We're All Gonna Die

Album: released as a single (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • AJ Smith takes on mortality in this track, which he wrote with Jason Lane and his drummer, Dru Marshall. Smith explained: "A global pandemic, world war, recession, sentient AI around the corner, and so much more later, the existential dread and mental health struggles are at an all-time high. In one of my recent therapy sessions, my therapist brought up the latin phrase, 'memento mori' - remember that you die - and he challenged me to consider that the inevitability of death can create a sense of freedom rather than dread. My drummer and I started writing this song in the car, just tapping on the dashboard. And we conquered the phrase 'We're All Gonna Die' so that it's not sad, but rather triumphant. Just like the phrase memento mori, the song is simultaneously full of dread and hope, but in the end, it's a rather optimistic view, greeting the inevitability with open arms and saying, 'we're all gonna die, we just don't know when, let's make the most of the time that we got left.'"
  • The music video was shot at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York, with Evan Deng directing. Seemingly role playing in different alternate realities, it becomes clear AJ is trapped, forced to continue experiencing climactic events that he eventually attempts to escape.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."