Live Like You Were Dying

Tim McGraw

About Live Like You Were Dying

"Live Like You Were Dying" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw, and was the lead single from his eighth album of the same name (2004). It was written by the songwriting team of Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman. The duo crafted the song based on family and friends who learned of illnesses (cancers), and how they often had a new perspective on life upon learning they had limited time. They decided to write a song based on the concept, hoping that it might inspire someone in such a situation. The song's lyrics center on experiencing life to its fullest, while also becoming a better person. Released in June 2004 as the lead single from the album, the song became an enormous success in the U. S. It spent seven weeks atop of the Billboard country music charts; the magazine later dubbed it the biggest country song of the year. "Live Like You Were Dying" won several awards, including Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2004 Country Music Association Awards and at the 2004 Academy of Country Music Awards and the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The music video, directed by Sherman Halsey, was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2004 Academy of Country Music Awards. It has sold over two million copies in the U. S. 


Year:
2005
4:33
110 

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He said
"I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talkin' 'bout the options
And talkin' 'bout sweet time"
I asked him
"When it sank in 
That this might really be the real end
How's it hit you
When you get that kind of news?
Man, what'd you do?"

He said
"I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying"
And he said
"Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying"

He said
"I was finally the husband
That most of the time I wasn't
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden going fishin'
Wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
I finally read the Good Book, and I
Took a good, long, hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then

I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper 
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying"
And he said
"Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you've got eternity
To think about
What you'd do with it
What could you do with it
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?

Skydiving
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying"
And he said
"Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying"

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Tim McGraw

Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the Soundscan era. He is married to country singer Faith Hill and is the son of former baseball player Tug McGraw. more »

20 fans

Written by: Craig Michael Wiseman, James Timothy Nichols, Tim Nichols

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriting Credits
The song "Live Like You Were Dying" was written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman. They are well-respected songwriters in the country music scene and have penned hits for various other artists too.
Release and Chart Success
Released in 2004 as the lead single from his album of the same name, it became one of Tim McGraw's most successful songs of his career. It reached number one on the US Billboard Country Chart and retained its position for seven weeks.
Grammy Award
The song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2005. It was a significant recognition for both songwriters and McGraw.
Inspirational Message
The lyrics of the song carry a deep message, encouraging listeners to make the most of their time and live each day as if it was their last. This resonated with numerous fans, thereby contributing to the song’s popularity.
Song's Theme
The song tells the story of a man who learns that he doesn't have long to live, and he decides to "Live Like He Was Dying," partaking in a number of experiences he had been putting off. The intention is to inspire listeners to seize the day.
Music Video
The music video for "Live Like You Were Dying" features Tim McGraw singing in the Rainforest, interspersed with clips of various people performing adventurous acts, further impressing upon viewers the song's message of living life to the fullest.
Critical Reception
Critics widely lauded this song. They appreciated its meaningful message, strong lyrics, Tim McGraw’s emotive vocal delivery, and its overall musical arrangement.
Country Music Association Awards
The song won both the Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2004 Country Music Association Awards. These were just some of the numerous awards the song received.
Personal Connection
It's reported that the song took on a deeper meaning for McGraw as his own father, former professional baseball player Tug McGraw, was battling cancer at the time of its release and died in early 2004.
Lasting Popularity
More than a decade after its release, "Live Like You Were Dying" is still one of McGraw's most requested songs during his live performances and remains a favorite among his fans. It also continues its journey as a standard in country music.

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    Live Like You Were Dying

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    125.3K     5,039

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2005

    Billboard #29


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