Soundgarden - The Day I Tried to Live

SURVEY: This song is mostly about trying to be less anti-social, but the lyrics sometimes give new meaning to the song. Is it possible that this song has more than one meaning?

Fun Facts: The time signature of this song is considered odd when compared to Soundgarden’s other works. It achieved moderate success, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 25 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Enjoy! All rights reserved to Soundgarden and A&M Records. No copyright infringement intended.

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[MidStaryNight]

Chris said this song was about him forcing himself to go outside the house and be with people doing normal things like everyone else does. He didn’t want to hide away in a cave but he really didn’t want to be out and about either. My family is the same way. Some of us are just fine staying home for days on end. And just because someone is pretty or good looking doesn’t mean we feel the confidence to get out there.
Me and Chris were born the same year, grew up quite the same but him in Seattle and me in Detroit. Drugs can mess you up and then you need drugs to deal with the world. Great song, awesome band.

[jonnybingo]

The second time he sings “I woke the same as any other day, you know I... SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN BED!!!!” as the screen turns red, it gives me chills every time I hear him scream that line and watch the lyrics. RIP Chris it’s really just so sad.

[sstaners]

“Words you say never seem to live up to the ones inside your head.” Wow, so true.

[sd]

It must really suck to wake up every day knowing your not going to be able to live the day as yourself, but instead conform to whomever you are spending time around.

[PITTBUL]

R.I.P Chris Cornell... You will be missed. This is one of my favorite songs by Soundgarden.

[NotebookLives]

God, his voice and range is untouchable...

[bigc]

Back when I first heard this in 97, I didn't 'get it'. And now fully realizing the extent of my depression and anxiety 20 plus years later, I get it and it makes me want to cry because I like many other people in this thread have felt this way before too often. Miss you Chris, so damn much.

[jeffcat]

1 of the best Soundgarden songs ever. Chris let loose on this track, bass hard as hell, insane guitar n drummer was in a zone. Songs like this CEMENTED Soundgarden as 1 of the all time greatest ever. Im from the N.E. not the N.W. Where this whole sound originated but as soon as I heard Soundgarden for the 1st time, I had them blaring as loud as I could driving around CT. B4 anyone even knew who or what that kind of sound coming out of Seattle was. RIP Chris The TRUE ROCK

[yjjeeper]

I think this is one of the most personally descriptive songs he ever wrote. Much deeper than depression. Soul vs. nature vs. instinct. We human beings are wicked things, to survive in this sick world you have to be and that's just too much of a cross to bare for some of us. RIP Chris

[BritneyGrills]

Chris Cornell songs resonate so deeply with me. I meet a lot of people who claim to be anti social but they aren't on my level..

[chele]

Chris is in heaven teaching the angels how to sing.

[neilferguson]

They lyrics are indeed the words of the weary in this World. We all have felt it

[adamlv]

I choked up all day about Chris. The more that death comes haunting I fear it less. A couple years ago my little brother died and that was the day the destruction of my whole world was complete. Now that somebody so close to me fell, I have come to realize something. When someone dies they are immortalized the way they were. You will never again see that person suffer or get old and terminally ill. You remember them and miss them the way that they were. It is the crowning moment of our lives and I have come to embrace the thought of it and face it with a smile.

[annnelson]

No better description of how it feels to be an impostor in your own life. The power of personal demons is never to be underestimated. Hope you found some peace, Chris.

[captainpiefox]

Love this song. That bass line is simple, but killer

[amrikan]

it's about depression. I myself have struggled with thoughts of suicide. he's telling himself he can be like all the happy people in the world. which it turns out that he lying to himself because people suck.

[Chrismiklas]

The lyrics in this song are amazing. I can actually picture a short movie in my head as the song goes on.

[Chiefs]

Thank you Chris, just for being yourself. Your music touched my heart and helped me through some heavy shit, never be another like you. RIP Chris Cornell

[ericmelto]

The hardest lyric for me was. I dangled from the power lines and let the martyrs’ stretch. You guys tell me if I’m right or wrong. I was barely hanging on to what I believed was the power and if any hero touched me they would die.

[SuttonSantiniPaulo]

The ending with “just like you” along with music gives it a soft kinda happy feel that changes the dynamic.