“Live Like you Were Dying”



Looking back 10 years ago to the day my family found out my cousin had cancer I remember my whole family’s reaction.  The sadness in everyone’s eyes, the thoughts that were running through our heads I can clearly remember on their faces.  I remember thinking to myself, she’s only 4, she can’t go now.

The song I chose was “Live like you were Dying” which was sung by Tim McGraw.  I like this song because I feel that it has a lot of meaning.  This song pops out to me in particular because I can relate to it.  I think the meaning behind it is very important.  This song relates to me because when my cousin was 4 years old, we found out that she had cancer. Finally after 2 years she ended up beating it.  Whenever I hear this song I think of her.  I think that just the title of the song has enough meaning in it.

The meaning of this song is talking about a guy who was in his early 40’s and found out he was sick.  He didn’t know how much time he had left to live.  When he was asked what he did when he heard the news he explained that he went sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, and lived life like he was dying.  He never took anything for granted.  The man stated that he gave forgiveness that he’d been denying.  I feel like that is a really important statement because holding grudges against someone is never good.  I remember my aunt always asking why this had to happen to her daughter.  She was always blaming herself and couldn’t deal with it.  She was always holding grudges until the day she found out her daughter had beat cancer.

Tim McGraw is trying to tell the audience that you should make the best of each and every day because you don’t know when will be your last.  When the song says “like tomorrow was a gift, and you got eternity to think about what you’d do with it,” I feel like that states a lot (TIM MCGRAW LYRICS.)  That statement is asking the audience what you would do with your life today, if you found out tomorrow would be your last day alive.  All though, my cousin was little and couldn’t take the advice to this song.  Something that my aunt was offered was a gift from make a wish.  This is a foundation to help sick kids.  My cousin chose a trip to Disney World which was paid for.  This trip was giving my cousin a chance to do one last thing just in case she didn’t make it.   I look at this song and listen to the words and couldn’t agree anymore.  I feel like every day you should live life to its fullest and make the best of each day.

Beginning the song slow playing on a piano shows the mood of the song before you even hear the words.  It is a slow, happy upbeat song that makes you think about life.  Having the song slow in the beginning and then somewhat upbeat on the main verses shows the mood.  Instead of the writer making the song depressing he made it more of a reality check in a way.  I feel that the song really tells the audience that you should look at life each day like it’s your last and live it to its fullest. 

“Live like you were dying” put a whole new meaning in my eyes.  Every time I listen to this song I think of my cousin, and also how it inspires me each day to look at life different.  I try to not hold grudges, and I try for forgive people.  Each summer I always plan something big and exciting to do, like skydiving.  I want to make sure I live each day like it’s my last.