The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said, "Each day's a gift and not a given right"
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
(What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday? (Would you? Would you?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
If today was your last day
(What if? What if?)
(If today was your last day)
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live it like you're never livin' twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
(What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday? (Would you? Would you?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies? (Could you? Could you?)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love? (Finally fall in love)
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark
By mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late
To shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind
A moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time
Are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies? (Could you? Could you?)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love? (What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
He said, "Each day's a gift and not a given right"
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
(What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday? (Would you? Would you?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
If today was your last day
(What if? What if?)
(If today was your last day)
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live it like you're never livin' twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
(What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday? (Would you? Would you?)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies? (Could you? Could you?)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love? (Finally fall in love)
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark
By mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late
To shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind
A moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time
Are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you have? (Would you? Would you?)
And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies? (Could you? Could you?)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love? (What if? What if?)
If today was your last day
Lyrics submitted by nicoleeelove
If Today Was Your Last Day Lyrics as written by Chad Kroeger
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In a short summary what would you do if you knew you were leaving the earth tomorrow. Would u be good or bad. Live it for yourself or others look for your true love it's all up to u it's never to late to try for what you want move the obstacles from your path
Totally agree with you!! :)
Love these lyrics. This song hits home really hard for me. Its pretty straightforward tho...make the most of what's given to you and let nothing stand in the way of your hopes and dreams. Good message
Agreed.... Straightforward might be better in this instance.... Just concidering that if it wasn't, it might not make the impression that it does. Just saying.
I agree 100%
Rediscovered this song. The uplifting message is hardly original but who cares. It's moving and so well done I'll be obsessing for a while. Haters? Really? Get a clue.
IMO this song is meant to open your mind. you could die tomoro for all you know. live your life your way. make friends. forgive enemies. take a chance. dont let anyone tell you what to do. always live. find your one and only. do it all today incase you cant tomorrow. this song makes me realize that even tho my life is hell right now i can ALWAYS change that by living it to the fullest. it makes me glad to have a wonderful gf to be there with me <3 mk
i could've sworn that it said "leave old bitches in the past" but i guess i am wrong...
haha!<br /> it does sound like that!
I didn't think it until you mentioned it. But yes it does sound a LOT like that.
lol ik i thought it was until i looked up the lyrics and was like o ok
Defenetly "leave all biches in the past" lol. I've search by this phrase in ggl. Got here)))
I thought he said that as well. He emphasizes the first consonant too much. Why would you do that if the word was just pictures?
freakin Canadiens and their weird "pictures" pronounciation
Lol, that's funny. Like malcite I didn't think of it 'til you said anything. :)<br />
lmao didnt think until i read your comment and listened again!!
dear nirvanadude, what the hell does that mean "freakin canadians and their picture prononciations?!?!" wtf? what about other countries that can't even spell "Canadians". IT'S AN A NOT A FREAKIN E!C-A-N-A-D-I-A-N-S. do you think Chad Kroeger just purposly mispronoces the word because he's from CANADA, or the fact that he just slurs his words?
The part I don't understand is the "leave old pictures in the past" Can someone please explain that part.
Other than that, lovers this song!
It means accepting the past so you can live for today.
leave old pictures in the past i think refers to concentrating on the life ahead and not dwelling on past experience
this song has the most meaning of any song ive ever heard, second being this afternoon also by nickelback.this song opens your eyes to what you would have left unsaid if you were to die tomorrow. well i cant accomplish any of that stuff cos im contemplating suicide.actually this song has made me realisew how shit my life really is
Don't do it. Don't let a song influence you!
dont kill yourself. just dont do it. try(just try) praying. and see if it changes your life. it did mine. just try please
PLEASE DONT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T...Your life would only get worse if you do...don't...as the other person said..pray...cry out to Jesus..he will help you..Just please dont!!!<br /> <br /> ~God bless~
Please, don't do it dude, life will get better. It might take a long time but it does get better, I assure you.
"Your life would only get worse if you do."<br /> <br /> No, it would end. Lolz.<br /> <br /> "cry out to Jesus."<br /> <br /> Don't put your faith in imaginary characters, either.<br /> <br /> Still, don't commit suicide because of Nickelback. I know they're pretty awful but you're not on your own.
Don't do it. You'll never have another chance at life. Why ruin it?
what does against the grain should be teh way of life mean?
well going with the grain is a term to say go with the flow, following the grain, if that makes sense.<br /> what they are trying to say is go againest the grain do what you want, dont follow someone or something else, do something for yourself your own way.
This song sends out an important message that LIFE IS TOO SHORT, and what would you do if you knew you wouldn't be here tommorrow ......
Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past
We are sometimes afraid of living life to the full, because of what other people think, or they wouldn't approve or you're too scared of asking that special someone out... or saying i Love you. We shouldn't take the people in our lives for granted because the reality is one day they won't be there anymore and all we will be left with is memories of what if? Live life to fullest like today was your last day and dont be afraid to get out there and achieve your dreams!! DOn't forget about the old friends as well as the knew, and dont linger on hatred and jealousy, be happy for who you are and what you stand for!!
simply amazing