Released 14 May 2007 (UK) | ||
B-side "Kittens, Cakes and Cuddles""Loneliness""Relief or Fight" Format CD, 7", Digital download Length 5:18 (album version)3:33 (single version) Label 14th Floor14FLR21CD (UK, CD)14FLR21V1 (UK, 7" #1)14FLR21V2 (UK, 7" #2) | ||
"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 [1], including WBRU, WQEX and WHHZ. The song peaked at #47 on the US Modern Rock chart.
Contents
Overview
Simon Neil 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.
Musical structure
The guitars and bass in "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" are in Drop C tuning, 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.
Track listings
Songs and lyrics by Simon Neil. Music by Biffy Clyro.
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio Edit)" – 3:33
- "Relief Or Fight" – 4:09
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio Edit)" – 3:33
- "Loneliness" – 2:33
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio Edit)" – 3:33
- "Kittens, Cakes and Cuddles" – 3:34
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Radio Edit)" – 3:33
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Demo)" - 5:14
- "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies (Live at Glasgow Carling Academy on 29 April 2007)"