Single Review: OneRepublic – ‘I Lived’
2 min read
American pop/rock group One Republic have been enjoying immense success since the release of their third studio album Native last year, which also spawned a colossal world tour marking their largest to date. Native is the group’s biggest success story since their debut album Dreaming Out Loud was released in 2013; the album has also thus far churned out a small handful of the group’s more successful singles, including Counting Stars, Something I Need and Love Runs Out. The journey continues with I Lived, the album’s current and sixth single.
The finger picking introduction to I Lived really sets the mood for an easy and soothing atmosphere, lead singer Ryan Tedder’s vocal hits the spot as predicted, the first verse is a vulnerable and raw display that we love to hear from One Republic. The thumping beat isn’t overpowering, which is refreshing to hear from a mainstream act, if anything it gives the chorus and second verse the lift they needed; the bridge was a short and sweet repetition of the last line of the chorus, “with every broken bone, I swear I lived“, an inspiring line to match the overall concept of the track, which is to live life to the fullest with no regrets. The track’s video follows the journey of Cystic Fibrosis sufferer Bryan Warnecke, he and his teammates have raised $300,000+ by cycling 1,200 miles for the research into the condition, which really gave the track’s inspirational vibe a boost and drove those lyrics home.
One Republic aren’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon, I Lived is yet another catchy and enlightening addition to the group’s collection of singles; although it’s not as out there as Counting Stars or Love Runs Out, it still stands alone and continues to carry Native‘s torch. The wait for whatever happens next with One Republic will be worth it.
