Ben Rector - Old Friends (Official Video) 

The lyric when he goes: "And I've got some good friends now. But I've never seen their parent's back porch". It really hits home. Great songwriters know life. Thanks Ben..

Had a reunion this past weekend - 40 years since our high school reunion, but we've been friends for 50+ years though. There were nine of us. Now eight. We lost one of us to cancer last August. We played this at the funeral. Thank you for sharing this song of friendship, Ben Rector.

This hit's me like the quote I've read in the recent year, “At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time and nobody knew it”. These both hit hard.

My old friends still owe me money. I remember them everyday

Song: 10/10 Video: 10/10 Old friends: Immeasurable

The parents' back porch line is an ingenious observation of intimacy, and also the point when the floodgates broke in my tearducts.

I'm only 22, but I've been thinking about this idea since my junior year of high school. I grew up in a small town, so I had the same friends pretty much my entire life. Moving away from each other for college or jobs or the military or whatever has been hard on me. I wasn't prepared to make new friends. And even though I've made some, they still don't come close to the kind of friendship I have with my old friends. Every time we all get back together I'm reminded of that. So here I am, scrolling through my RU-vid homepage, trying to wind down before bed, and I see this interesting looking music video. I don't think I've ever heard of Ben before, but I give it a whirl anyway. And then he sings everything I've been feeling in such a beautiful way and WITH HIS OLD FRIENDS and suddenly I'm crying for the first time in months. Thank you, Ben. I think I will forever cherish this song, now. And thank you RU-vid, for mining my data and realizing that I am the exact kind of person to appreciate this song.

Gorgeous video. I like that it was filmed at blue hour.

The sad truth is I dont know who to think of while listening to this song

The vibes I’m getting from this music video is relatable nostalgia and a happy-sad hybrid. ;P

shout-out to my fellow loners who were either too shy to make any real friends in high school, moved around too much to get to know anybody, or just lost their old friends for a number of reasons. We may not have old friends but we're sure as hell never truly alone 💖 Hope you're doing well despite it all :)

I'm a senior in high school right now and listening to this song makes me sad. I already know when I'm older, I'm going to be reminiscing and missing the very moments that I am living right now with my friends. I won't take my time with them and my youth for granted any more.

Ben's bouncy piano playing is the best

This was an unexpected gem. As a 34 year old father of two boys aged 3 yo and 6 weeks, this song made me yearn for my childhood again, but be so excited for theirs. Brilliant tune.

Went to the same high school as Ben but graduated a few years later. Everyone at the school was his biggest fan. He is such a nice guy and a beautiful voice.

This song leveled me. Sobbing while driving to a buddy’s place. I’m in my 40’s, and seem to get softer every year (physically and emotionally). Initially it made me think of my high school buddies. But my youngest just moved out and went off to college. I immediately thought of him, and his set of buddies. His senior year got screwed by COVID. Its all so fleeting. But those memories stick with you forever. Tell your friends you love them! Keep in touch. Raise good kids and love their friends, too.

This might just be one of my favorite music videos of all time.

When I randomly click videos In hope of finding something good! And it pays off :-)

I know somebody already say it but the "and I've got some good friends now but I've never seen their parent's back porch" is truly, truly amazing.

For those of us who moved around a lot and didn't have the stability to make lasting friendships as children, two things: you are not alone, and - it isn't too late to make new friends who can become old friends. I have friends now who know me far better than my childhood friends. I didn't meet them until we were adults, but we've been friends now for almost two-thirds of our lives.

It hit me hard "Who Weren't scared of getting older"

"I still find ____ house, riding on my bike with my eyes closed... from my memory dialed his house phone". That hit my heart hard. My best friend, 20+ years growing up. Brothers in all sense of the word, and unfortunately we do not talk anymore. I miss him everyday, but can close my eyes and see every inch of his house and yard. I also cannot express how much I love that you got your highschool band together for a song and made a video with them for said song! All too often we see singers leave behind those that helped them make it in the first place!

FULL LYRICS: I can still find Wiley's house Riding on my bike with eyes closed I could name every girl that he took out And from my memory, dial his house phone Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah, yeah) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends 'Cause you can't make old friends (mm, yeah) I can still feel the windows down Listening to Jimmy Eat World Riding 3-wide on Blake's bench seat (yeah) My God, it's been ten years now I would have his back tomorrow And he'd still fight anyone who tried to touch me Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah, yeah) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends 'Cause you can't make old friends And I've got some good friends now But I've never seen their parents' back porch I wouldn't change how things turned out But there's no one in this time zone Who knows what inline skates that I wore Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But the truth is That we grow up, then wish we could go back then There's nothing like old friends 'Cause you can't make old friends

"surround yourself with people who strengthen your character, and remove yourself from people who compromise your character."

I love the little comments on the lyrics, they really added to the video

This is the first song that played in when I got into my car the morning I found out my oldest friend had just died in a car accident. We both grew up playing music together from age 11 and shared the stage for the last time only a couple of months prior to him passing at 30 years old. I appreciate this song more than you’ll probably ever know because everytime I hear it, my mind flashes back with the thousands of hours we spent together making music and creating memories that I’ll cherish forever. Just want to say thank you for that, because life becomes so much different when they’re gone.

I’m a freshman in high school and trust me I’ll make the most of it

I wish I still had those friendships from high school. Nothing touches that.

This video was so touching.. takes me back to my high school band practicing in Stefan’s garage and the adventures we used to go on. Stefan passed away from cancer a couple of months ago so this made me teary and touched me deeply. I’ll share this with the rest of my band mates. Thank you Ben!

I'm gonna be listening to this song 40 years from now, reminiscing.

Dude this song had me in tears, I look back on my childhood and feel like my youth was wasted

I'm crying right now but in a good way because of this!

aaaaand Ben Rector wins the most simplicity-rules making creative genius music video award.... again

Why does this song make me miss and long for friends that I never had...

That line, "you can't make old friends" got me

This video just warms my heart to no end. We can’t make old friends and they do know us differently. Played this dozens of times and grateful to have found it. Now I gotta see Ben live!

This song made me realize that I have had my "Old Friends" by my side this entire time and I am SO thankful for that. Find your people and never let them go.

Ben's got that straight-to-the-heart emotion of the best Spielberg and Pixar films, plus the infectious catchiness of the best pop hooks, but it all seems so effortless and natural, like a woman who's beautiful even without makeup. Proud to share a home state with such a talent. :)

You ever just get a sick gut feeling that you will never be young again and all you have left is memories that you wish you could relive? I’m 19 and already have these feelings lmao

This makes me long for that small-town neighborhood experience I never had. Not sure if anything else ever has.

I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them- Andy Bernard Edit: I'm gonna take the opportunity and ask a favor to anyone reading this, I NEED TO MEET RANVEER SINGH(Bollywood actor), im not a fan but see... theres this "GIRL" who is a big fan and im trying to make that happen. Hope it happens someday. yes im also aware this request seems lame... *Edit 11Oct22: update for any1 that cares, "Girl" getting married next month still not met ranveer yet 😕

OMG! I'm not too old but this song bring tears to my eyes! Soooo good!

Hey Ben and the EuroMart, I just want you guys to know that I found myself straying from my old friends and on top of many factors this song came into my life when I was down and it encouraged me to reach out to Matt and Nathan. Our relationship/brotherhood is rekindling and I want to let you guys know that it touched me so deeply that I reached out and it’s flourishing. Thanks for the push back in the right direction. I wouldn’t have had the courage without this last push. Much love and respect. Thanks y’all.

whenever i feel scared of moving away from high school and losing the friendships ive built i come to this song

I didn't want this music video to end. Such a great song and wholesome video. I need a thousand times more Ben Rector in my life.

If only I wasn't at the office right now, I probably already cry my eyes out. Thanks Ben for making me miss all my old good friends, the ones who were there in the beginning.

All I got is one old friend, and that’s enough for me

Song literally brings me to tears. Growing up my friends were my family because my "family" was a shit show. I'm lucky enough to still be friends with a lot of my core group 20+ years later. I wouldn't change any of it for the world 🙂 Thank you for writing such an amazing song that speaks to my soul.

*THIS SONG SHOULD BE A HIT ON THE RADIO!!!!!*

I can still find Wiley's house Riding on my bike with eyes closed I can name every girl that he took out And from my memory, dial his house phone [Chorus] Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah yeah) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh) (mmm yeah) [Verse 2] I can still feel the windows down Listening to Jimmy Eat World riding 3-wide on Blake's bench seat (yeah) My God, it's been ten years now I would have his back tomorrow And he'd still fight anyone who tried to touch me [Chorus] Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah yeah) (oooh) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh) [Bridge] And I've got some good friends now But I've never seen their parents' back porch I wouldn't change how things turned out But there's no one in this time zone Who knows what inline skates that I wore [Chorus 2] Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (oooh) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But the truth is That we grow up, then wish we could go back then There's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh)

Listening to it right now while in high school, knowing that this inevitably will happen with the people I know right now.

I remember the last hangout night with my best bud before he took off for the Marines. We camped up on our favorite spot as a last hurrah to the good ole days. We were 17. This was in the summer of 2001 (pre 9/11) Little did we know what was to take place. Sometime after boot camp, he got sent off to Iraq and almost lost his life in the war. He was a changed person after all of that- he had grown into a man and the pastimes of our childhood were over. He’s still my closest friend but life isn’t as sweet as it was when we were kids. We’ve had to help each other through life’s greatest hardships, painful break ups we both went through, him loosing a lot of his friends in the war, me loosing my Dad… I am so grateful to God for him. So this song hits deep for me- if you’re young and reading this, cherish your friendships, call your friends and tell them how much they mean to you, take them out to lunch and pay for it, because one day you’ll wake up and it’ll be a distant memory in the past.

Where did all those years go? 🙁 Missing all my childhood friends, we're all so close back then,this song is so true " you can grow up , make new friends but nothing like old friends" 😭😭😭

I can’t even make new friends

I’m a senior in high school and I’ve grown up in a small California town my entire life. The friends I have now are the people I grew up with, for better or for worse. Now that I’m a senior, I’m realizing my time with them is about to expire. I’m moving away with my family to Tennessee since california is getting too hard to live in, but I may never see them again, which is hitting me pretty hard. And don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for a new chapter of my life in a place I love so much, but the love is not the same kind of love that I feel for my little hometown. As he said, the new friends I’ll make will not be the same as the ones I’ve known my entire life. I’ve made a promise to try and come back as often as I can to see them, but who knows what life will busy next up with..?

I found my old friend from high school 33 years later at our daughters' middle school! We will never let each other go again. Love you Carole.

I’m home for the summer after my 2nd year of college and this video has got me missing my old friends from high school that live minutes away. So sooo cute. Incredible music video for an incredible song!!

This is fantastic. The video enhances the song so much in its simplicity. Bravo, Ben!

this song feels like an old friend. man. Ben, your music is always so good.

I listened to this song in highschool with my big friend group that saw each other everyday after school. Now we’ve been out of highschool for a couple years and I miss how often we were able to see one another. We all still talk but I can’t remember the last time we were all together. Thank you for this song.

I wish I could relate to this song. I really do.

This is probably one of the simplest yet coolest concepts for a video I’ve ever seen :) I loved the little tidbits of info that were shared too, as well as just the song itself. Thanks for making another great one.

Can y'all come organize my garage, please and thank you? The struggle is for real. That's what old friends are for right?

I will never forgot the boys I ran around the neighborhood with, good ol days

Now missing my old friends. It gets better and better hitting the replay.

Great call to action at the end! I remember being at summer camp in Lampe, Missouri at K-West (or maybe K-2?), and Ben was a camp counselor that summer for some of the younger guys, but he was also the main worship leader that summer! It's so rad to see where he has come and gone since then. Bless you Ben!

I come back to this one over and over. Love everything about it.

*All the dislikes are from his new friends*

I love this song so much. I’ve been a fan since I was 13 entering high school and now I’m almost 20. I just find Ben to be such a down to earth and amazing person. His music is truly one of a kind.

We need to never forget how amazing this song and video are. Classic. Ben has so much talent, more than any other artist out there right now.

Some of the most "heart hitting" lyrics i've ever experienced. Thanks you, Ben.

It's sad that we grew up with our childhood friends and now having friends that we didint know in our childhood. I miss you David.🙁

Ben’s bouncing gives me life! 😂❤️ I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH!!

don't know why I'm crying listening to this song... old friends are irreplaceable forever

Had a garage band back in high school in 1967 . Me, Rick, mick and Dennis reminds me of such a great time in life. 70 years old now still see some old friends girls to talk about listen to us playing in the garage.What a cheap ticket back to the future. All the memories start flying by things that you’ve done people that you’ve made friends with and still are friends with. Thanks for sharing your song is Ben!!!!

When a song makes you cry within 15 seconds, you know its great.. Wish I still talked to my old friends.

Certainly cannot make old friends in truth. My mind instantly went to my oldest closest friend, she has been there through the highs and lows. Just sent this song for her listening ear.

Been friends for over 10 years and we are moving away for different jobs soon. Sucks I’ll miss my boys.

As a Wylie who values my oldest friends, this song is amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Is anybody else scared because they aren't that close to their best friends and realizing they may never actually have old friends this valuable?

Listening to this and thinking of my boys... now that we’re all going to college, this song hits deep

Ben is a fantastic example of great lyrical phrasing. And his songs are almost always easy for everyone to relate to. Not like most music that speaks to a small minority. He's just damn good......

You will never top that song. Its amazing

oh...the memories...small town life...pile into my brothers 93 ford f350...ride around from dusk till dawn on 100miles worth of dirt roads

I'm only 18, but to be honest, I've been feeling this way for a while now. Can't imagine how much more I'll feel it as I grow older

Wow!!! I´m crying. Love the song, the video, the friendship. The old friends are a blessing. My best friend died when we were 16. It´s been 20 years now. But he´s still here wearing he´s band shirt and the dirty snickers. And singing in our favourites chorus. Thanks! Love from Argentina.

My wife and I just got back today from my home town. We got to see some old friends I haven't seen in 25 years and she's never met. Man how a town can change in 25 years.

that little fist bump between Blake and Wylie at 2:46 is just one of the many things in this video that hit so close to home

I moved from Canada to Scotland by myself and although I love it and my friends here, I miss my old friends so goddamn much. "but there's no one in this time zone who knows what inline skates I wore" gets to me every. damn. time.

Man you never forget old friends, the good old days is a blessing to us all and this world isn't big enough to ruin opportunities that will come to us, ive been really thinking about song writing and now i just might do it. *"Follow your dreams people, words can save a persons life, and rewrite history."* i don't know what kind of person just goes to a video to leave a dislike, they don't know how to live life to the fullest and realize were all in this together. We lift one another up. Hope your all having a wonderful day like i am.

This song is so EPIC!!!!!! Nostalgia, reflection, life x10000000000000000000000000000000. The older I get the more it works. Cannot thank Ben enough for writing it.

the ad-libs when he says "who weren't scared of getting older" is so good and unique

I can still find Wiley's house Riding on my bike with eyes closed I can name every girl that he took out And from my memory, dial his house phone Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah yeah) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh) (mmm yeah) I can still feel the windows down Listening to Jimmy Eat World riding 3-wide on Blake's bench seat (yeah) My God, it's been ten years now I would have his back tomorrow And he'd still fight anyone who tried to touch me Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (yeah yeah) (oooh) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But truth is there's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh) And I've got some good friends now But I've never seen their parents' back porch I wouldn't change how things turned out But there's no one in this time zone Who knows what inline skates that I bought Can you take me back when we were just kids Who weren't scared of getting older? (oooh) 'Cause no one knows you like they know you And no one probably ever will You can grow up, make new ones But the truth is That we grow up, then wish we could go back then There's nothing like old friends (oooh) 'Cause you can't make old friends (oooh)

So underrated. One of the most meaningful songs. Beautiful!!

This is so pure.

Damn, I made it to the end and then started weeping like a baby. How they were playing together and smiling so hard. We used to smile like that, I miss my old friends.

"wish we could go back then" had me tearing up. Most of my old friends are gone. Wish I could go back so badly.

My favorite music video probably ever done. I love the additional comments throughout the video -- so fun! THANK YOU for sharing such a personal part of you, Ben. We're all the better for it. 💕

To all the seniors/ high schoolers...make the effort, make the time, hug your friends, there's no better time then right now. I know your excited about moving on in life, but take a minute to look around.

Ben deserves more attention