Living Hard
Gary Allan Lyrics


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Woke up this mornin' in yesterday's clothes
Still got my buzz from last night's show
A cup of coffee, Ready to go again

I've got twenty-seven shows in twenty-seven days
Playin' junk yard guitar, Gettin' paid
Gotta check the set list to tell ya what state I'm in
Go, listen
Livin' Hard is hardly livin'
For a hard rockin', road dog, randy musician
Playin' like the Stones, startin' to look like Dylan
Livin' hard is hardly livin'
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

I'm high on the stage, livin' in the spotlight
Airplane, champagne, yeah its just what it looks like
Chasin' dreams one song at a time

Well, welcome to my world for the next ninety minutes,
I'l be barin' my soul for the price of your ticket
And do it all over again tomorrow night
Go, listen
Livin' Hard is hardly livin'
For a hard rockin', road dog, randy musician
Playin' like the Stones, startin' to look like Dylan
Livin' hard is hardly livin'
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

Go, listen
Livin' Hard is hardly livin'
For a hard rockin', road dog, randy musician
Playin' like the Stones, startin' to look like Dylan
Livin' hard is hardly livin'
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

It's hardly livin'
Whoa, Whoa
Yeah, it's hardly livin'
Rollin' like the Stones, startin' to look like Dylan
Livin' hard is hardly livin'
Wow, Wow
Are you alright?
Yeah, listen




Livin' hard is hardly livin'
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

Overall Meaning

In "Living Hard," Gary Allan describes the life of a hard rock musician on the road, living fast and working hard. The song starts with Allan waking up in the morning after a show, still wearing his clothes from the night before and feeling the buzz from the performance. He's ready to go again, fueled by a cup of coffee and the promise of another night of playing his "junk yard guitar" for fans around the country.


Allan knows that this kind of lifestyle isn't sustainable, and he critiques the idea that "livin' hard" is the only way to live as a musician. He acknowledges the indulgences that come with fame and touring, like the champagne and airplanes, but the song ultimately suggests that this lifestyle is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Allan implies that living hard may look glamorous on the outside, but it's far from fulfilling.


Overall, "Living Hard" paints a picture of the hard-driving, non-stop life of a touring musician, while also questioning whether it's really worth it in the end.


Line by Line Meaning

Woke up this mornin' in yesterday's clothes
Starting off the day with remnants of the previous day's hard living


Still got my buzz from last night's show
Feeling energized and excited from a successful and exhilarating performance


A cup of coffee, Ready to go again
Using caffeine to push through the exhaustion and start another day on the road


I've got twenty-seven shows in twenty-seven days
A grueling schedule of constant touring and performing with no breaks


Playin' junk yard guitar, Gettin' paid
Making a living through music, even if it means playing on a sub-par or improvised instrument


Gotta check the set list to tell ya what state I'm in
Traveling so frequently that it becomes difficult to keep track of what city or state the performer is currently in


I'm high on the stage, livin' in the spotlight
Feeling an intense rush of adrenaline and excitement while performing in front of an audience


Airplane, champagne, yeah its just what it looks like
Living a seemingly glamorous lifestyle on the road, complete with travel and indulgences


Chasin' dreams one song at a time
Continually striving to make it in the music industry, and getting closer with each successful performance


Well, welcome to my world for the next ninety minutes, I'l be barin' my soul for the price of your ticket
Inviting and welcoming the audience into the performer's deeply personal and emotional world through the power of music


And do it all over again tomorrow night
Starting the cycle once more, another day of traveling and performing ahead


It's hardly livin'
The lifestyle of constant touring and hard living is not sustainable or fulfilling


Rollin' like the Stones, startin' to look like Dylan
Living a wild and rebellious life on the road, even if it begins to take a toll on the performer's physical appearance


Are you alright?
Asking the audience if they are okay with hearing such raw and emotional music


Livin' hard is hardly livin'
The harsh realities of the tough and grueling lifestyle of a touring musician




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CRYSTAL BEACH MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DIPIERO, GARY ALLAN, ODIE BLACKMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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