Introduction
On November 28, 2014, rock icon Bob Seger and country superstar Jason Aldean joined forces for a soul‑stirring live take on “Against the Wind,” filmed October 28 at the Factory at Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee. This wasn’t just a “cover”—it was a cross‑genre communion that reminded everyone why great songs endure.
Bob Seger wrote and recorded “Against the Wind” for his 1980 album of the same name. What began as a mid‑tempo soft‑rock ballad backed by piano and Seger’s Silver Bullet Band evolved into one of his signature songs. Released in April 1980, it climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, its themes of growing older and persevering against life’s headwinds resonating far beyond Seger’s Michigan roots.
This performance aired as part of CMT Crossroads, the series that pairs artists from different worlds for one‑night‑only duets. Seger’s gravelly vocals and guitar licks wove seamlessly with Aldean’s modern country twang, creating a fresh interplay that honored the song’s reflective core while opening it to a new audience. Filmed live in front of an eager crowd, the duet showcased how rock and country share an emotional heartbeat—even when they seem worlds apart.
At its heart, “Against the Wind” is about resilience—the idea of keeping your integrity as life pushes back, a metaphor Seger drew from his high‑school cross‑country days. In this live setting, Aldean’s earnest vocal turns gave those lyrics renewed urgency, while Seger’s emotive guitar slides felt almost conversational, like an old friend urging you on. The audience’s roar after each chorus became part of the music itself, proving that shared energy can elevate a song beyond its recorded form.
Have you ever heard a live duet that made you feel the song all over again? What “Against the Wind” moment sticks with you—the guitar break, the harmony, or simply the feeling of singing along with thousands of voices? Share your memories and let’s celebrate those unforgettable live‑music sparks together.
Video
Lyrics
It seems like yesterday
But it was long ago
Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights
There in the darkness with the radio playing low, and
And the secrets that we shared
The mountains that we moved
Caught like a wildfire out of control
‘Til there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
And I remember what she said to me
How she swore that it never would end
I remember how she held me oh-so-tight
Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then
Against the wind
We were runnin’ against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin’ against the wind
The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home, and I
Guess I lost my way
There were oh-so-many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again
Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind
Well those drifter’s days are past me now
I’ve got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out
Against the wind
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
I’m older now but still runnin’ against the wind
Well I’m older now and still runnin’
Against the wind
Against the wind
Against the wind
Still runnin’ (against the wind)
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
(Against the wind) I’m still runnin’
(Against the wind)
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
(Against the wind) still runnin’
(Against the wind)runnin’ against the wind, runnin’ against the wind
(Against the wind) see the young man run
(Against the wind) watch the young man run
(Against the wind) watch the young man runnin’
(Against the wind) he’ll be runnin’ against the wind
(Against the wind) let the cowboys ride
(Against the wind) aah
(Against the wind) let the cowboys ride
(Against the wind) they’ll be ridin’ against the wind
(Against the wind) against the wind
(Against the wind) ridin’ against the wind…