Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000.
This Is the Life
Living Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might have been a genius
In another life
You might have been a star
In another life
Your face might have been perfect
In another life
You'd drive a better car
In another life
All your jokes are funny
In another life
Your heart is free from fear
In another life
You make a lot of money
In this other life
Everything is clear
In another life
You're always the hero
In another life
You always win the game
In another life
No one ever cheats you
In another life
You never have to change
In another life
Your friends never desert you
In another life
You never have to cry
In another life
No one ever hurts you
In this other life
Your loved-ones never die
But this is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life
In another life
You're always the victim
In another life
You're always the thief
In another life
You are always lonely
In this other life
There is no relief
In your real life
Treat it like it's special
In your real life
Try to be more kind
In your real life
Think of those that love you
In this real life
Try to be less blind
Living Colour's song "This Is The Life" is a song that explores the idea of what could have been if things were different, as well as the reality of the life we have. The song touches on various aspects of life that we often wish were different or better. The lyrics invite the listener to imagine and dream of an alternate life where luck is always on their side, and everything falls perfectly into place. In contrast, the song reminds the listener of the harsh reality of our actual lives, where things are not always as we want them to be.
The first verse of the song encourages listeners to consider how they could have been geniuses, stars, or had perfect faces in another life. The lyrics then transition to suggest that in another life, everything is perfect, including the car you drive, the money you make, and your sense of humor. However, the chorus of the song reminds listeners that this is the life they have, regardless of how much they may wish it was different.
The second verse reflects on the idea of always being the victim or the thief in another life, or even being alone in such an alternate life. However, the song ends with a powerful message that one should treat their real life as if it were precious, be kind to others, and recognize the love around us, which serves as a call to action to appreciate the life one has, rather than constantly dreaming about what could have been.
Line by Line Meaning
In another life
Imagining a parallel universe where things could have been different.
You might have been a genius
In that alternate reality, you possess extraordinary intelligence.
You might have been a star
In another lifetime, you are a famous celebrity adored by many.
Your face might have been perfect
In that different life, your physical appearance is flawless.
You'd drive a better car
In that parallel universe, you have the means to afford luxurious vehicles.
All your jokes are funny
In another life, people laugh at all your jokes, even the mediocre ones.
Your heart is free from fear
In that alternate reality, you are fearless and confident.
You make a lot of money
In that different realm, you enjoy financial abundance.
Everything is clear
In another life, there is no confusion or uncertainty; everything makes sense.
You're always the hero
In that other world, you are always the artist, admired and respected by all.
You always win the game
In that parallel universe, victory is always yours no matter what the game or challenge is.
No one ever cheats you
In that alternate reality, dishonesty and betrayal are absent from your life.
You never have to change
In that parallel universe, you are perfect just the way you are, and there is no need for self-improvement.
Your friends never desert you
In that other life, true friends are loyal and dependable, never leaving your side.
You never have to cry
In that alternate reality, sadness and pain do not exist, and there is no reason to shed tears.
No one ever hurts you
In that different realm, you are immune to emotional and physical pain and injury.
Your loved-ones never die
In another life, death and loss do not happen, and your loved ones stay with you forever.
But this is the life you have
In reality, this is the life you are living right now, with all its imperfections and challenges.
This is the life you have
Accepting the fact that your present reality is what it is and you cannot change it.
This is the life you have
Acknowledging the uniqueness and preciousness of your current existence.
This is the life
Emphasizing the importance of embracing your present experience, no matter how difficult or imperfect it may seem.
You're always the victim
In that other world, you are the target of misfortune and oppression.
You're always the thief
In that parallel universe, you are the one who steals from others and never feels guilty about it.
You are always lonely
In that different reality, you are always isolated, without meaningful connections or relationships.
There is no relief
In that alternate world, there is no escape from suffering, pain, or hardship.
In your real life
Contrasting the imaginary alternative universes with the present, tangible reality.
Treat it like it's special
Encouraging to cherish every moment of your life, recognizing its uniqueness and beauty.
Try to be more kind
Advocating for kindness towards oneself and others, as it has the power to transform lives.
Think of those that love you
Reminding of the importance of love and connection in one's life, and to appreciate those who offer it.
Try to be less blind
Encouraging self-reflection and the willingness to see the world and oneself with greater clarity and honesty.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VERNON REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
miamigroove
In another life
You might have been a genius
In another life
You might have been a star
In another life
Your face might have been perfect
In another life
You'd drive a better car
In another life
All your jokes are funny
In another life
Your heart is free from fear
In another life
You make a lot of money
In this other life
Everything is clear
In another life
You're always the hero
In another life
You always win the game
In another life
No one ever cheats you
In another life
You never have to change
In another life
Your friends never desert you
In another life
You never have to cry
In another life
No one ever hurts you
In this other life
Your loved-ones never die
But this is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life
In another life
You're always the victim
In another life
You're always the thief
In another life
You are always lonely
In this other life
There is no relief
In your real life
Treat it like it's special
In your real life
Try to be more kind
In your real life
Think of those that love you
In this real life
Try to be less blind
THIS IS THE LIFE YOU HAVE
Limits98
Lyrics
Eh
In another life
You might have
Been a genius
In another life
You might have
Been a star
In another life
Your face might
Have been perfect
In another life
You'd drive a better car
In another life
All your jokes are funny
In another life
Your heart is free from fear
In another life
You make a lot of money
In this other life
Everything is clear
In another life
You're always the hero
In another life
You always win the game
In another life
No one ever cheats you
In another life
You never have to change
In another life
Your friends never desert you
In another life
You never have to cry
In another life
No one ever hurts you
In this other life
Your loved-ones never die
But
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life
(Guitar Solo)
In another life
You're always the victim
In another life
You're always the thief
In another life
You are always lonely
In this other life
There is no relief
In your real life
Treat it like it's special
In your real life
Try to be more kind
In your real life
Think of those that love you
In this real life
Try to be less blind
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
This is the life you have
Eh
Blackroom502
Will Calhoun's skill and imagination on the kit inspired me to play outside the box as a young drummer. Love how he explores different avenues in the groove.
Ricardo Falconi
Will's and the whole's band imagination too
Green Mile
Yeah he’s badass..never gets the credit he deserves.
john44402
I remember getting this CD and thinking it was just ok, but this song has stuck in my head all these years later. Phenomenal.
Michael Harden
I feel the exact same way.
Starfish Prime
I always thought this was LC's best song from an artists' standpoint. "Information Overload" is another. This album just has SO much to offer in 15 songs (almost an hour's worth of unique sound). Such diversity in their music. "Elvis Is Dead" - just genius!
Matthew
I LOVE speeding down the freeway at night to this song......Still one of my favorite songs of all time after 20 years
10ee
This band had it all: Musical genius, lyrical sanity and an amazing presence. I'm glad they're back, and even though they (and I) are much older than my first listening in the 80's, I'd love to see them live.
tubekxb
A unique combination of melancholy fused with hopefulness.
Igor Takes A Bride
That's quite a succinct summary. Well said! :D