| "The Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Hinder | ||||
| from the album All American Nightmare | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Studio | Barcode Studios (Oklahoma)
| |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | Universal Records [1] | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Austin John Winkler, Cody Hanson, The Warren Brothers | |||
| Producer(s) | Kevin Churko | |||
| Hinder singles chronology | ||||
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"The Life" is a single by the American rock band, Hinder. The song was released on December 7, 2010 as track #5 on their third studio album, All American Nightmare via Universal Republic Records. [2] The Life was officially released as the album's third single on October 11, 2011. [3] [4]
Hinder began recording new music in early 2010 while still out on the road touring in support of Take It to the Limit. [5] After initially considering working with Howard Benson, the band changed directions and decided to work with Kevin Churko to produce the new songs instead. [6]
When interviewed about the the song's writing and recording process, the band revealed they took a new approach to the writing process from the process with their previous albums, with lead vocalist Austin John Winkler and drummer Cody Hanson worked on around 70 songs during the process. [7] Winkler stated, "We normally do whatever the label wants. [8] [9] But for this record, we had to do something different. We had to mix it up a little bit." Recording was split between Hanson's personal home studio in Oklahoma for the instrumental tracks while vocals were recorded in Winkler's home studio in Las Vegas for vocals. [10]
"The Life" is a reflective ballad that delves into the gap between dreams and reality, [11] [12] in a interview with Sue White from MLive lead singer Austin John Winkler described the song as his personal favorite, highlighting its slower, introspective style, explaining how the lyrics explore how life often unfolds differently than imagined, even when achieving significant goals. Winkler further elaborated by sharing a story how he once believed that signing a record deal would bring instant wealth and a carefree lifestyle, only to find the reality far more demanding. He illustrated this theme with the analogy that "You could be named President of the United States, and I'll bet it's nothing once you're there like what you imagined in your head." [13] That sentiment is woven throughout the song's narrative, emphasizing the unpredictability of success and the struggle to find balance amid the highs and lows of life on the road. [14] [15]
"The Life" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 19 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot 100. [16]
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard) [17] | 119 |
Technical personnel