This Life
SHARPE Edward Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been trying to pretend
That death is my friend
Oh, this life
Yes, this life ain't for me now

I've been lying to myself
Not to nobody else
Oh, this life

Yes, this life ain't for me now
No

Liar
I'm telling the truth to y'all
Higher
Gonna give a little proof to y'all
Higher
I'm gonna jump in the fire

Well I walked into black
Said I weren't coming back
Saw my angel in blue
She tell me "This life ain't for you"
Oh, this life
Tell it to me this life, ain't for me now

I woke up feeling new
'Cause now I know this life is for you
Yes, this life
Oh, this life ain't for me now
It's for you!

Liar
I'm telling the truth to y'all
Higher

I'm gonna give a little proof to y'all
I'm gonna jump to the fire!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Edward Sharp's "This Life" suggest that the singer, who has been trying to continuously deceive themselves about death, has come to the realization that their life is no longer for them. The singer is trying to convey that the pain and suffering they feel in their current life has led them to believe that death would grant relief. The line "Oh, this life ain't for me now" is possibly the most significant line, suggesting the singer's acceptance that their current existence is unbearable.

The lyrics seem to have a moment of revelation. The singer at first implies that he had been lying to himself but not to anyone else. However, he then starts telling the truth and providing evidence of this truth. The angel in blue, presumably representing salvation, reveals to the singer that this particular life is not for him. The singer then wakes up feeling new and acknowledges that the life he was leading was not for him, but for someone else.

Overall, while the lyrics of "This Life" may be interpreted in various ways, it seems that the singer is coming to terms with the idea that he was not living the life meant for him. This realization could indicate a change of direction in his life or possibly an acceptance of death as a means of liberation.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been trying to pretend
I have been attempting to deceive myself

That death is my friend
I am trying to convince myself that death is not something to be afraid of

Oh, this life
referring to the current existence

Yes, this life ain't for me now
I do not belong in this world at the moment

I've been lying to myself
I have been dishonest with my own perception

Not to nobody else
but not to anyone else

No
No additional explanation needed

Liar
acknowledgment of his own deceit

I'm telling the truth to y'all
He is now being honest

Higher
advocating for personal growth or perhaps to a higher power

Gonna give a little proof to y'all
he will demonstrate what he means

I'm gonna jump in the fire
he is willing to take risks to prove his point

Well I walked into black
he went into a place where there was no light

Said I weren't coming back
he thought he would not return from this place of darkness

Saw my angel in blue
he saw someone resembling an angel in the color blue

She tell me "This life ain't for you"
assurance that this existence is not meant for him

Oh, this life
referring to the current existence

Tell it to me this life, ain't for me now
accepting that he does not belong in this world

I woke up feeling new
he had a change of perception

'Cause now I know this life is for you
realization that others may find fulfillment in this world

Yes, this life
referring to the current existence

Oh, this life ain't for me now
he still does not belong in this world

It's for you!
acknowledging that others may find meaning and purpose in this life

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ALEX EBERT, NICOLO JOSEPH AGLIETTI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@silviup

5y↑7

I've been trying to pretend
That death is my friend
Oh, this life
Yes, this life ain't for me now
I've been lying to myself
Not to nobody else
Oh, this life
Yes, this life ain't for me now
No
Liar
I'm telling the truth to y'all
Higher
Gonna give a little proof to y'all
Higher
I'm gonna jump in the fire
Well I walked into black
Said I weren't coming back
Saw my angel in blue
She tell me "This life ain't for you"
Oh, this life
Tell it to me this life, ain't for me now
I woke up feeling new
'Cause now I know this life is for you
Yes, this life
Oh, this life ain't for me now
It's for you!
Liar
I'm telling the truth to y'all
Higher
I'm gonna give a little proof to y'all
I'm gonna jump to the fire!

Songwriters: Alex Ebert / Nicolo Joseph Aglietti

All comments from YouTube:

@edwardsharpethemagneticzer3195

10y↑306

We debated about this video for a while. Its message at the end is absolutely disturbing. We would never support a "no way out" situation. In the end… We decided that it was really well done and perhaps might have an adverse effect on someone contemplating suicide by making it real rather then showing a happy ending - There are no happy endings when someone takes their own life. - Our message remains positive and full of love and creativity. Thank you

@jrgibbs545

10y↑20

I am glad you did. Ignoring anything never makes it go away. There is nothing wrong with discussing this subject. This just might save a wonderful life.

@68liayn

10y↑7

Well, it was risky, I'll give you that. See my other response. I'm not sure it was a good idea at all, but it does invite discussion. The problem is that for those already at the bottom of their own personal pit, there is no hope in this vid, just his despair reaching it's horrible, irredeemable conclusion. Tell me, if you would, what preparation, if any, did you do on the subject of depression and suicide? Or did the preparation just consist of the cinematic type as with any video?

@omgaify

10y↑11

Maybe you could link to some Suicide Prevention sources in the description :)

@leisatough

10y↑6

This is a beautiful painful song and those suffering from despair I hope it offers fellow feleling .. we all feel like this at times.
But.. but.. as the victim of a mother's suicide I would agree with the previous comment. In Australia beyondblue and lifeline are wonderful. Please please get in touch with them if you need help.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites

@whocares1409

10y

Hello ESMZ's I just have to say that I love your music, keep up the good work. I should let you know though there there is a You Tuber making claims of plagiarism and rip offing on more than one of your videos. Watch out for someone called poeticalish, he has made derogatory comments regarding your material being both plagiarized and ripped off from other artists. Some of these comments are higher up on this video upload. All The Best.

16 More Replies...

@RJeempy

5y↑54

Hi, I am the actor playing the part in this musicvideo. At first, I protested about the ending but went along with the directors choice for one reason: his enthousiasm for doing it this way. It is a way to look at things and be honest, this video influences us as art is supposed to do.
Look at the 96 reactions underneath. There is a handful very sophisticated reactions which I fully support; don't fight the images but embrace them for the art it provides.
We enjoyed making this by the way. A lot. :)
robert jan, amsterdam, the netherlands, europe.

@goygoyim6443

3y↑3

Great work. Great video. Thanks amigo!

@liammurphy2725

2y↑3

I told myself that life would get better. It didn't. I told myself what use was I. I had no answer. My four sisters died , my wife and child left with no forwarding address. The only thing that held me back from suicide was still wanting to know more. To see more and to be more. Look at me now. Learning to love again. To think that I nearly wore the same face as you when you lit the match. Thank you for your skills.

@RJeempy

2y↑3

@@liammurphy2725 thank you for sharing this beautiful experience and especially your resilience. This is what life is all about. To listen to our hearts and... love again.
This life - our life - is all about love. Or the disturbing lack of it. So we better find the love in ourselves.

I never get tired of my life as I turned into a spectator. That was also George Carlin's advice, by the way, allthough I invented it on my own, walking a different path. It was my path to look further, keep searching until finding, and reinvent my life, past all the barriers put in front (and all around) of me... and writing about it. My first book (do you feel it too? - in Dutch: Voel jij het ook?) to provide a different perspective (as a daily dose of life-encouragement) was published last month and the second one (how to continu? - in Dutch: Hoe verder?) is coming along in a couple of months.

@liammurphy2725

2y↑3

@@RJeempy If only I could read Dutch your books would sit happily in my library. Alongside the tales and stories and wisdom passed down through the ages. Passed down by folk who had found something important for us to know. Whether it be secular or non secular, modern or ancient, the ongoing dialogue sustains and enriches our experience. I hope your guidance finds it's way to those who need it the most.
Respectfully yours, and once again bedankt.

@joekraft5913

1y↑2

Thank you brother for this beautiful art, I wanted to reach out and hug you I'm glad this wasn't real and you were just acting but it was all to real for me, much love and strength from Idaho USA

1 More Replies...

@ellienized

10y↑14

'There are no happy endings when someone takes their own life.'
The video is dark, but the message is clear.

@paulmartin8272

33w

A beautiful and sad song. I absolutely love ESATMZ💚🤍🧡

@gotehorn

10y↑35

Wow, I didn't realize how incredible this guys vocals are until this song. I'll be listening more.

@Kaposts22

10y↑10

Thank you for my future wedding song

@poeticalish

10y↑22

Seems like Joe Cocker and Otis Redding had a mad night of passion and conceived Alex Ebert and he then concocted this brilliant masterpiece from those two incredible souls! and the outcome is just breathtakingly amazing! This song is powerful.

@Melvisxlove

I am Glad i am not the only one who said Joe Cocker🖤

@CtrlWQ

One day you'll look back at this with ennui, a bittersweetness. Don't give up. It's OK. I was here too! Live baby!

@elorbs

9y↑24

This video just changed my life. Alex has this unbelievable talent of taking such intense emotions and channeling this energy and turning these feelings into words and pictures for everyone else to relate to. He is a universal translator who has the ability to connect those who come from all different backgrounds. I don't know how he does it. I feel so blessed to be able to have his art during my lifetime.

@panaceatherapeutics5148

5y↑5

Reach out, call, a voice will answer through the darkness. Connect and find a way be supported while you're with your pain. Beyond doing so, such peace, such healing can be found

@joekraft5913

1y↑2

You guys helped me so much I'm still here because of your beautiful music cheers I love you guys <3

@SkenkBeg

10y↑11

Alexander Ebert, you are my hero.

@erickhannud

10y↑1

I like to think that "Man of Fire" is the continuation of this song. The lyrics combine really great, going through the spiritual rebirth and the incredible results of this process.

@B.McAllister

5y↑5

This video gives me chills. I can't help but think of those who debated whether to do it or not. Choosing to go through but regretting it a split second later. But it's too late, they already stepped off the ledge, bridge, chair, etc... Or like the man in the video, lit the match... There's hope for everyone. You just have to stay alive to see it.

@rawtown101

6y↑4

I remember watching this video when it first came out. At first I was in shock like oh wow it was him (I was in middle school) but now that I'm older I realize this video has a lot of meaning, I'm not an emotional person but this video brought me to tears. Amazing vocals along with an amazing video. You never know who is going through a rough patch in life until you have walked in their shoes...

@colleenokeefe3869

10y↑11

I NEED to thank Alex for making my son the happiest young man in the country when he shared his story in Boston this past Friday night. I am searching desperately for someone with that video. I have never seen my son so happy, ever. I shed tears of happiness with him on the ride home to Cape Cod from Boston. He is a very talented young musician, that simply loves music. Music saved his life. Thank You.

@CtrlWQ

Listen man, I ain't built for this life either brudda. We had to burn our men and let their ashes dance in the darkness under a pale moonlight. ✨️

@fire34084

3y↑3

Been a fan of yalls for like 10 or 12 years now. Gotta say this song had a huge influence on me. Really appreciate your work.

@fire34084

However you RUINED a perfectly good saab 😂

@joekraft5913

Love you brother! From Idaho USA

@blackwatchaudio5630

10y↑4

All right, I'm absolutely dumbstruck by both this song and video. Powerful.

@DP-ml4me

1y↑1

Came across this song today....wow !!!
So raw & powerful....pure brilliance both on the song & the actor.

@silviup

5y↑7

@vanessahernandez9165

8y↑3

So free-spirited, honest and lovely.

@YamilBulosGMD

9y↑4

Nice way to show what can fear do; it shows the reality we deny to see; its good to speak for those who need to be listened; even do; it has its disturbing side; It is indeed something that shouldn´t exist; there´s lots of ways to walk; and each one worth every second of it

@katherinekotrous7461

10y↑4

You make music that transcends me, and I thank you for that.

@hexmoss9557

7y↑1

I listen to this band when I'm sad. So good.

@liammurphy2725

Try listening when happy. So much better.

@tinaprince5659

2y↑1

Still listening 2021 Alex thank you for many of if I case you ever happened to stumble upon reading this just know I appreciate your songs no matter the videos it’s your music that helps the way you express your music for our feelings it helps me thanks again ❤️ long time fan

@jackiesmusic423

4y↑2

I've been betrayed and made to feel worthless....it's dangerous to do that to anyone.

@Domingos1878

10y↑4

Very apt for the song. Beautiful!

@lucaortis291

5y↑2

Just amazing!!! Real music still exists, thank you so much for this, touched me really deep inside. Only a couple of Pink Floyd's songs made me feel like this.

@srtreze

10y↑3

Thank you!
I love your music, and lately you guys keep uploading awesome music videos, I can't imagine the effort behind all of it. This shows that you care for all of us, a lot. So, again, thank you.
I hope that, if you can, if you have the time and everything else, you'll make music videos for older songs. (for exemple, "I don't wanna pray", or maybe even "In the Twilight" from Alexander)
And again, thank you

@9thchild358

5y↑1

Surprised this one only has a few hundred thousand views. The other video ones have millions.

@HaliLuv97

10y↑3

Thank you so much for this

@NAA4242

10y↑3

stunning.

@dreapress1227

This is haunting, mesmerizing, and disturbing in so many ways.

@kate7266

In a word: sublime.

@Vedder1992

Sad. Harsh. Perfect.

@danieladelafuente8908

10y↑2

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

@jerryrunstrom3915

🙏

@peterhogendorf2461

10y

Better video then the one from the winner and better music. Love this one.

@kingship24

10y

I will be traveling 8.5 hours to see you in Columbia, MO! I would absolutely love to meet you guys if that's a possibility. Thank you so much for your work and your love for your fans.

@triciaaaa3

Wow. This made me have goosebumps. In a good way.

Damn I'm feeling the feels.

@madnessgraphics

9y↑2

Love it!

@CtrlWQ

Protocol 1.

@GimmeShelter1989

10y↑1

Love this song and video.

@steve_xvida

10y

Amazing song

@AdamIsNotAGentleman

10y↑11

Wow, these fan-made videos never disappoint. Always so well done. But this one really stands out as one of the best music videos I've seen in a while, in general. Beautiful. By the way, does anyone know what city this is shot in? I'm just curious.

@omgaify

10y↑1

I searched for 'Café de Fluiter', and found references to one in Amsterdam. Considering the names of those involved, I would assume that's probably right :)

@AdamIsNotAGentleman

10y↑1

omgaify yeah, that makes sense. THanks a bunch :)

@stevenpaulortiz9076

I thought this video was official. ...not fan made

@dancingcheeseproductions4127

7y↑4

It's not fan made, it's official.

@dropt261

9y↑1

Awesome song and gripping video! Perhaps you could look at it from this perspective.........the guy in the video decided to end it and take his Saab 900 down with him, because he was tired of that car constantly breaking down and costing him so much money everytime he had to fix it!

@SteveSmith-ho8cy

3y↑1

I think most of us have been in the dark place that this video depicts... minus the ending.

@jayare5483

Amazing.....

@ProdFac

10y

You guys. <3

@yunuelchaire8042

4y↑1

Pinche video poca madre!!

@felipeestefanoolivetideoli3915

👏👏👏

@paulaalmeidareastephens3317

4y↑1

Oh my word this disturbed me! 🤦🏼‍♀️ my best friend committed suicide ...😢

But the song is GORGEOUS 💚

@bugleberryfancam5820

10y↑5

That escalated quickly.

@rgse90

9y↑1

I often wonder if negative people with negative things to say about everyone else and everything else are just so miserable and so unhappy that they must try to make others just as unhappy. And that is why when I see old people alone and sad I now realize that they created this life for themselves by being negative and bad people through their life.

@Hanedog2014

9y↑1

That's a big assumption to make...

@rgse90

No not really because people say horrible things about shut they know nothing about and that is terrible.

@DAWhite0222

9y↑2

Sam Espo That's a really negative thing to say...

@liammurphy2725

By fucking crikey. You just spat the biggest pile of shit since Trumps last speech. Hopefully you know just a bit more about life now. Or are you still a fucking dickhead?

@KGarvey125

9y↑2

Wish I hadn't watched that. Won't ever hear the song the same way again.

@stephaniemoore100

6y↑1

Kimberly Garvey neither will I. But that's not always a bad thing.

@rickbeckett9102

Who hasn't thought about it????

@georgeianta2088

If anyone can sound like an angel singing in the background it's Jade.

@modestmoose4130

His voice reminds me of Bowie's in this song.

@ArthurOO

10y

I feel sexy listen to this song !

@bawbagbill

Who wrote this song? Was it a multi band members input or just one or two involved?

@katesomogyi9913

10y

Hello Magnetic Zeros! Noticed you will be in Houston at the end of May. We have tickets for the Tulsa show on 6/3. When you travel from Houston to Tulsa, you will pass very close to our house, so we (husband and I) would like to extend an invite for some cookout and some fishing...we live on Richland Chambers Lake. We have grown to really appreciate your music. My husband spent many years playing guitar on stage and would get a huge kick! Check out our youtube video of "Dear Believer" under Dave Somogyi for a bit of a laugh. Hope to hear from you!

@pounamu2394

:)!

@kelymedeirosdealmeida6267

8y↑1

😢😢😢😢

@GregLuft-ent

10y

So sad to watch the ending. I've had two friends commit suicide and i miss them both very much.

@QueenErinOfEngland

10y↑15

The video is very powerful but I feel like it evokes all the wrong emotions for this song. This is one of my favourite songs from the new album because it carries this beautiful message of coming out of a very dark place and throwing your whole life into helping someone else see the beauty that you had been unable to see for so long. Instead of showing this transformation, the man hits rock bottom. I understand your appreciation for the reality of the video but in my opinion, it doesn't fit with the uplifting message of the song.

@ZoomaKabooma

10y

I do agree. I find it to be very conflicting. I thought that when he was in the trunk he was going to have an epiphany and see things in a new light- or something to that effect.

@liammurphy2725

You want a perfect ending to everything in life. Go to Disney

@WinnipegCarSpotter

10y

Gosh this sounds like a Beatles song... I guess we know who his influences are. Still a great song though!

@miklfrei8915

10y↑1

Sounds like Janis

@VendibleUser

The actor looks like the main character from Birdman with the hair.

@Pikaf

This song will be played at a friend postal service, who commited suicide last week

@B.McAllister

That Micheal Jackson outro tho.

@sangminpark2948

10y

Can someone explain me the meaning of this song?

@inmyhead63

10y↑7

the meaning is that he goes thru a spiritual rebirth and finally understands that this life is not for selfish means but rather to give to and help others. This life, its not for me...its for YOU. UNFORTUNATELY the man in the video didnt get the real meaning of the song. He stayed mired in his own self pity.

@simonvanasse9090

10y

diana m thank you for this explanation

@pako15x

I love my friend like a girlfriend but she just want a friendship. What I need can do to forget her?

@nore2415

I wouldn't start by asking people on the internet, talk to friends and family, they know you better then we could ever. Other then that, you can't forget people, but the fastest way to deal with it is to find someone else to love. Not much help, but it's something.

@bullenpaul

The lyrics of the song are in conflict with the video. As suicidal or despairing as the person might feel at the beginning, he concludes that this life is not me…but for you. That is consistent with Cicero’s frequent quoting of a statement from Plato’s ninth letter: We are born not for ourselves but others.

@68liayn

10y↑3

Great song, but totally depressing video. Could've been helped slightly by a message slotted in somehow about getting help if one should feel as much without hope as this fellow. Well, perhaps a slightly redeeming factor is that he handcuffed himself to the car, knowing that either due to fear of pain or the last second appearance of the instinctual drive to survive, he would jump out of the car if he didn't. Perhaps that would give pause to a real live person about to commit suicide. But it might also offer sympathy to some other poor soul about to... Thanks to JR Gibbs for posting his reply.

@vegandee

10y

Sad

@jerrya1000

10y↑2

Terrible video version of my favorite song. To me the song is about a person who can no longer cope with life and tries to end it, this life is not for me,but a voice or an angel says to him. "It's not your time yet buddy, this life, heaven aint for you yet." Go back and try it again and he returns to live for someone else or others. My life is for you. The song reminds me that Life is more bearable if it is lived to love others and not get hung up with my own f##king self, ego and problems.

@LuqaS15

10y↑3

How can you love others when you cannot love even yourself? The fucking self, the ego is the problem. That's what depression is about, that's what phobias are about.

@kanariesla

10y

it's well done, but also pretty monotonuous. it only shows one level or one dimension. when you are din such a state there is only one level as well so it is a true view. but to me it is not very inspiring. even though I've been there. I am a bit dissapointed with this pick. there were other video's with more creative and dearing content.