Life By The Drop
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Lyrics


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Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was till the end
We played outside in the pourin' rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You're livin' out dreams of you on top
My mind is achin', oh lord it won't stop
That's how it's happened, livin' life by the drop

Up and down that road in our worned-out shoes
Talkin' 'bout good things and singin' the blues
You went your way and I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

Livin' out dreams of you on top
My mind is achin' oh lord it won't stop
That's how it happens, life by the drop

No wasted time we're allowed today
Churnin' up the past, there's no easier way
Time been between us, a means to an end
God, it's good to be here walkin' together my friend

Livin' out dreams
My mind's stopped achin'
That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop




That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop
That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop

Overall Meaning

The song 'Life by the Drop' by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble is about two old friends reminiscing about their past and journey to where they are now. The lyrics describe the experiences they shared, both the good and the bad times. It portrays the struggles of keeping up with life, while also expressing the beauty of how it evolves over time.


The first verse is about the two friends reflecting on the journey that led them to where they are now. They recall playing outside in the pouring rain, and how they started over again on their way up the road. The second verse describes how they went their separate ways, but they both knew it was only a matter of time before their paths crossed again. They continue to reminisce about their shared experiences, both the highs and lows, and how it has shaped their lives.


The chorus of the song is about living out dreams, while acknowledging the pain and struggles that come with it. The line "my mind is achin', oh lord it won't stop" highlights the reality that chasing your dreams isn't always easy, but it's worth it in the end. The final verse shows the importance of cherishing the present moment with a friend who has been through it all before. Through it all, the song emphasizes the idea that life is a journey, a journey that one must live by the drop.


Line by Line Meaning

Hello there, my old friend
Addressing an old friend, reminiscing about the old times.


Not so long ago it was till the end
It feels like it was just yesterday that we last saw each other.


We played outside in the pourin' rain
Recalling times of carefree living and enjoying life in any weather condition.


On our way up the road we started over again
Moving on and starting fresh on a new journey together.


You're livin' out dreams of you on top
Your achievements and success are remarkable and inspirational.


My mind is achin', oh lord it won't stop
I am struggling with my own personal battles, and it seems never-ending.


That's how it's happened, livin' life by the drop
The ups and downs of life are inevitable, and we must learn to take it in stride.


Up and down that road in our worned-out shoes
Our journey together has had its fair share of obstacles and hurdles.


Talkin' 'bout good things and singin' the blues
Sharing both the positive and negative aspects of our lives with each other, together.


You went your way and I stayed behind
You pursued your dreams and moved forward, while I stayed behind to contemplate my own path.


We both knew it was just a matter of time
We both understood that our paths would eventually lead us in different directions.


No wasted time we're allowed today
We must cherish every moment we have together, as time is a precious commodity.


Churnin' up the past, there's no easier way
Reflecting on our past experiences and memories, however painful, is necessary for growth and moving forward.


Time been between us, a means to an end
The distance and time that has separated us has ultimately led us back to each other.


God, it's good to be here walkin' together my friend
Being here together in this moment, after all that we've been through, is a blessing.


Livin' out dreams
Chasing our aspirations and goals, no matter how ambitious or daunting.


My mind's stopped achin'
The turmoil and struggles of the mind have subsided and peace has been found.


That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop
These are the lessons we have learned from living our lives and pursuing our dreams, step by step.


That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop
At the end of the day, this is the journey we must embrace and learn from, taking it one drop at a time.


That's how it happened, livin' life by the drop
Life is all about taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from those experiences, one drop at a time.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Barbara Logan, Doyle Bramhall

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Tj Anderson

Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was til the end
We played outside in the pouring rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You're living a dream oh you on top
My mind is aching, Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens living life by the drop

Up and down that road in our worn out shoes
Talking about good things and singing the blues
You went your way and I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

You're living a dream oh you on top

My mind is aching, Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens living life by the drop

No wasted time, we're alive today
Churning up the past, there's no easier way
Time's been between us, a means to an end
God it's good to be here walking together my friend

We're living our dreams
My mind's stopped aching
That's how it happened living life by the drop
That's how it happened living life by the drop
That's how it happened living life by the drop



R.I.P. to everyone we poor the first drink out for, thank you Stevie



Joseph Kriegel

"The story of Life By The Drop":

From boyhood in Dallas to adulthood in Austin, Doyle Bramhall and Stevie Ray Vaughan were friends, playing in bands and dreaming of the big time. Bramhall was a songwriter as well as a drummer, and he and Vaughan often wrote together; one of their early songs, “Dirty Pool,” made it onto Vaughan’s first album, 1983’s Texas Flood.
Over the next few years, their paths diverged—one man playing stadiums, the other playing bars—yet the two remained close. Eventually Bramhall began writing a song about their friendship..
“Doyle wasn’t jealous,” says Barbara Logan, who was Bramhall’s wife. “He was proud of Stevie. It was a dream they had both had, and now Stevie was living it.” Though the men had their problems with drugs and alcohol, Logan says that’s not what the song was about. “It was about living life day by day, one drop at a time.”
In 1988 Vaughan decided to record the song, which Bramhall had never quite finished. Bramhall told Logan they needed a third verse, and though she’d never written a song before, she composed some lines on the spot about two friends taking a walk together, happy to be alive. Vaughan recorded the song on a twelve-string acoustic; it wasn’t released until a year when his brother put together a posthumous album, The Sky Is Crying.
After a career playing the sturm und drang of electric blues, “Life by the Drop” stood as a pure and simple coda, with Vaughan singing the words written by his faithful friend. “He was very proud of that song,” Logan says of Bramhall, who died in 2011. “It speaks to so many people in so many ways. Songs are like that—that’s something I learned from Doyle. Everybody hears songs in their own way.”
Thanks big time Barbara ❤
Life by the Drop: Written by Doyle Bramhall and Barbara Logan. Published by Dreamworks Music (BMI)/Wilson Creek Music (ASCAP). All rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC.
(Here jamming at "Mama's Pizza" in Fort Worth Texas on December 20th 1987 for Doyle's stepson Chris Hunter, courtesy of Logan Hunter Thompson).



All comments from YouTube:

Dwayne Wladyka

What a great song. May Stevie Ray Vaughan rest in peace. Cheers! ✌️

Rosa Pacione

You're right!

Guiyote_74

Thanks for your music, Stevie! 🥺 🇦🇷

Diego Mosconi

Nunca vino a tocar acá no?
Creo que fué a chile

Guiyote_74

@Diego Mosconi no q yo sepa...

Wisconsin Wanderer

I love this song thanks Stevie for giving us such great blues RIP SRV

Charles Taylor

Now how am I gonna get this lump out of my throat. With all my heart I thank you Stevie.

Tj Anderson

Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was til the end
We played outside in the pouring rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You're living a dream oh you on top
My mind is aching, Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens living life by the drop

Up and down that road in our worn out shoes
Talking about good things and singing the blues
You went your way and I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

You're living a dream oh you on top

My mind is aching, Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens living life by the drop

No wasted time, we're alive today
Churning up the past, there's no easier way
Time's been between us, a means to an end
God it's good to be here walking together my friend

We're living our dreams
My mind's stopped aching
That's how it happened living life by the drop
That's how it happened living life by the drop
That's how it happened living life by the drop



R.I.P. to everyone we poor the first drink out for, thank you Stevie

Daniel

Amen.
He brought joy to millions of people. He's still giving and we keep benefiting. In some sense, he IS still alive.
Thank You Brother.

Anidiqua Ojala

TY 💞💞💞

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