always know how to say. Things about family, time, mistakes, and holding on when it matters. They Grow Up Too Fast is one of those tracks. It came straight from lived experience and landed in the hearts of people who’ve watched the years move faster than they expected.
Jimmy’s shared the stage with some of country music’s biggest names, but he still plays like every show could be his last.
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What Inspired you to write “They Grow Up Too Fast”?Being a Dad is my favorite thing to be. Whenever my son was born my world was changed forever and everyone kept saying to me watch out they grow up too fast. My music and writing is inspired most by life experiences. I heard the phrase so much it was like a sign from above and I had to write the song.
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How does it feel seeing "They Grow Up Too Fast” blow up on TikTok and Instagram Reels for mother-son dances, daddy daughter dances, emotional life moments and even pet videos?I can't begin to explain how amazing it feels to see my song being used to capture so many amazing family memories. I get a feeling of warmth, love and pride watching so many Reels, TikToks, dances etc. As far as the wedding dances go, it means so much to me that they chose my song for the biggest most important moment in life to show the Love shared between a mother and son or daddy and daughter. They literally could pick any song out of the billion of songs out there and the fact that they chose mine is just an unexplainable amazing feeling. People will text me randomly and say “Dude I’m at this wedding and they are using your song for their dance”. I quickly follow up with a personal video recorded on my cell phone thanking them for using my song, letting them know what it means to me and wishing them forever love and happiness. Many times I also send them handwritten lyrics with a personalized message and signature. It means so much to them and I just Love it!
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What kind of message do you want parents to take away from this song?I’d say the same message that it reminds me of daily! Soak in those moments! You don't get a replay or a rewind. You must live in the moment because they are exactly that “Moments that are here and gone before you know it, it's all in the past, slippin’ through the crack never gonna get' em back, so while ya got 'em make ' em last”! I can't tell you how many times this song has reminded me to stop and just really be present with my son and constant reminder that these moments will not last. He is forever changing from infant to toddler and all the different stages and their mind development only happen once. Even in the trying times when he tests our patience this song has helped me relieve the frustration knowing that it is all part of it and one day when he's gone on his own I will want those trying moments to trade for all the loving heartwarming moments of having a child say Daddy I Love You! I am so thankful for this song and constant reminder. I hope all parents who hear this song have the same take away.
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Why do you think “They Grow Up Too Fast” is resonating with so many people?I wrote the song with Troy Castalano and Steve Dean. Every lyric of that song hits the nail on the head. It's just so True and real. The melody of the song and leaning on the soft side of my vocals give it a warm feeling that exudes love along with the lyrics. These things paired with the fact that if you ask any loving parent what the most important thing in their life is, it will be their children. Ask them, what holds the most love in their heart and it will be their children. This song has an immediate pathway to people's hearts and emotions. It captures that Love they have, grows it and it stays there forever.
Behind the Music
