The Life (Hinder song)
| "The Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_album_cover_artwork.png) | ||||
| Single by Hinder | ||||
| from the album All American Nightmare | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Studio | Barcode Studios (Oklahoma)
| |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | Universal Records[1] | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Austin John Winkler, Cody Hanson, The Warren Brothers | |||
| Producer(s) | Kevin Churko | |||
| Hinder singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The Life" is a single by the American rock band Hinder. The song was released on December 7, 2010, as the fifth track on their third studio album, All American Nightmare via Universal Republic Records.[2] The Life was officially released as the album's third single on October 11, 2011.[3][4]
Background and release
[edit]Hinder began recording new music in early 2010 while still out on the road touring in support of Take It to the Limit.[5] After initially considering working with Howard Benson, the band changed directions and decided to work with Kevin Churko to produce the new songs instead.[6]
When interviewed about the the song's writing and recording process, the band revealed they took a new approach to the writing process from the process with their previous albums, with lead vocalist Austin John Winkler and drummer Cody Hanson worked on around 70 songs during the process.[7] Winkler stated, "We normally do whatever the label wants.[8][9] But for this record, we had to do something different. We had to mix it up a little bit." Recording was split between Hanson's personal home studio in Oklahoma for the instrumental tracks while vocals were recorded in Winkler's home studio in Las Vegas for vocals.[10]
Content
[edit]"The Life" is a reflective ballad that delves into the gap between dreams and reality,[11][12] in a interview with Sue White from MLive lead singer Austin John Winkler described the song as his personal favorite, highlighting its slower, introspective style, explaining how the lyrics explore how life often unfolds differently than imagined, even when achieving significant goals. Winkler further elaborated by sharing a story how he once believed that signing a record deal would bring instant wealth and a carefree lifestyle, only to find the reality far more demanding. He illustrated this theme with the analogy that "You could be named President of the United States, and I'll bet it's nothing once you're there like what you imagined in your head."[13] That sentiment is woven throughout the song's narrative, emphasizing the unpredictability of success and the struggle to find balance amid the highs and lows of life on the road.[14][15]
Charts
[edit]"The Life" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart[16] and number 11 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart for the week ending December 25, 2010.[17]
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] | 19 |
| US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] | 11 |
Personnel
[edit]- Austin John Winkler – lead vocals, acoustic guitar[18]
- Cody Hanson – drums, backing vocals[19]
- Mark King – rhythm guitar[20]
- Joe "Blower" Garvey – lead guitar[21]
- Mike Rodden – bass guitar[22]
Technical personnel
- Kevin Churko – producer, mixing engineer, recording engineer[23]
- Cody Hanson – co-producer, mastering[24]
- Bob Ludwig – engineer, mastering[25]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hinder: The Life -Single (Spotify)". Spotify. Spotify. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - The Life and All American Nightmare Release Info". Allmusic. Allmusic. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - The Life (CD single)". Discogs. Travis Rich. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Mike Rodden of Hinder announces new single The Life". Rock Show Critique. Joseph Suto. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder working on new music while out on Take It to the Limit Tour". City Beat. Brian Baker. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder Halfway Through Recording New Album". Rockstar Weekly. Rockstar Weekly. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - On the Road with Freakshow - Interview with Austin John Winkler". Screamer Magazine. Erika Thomas. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "An Interview with Hinder - July 20, 2011". City Beat. City Beat. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Hinder bassist Mike Rodden at Verizon Wireless Center". The Free Press. Adam Pulchinski. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Cody Hanson of Hinder on insight of writing and recording Hinder songs". May The Rock Be With You. Scott Smith. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "HINDER All American Nightmare rundown". The Aquarian. Dejon Turner. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - All American Nightmare Review". Rock Freaks. PP. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Hinder frontman Austin John Winkler on new Hinder songs". MLive. Sue White. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder on Song Facts". Song Facts. Song Facts. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "New album, new single for alternative rockers in Hinder". Melodic. Peter Fenn. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Hinder Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Hinder Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 25, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ "In the spotlight: Hinder releases new single". Times Union. David Malachowski. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "June 10, 2013 interview with Hinder drummer Cody Hanson". Iowa State Daily. Jenna Miller. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder band members". Hard Rock Haven. Deb Rao. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Ready to Rock: Hinder coming to PCCC". The State Journal-Register. Brian Mackey. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder band members unleash new music". Blabbermouth. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - The Life (Production credits)". Genius. Hinder. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - The Life credits". Allmusic. Allmusic. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ "Hinder - The Life on Apple Music". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2025.