I Lived

"I Lived"
Single by OneRepublic
from the album Native
Released September 23, 2014
Format Digital download
Recorded 2012
Length 3:55
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ryan Tedder
  • Noel Zancanella
OneRepublic singles chronology
"Love Runs Out"
(2014)
"I Lived"
(2014)

"I Lived" is a song recorded by American pop rock band OneRepublic. It was released as the sixth single from the album, Native (2014). It was originally planned to be released as the fifth single in January 2014, but was shelved in favor of "Love Runs Out".[1]

Conception

Tedder noted that he wrote the song for his four-year-old son. In an interview with People magazine, he said, "The whole idea, to quote the late great Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society, is very much 'carpe diem'." He said that "it's absolutely universal and applicable to everybody." Regarding the lyric "With every broken bone, I swear I live," Tedder said, "So for every day that you're on this earth, for every minute that you have, the whole idea is doing nothing less than exactly what you feel you're supposed to do and squeezing every last drop out of life every day, regardless of the difficulties or trials that you face." [2] As with other songs on the Native album, Tedder drew songwriting inspiration from U2, where he focused on writing songs from the heart and from personal experience.[3]

Music video

The music video was released on Vevo and YouTube on September 25, 2014. It is directed by Noble Jones. The idea was from Sophie Muller.[4] The video is dedicated to a 15-year-old fan of the band, Bryan Warnecke, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. [5] Bryan Warnecke talks about living with cystic fibrosis in the music video:

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that attacks the digestive system and slowly shuts down the lungs. I've been doing my treatments everyday of my life, so to me, it’s just one of those things that’s normal. My name is Bryan Warnecke and I've been living with cystic fibrosis for fifteen years. . . . When I first found out the life expectancy for the first time, it really scared me. Right now, it's about thirty-six. It’s just one of those things that really makes you appreciate life. It makes me appreciate where you are, as a person. I want to make the most out of my life and have as much fun as I possibly can and my biggest fear is not being able to do that.

In the video, Warnecke is seen bicycling, skateboarding, playing hockey and taking part in other leisure activities to make full use of his life. He also explains the fear of living with the disease. "It feels like I'm breathing through a straw," says the victim. "Whenever I try to breathe hard, it hurts. I want to make the most out of my life and have as much fun as I possibly can and my biggest fear is not being able to do that." The clip ends with Tedder driving Warnecke to the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado to watch Tedder and the band perform live.[6] A postscript notes that in 2014, "Bryan and his teammates have ridden over 1200 miles and raised $300,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research," and refers viewers to the website of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).

Promotion and release

On July 25, the group played "I Lived" on The Today Show as the viewers' most requested song.[7] They also performed it on The X Factor on October 26.

Remixes have been developed for the single. On September 18, Arty released a remix for the song, which he describes on his website as "taken elements from the original and worked them into a melody-drenched progressive house ballad, successfully repositioning the track for the dance floor."[8] On September 23, the remix EP was released, which included the Arty remix as well as a "gossamery electro-pop" remix from Carousel[9] and a remix by the band Heroic.[10][11]

On October 1, the group performed the song at the Mercedes-Benz media night for the Paris Motor Show to help launch the B-Class Electric Drive. The car is also featured in the music video.[12][13][14]

A remix was produced for the Coca-Cola [RED] campaign to fight AIDS.[2] It was done by Dave Aude and released on November 3,[15] with an iTunes release on November 24.[16]

"I Lived" was featured in an NBC commercial for The Office and Parks and Recreation. It was also used in the series finale of 90210,[17] as well as on various ESPN programs such as SportsCenter and First Take and in the first episode of The Michael J. Fox Show. It was also played at the end of the second episode of Red Band Society. It was also featured in a Chase Sapphire Preferred commercial.[18] The song was also contributed for the soundtrack of the 2014 film The Giver.[19] "I Lived" was the final song covered in the series finale of musical comedy-drama Glee.[20][21][22]

Reception

Marcus Floyd of Renowned for Sound gave the single four out of five stars, citing its finger-picking introduction as setting an easy and soothing atmosphere, and calling the overall song a catch and enlightening addition to their singles.[23] Camilla Cassidy of The Edge also gave it four out of five stars, describing the song as an anthem for hope and enpowerment, with meaningful lyrics and a wistful tone that inspires listeners, however, she found its delivery to be somewhat absent, and "neither somber nor particularly energetic".[24] Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush described the track as having "a funky, lived-in energy, and is looser than many of its counterparts. It also has more fun than any other track on the record."[25]

Emily Tan of Idolator grouped the song with "Counting Stars" and "Something I Need" as songs that "will keep core fans and AC radio listeners happy".[26] Haley Black of Highlight Magazine while not reviewing the song specifically in her Native review, listed "I Lived" along with "Au Revoir" as recommended track on the album.[27] Matt Collar of AllMusic grouped the song among the album's "clearing house for mainstream pop sensibilities".[28]

Colin Stutz of Billboard called the music video a touching tribute to Warnecke.[6]

Track listing

  1. "I Lived" – 3:55
  1. "I Lived (Arty Remix)" – 4:26
  2. "I Lived (Carousel Remix)" – 3:39
  3. "I Lived (Heroic Remix)" – 3:43
  4. "I Lived (iTunes Session)" – 3:59
  1. "I Lived ((RED) Remix)" – 4:17

Charts

Chart (2014–15) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[31] 86
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[32] 48
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[33] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[34] 29
Canada AC (Billboard)[35] 12
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[36] 28
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[37] 13
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[38] 19
France (SNEP)[39] 108
Germany (Media Control Charts)[40] 61
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[41] 11
Ireland (IRMA)[42] 44
Italy (FIMI)[43] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[44] 35
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 20)[45] 18
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[46] 12
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 29
US Billboard Hot 100[48] 32
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[49] 13
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 14
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 10
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[52] 34
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[53] 18

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Italy (FIMI)[54] Gold 15,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone

References

  1. "X Factor results: One Republic stun with I Lived VIDEO". Unreality TV. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Corinthos, Aurelie (November 24, 2014). "OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder Wrote This Song for His Son – And Now the Remix Will Help Fight AIDS". People.
  3. "How U2 Influenced OneRepublic’s Personal New Album". radio.com.
  4. "OneRepublic – I Lived – YouTube". OneRepublic, Vevo, Interscope Records and Mosley Music Group. September 25, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  5. Chau, Thomas (September 27, 2014). "OneRepublic's "I Lived" music video dedicated to fan with cystic fibrosis". Popcrush. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Stutz, Colin (September 25, 2014). "Watch OneRepublic's touching 'I Lived' video, dedicated to a fan with cystic fibrosis". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  7. Toyota Concert Series. "Which song did OneRepublic sing on TODAY? Find out here". TODAY.
  8. "OneRepublic I Lived Arty Remix Premiere". Arty Official Website. September 18, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. "Kick Kick Snare – [EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE] OneRepublic: I Lived (Carousel Remix)". Kick Kick Snare. October 22, 2014.
  10. Heroic (October 7, 2014). "It's out! It's out! It's out! OneRepublic "I Lived" Heroic Remix is out on iTunes and Spotify now" (FACEBOOK POST).
  11. "OneRepublic: I Lived (Remix EP)". Google Play. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  12. "Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Makes Appearance In One Republic "I Lived" Video". insideevs.com.
  13. "B-Class Electric Drive appears in music video "I lived" by OneRepublic: OneRepublic singer Ryan Tedder becomes Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador – Daimler Global Media Site > Brands & Products > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars > Sales & Marketing". daimler.com. September 30, 2014.
  14. "Recharge Wrap-up: Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive is a rock star, FedEx tests electric trucks". autogreenmag.com.
  15. "Coca-Cola RED Featuring OneRepublic". The Coca-Cola Company.
  16. "iTunes – Music – I Lived ([RED] Remix) – Single by OneRepublic". iTunes.
  17. The Office Promos (April 27, 2013). "The Office: Livin' the Dream clips". OfficeTally. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  18. "Chase Sapphire Preferred TV Commercial, 'Dear World' Song by OneRepublic". iSpot.tv. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  19. "LISTEN: OneRepublic 'The Giver' Soundtrack Song 'Ordinary Human' Recalls Modern U2". Music Times. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  20. "Jane Lynch says #Glee will flash back to 2009 & the pilot before jumping to 2020 w/ the cast covering One Republic's I Lived in the finale." Lesley Goldberg on Twitter. February 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  21. Exton, Emily (February 25, 2015). "Jane Lynch Reveals What Song the ‘Glee’ Cast Will Sing in the Series Finale". VH1.
  22. "We're so honored that the cast of @GLEEonFOX will be singing #ILived in the series finale episode on @FOXTV!" OneRepublic on Twitter. February 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  23. "Renowned for Sound – Single Review: OneRepublic – ‘I Lived’". October 6, 2014.
  24. Camilla Cassidy. "Review: OneRepublic – ‘I Lived’". The Edge.
  25. "OneRepublic, ‘Native’ – Album Review". PopCrush.
  26. Tan, Emily (March 26, 2013). "One Republic’s ‘Native’: Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  27. Black, Haley (March 21, 2013). "OneRepublic – Native". Highlight Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  28. Matt Collar. "Native – OneRepublic – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic.
  29. "iTunes – Music – I Lived (EP) by OneRepublic". iTunes. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  30. "iTunes – Music – I Lived ([RED] Remix) – Single by OneRepublic". iTunes. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  31. "Australian-charts.com – OneRepublic – I Lived". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  32. "Austriancharts.at – OneRepublic – I Lived" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  33. "Ultratop.be – OneRepublic – I Lived" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  34. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  35. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada AC for OneRepublic. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  36. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for OneRepublic. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  37. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada Hot AC for OneRepublic. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  38. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20153 into search. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  39. "Lescharts.com – OneRepublic – I Lived" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  40. "Officialcharts.de – OneRepublic – I Lived". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  41. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  42. "Chart Track: Week 47, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  43. "Italiancharts.com – OneRepublic – I Lived". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  44. "Charts.org.nz – OneRepublic – I Lived". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  45. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 20. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  46. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20154 into search. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  47. "8, 2014/ Archive Chart: November 8, 2014" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  48. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  49. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  50. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for OneRepublic. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  51. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  52. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  53. "OneRepublic Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for OneRepublic. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  54. "Italian single certifications – OneRepublic – I Lived" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2015. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter OneRepublic in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically

External links