Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies
Encyclopedia
"Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" is the opening song on Scottish
band Biffy Clyro
's fourth album, Puzzle
. It was released on 14 May 2007, as the second physical single from the album. The song itself, without any B-sides, was released as a digital download
on 7 May 2007. In the week after its download release, but before its CD release, the single reached number 72 on the official chart, before reaching number 19 on the week of its release. The song was the first single released by the band in the United States
, and was the first single released there for Puzzle
. The song was added to the playlists of several radio stations in the United States http://yes.com/artist/Biffy%20Clyro, including WBRU
, WQEX
and WHHZ
. The song peaked at #47 on the US Modern Rock
chart.
has commented on the song, saying:
The song was first played on BBC Radio 1
by Zane Lowe
on 13 March 2007 in The Hottest Record In The World segment. On 29 March, it was announced that the track will be released as a single (instead of "The Conversation Is...
", as originally planned), following a "fairly wonderful" reaction to the track when played on Zane Lowe
's Radio One show.
, which is a notable variation from Biffy Clyro's preferred tuning: Drop D
. The track features string and choir arrangements by Hollywood composer Graeme Revell
, performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The band has used string sections before in the songs "With Aplomb" and "Now the Action Is On Fire!" from 2003's The Vertigo of Bliss
, but this is the first time the band has worked with an orchestra. Two tracks on Puzzle include the orchestra. "Machines" features a lone cello. The arrangement was written by the band themselves.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
band Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
's fourth album, Puzzle
Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)
Puzzle is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, released 4 June 2007 - the album was later released in America in August...
. It was released on 14 May 2007, as the second physical single from the album. The song itself, without any B-sides, was released as a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 7 May 2007. In the week after its download release, but before its CD release, the single reached number 72 on the official chart, before reaching number 19 on the week of its release. The song was the first single released by the band in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was the first single released there for Puzzle
Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)
Puzzle is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, released 4 June 2007 - the album was later released in America in August...
. The song was added to the playlists of several radio stations in the United States http://yes.com/artist/Biffy%20Clyro, including WBRU
WBRU
WBRU is a commercial alternative rock radio station in Providence, Rhode Island that broadcasts on 95.5 FM. It was the first student-owned-and-operated campus radio station in the United States when it started as the Brown Network at Brown University in 1936...
, WQEX
WQEX
WINP-TV is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcasting on digital channel 38, but through the use of PSIP, uses virtual channel 16, its former analog television channel number. WINP is owned by ION Media Networks...
and WHHZ
WHHZ
WHHZ , branded as "100.5 The Buzz", is a commercial radio station licensed to Newberry, Florida, broadcasting to the Gainesville-Ocala, Florida area...
. The song peaked at #47 on the US Modern Rock
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart.
Overview
Simon NeilSimon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
has commented on the song, saying:
The song was first played on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
by Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
on 13 March 2007 in The Hottest Record In The World segment. On 29 March, it was announced that the track will be released as a single (instead of "The Conversation Is...
The Conversation Is...
"The Conversation Is..." is a song by Scottish band Biffy Clyro from their fourth album, Puzzle.-Overview:"The Conversation Is..." was originally planned to be the second proper single from Puzzle, but was dropped in favour of "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies"...
", as originally planned), following a "fairly wonderful" reaction to the track when played on Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
's Radio One show.
Musical structure
The guitars and bass in "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" are in Drop C tuningDrop C tuning
Drop C tuning can be used to refer to two different alternative guitar tunings:* CGCFAD - The most commonly intended meaning of Drop C, though the term is incorrect...
, which is a notable variation from Biffy Clyro's preferred tuning: Drop D
Drop D tuning
Drop D tuning, also known as DADGBE, is an alternate, or scordatura, form of guitar tuning — specifically, a dropped tuning — in which the lowest string is tuned down from the usual E of standard tuning by one whole step to D.- Uses of drop D tuning :In drop D the three bass strings...
. The track features string and choir arrangements by Hollywood composer Graeme Revell
Graeme Revell
Graeme Revell is a New Zealand film score composer.Revell attended Auckland Grammar School, where he finished his final year in 7A...
, performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The band has used string sections before in the songs "With Aplomb" and "Now the Action Is On Fire!" from 2003's The Vertigo of Bliss
The Vertigo of Bliss
The Vertigo of Bliss is the second studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, released on 16 June 2003, on Beggars Banquet Records...
, but this is the first time the band has worked with an orchestra. Two tracks on Puzzle include the orchestra. "Machines" features a lone cello. The arrangement was written by the band themselves.
Track listings
Songs and lyrics by Simon Neil. Music by Biffy Clyro.- CD 14FLR21CD
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio edit)" – 3:33
- "Relief or Fight" – 4:09
- 7" #1 14FLR21V1
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio edit)" – 3:33
- "Loneliness" – 2:33
- 7" #2 14FLR21V2
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio edit)" – 3:33
- "Kittens, Cakes and Cuddles" – 3:34
- Digital download
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio edit)" – 3:33
- iTunesITunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
exclusive
- iTunes
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Demo)" - 5:14
- 7digital exclusive
- "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies (Live at Glasgow Carling Academy on 29 April 2007)"
Personnel
- Simon Neil – guitar, vocals
- Ben Johnston – drums, vocals
- James Johnston – bass, vocals
- Garth Richardson – producer
- Graeme Revell – string and choir orchestrations
- Seattle Symphony Orchestra – violins, violas, cellos, choir