How did Camus really die that night?
Were they right, when he died was it really his time?
Or was it suicide?
And Holden Caufield is a friend of mine
We go drinking from time to time
And I find: it gets harder every time

Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win

Well Hemmingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life
And I find: it gets harder every time.
So he aimed a shotgun into the blue
Placed his face between the two and sighed: 'Here's to life!'

Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win

Hey there Salinger what did you do
Just when the world was looking to you
To write anything that meant anything
You told us you were through
And its been years since you passed away
But I see no plaque and I see no grave
And I can't help believing that you wanted it this way.

And Vincent Van Gogh why do you weep?
You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
And who was there to break your fall?
We're guilty, one and all
And I don't know much but I do know this
With a golden heart comes a rebel fist
But I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit

And it makes me sick when I think of it
All my heroes could not live with this
And I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did
And you were much to young
And you changed my life
But I draw the line at suicide
So here's to life!


Lyrics submitted by SlapsterMcFlash, edited by Scepvyle

Here's to Life Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Here's To Life song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

46 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    and holden caufield is a friend of mine we go drinking from time to time

    hey there salinger, what did you do? just when the world was looking for you to write anything that meant anything

    those are references to the book Catcher and The Rye...right?

    ihaveurmonkeyhaon June 18, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.