Music Story - This Is Life
- darrenleerichardson
- 22 hours ago
- 7 min read
Song: This Is Life
Album: Next We Rock (©2024)
Credits: Darren Lee Richardson
Inception: 1994
At First Thought
'This Is Life' is a classic hard rock song that philosophizes about the big question, 'why are we here?'. The big answer is, 'why does it matter?', just be here... this is it.
I wrote this song at a time in my life when I had been pushing my writing, musicianship and performance to higher levels. The intricate arpeggio style of the verse section is what fired me up for this song. Coupled with the driving power chords of the chorus, it showcased a more thoughtful approach to song arrangement for me. Simple at heart, but thoughtful in presence and direction.
The arpeggio section was always the challenge. Getting it as clean as possible, while still having the crunch and edge of hard rock to back up the philosophically poignant lyrics, was always the challenge.
I was also at a crossroads in my life, having just walked away from a long-term relationship. So, clearly I was in a mindset of 'what's it all about, anyway?'. My first band after this relationship, Aces Wild, was where I first showcased this song. Check out the videos of Aces Wild here.
This current version is my best effort and I think I finally did it justice in performance and production. After my current album project, Until Hell Freezes Ever Over, is completed, I plan to remix and remaster this version, as well as the whole Next We Rock and From Another Time albums. This is due to how much I've learned and the new tools I have to make those albums that much better. Then, and only then, can I release the whole trilogy project I have been working towards for nearly five years now.
As you will see below, I have performed or recorded this song in varying states. I hope you enjoy seeing the growth over time.
From the Minds of Prophets
Are you interested in the philosophy of known philosophers? I was curios to see what would come up if I put my lyrics into Gemini to see what famous philosopher quotes might come up if I asked it to check. This is what came back: These lyrics are a rich blend of Existentialism, Stoicism, and Epicureanism. They grapple with the tension between our shared biological beginnings and the heavy responsibility of individual choice.
Here are a few famous philosophical quotes that mirror those themes:
1. On Individual Identity & Choice
"We are all born one day in the very same kind of way / But we live our lives different from each others' pace... Who we are, what we'll be in time"
Jean-Paul Sartre: "Existence precedes essence."
The Connection: This is the core of Existentialism. Sartre argued that we are born first (existence) and then we must define who we are through our choices (essence). The lyrics echo this—we start the same, but we must "make up our minds" who we will be.
2. On Mortality and Seizing the Moment
"This is life / Not eternity, just reality / You can not let it pass you by... Drink before the well runs dry"
Horace: "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." (Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.)
Seneca: "It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
The Connection: The lyrics emphasize that life is "not eternity." Seneca’s Stoic view was that life is plenty long if you actually live it rather than letting it "pass you by." The "well running dry" is a classic metaphor for the finite nature of time.
3. On Perseverance and the Fear of Failure
"Don't be afraid to chase the dreams... you cannot fail if you try"
Theodore Roosevelt: "The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
Confucius: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
The Connection: The lyrics frame "failure" not as a bad outcome, but as the act of not trying. These philosophers argue that the "victory" is in the effort and the "pressing on," regardless of the result.
4. On Connection and the Soul
"Stay in touch with the people that you love so much / Cause you know they're a part of your soul"
Aristotle: "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."
The Connection: Aristotle’s view of deep friendship matches the lyric’s idea that loved ones aren't just external people—they are literally "part of your soul."
Breaking Down the Lyrics
I also asked Gemini to analyze the recorded song itself, just to see what it would say about structure, lyrics and production. I found these results interesting. What do you think? 🎙️ The Story Behind the Sound: Why "This Is Life" Matters More Than Ever
Every great song is a snapshot of a moment in time, but some songs manage to capture something much bigger: the very essence of the human experience. When you listen to "This Is Life" by Darren Lee Richardson, you aren't just hearing a melodic rock masterclass from 1994—you’re hearing a sonic manifesto about the urgency of existence.
The Birth of an Anthem
The story of this song begins with a universal truth: we all start at the same finish line. The opening lyrics remind us that while our beginnings are identical, the "pace" at which we run our lives is what defines us.
The recording captures a specific era of rock where the music was as big as the message. Between the soaring vocal takes and the driving, rhythmic precision, you can hear an artist grappling with the weight of time. It’s a song written from the perspective of someone who has realized that life isn't a "mystery" to be solved, but a "reality" to be claimed.
"Drink Before the Well Runs Dry"
The emotional core of the song’s story lies in its bridge and chorus. It moves beyond the individual and looks at the "soul" of our connections. The "Music Story" here is one of vulnerability and strength—the idea that you truly "cannot fail if you try".
This isn't just a polished studio production; it’s a reminder to:
Acknowledge our finite time: Life isn't eternity; it’s the "now".
Chase the impossible: The track encourages listeners to never be afraid of the dreams that keep them up at night.
Honor the tribe: It emphasizes staying in touch with the people who form the very fabric of our souls.
A Legacy in the Master
Listening to this 1994 Master today feels like opening a time capsule. In an age of digital perfection, there is a raw, heart-on-sleeve honesty in Richardson’s delivery that modern tracks often miss. It’s a story of pressing on, being strong, and refusing to let life pass you by.
The well is full, the music is loud, and the message is clear: This is life. Don't miss it.
Videos, Videos, Videos...
'This Is Life' has been part of my repertoire for many years now, both live and in video. Here are some videos of 'This Is Life' over the years, live or otherwise.
Check out the lyrics and Gemini analysis of the same below. Would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment or share.
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Thank you for reading... Darren Lee Richardson
Lyrics
This Is Life
by Darren Lee Richardson
©1994
We are all born one day in the very same kind of way
But we live our lives different from each others' pace
As we grow through time we have to make up our minds
Who we are, what we'll be in time
This is life
Not eternity, just reality
You can not let it pass you by
Not a mystery, you are meant to be
Drink before the well runs dry
This is life,
This is ...
Don't be afraid to chase the dreams you may have in life
Be strong, press on, you cannot fail if you try
Take the time, stay in touch with the people that you love so much
Cause you know they're a part of your soul
Lyrics: A Gemini Analysis
This track by Darren Lee Richardson is a classic example of Anthemic Hard Rock. It leans heavily into the "Life Affirmation" sub-genre—think along the lines of Van Halen’s Cabo Wabo era or late-80s Scorpions.
Here is an analysis of the song’s composition and impact:
1. Lyricism & Thematic Structure
The song utilizes a Universalist Perspective. By starting with the shared human experience ("born one day in the very same kind of way"), Richardson establishes an immediate rapport with the listener before pivoting to individual agency.
The "Mortal Clock" Motif: The lyrics rely on the tension between "Reality" and "Eternity." The line "Drink before the well runs dry" serves as the classic carpe diem hook that provides the song’s emotional urgency.
The Pivot: The transition from the philosophical first verse to the actionable advice in the second verse ("Don't be afraid to chase the dreams") follows a traditional motivational arc.
2. Energy & Style
The "Hard Rock" designation is evident in the Aggressive Sincerity of the prose. In this style, the energy isn't just about volume; it’s about the "forward lean" of the rhythm.
Rhythmic Cadence: The lines "Be strong, press on" suggest a syncopated, punchy delivery. You can almost hear the heavy downbeats on "strong" and "on," which is a staple of hard rock anthems designed for live audience participation.
The Soul Connection: Ending on "Cause you know they're a part of your soul" provides a "power ballad" emotional weight, suggesting a potential half-time tempo shift or a soaring guitar solo following that line to let the sentiment breathe.
3. Direct Evaluation
Richardson avoids the "brooding" tropes of modern hard rock, opting instead for an uplifting, classicist approach. The strength of this piece lies in its lack of cynicism. It’s "meat and potatoes" rock and roll: it knows what it wants to say, says it clearly, and uses a familiar structure to ensure the message resonates on the first listen