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{{Short description|2003 single by Switchfoot}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Meant to Live
| name =
| cover = SwitchfootMTL.jpg
| cover = Meant to Live single cover.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Switchfoot]]
| artist = [[Switchfoot]]
| album = [[The Beautiful Letdown]] {{no italic|and}} [[Spider-Man 2 (soundtrack)|Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man 2]]
| album = [[The Beautiful Letdown]]
| released = {{ubl|January 27, 2003|June 17, 2003 (radio)|}}
| released = {{start date|2003|1|27}}
| recorded =
| format = [[Compact disc|CD]]
| recorded = 2002
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| venue =
| genre =
| genre = * [[Post-grunge]]
* [[Alternative rock]]
* [[post-grunge]]
* [[hard rock]]
| length = 3:27
| length = 3:27
| label =
| label = * [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* [[RED Ink Records|RED Ink]]
* [[Sony BMG]]
| writer = * [[Jon Foreman]]
| writer =
* [[Jon Foreman]]
* [[Tim Foreman]]
* [[Tim Foreman]]
| producer = John Fields
| producer = [[John Fields (record producer)|John Fields]]
| prev_title = You Already Take Me There
| prev_title = You Already Take Me There
| prev_year = 2000
| prev_year = 2000
| next_title = [[More Than Fine]]
| next_title = [[More Than Fine]]
| next_year = 2003
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|OXcrEVFZOXs|"Meant to Live"}}}}
| misc =
{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Meant to Live.ogg
}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|OXcrEVFZOXs|"Meant to Live"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''Meant to Live'''" is a single by [[alternative rock]] band [[Switchfoot]]. "Meant to Live" was released to radio on January 27, 2003. The song peaked at number five on the [[Modern Rock Tracks|US Modern Rock chart]] and U.S. [[Adult Top 40]] chart, number six on U.S. Top 40 radio, and number 18 on the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. In April 2005, the song was certified gold in the United States.<ref name="RIAA">[https://archive.today/20130104155812/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Switchfoot&format=SINGLE&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - Switchfoot singles]</ref>


"Meant to Live" is the first track on the group's 2003 major-label debut album ''[[The Beautiful Letdown]].'' The single is generally regarded as the song that helped the band achieve mainstream success.
"'''Meant to Live'''" is a single by [[alternative rock]] band [[Switchfoot]]. "Meant to Live" was released to radio on June 17, 2003.<ref name=FMQB>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 |title=FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock |publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated |accessdate=October 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424132036/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 |archivedate=April 24, 2013 |df= }}</ref> It peaked at number five on the [[Modern Rock Tracks|US Modern Rock chart]] and U.S. [[Adult Top 40]] chart, number six on U.S. Top 40 radio, and number 18 on the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. It is the first track on the group's 2003 major-label debut album ''[[The Beautiful Letdown]]'', and was also featured in a [[United Kingdom|UK]] version of a ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' "inspired by" album. In April 2005, the song was certified gold in the United States.<ref name=RIAA>[https://archive.today/20130104155812/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Switchfoot&format=SINGLE&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - Switchfoot singles]</ref> The single is generally regarded as the song that helped the band achieve mainstream success.

The song was also featured in the UK version of the [[Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man 2|soundtrack]] for the film ''[[Spider-Man 2]]''. In 2023, an orchestral version of the song featuring vocals by singer-songwriter [[Jon Bellion]] was released under the title "Meant to Live (Jon Bellion Version)".


==Background==
==Background==
Lyrically, "Meant to Live" was inspired by [[T. S. Eliot|T. S. Eliot's]] poem "[[The Hollow Men]]". About the song, singer/writer [[Jon Foreman]] has said, "Maybe the kid in the song is me, hoping that I'm meant for more than arguments and failed attempts to fly. Something deep inside of me yearns for the beautiful, the true. I want more than what I've been sold; I want to live life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/trivia/a/aaSFbtsTBL.htm|title=Switchfoot - Behind the Songs - The Beautiful Letdown|author=Kim Jones|work=About.com Entertainment}}</ref> According to Foreman, this song was also inspired by [[U2]]'s "[[I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For]]".<ref>[http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/sfguitarworld2.htm Ken Phillips Publicity Group - Switchfoot<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021025333/http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/sfguitarworld2.htm |date=2007-10-21 }}</ref>
Lyrically, "Meant to Live" was inspired by [[T. S. Eliot|T. S. Eliot's]] poem "[[The Hollow Men]]". Singer/writer [[Jon Foreman]] has said, "Maybe the kid in the song is me, hoping that I'm meant for more than arguments and failed attempts to fly. Something deep inside of me yearns for the beautiful, the true. I want more than what I've been sold; I want to live life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/trivia/a/aaSFbtsTBL.htm|title=Switchfoot - Behind the Songs - The Beautiful Letdown|author=Kim Jones|work=About.com Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2006|archive-date=June 18, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618134227/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/trivia/a/aaSFbtsTBL.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to Foreman, this song was also inspired by [[U2]]'s "[[I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For]]".<ref>[http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/sfguitarworld2.htm Ken Phillips Publicity Group – Switchfoot<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021025333/http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/sfguitarworld2.htm |date=October 21, 2007}}</ref>


This track refers to [[C.S. Lewis]]'s novel "[[Out of the Silent Planet]]" with the lyric "Maybe we're bent and broken."
This track refers to [[C.S. Lewis]]'s novel ''[[Out of the Silent Planet]]'' with the lyric "Maybe we're bent and broken."


It also refers to [[John Steinbeck]]'s novel ''[[Of Mice and Men]]'', in the lyric "Dreaming about Providence and whether mice or men have second tries."
It also refers to [[John Steinbeck]]'s novel ''[[Of Mice and Men]]'', in the lyric "Dreaming about Providence and whether mice or men have second tries."


==Composition==
==Composition==
"Meant to Live" is an [[alternative rock]] song that lasts for a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds.<ref name="Foreman">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0046541|title=Switchfoot 'Meant To Live' Sheet Music in B Minor - Download & Print|author=[[Jon Foreman|Foreman, Jonathan]]|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Capitol Christian Music Group]]|access-date=}}</ref> According to the [[sheet music]] published at Musicnotes.com by [[Capitol Christian Music Group|Capitol CMG]], it is written in the [[time signature]] of [[Time signature#Most frequent time signatures|common time]], with a heavy, moderately slow rock [[tempo]] of 76 [[Tempo#Beats per minute|beats per minute]].<ref name="Foreman"/> "Meant to Live" is composed in the [[Key (music)|key]] of B Minor, while Jon Foreman's [[vocal range]] spans one [[octave]] and three [[Note (music)|notes]], from a low of [[D (musical note)|D<sub>4</sub>]] to a high of [[G (musical note)|G{{music|sharp}}<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name="Foreman"/> The song has a basic sequence of B5-A5-E5-G5-A5-B5-A5-E5-D5-G5-E5-A5 during its [[Introduction (music)|introduction]], changes to G5-F#5-D5-E5-D5-F#5-D5 in the verses, follows G5-A5-B5-E5-G5-E5 at the refrain, has Dsus2-G6-Dsus2-G6-Dsus2-Em7-Csus2-G5 during its bridge and concludes with Dsus2-G6-B5-A5-E5 in the [[Conclusion (music)|outro]] as its [[chord progression]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0061185|title=Switchfoot 'This Is Your Life' Guitar Tab in D Minor - Download & Print|author=[[Jon Foreman|Foreman, Jonathan]]|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Capitol Christian Music Group]]|access-date=}}</ref>
"Meant to Live" is an alternative rock song that lasts for a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds.<ref name="Foreman">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0046541|title=Switchfoot 'Meant To Live' Sheet Music in B Minor - Download & Print|author=Foreman, Jonathan|author-link=Jon Foreman|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Capitol Christian Music Group]]}}</ref> According to the [[sheet music]] published at Musicnotes.com by [[Capitol Christian Music Group|Capitol CMG]], it is written in the [[time signature]] of [[Time signature#Frequently used time signatures|common time]], with a heavy, moderately slow rock [[tempo]] of 76 [[Tempo#Beats per minute|beats per minute]].<ref name="Foreman"/> "Meant to Live" is composed in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[B minor]], while Jon Foreman's [[vocal range]] spans one [[octave]] and three [[Note (music)|notes]], from a low of [[D (musical note)|D<sub>3</sub>]] to a high of [[G (musical note)|G{{music|sharp}}<sub>4</sub>]].<ref name="Foreman"/>


The song has a incensed [[post-grunge]] [[guitar riff|riff]] driven by heavy guitars.<ref name="Phares"/>
The song has a lumbering, incensed [[post-grunge]] [[guitar riff|riff]] driven by heavy guitars. During its yearning [[Bridge (music)|bridge]], the musical composition momentarily shifts to shimmery [[Folk rock|folk-rock]].<ref name="Phares"/> "Meant to Live" features lead singer [[Jon Foreman|Jonathan Foreman]] intoning strong melodies which unite the song's different parts.<ref name="Phares"/> His lyrical content has a uniquely melancholic yet hopeful tone.<ref name="Phares"/> Foreman's vulnerable verses contain world-weary lines: "Maybe we've been living with our eyes half open/Maybe we're bent and broken."<ref name="Phares"/> They express a subtly inspirational feeling as well as suggestion to delve deeper or look higher for fulfillment.<ref name="Phares"/> "Meant to Live" also harbors some political sentiments, containing the topical lines, "we want more than the wars of our fathers."<ref name="Phares"/>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Comparing its [[guitar riff]] to that of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s ''[[In Utero]]'' while complimenting the timelessness of its sentiments, [[AllMusic]]'s claims that the song "has its cake and eats it too, musically and lyrically speaking."<ref name="Phares"/> She continued writing, "Meant to Live"'s sympathetic, [[Idealism|idealistic]] (not preachy) viewpoint, combined with its powerful guitars, make the song successful as both an [[alternative CCM]] and [[modern rock]] single.<ref name="Phares">{{cite web |author=Maginnis, Heather |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/meant-to-live-mt0005844617|title=Switchfoot Meant to Live – Song Review by Heather Phares|website=[[AllMusic]] |date=2003-02-25|accessdate=|authorlink=Heather Phares}}</ref>
Heather Phares of [[AllMusic]]'s claims that the song "has its cake and eats it too, musically and lyrically speaking."<ref name="Phares"/> She continued writing, "Meant to Live"'s sympathetic, [[Idealism|idealistic]] (not preachy) viewpoint, combined with its powerful guitars, make the song successful as both an [[alternative CCM]] and [[modern rock]] single."<ref name="Phares">{{cite web |author=Maginnis, Heather |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/meant-to-live-mt0005844617|title=Switchfoot Meant to Live – Song Review by Heather Phares|website=[[AllMusic]] |date=February 25, 2003}}</ref>


==Music videos==
==Music videos==
There were three music videos made for this song. The first video features live performance footage, the second is a concept video depicting the band playing inside a house while the walls and insides are slowly being torn down, showing a resemblance to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" music video, which the "Meant to Live" video has been compared to, and a third video is mixed into clips from ''[[Spider-Man 2 (soundtrack)|Spider-Man 2]]'', and was released exclusively in the UK.
There were three music videos made for this song. The first video features live performance footage, the second is a concept video depicting the band playing inside a house while the walls and insides are slowly being torn down, showing a resemblance to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" music video, which the "Meant to Live" video has been compared to, and a third video is mixed into clips from ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'', and was released exclusively in the UK.


The first two videos featured audio mixed a key higher than the album version.
The first two videos featured audio mixed a key higher than the album version.

==Awards==
In 2005, the song was nominated for a [[Dove Awards]] for Song of the Year at the [[36th GMA Dove Awards]].<ref>[http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/aa36dovenoms.htm 2005 Dove Awards - 36th Annual Dove Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220045050/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/aa36dovenoms.htm |date=December 20, 2007 }} on About.com; Jones, Kim</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
;UK CD single
'''UK CD single'''
# "Meant to Live" (album version)
# "Meant to Live" (album version)
# "On Fire" (live)
# "On Fire" (live)
Line 63: Line 61:
# "Meant to Live" (video)
# "Meant to Live" (video)


==Vinyl==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
This song was also released on a 7" vinyl record. On the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] is the song "Monday Comes Around", which was cut from ''The Beautiful Letdown'' and is otherwise an unreleased song.
{{col-2}}


==Chart positions==
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2003)
!Chart (2003-2004)
!Peak<br>position
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Australiapandora|52|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20041019140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20041020-0000/issue760.pdf|urltitle=Issue 760|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
{{Singlechart|Australia|52|artist=Switchfoot|song=Meant to Live}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-07-23.pdf|title=R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1565|page=25|date=July 23, 2004|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref>
!Chart (2004)
|20
!Peak<br>position
|-
|-
|Canada Rock Top 30 ([[Radio & Records]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-04-16.pdf|title=RR Canada Rock Top 30|p=59|accessdate=October 6, 2019}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Canada Rock Top 30 (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-04-16.pdf|title=RR Canada Rock Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1551|page=59|date=April 16, 2004|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref>
|1
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
{{Singlechart|Dutch100|92|artist=Switchfoot|song=Meant to Live}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|92|artist=Switchfoot|song=Meant to Live|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Scotland|29|date=2004-08-08}}
{{single chart|Scotland|29|date=20040814|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|UK|29|date=20040814|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|UK Singles ([[The Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=Official Charts Company - Switchfoot |work=archive.is |df= }}</ref>
|align="center"|29
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|18|artist=Switchfoot|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]
|align="center"|18
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|5|artist=Switchfoot|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|US ''Billboard'' [[Modern Rock Tracks]]
|align="center"|5
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|5|artist=Switchfoot|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Top 40 Tracks]]
|align="center"|5
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|37|artist=Switchfoot|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|US ''Billboard'' [[Top 40 Mainstream]]
|align="center"|6
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|6|artist=Switchfoot|rowheader=true|access-date=October 15, 2020}}
|US ''Billboard'' [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]]
|}
|align="center"|36
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2003)
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=11|issue=51|page=43|date=December 19, 2003}}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Pop 100]]
|53
|align="center"|5
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2004)
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2004-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2004|website=billboardtop100of.com|access-date=November 6, 2021}}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Alternative Songs]]
|51
|align="center"|5
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2004/atftitl.jsp|title=Year-End Charts – Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks – 2004|website=Billboard.biz|year=2004|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009071806/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2004/atftitl.jsp|archive-date=October 9, 2012}}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Radio Songs]]
|21
|align="center"|19
|-
!scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA35|title=Year in Music & Touring|magazine=Billboard|volume=116|issue=52|page=YE-75|date=December 25, 2004|access-date=December 19, 2023}}</ref>
|18
|-
!scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs|magazine=[[Billboard Radio Monitor]]|volume=12|issue=51|page=29|date=December 17, 2004}}</ref>
|29
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


==Awards==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Switchfoot|title=Meant to Live|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|accessdate=September 2, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}


==Release history==
In 2005, the song was nominated for a [[Dove Awards]] for Song of the Year at the [[36th GMA Dove Awards]].<ref>[http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/aa36dovenoms.htm 2005 Dove Awards - 36th Annual Dove Awards] on About.com; Jones, Kim</ref>
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|United States
|January 27, 2003
|[[Alternative radio]]
|rowspan="3"|{{hlist|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[RED Ink Records|RED Ink]]}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-01-24.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1488|page=30|date=January 24, 2003|access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|June 16, 2003
|{{hlist|[[Mainstream rock]]|[[active rock]] radio}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-06-13.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1508|page=26|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771|title=FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424132036/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771|archive-date=April 24, 2013|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|February 2, 2004
|[[Hot adult contemporary]] radio
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-30.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1540|page=23|date=January 30, 2004|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Denmark
|July 12, 2004
|rowspan="3"|CD
|rowspan="3"|Columbia
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://130.227.53.55/pdf_katalog/sony_music_dk_28_33.pdf|title=Uge 28+33|trans-title=Week 28+33|publisher=[[Sony Music|Sony Music Denmark]]|page=8|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041123205948/http://130.227.53.55/pdf_katalog/sony_music_dk_28_33.pdf|archive-date=November 23, 2004|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Australia
|July 26, 2004
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue752.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26/07/2004|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|page=28|date=July 24, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040807-0000/issue752.pdf|archive-date=August 6, 2004|access-date=May 19, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|August 2, 2004
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meant-Live-Switchfoot/dp/B0002GSO9G|title=Meant to Live|publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 119: Line 168:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{YouTube|OXcrEVFZOXs|"Meant to Live" Music video}}
* {{YouTube|OXcrEVFZOXs|"Meant to Live" Music video}}
*{{MetroLyrics song|switchfoot|this-is-your-life}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Switchfoot}}
{{Switchfoot}}
{{Spider-Man films}}
{{Spider-Man films}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Switchfoot songs]]
[[Category:Switchfoot songs]]
Line 130: Line 179:
[[Category:Songs written by Jon Foreman]]
[[Category:Songs written by Jon Foreman]]
[[Category:Songs written by Tim Foreman]]
[[Category:Songs written by Tim Foreman]]
[[Category:Debut singles]]
[[Category:Post-grunge songs]]
[[Category:Post-grunge songs]]
[[Category:2003 songs]]
[[Category:2003 songs]]
[[Category:2004 songs]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Sony BMG singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by John Fields (record producer)]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by John Fields (record producer)]]
[[Category:Spider-Man (2002 film series)]]
[[Category:Spider-Man (2002 film series)]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 10 December 2024

"Meant to Live"
Single by Switchfoot
from the album The Beautiful Letdown
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2003 (2003-01-27)
Genre
Length3:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Fields
Switchfoot singles chronology
"You Already Take Me There"
(2000) 		"Meant to Live"
(2003) 		"More Than Fine"
(2003)
Music video
"Meant to Live" on YouTube

"Meant to Live" is a single by alternative rock band Switchfoot. "Meant to Live" was released to radio on January 27, 2003. The song peaked at number five on the US Modern Rock chart and U.S. Adult Top 40 chart, number six on U.S. Top 40 radio, and number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In April 2005, the song was certified gold in the United States.[1]

"Meant to Live" is the first track on the group's 2003 major-label debut album The Beautiful Letdown. The single is generally regarded as the song that helped the band achieve mainstream success.

The song was also featured in the UK version of the soundtrack for the film Spider-Man 2. In 2023, an orchestral version of the song featuring vocals by singer-songwriter Jon Bellion was released under the title "Meant to Live (Jon Bellion Version)".

Background

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Lyrically, "Meant to Live" was inspired by T. S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men". Singer/writer Jon Foreman has said, "Maybe the kid in the song is me, hoping that I'm meant for more than arguments and failed attempts to fly. Something deep inside of me yearns for the beautiful, the true. I want more than what I've been sold; I want to live life."[2] According to Foreman, this song was also inspired by U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".[3]

This track refers to C.S. Lewis's novel Out of the Silent Planet with the lyric "Maybe we're bent and broken."

It also refers to John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, in the lyric "Dreaming about Providence and whether mice or men have second tries."

Composition

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"Meant to Live" is an alternative rock song that lasts for a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds.[4] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Capitol CMG, it is written in the time signature of common time, with a heavy, moderately slow rock tempo of 76 beats per minute.[4] "Meant to Live" is composed in the key of B minor, while Jon Foreman's vocal range spans one octave and three notes, from a low of D3 to a high of G♯4.[4]

The song has a incensed post-grunge riff driven by heavy guitars.[5]

Critical reception

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Heather Phares of AllMusic's claims that the song "has its cake and eats it too, musically and lyrically speaking."[5] She continued writing, "Meant to Live"'s sympathetic, idealistic (not preachy) viewpoint, combined with its powerful guitars, make the song successful as both an alternative CCM and modern rock single."[5]

Music videos

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There were three music videos made for this song. The first video features live performance footage, the second is a concept video depicting the band playing inside a house while the walls and insides are slowly being torn down, showing a resemblance to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, which the "Meant to Live" video has been compared to, and a third video is mixed into clips from Spider-Man 2, and was released exclusively in the UK.

The first two videos featured audio mixed a key higher than the album version.

Awards

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In 2005, the song was nominated for a Dove Awards for Song of the Year at the 36th GMA Dove Awards.[6]

Track listing

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UK CD single

  1. "Meant to Live" (album version)
  2. "On Fire" (live)
  3. "The Beautiful Letdown" (live)
  4. "Meant to Live" (video)

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States January 27, 2003 Alternative radio
[24]
June 16, 2003
[25][26]
February 2, 2004 Hot adult contemporary radio [27]
Denmark July 12, 2004 CD Columbia [28]
Australia July 26, 2004 [29]
United Kingdom August 2, 2004 [30]

References

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  1. ^ RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - Switchfoot singles
  2. ^ Kim Jones. "Switchfoot - Behind the Songs - The Beautiful Letdown". About.com Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2006.
  3. ^ Ken Phillips Publicity Group – Switchfoot Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b c Foreman, Jonathan. "Switchfoot 'Meant To Live' Sheet Music in B Minor - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Capitol Christian Music Group.
  5. ^ a b c Maginnis, Heather (February 25, 2003). "Switchfoot Meant to Live – Song Review by Heather Phares". AllMusic.
  6. ^ 2005 Dove Awards - 36th Annual Dove Awards Archived December 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine on About.com; Jones, Kim
  7. ^ "Issue 760" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1565. July 23, 2004. p. 25. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  9. ^ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1551. April 16, 2004. p. 59. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  10. ^ "Switchfoot – Meant to Live" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  13. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  15. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  16. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  17. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  18. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 43.
  19. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2004". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks – 2004". Billboard.biz. 2004. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Year in Music & Touring". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-75. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
  23. ^ "American single certifications – Switchfoot – Meant to Live". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  24. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1488. January 24, 2003. p. 30. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  25. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1508. June 16, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  26. ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  27. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1540. January 30, 2004. p. 23. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Uge 28+33" [Week 28+33] (PDF) (in Danish). Sony Music Denmark. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2004. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26/07/2004" (PDF). ARIA. July 24, 2004. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Meant to Live". Amazon. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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