-Tim McGraw was chosen to record the lyrics in 2004 when he was 36 years old.

-McGraw was born on May 1, 1967, in Start, Louisiana, and his full name at the time of his birth was Samuel Timothy Smith.

-He later found out that his father was Tug McGraw, a major league baseball pitcher, and decided to go by Tim McGraw when he was in his late teens.

-In the early 1990s, 23-year-old McGraw began his music career and rose to fame in 1994 with his hit song, "Don't Take the Girl."

-In 1996, McGraw married Faith Hill and has continued to produce music to this day.

-At the age of 58, he remains a highly successful country singer.

-Curb Records, a label that Tim McGraw signed to for most of his career, presented this song, and it became an instant hit.

-While "Live Like You Were Dying" is a country song, the audience it was designed for is extremely broad.

-Essentially anyone can relate to it, which is partly why it was a huge success.

-It climbed to number one in Billboard Hot Country Songs and stayed there for seven weeks, while also winning multiple awards.

-At the time it was released, the events of 9/11 were still somewhat fresh on everyone's mind, emphasizing how life could end at any moment.

-This caused the song to be more relatable, since it focuses on how people often do not realize that their time is extremely limited.

"Live Like You Were Dying" tells the story of a man who is also misdiagnosed with a terminal illness. The man then goes skydiving, rocky mountain climbing, and lives a much better life in general. The song's overall message calls people to live life to the fullest and to make the most of the limited time we have. The man in the song "loved deeper and spoke sweeter" when he found out he did not have much time left, but the message calls us to live like that throughout all of life.

This song appeals to the audience in numerous ways. Although its genre is country, it tells a story that can relate to anyone. It evokes strong emotions within the listener as they comprehend how the man chose to live the rest of his days and what it would be like to live that life.

This song connects to culture because people often take the time they have here on earth for granted and do not make the most of it. They do not value what they should and this song calls them to reconsider how they live.

I fully agree with Nichols and Wiseman. People need to be more aware that their time on earth will inevitably come to an end and that they should live the most meaningful, best life they can. In today's culture, people often get so caught up in the fast pace of the world that they do not think about how they are going through their life. However, many people do not want to change how they live even if it would be for the best, which causes this song to be somewhat unappealing to them.

Personally, I could certainly apply the theme of this song far more in my life. "Live Like You Were Dying" contains a message that no one should ignore.