Dying to Live Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
[Chorus]
Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?
[Verse 2]
Hey, you know some people say that values are subjective
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
[Chorus]
Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?
[Verse 3]
You know I used to weave my words into confusion
And so I hope you'll understand me when I'm through
You know I used to live my life as an illusion
But reality will make my dream come true
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
[Chorus]
Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?
[Verse 2]
Hey, you know some people say that values are subjective
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
[Chorus]
Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?
[Verse 3]
You know I used to weave my words into confusion
And so I hope you'll understand me when I'm through
You know I used to live my life as an illusion
But reality will make my dream come true
About
Genius Annotation
You’re probably only here because this was the sample used in Runnin' (Dying to Live) by 2Pac and Biggie Smalls. When Eminem was spicing up Runnin' (From the Police), this was the sample he used. The sample is lines 4-8.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Fly Away
- 4.Let’s Get It On (Missing Lyrics)
- 7.Dying to Live
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Producer
Writer
Released in
1971
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