About The Song
“It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” is a song written by Darrell Scott. It was originally recorded by American country music artist Jon Randall, of whose version was to have been included on an album titled Great Day to Be Alive, which would have been released in the late 1990s via BNA Records. Scott released his own version of his song on his 1997 album Aloha from Nashville.
The song was later covered more famously by American country music artist Travis Tritt. It was released in December 2000 as the second single from his album Down the Road I Go. It peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and at number 33 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
I’ll never forget riding with my parents as a young kid on the way too my grandparent’s house for Sunday lunch.
I mean c’mon, ya can’t beat the weekends as a kid with no care in the world, and not to mention, you’re on the way to spend time with family, and about to stuff your face with the best food imaginable. Can’t beat it with a stick.
But there was one specific car ride that I’ll never forget…
My parents had the radio set to the local country music radio station, and there was one song that changed my perception of country music forever… Travis Tritt’s 2000 hit, “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.”
Originally written by famed songwriter Darrell Scott, the song was featured on Tritt’s Down the Road I Go album.
The chorus caught me from the get go:
“And it’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shining
When I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good
Ah, yeah…”
The song taught me from a young age to be appreciative of the simple things in life, and I think that’s something we can all take into consideration on a day like Thanksgiving Day. Not to mention, the song taught me what a Fu Manchu is, and I still get chills every time I hear:
“Howling at the moon, ah-ooh, ah-ooh”
Video
Lyrics
I got rice cooking in the microwave
Got a three day beard I don’t plan to shave
And it’s a goofy thing but I just gotta say, hey
I’ma doing alright
Yeah, I think I’ll make me some home-made soup
I’m feeling pretty good and that’s the truth
It’s neither drink nor drug induced, no
I’m just doing alright
And it’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shining
When I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good
Ah, yeah
It’s been fifteen years since I left home
I said good luck to every seed I’d sown
Gave it my best and then I left it alone
I hope they’re doing alright
Now I look in the mirror and what do I see
A lone wolf there staring back at me
Long in the tooth but harmless as can be
Lord, I guess he’s doin’ alright
And it’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shining
When I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good
Sometimes it’s lonely, sometimes it’s only me
And the shadows that fill this room
Sometimes I’m falling, desperately calling
Howling at the moon, ah-ooh, ah-ooh
Yeah-yeah, oh-oh
Well, I might go get me a new tattoo
Or take my old Harley for a three day cruise
Might even grow me a Fu Manchu
And it’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shining
When I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good
It’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shining
When I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good, ah-ooh, oh yeah-yeah
