Tim McGraw Prioritizes Recording Life-Affirming Songs Over Typical Country Tunes

Published: May 21, 2025

Country music star Tim McGraw, 58, has expressed his discomfort in singing about "tailgates and bikinis" at his age. Instead, he prefers recording songs that teach him a lesson and make him learn something about himself.

In a recent interview on singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence's TL's Road House podcast, McGraw opened up about his approach to music. "I try to do fun songs every now and again. It's harder the older you get to find a fun song and feel comfortable with it. You don't want to sing about tailgates and bikinis when you're 58 years old," he said.

McGraw, known for his heartwarming songs like "Live Like You Were Dying" and "Humble and Kind," emphasized his focus on recording songs that are believable and can teach him a lesson. "What song's gonna make me learn something about myself? And what song can I sing that I interpret that's believable? That's the hardest thing," he said.

The country star also shared that he has passed along songs that "skewed too young" for him to his nephew, Timothy Wayne, who is an emerging country singer.

McGraw's music style has evolved over the years, and he has experimented with different genres. He mentioned his 2014 track "Lookin' for That Girl," which features hip-hop-style production and Auto-Tune, as an example of his willingness to try new things.

As for his personal life, McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, have been supportive of their daughters' pursuits in the entertainment industry. Their eldest daughter, Gracie, recently appeared onstage in The Great War & The Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and McGraw and Hill were in attendance, with Hill even wiping away tears at one point.

Audrey, another daughter, has followed in her parents' footsteps, landing a role in the Paramount+ series Landman and joining Brandi Carlile.