Feelings about physical attractiveness or appearance serve as a
powerful indicator for social interaction. These components tend to
have deleterious consequences on how older people view themselves
and are perceived by others. Numerous songs in our sample were preoccupied
with the concept of physical aging and attractiveness, and
this component of aging is frequently illustrated in the lyrics of
country music from the last half of this century. Changes in the
appearance and texture of skin and hair often are the most visible
signs of aging. For example, negative views associated with the physical
aging of older men is demonstrated in songs such as Let Him
Roll (1975) and Old Before My Time (1969). An illustration is provided
in the song ÃÃThese HandsÄÄ (1955) : These hands are calloused
and old/Now I'm tried and I'm old and I ain't got much gold. This
negative view is also supported in the words I'll never again turn