"Tender Years" is a song written by American country music artist George Jones and Darrell Edwards, recorded and released in 1961.

Like his previous singles "Family Bible" and "Window Up Above," the recording displayed a more mature, restrained vocal approach from the one that had established him on earlier honky tonk hits such as "Why Baby Why" and "White Lightning".

'Window Up Above,' 'Color of the Blues,' and 'Accidentally on Purpose' had all hinted at the same direction, but on 'Tender Years' the song, the production, and the performance came together in a statement of soon-to-be classic George Jones."

Music journalist Rich Kienzle concurs, observing in his essay for The Essential George Jones: The Spirit of Country, "Here, his singing voice, which so far had been high and nasal, began to deepen.

[7] Vartan (who performs two duet titles), for her entrance on stage, sang the song in front of Johnny; a very noted and acclaimed a capella interpretation which leaves a lasting impression.