In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.
Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.
Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.
Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.
Live
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
By some people who withdrew to find their head
And they say that there is humor in misfortune
No, I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead
Why am I fighting to live
If I'm just living to fight?
When there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give
When no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live
If I'm just living to die
Yeah
You know some people say that values are subjective
But they're just speaking words
That someone else has said
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
Why am I fighting to live
If I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see
When there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give
When no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live
If I'm just living to die
Mmmm
You know I used to weave
my words into confusion
And so I hope you'll understand me
When I'm through
You know I used to live my life as an illusion
But reality will make my dream come true
So I'll keep fighting to live
Till there's no reason to fight
And I'll keep trying to see
Until the end is in sight
You know I'm trying to give
So come on
Give me a try
You know I'm dying to live
Until I'm ready
I'm ready to die
The song "Dying to Live" by Jonny Lang explores the anguish and confusion that arises when one's life feels devoid of purpose. The opening verse references the idea that beauty can be found within distortion, which could be interpreted as the idea that even when life is difficult or uncertain, there can be something valuable or interesting to discover. However, the following line expresses doubt about this idea, wondering if those who see misfortune as humorous would still find the situation amusing if it was happening to them.
The chorus raises a series of existential questions that revolve around the idea of life being a struggle or fight. The lines "Why am I fighting to live / If I'm just living to fight?" and "Why am I dying to live / If I'm just living to die?" suggest a sense of hopelessness and detachment from one's true goals or desires. The repetition of "trying to see" and "trying to give" further emphasizes the idea that the singer feels like they are putting effort into things that aren't really helping them move forward in life.
The second verse addresses the theme of subjective values and the idea that people often adopt beliefs or behaviors simply because they have been told to, rather than because they truly believe in them. The lines "And so they live and fight and kill with no objective / Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead" suggest that when people are not living with a clear sense of purpose, it can lead to destructive or dangerous behavior.
The final verse expresses a desire to break free from the confusion and illusion of the past, and to live a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. The lines "And so I hope you'll understand me / When I'm through" suggest that the singer has gone through some kind of transformation or awakening, and they hope that others will see and appreciate the change in them. The closing lines "You know I'm dying to live / Until I'm ready / I'm ready to die" suggest a paradoxical desire to both live fully and be at peace with death.
Overall, "Dying to Live" is a powerful meditation on the search for meaning in life, and the struggle to break free from patterns of behavior that may no longer serve us.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm
Introductory line indicating a contemplative mood.
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
Some say that distorted things can be beautiful.
By some people who withdrew to find their head
These people who speak of distorted beauty did so after withdrawing from society to gain perspective.
And they say that there is humor in misfortune
Some believe that unfortunate things can be funny.
No, I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead
The artist questions whether those who find humor in misfortune would still find it funny if it happened to him after he dies.
Why am I fighting to live
The singer questions his own motivation to stay alive.
If I'm just living to fight?
He questions if his reason for living is only to engage in constant struggle and conflict.
Why am I trying to see
The artist questions his own motivation to gain perspective and understand things.
When there ain't nothing in sight?
He questions why he bothers to seek clarity when he sees nothing of value.
Why am I trying to give
The artist questions why he keeps trying to help others.
When no one gives me a try?
He questions why he is not given the same opportunities he gives to others.
Why am I dying to live
The artist questions why he desires to continue living at all costs.
If I'm just living to die
He questions if his reason for living is only to inevitably die.
You know some people say that values are subjective
Some people believe that values are based on individual opinions.
But they're just speaking words
The singer believes that those people are just repeating what they've heard without understanding it.
That someone else has said
He believes that those people are not forming their own opinions on the matter.
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Because they have not formed their own values, the artist believes that these people live their lives without purpose or direction.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
The absence of purpose or direction makes some people appear dead even though they are technically alive.
You know I used to weave my words into confusion
The singer admits to intentionally confusing others with his speech in the past.
And so I hope you'll understand me when I'm through
He hopes that he is now able to communicate his thoughts clearly to others.
You know I used to live my life as an illusion
The artist admits to living a life where he deceived himself before.
But reality will make my dream come true
However, he now realizes that he can only achieve his goals and dreams by acknowledging reality and working within it.
So I'll keep fighting to live
The singer decides to continue fighting to stay alive.
Till there's no reason to fight
He will only stop fighting once he has found a compelling reason to do so.
And I'll keep trying to see
The singer decides to continue to seek clarity and understanding.
Until the end is in sight
He will only stop seeking once he has a complete understanding of a situation.
You know I'm trying to give
The singer reiterates that he is still trying to help others.
So come on, give me a try
He asks for others to give him a chance to help them.
You know I'm dying to live
The artist still desires to continue living at all costs.
Until I'm ready, I'm ready to die
However, he acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, but he will not accept it until he has done everything he can to keep living.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDGAR WINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gui [GD]
Tracks:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Still Rainin'
6:05 Good Morning Little School Girl
10:52 A Quitter Never Wins
17:43 Right Back
22:28 Theres Gotta Be A Change
29:56 The Levee
34:23 Breakin' Me
39:27 Lie To Me
46:57 Rack 'Em Up
D Schworer
Thank God this was recorded! Fantastic live performance!
Steven Goodman
A quitter never quits gave me goosebumps from the intense passion Mr. Lang puts into the performance. Absolutely brilliant! Thank you.
Lori Cullum
A Quitter never wins...my favorite
Burl Page
I wish people would stop saying Jonny is underrated, why would anyone say that , he's been around since he was 13 yrs old ,draws the crowd's everywhere he goes ! All over the world even, Any one that loves the blues knows who he is that's why they fill up the venues he plays , who are these under raters people are referring to ? Stop saying that, every blues head in the world knows Jonny Lang and that signature voice of his ! And I hear or read so many people are comparing him to other's and I wonder why ? Because he's not trying to sound like someone else or be someone else , He's Jonny with his own music his own style his own brand ! Appreciate him for who he is , There's nothing to compare not a thing !
Alonzo Tanner
Well live with it. He is underrated. Cuz you got mediocre to pretty good guys like John Mayer has 10x the fame he does, yet he is such a better performer and overall raw musician with more natural talent. I am sure he doesn't care about having more fame, but being someone who openly and unapologetically says he's underrated often, that's probably what everyone means. And I stick to what I and everyone else is saying. He is underrated as hell. One of the best blues musicians of the modern era.
greekgirl
NOT UNDERRATED BY BLUES LOVERS LIKE ME!
Debra Beach
I think he's great,and he is very talented. He draws them big crowds anywhere he has played. So thats what says it all!!! Love this man allways
Walter Weir
Yes,he definitely has a sound & style all his own.
I drive a truck for a living & i utube Jonny Lang religiously...all i can say is he is a Badass .. no doubt!!
Carol Badillo
What he has comes from within
bob arciero
does a heart good to see a young blues rocker play like this. Great riffs with tons of energy. I have watched this many times, just doesnt get old