If I Die

Album: Guitar Slinger (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Vince Gill covers two common country music themes in "If I Die": drinking and cheating. He told Roughstock: "I don't think I've written a song in years that has had the most immediate impact with people that this song does. I wrote this with Ashley Monroe and she had the start of it, 'If I die a-drinkin'.' Then I said, 'That song would be interesting if it went from drinking to something different. If it wasn't all about that.' So it went from, 'If I die a-drinkin', that is just who I am,' to, 'If I die a-cheatin', I will live with the shame.' Then I said, 'This could be really neat if it went the complete opposite way. If I die a singer, the last song I'll ever sing is 'When the Saints Go Marching In.'

    The last verse is, 'If I die a-praying to Jesus on my knees, everyone I've ever loved will be waiting there for me.' It goes from what you think is this drinking song to this really powerful ending."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.