The Rolling Stones, as it turns out, are not the only senior citizens singing rock ‘n’ roll. Another, rather unexpected group is singing lyrics that are more cutting edge and performing on-screen antics that are considerably more amusing. You won’t believe the world of “Young@Heart,” but you’ll have a hard time resisting it.
The Young@Heart Chorus is a 24-member singing group from Northampton, Mass., average age 80, who spend a chunk of their golden years touring the world and singing covers of songs from groups like the Talking Heads, the Clash and Coldplay. It’s safe to say that the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” has never had a more heartfelt rendition.
This may sound like a suspect enterprise, a musical gimmick impossible to embrace, but the reality is otherwise. For what the members of this uncanny chorus lack in pure ability they make up for in irrepressible spirits and a desire to simply have fun. It’s as much of a heady tonic for these folks to take on these unlikely lyrics as it is for us to watch it all go down.
Of course, when you’re of a certain age, learning rock lyrics is not always easy, and we look on as the group members scrutinize words with huge magnifying glasses and hold their ears as they listen to the loud originals.
But, under the firm-but-fair direction of Bob Cilman, who’s led the group for 25 years, these troupers slowly but surely rise to the occasion, delighted to have a purpose in life and as willing to have fun in the process as people one-quarter their age.
Directed by Stephen Walker, “Young@Heart” the film is similarly slow getting going. Walker, a British TV documentary maker, narrates the film himself, and his overly chipper voice-over initially borders on being intrusive.

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