Die Trying

Album: Vices and Virtues (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the lead single from Vices and Virtues, the second studio album by Canadian rock band Art of Dying. Produced by Howard Benson (Papa Roach, Three Doors Down), the record was the band's major label debut after signing under David Draiman and Dan Donegan's Intoxication records.
  • The song finds vocalist Jonny Hetherington singing, "I wish I knew then what I know now / but I'd probably do the same." "That line sums up a lot for me," the singer told Noisecreep. "There's definitely a little smile behind it when I'm singing it. It's kind of like - will I ever learn? Of course the answer is, not a chance [laughs]."
  • Vices and Virtues was released on March 22, 2011, the same day as Panic At The Disco released the very similarly titled Vices & Virtues.
  • Hetherington explained the band's name to Gibson.com: "It's the idea that the day you're born is your first day on the planet, but it's also your first day in your eventual path to your death. It's a dark way to think of it, but once you embrace the thought you're not going to last forever, it makes your time here more important. That's how we live, and there's seriousness to it in the sense that it's really cool to try to accomplish something while you're here, but there's also an enjoyment side of things and making sure you don't take yourself too seriously. We're a fun band that likes to have a lot of fun every day, too. So it's that combination of life."

Comments: 1

  • Guy from Woodinville, WaNot to be confused with "Art of Dying" by George Harrison on his All Things Must Pass album in 1970.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."