This Life
Harley's Studio Band Lyrics


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Riding through this world all alone
God takes your soul, you're on your own
The crow flies straight, a perfect line
On the Devil's Bed until you die

This life is short, baby that's a fact
Better live it right, you ain't comin back
Gotta raise some hell, 'fore they take you down
Gotta live this life
Gotta look this world in the eye
Gotta live this life until you die

You better have soul, nothing less
Cause when its business time, it's life or death
The king is dead, but life goes on
Don't lose your head when the deal goes down
Better keep your eyes on the road ahead





Gotta live this life
Gotta look this world in the eye, gotta live this life until you die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Harley's Studio Band's This Life are a reflection on the fleeting nature of existence and the need to make the most of the time we have on this earth. The first few lines paint a bleak picture of a solitary existence, with the reference to God taking your soul suggesting a fatalistic view of life. The line about the crow flying straight on the Devil's Bed until you die reinforces this sense of being resigned to one's fate.


However, the chorus provides a more optimistic outlook, with the singer urging the listener to live life to the fullest and embrace the opportunities that come their way. The lines "This life is short, baby that's a fact / Better live it right, you ain't comin back" encapsulate this sentiment, while the repetition of "gotta live this life" drives home the urgency of the message. The reference to raising hell before they take you down suggests a desire to make a mark on the world before one's time is up, while "looking this world in the eye" implies a readiness to face whatever challenges come one's way.


The second verse reinforces the idea that life can be cut short at any moment, with the references to business time and life or death suggesting that we must always be prepared for the unexpected. The line "The king is dead, but life goes on" could be interpreted in various ways, but it could be seen as a reminder that even the most powerful and influential people eventually pass away, and that we must make the most of our own lives while we can. The final line, "better keep your eyes on the road ahead", serves as a metaphor for the need to stay focused and not let distractions, whether they be positive or negative, detract from our ultimate goal of living a fulfilling life.


Line by Line Meaning

Riding through this world all alone
Traveling through life with only oneself for company


God takes your soul, you're on your own
Death is an individual journey with one's faith as the only companion


The crow flies straight, a perfect line
The world operates with a sense of balance and order


On the Devil's Bed until you die
Living in temptation and sin until the end of one's life


This life is short, baby that's a fact
Life is brief and limited by time


Better live it right, you ain't comin back
Making the most of life is important because there is no second chance


Gotta raise some hell, 'fore they take you down
Creating excitement and adventure before the end of one's life


Gotta live this life
Life is meant to be lived and experienced


Gotta look this world in the eye
Facing reality head-on without fear


Gotta live this life until you die
The only way to live is to do so fully and completely until death


You better have soul, nothing less
To succeed in life, one must have passion and conviction


Cause when its business time, it's life or death
Taking life seriously is necessary for success


The king is dead, but life goes on
Change is constant in life and must be adapted to


Don't lose your head when the deal goes down
Remaining calm in difficult or challenging situations is crucial


Better keep your eyes on the road ahead
Focusing on the future and one's goals is important for success




Writer(s): David Kushner, Kurt Sutter, Curtis Stigers, Bob Thiele

Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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