Meant to Live

Last updated

"Meant to Live"
Meant to Live single cover.jpg
Single by Switchfoot
from the album The Beautiful Letdown
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2003 (2003-01-27)
Genre
Length3:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) John Fields
Switchfoot singles chronology
"You Already Take Me There"
(2000)		"Meant to Live"
(2003)		"More Than Fine"
(2003)
Music video
"Meant to Live" on YouTube

"Meant to Live" is a single by alternative rock band Switchfoot. "Meant to Live" was released to radio on January 27, 2003. The song peaked at number five on the US Modern Rock chart and U.S. Adult Top 40 chart, number six on U.S. Top 40 radio, and number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In April 2005, the song was certified gold in the United States. [1]

Contents

"Meant to Live" is the first track on the group's 2003 major-label debut album The Beautiful Letdown. The single is generally regarded as the song that helped the band achieve mainstream success.

The song was also featured in the UK version of the soundtrack for the film Spider-Man 2 . In 2023, an orchestral version of the song featuring vocals by singer-songwriter Jon Bellion was released under the title "Meant to Live (Jon Bellion Version)".

Background

Lyrically, "Meant to Live" was inspired by T. S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men". Singer/writer Jon Foreman has said, "Maybe the kid in the song is me, hoping that I'm meant for more than arguments and failed attempts to fly. Something deep inside of me yearns for the beautiful, the true. I want more than what I've been sold; I want to live life." [2] According to Foreman, this song was also inspired by U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". [3]

This track refers to C.S. Lewis's novel Out of the Silent Planet with the lyric "Maybe we're bent and broken."

It also refers to John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men , in the lyric "Dreaming about Providence and whether mice or men have second tries."

Composition

"Meant to Live" is an alternative rock song that lasts for a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds. [4] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Capitol CMG, it is written in the time signature of common time, with a heavy, moderately slow rock tempo of 76 beats per minute. [4] "Meant to Live" is composed in the key of B minor, while Jon Foreman's vocal range spans one octave and three notes, from a low of D4 to a high of G♯5. [4] The song has a basic sequence of B5-A5-E5-G5-A5-B5-A5-E5-D5-G5-E5-A5 during its introduction, changes to G5-F♯5-D5-E5-D5-F♯5-D5 in the verses, follows G5-A5-B5-E5-G5-E5 at the refrain, has Dsus2-G6-Dsus2-G6-Dsus2-Em7-Csus2-G5 during its bridge and concludes with Dsus2-G6-B5-A5-E5 in the outro as its chord progression. [5]

The song has a lumbering, incensed post-grunge riff driven by heavy guitars. During its yearning bridge, the musical composition momentarily shifts to shimmery folk-rock. [6] "Meant to Live" features lead singer Jonathan Foreman intoning strong melodies which unite the song's different parts. [6] His lyrical content has a uniquely melancholic yet hopeful tone. [6] Foreman's vulnerable verses contain world-weary lines: "Maybe we've been living with our eyes half open/Maybe we're bent and broken." [6] They express a subtly inspirational feeling as well as suggestion to delve deeper or look higher for fulfillment. [6] "Meant to Live" also harbors some political sentiments, containing the topical lines, "we want more than the wars of our fathers." [6]

Critical reception

Comparing its guitar riff to that of Nirvana's In Utero while complimenting the timelessness of its sentiments, AllMusic's claims that the song "has its cake and eats it too, musically and lyrically speaking." [6] She continued writing, "Meant to Live"'s sympathetic, idealistic (not preachy) viewpoint, combined with its powerful guitars, make the song successful as both an alternative CCM and modern rock single. [6]

Music videos

There were three music videos made for this song. The first video features live performance footage, the second is a concept video depicting the band playing inside a house while the walls and insides are slowly being torn down, showing a resemblance to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, which the "Meant to Live" video has been compared to, and a third video is mixed into clips from Spider-Man 2 , and was released exclusively in the UK.

The first two videos featured audio mixed a key higher than the album version.

Awards

In 2005, the song was nominated for a Dove Awards for Song of the Year at the 36th GMA Dove Awards. [7]

Track listing

UK CD single

  1. "Meant to Live" (album version)
  2. "On Fire" (live)
  3. "The Beautiful Letdown" (live)
  4. "Meant to Live" (video)

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [24] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesJanuary 27, 2003 Alternative radio [25]
June 16, 2003 [26] [27]
February 2, 2004 Hot adult contemporary radio [28]
DenmarkJuly 12, 2004CDColumbia [29]
AustraliaJuly 26, 2004 [30]
United KingdomAugust 2, 2004 [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switchfoot</span> American alternative rock band

Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, and Jerome Fontamillas. Guitarist Drew Shirley was also a member of the band from 2005 to 2022. After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition with the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 film A Walk to Remember. This recognition led to the release of their major label debut The Beautiful Letdown, which was released in 2003 and featured the hit singles "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". Their fifth album, Nothing Is Sound peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, and included the single "Stars." Their seventh album, Hello Hurricane (2009) received a Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. They have been noted for their energetic live shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On a Plain</span> 1991 promotional single by Nirvana

"On a Plain" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the 11th track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aneurysm (song)</span> Nirvana song

"Aneurysm" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. It first appeared as a B-side on the band's breakthrough "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single in September 1991. A second studio version was released on the rarities compilation, Incesticide, in December 1992.

<i>Nothing Is Sound</i> 2005 studio album by Switchfoot

Nothing Is Sound is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Switchfoot. It was released on September 13, 2005 and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album was "Stars," which was the number one most-added song on Modern Rock Radio and received much airplay on alternative rock stations upon release. A second single, "We Are One Tonight," was released in early 2006, though it did not enjoy much success on the Billboard charts.

<i>The Beautiful Letdown</i> 2003 studio album by Switchfoot

The Beautiful Letdown is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Switchfoot, released on February 25, 2003, by RED Ink Records, and later re-released through Sony Music. It marked the band's first release on a major label and their first release with keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas. The album was produced by John Fields and Switchfoot and recorded over a span of around two weeks; all songs on the album were written either in part or entirely by lead singer Jon Foreman.

"Breed" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the fourth song on their second studio album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter (Christina Aguilera song)</span> 2003 single by Christina Aguilera

"Fighter" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera for her fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). The song was written by Aguilera and Scott Storch, and produced by the latter. It was released by RCA Records as the third single from Stripped on March 10, 2003. Inspired by Guns N' Roses' song "November Rain", "Fighter" was characterized as a hybrid of rock and R&B that incorporates elements of arena rock and rock and roll. The track sees Aguilera thanking a man who had done her wrong for making her a "fighter."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hardest Button to Button</span> 2003 single by the White Stripes

"The Hardest Button to Button" is a song by American alternative rock band the White Stripes, released as the third single from their fourth studio album, Elephant (2003). Jack White said that the song is about a child trying to find his place in a dysfunctional family when a new baby comes. The cover of the single is an allusion to the graphics of Saul Bass, seen in the movie posters and title sequences of films such as Anatomy of a Murder and The Man with the Golden Arm. The cover also alludes to Jack White's then-broken index finger and his obsession with the number three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dare You to Move</span> 2004 single by Switchfoot

"Dare You to Move" is a single by American alternative rock band Switchfoot from their fourth studio album, The Beautiful Letdown (2003). The song was originally called "I Dare You to Move", and was on the album Learning to Breathe, but the band decided to reimagine it and put it on The Beautiful Letdown. This track received considerable radio airplay, and its accompanying music videos saw play on MTV, VH1, FUSE TV, and other mainstream channels. "Dare You to Move" was released to Christian radio on February 6, 2004, and sent to modern rock radio the following month. It peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Switchfoot's second top-20 single, surpassing the success of their breakthrough single, "Meant to Live", in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stars (Switchfoot song)</span> 2005 single by Switchfoot

"Stars" is the first single released from American rock band Switchfoot's fifth album Nothing Is Sound. "Stars" was released to radio on June 28, 2005, and again on July 5. It was the most-added song on Modern Rock Radio in its first week of release and peaked at number sixteen on the US Modern Rock chart. The song was certified gold as a digital single on December 13, 2005. It is the band's third most successful song, behind previous hits "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". On iTunes, an acoustic mix of the track is available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is Your Life (song)</span> 2004 single by Switchfoot

"This Is Your Life" is a song by the alternative rock band Switchfoot, and their third single. "This Is Your Life" first appeared on the group's 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown and peaked at #30 on the US Modern Rock charts. The single also hit the U.S. top 40, peaking at No. 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party for Two</span> 2004 single by Shania Twain

"Party for Two" is a song recorded by Canadian country singer-songwriter Shania Twain. It was released as the lead single from her first Greatest Hits compilation on September 7, 2004. The song was written by Twain and her then-husband and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, with the latter producing the song. "Party for Two" was recorded as both a pop mix with pop rock band Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath and a country version with country musician Billy Currington. The country version with Currington was released to country radio, while the pop mix with McGrath was released to pop audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Are One Tonight</span> 2006 single by Switchfoot

"We Are One Tonight" is a song recorded by the American rock band Switchfoot and is their second single from the album Nothing Is Sound. This is the eleventh track on the album. Lead singer and songwriter Jon Foreman has said that the song is "about unity."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh! Gravity. (song)</span> 2006 single by Switchfoot

"Oh! Gravity." is a song written and recorded by the American rock band Switchfoot, and is the title track from their sixth studio album of the same name. The song impacted radio on October 31, 2006, but was made available for free streaming on their website and MySpace in early October, and had found its way onto radio well before the release date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switchfoot discography</span> Christian rock band discography

The discography of American alternative rock band Switchfoot consists of 12 studio albums, four live albums, three compilation albums, five video albums, 10 extended plays, 43 singles, nine promotional singles and 39 music videos. The band, originally called Chin Up, consists of singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Jon Foreman, bassist Tim Foreman, drummer Chad Butler and synthesizer/keyboardist/guitarist Jerome Fontamillas. Lead guitarist Drew Shirley left the band in February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wasting My Time</span> 2001 single by Default

"Wasting My Time" is a song by Canadian rock band Default for their first studio album, The Fallout (2001). It was released as their debut single on August 28, 2001. The song was written by the members of the band and produced by Chad Kroeger and Rick Parashar. "Wasting My Time" is Default's most commercially successful song, having reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 8, 2002, and numbers two and three, respectively, on the US Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock airplay charts, just behind Puddle of Mudd's "Blurry" on the former chart. It was also their first of three singles to top the Canadian rock airplay chart.

<i>The Best Yet</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Switchfoot

The Best Yet is the first "greatest hits" album from alternative rock band Switchfoot, released on November 4, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)</span> 2009 single by Switchfoot

"The Sound " is a song written and recorded by Jon Foreman and Tim Foreman for the alternative rock band Switchfoot. It is a track from the band's seventh studio album, Hello Hurricane, and was released as a digital single on October 27, 2009, to all major digital outlets. It was serviced to alternative rock radio on April 27, 2010, becoming their second Top 15 hit from the album, and the band's first Top 10 single since "Dare You to Move."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (B.o.B song)</span> 2010 single by B.o.B

"Magic" is a song by American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, released on June 7, 2010 as the fifth single from his debut studio album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). The track features Weezer's lead singer Rivers Cuomo, singing the chorus. It was written by both artists, alongside the song's producer Dr. Luke. In the UK, the track made Radio 1's B-Playlist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Girl (Shake It for Me)</span> 2011 single by Luke Bryan

"Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was released in March 2011 as the first single from his album Tailgates & Tanlines. Upon being released, it debuted at number 52 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of April 2, 2011. The song was written by Bryan and Dallas Davidson. As of April 2014, it is the third best-selling song by a male country music solo artist.

References

  1. ↑ RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - Switchfoot singles
  2. ↑ Kim Jones. "Switchfoot - Behind the Songs - The Beautiful Letdown". About.com Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2006.
  3. ↑ Ken Phillips Publicity Group – Switchfoot Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. 1 2 3 Foreman, Jonathan. "Switchfoot 'Meant To Live' Sheet Music in B Minor - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Capitol Christian Music Group.
  5. ↑ Foreman, Jonathan. "Switchfoot 'This Is Your Life' Guitar Tab in D Minor - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Capitol Christian Music Group.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maginnis, Heather (February 25, 2003). "Switchfoot Meant to Live – Song Review by Heather Phares". AllMusic .
  7. ↑ 2005 Dove Awards - 36th Annual Dove Awards Archived December 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine on About.com; Jones, Kim
  8. ↑ "Issue 760" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  9. ↑ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1565. July 23, 2004. p. 25. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  10. ↑ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1551. April 16, 2004. p. 59. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Switchfoot – Meant to Live" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Switchfoot Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Switchfoot Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Switchfoot Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Switchfoot Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Switchfoot Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  19. ↑ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 43.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2004". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Year-End Charts – Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks – 2004". Billboard.biz. 2004. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Year in Music & Touring". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-75. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  23. ↑ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor . Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
  24. ↑ "American single certifications – Switchfoot – Meant to Live". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1488. January 24, 2003. p. 30. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1508. June 16, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  27. ↑ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1540. January 30, 2004. p. 23. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Uge 28+33" [Week 28+33](PDF) (in Danish). Sony Music Denmark. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2004. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  30. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26/07/2004" (PDF). ARIA. July 24, 2004. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Meant to Live". Amazon . Retrieved July 2, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.