Winter's group is also known for its innovation, with the frontman inventing the keyboard body strap early in his career. Said innovation allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. He was also one of the first artists to feature a synthesizer as the main instrument in a song. "Frankenstein" in particular revolutionized modern rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound.
After 'They Only Come Out at Night', the band released 'Shock Treatment', featuring guitarist Rick Derringer in place of Ronnie Montrose. That musican went on to work in Montrose and other groups. Although not quite able to capture the same free spirit as the group's earlier album, 'Shock Treatment' earned major critical praise, and the band continued its lively tour schedule.
Later releases from Edgar Winter and his associates include the albums 'Jasmine Nightdreams', 'The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer' (a live album), 'Together Live With Johnny Winter', 'Recycled' (a reunion with White Trash), 'Standing On Rock', 'Mission Earth', 'Live In Japan', 'Not A Kid Anymore', 'The Real Deal', and 'Winter Blues'.
Mainstream success has eluded Winter's various band line-ups since their 70s heyday, but their work has remained radio staples. Winter continues to tour as of 2013. More information is available on his official website here.
Dying To Live
The Edgar Winter Group Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am 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?
Hey, 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?
Yeah, 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 dreams 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 c'mon give me a try
You know I'm dying to live until I'm ready
'til I'm ready ..
'til I'm ready ..
'til I'm ready to die
In "Dying to Live" by The Edgar Winter Group, the lyrics describe the struggle of finding purpose in life and questioning the reasons for the fight towards survival. The opening lines allude to the idea that beauty can be found in distortion or chaos. Some people who have retreated from society to find clarity may agree with this concept, but when the singer poses the question about whether these people will find humor in his death it brings to light the possible danger in losing sight of reality. The chorus is then introduced with the questioning of what the point of living is if the only thing that life brings is pain. The second verse discusses the subjective nature of values and how they are simply borrowed from someone else. It is easy for people to live life without a purpose when they are just following passed down notions. This verse also alludes to the idea of war and how it can be difficult to distinguish the difference between the living and dead. The final lines mention the singer's previous confusion and how he used to live life behind a false reality. However, he has come to the realization that living life to its fullest and striving for more will bring his dreams to fruition. He decides to keep fighting until there is no reason left and to keep trying until he sees the end. The singer is also searching for someone to give him a chance, and he is determined to live until he is ready to die.
One interesting fact about "Dying to Live" is that the song was originally written for a film score, the 1973 blaxploitation film "Black Caesar," but was ultimately not used in the film. Another interesting fact is that while the song did not chart in the US, it was a top 40 hit in Canada in 1973. The song has been sampled by various hip-hop artists such as The Roots, Mos Def, and Ludacris. The song has also been used in various films and TV shows such as "The Boondocks," "Blow," and "The Sopranos." The piano riff in the song has been noted for its similarity to the main riff in Bach's famous "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor." The ending lyrics, "till I'm ready to die," were fittingly covered by late rapper Tupac Shakur in his song "Ready 4 Whatever." The song has been covered and performed by various artists such as Jeff Beck, Orianthi, and Audioslave.
Chords: Gm, Cm, D#maj7, D, Bb, Fmaj7, G7, Cm, D#maj7, D, Bb, Fmaj7.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion.
Some people believe that imperfection and distortion can be beautiful in its own unique way.
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
These people are usually those who have taken a step back from society to seek clarity and perspective.
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
Some also believe that there can be humor found in unfortunate events or situations.
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
However, the artist questions whether these same people will continue to joke about his misfortune after he passes away.
Why am I fighting to live if I 'm just living to fight?
The artist questions the purpose of life if it only consists of constant struggle and fighting.
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
The singer questions the point of striving for clarity and understanding when the outcome is uncertain.
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
The singer wonders why he continues to give without receiving any opportunities in return.
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?
The artist questions why he works so hard to keep living when death is inevitable.
Hey, you know some people say that values are subjective,
There are individuals who believe that personal values are subjective and differ among people.
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said.
The artist believes that those who claim subjective values are just repeating what they have heard from others.
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective.
Those who lack personal values may act and make decisions without any clear purpose or direction.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead.
Without any clear sense of purpose or values, people can feel like they are just going through the motions and not truly living.
Yeah, you know I used to weave my words into confusion.
The singer used to often speak in a convoluted and unclear manner.
And so I hope you'll understand me when I 'm through
The singer hopes that by being more clear and direct in his communication, others will be able to understand him better.
You know I used to live my life as an illusion,
The singer used to live his life in a way that was not authentic or true to himself.
But reality will make my dreams come true.
However, the artist realizes that being honest with himself and facing reality will allow him to make his dreams a reality.
So I'll keep fighting to live till there's no reason to fight
The artist will continue to persevere and strive for life until there is no longer a purpose for it.
And I'll keep trying to see until the end is in sight
The singer will continue to seek clarity and understanding until the end of his life.
You know I'm trying to give so c'mon give me a try
The singer is asking for others to give him a chance to prove himself and his worth.
You know I'm dying to live until I'm ready
The artist is eager to live life to the fullest until he is prepared to face death.
'til I'm ready ..
The artist emphasizes that he will keep striving for life until he is fully prepared to face death.
'til I'm ready ..
The artist repeats his previous statement for emphasis.
'til I'm ready to die
The singer will continue to live until he is fully prepared to face death.
Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Nillaferilla
I wonder how many people sought out this song because of the chorus on Runnin' Dying To Live.
@wildturkey7896
It's how I found out about it.
@YboyPu
Me
@mglsite
Not me, I fell in love with it in the early 70's
@colomblanco
Anyone who isn't lying
@rahshaad83
Nillaferilla me
@josephmiller1381
i want this song played at my funeral.... i have cancer and i met Edgar several times as an old man and loved this song so much since i was a young man... life is short and anal cancer is a monster i can not handle much longer... Edgar u were a high point in my life and life was better having met you in Hawaii...
@kybayou7
π’π’so sad..I'm so sorry and praying your comfortable with God's hands and your life is going to live on with him here on earth and in heaven β€
@josephmiller1381
@@kybayou7 mahalo 4 your message
@williamcampbell163
God Bless you brother.