The Band Perry - "If I Die Young"
By: Bobby Peacock
Well, it seems like The Band Perry is already starting to catch on. The same week that the sibling trio's "Hip to My Heart" fell from the charts, followup "If I Die Young" debuted. A sudden chart entry ahead of the release date is certainly telling, especially for a new act. Clearly, there's a great deal of buzz already sounding "If I Die Young." But sometimes buzz translates into a truly deserving song, while other times it translates to an overrated, bland piece of crap.
The song starts out with a rather poetic line that cuts right to the chase: "Bury me in satin / Lay me down on a bed of roses / Sink me in the river at dawn / Send me away with the words of a love song." So many of the other lyrics are very well-developed with interesting little details, such as "the sharp knife of a short life." At times, it feels like it could easily over-romanticize the death of a young one. The siblings Perry are still fairly young adults, so they can still sell the lyrics. Kimberly, in particular, takes a far softer delivery than the eager, girlish twang of "Hip to My Heart," and her brothers offer a far more prominent harmony than on "Hip," making for an even more pleasant listening experience.
Does "If I Die Young" sugarcoat its topic a little? Yes. But under that thin layer of sweetness is a great deal of heart, and maybe even a dollop of the slight uncertainty that can come with a young adult's perspective. Being on the youngest end of adulthood myself, I have these adult-oriented feelings that I sometimes express in what may not be the most maturely-formed ways. An older perspective might not identify quite as well with "If I Die Young," but the younger listeners should easily find something identifiable in this song. I know I did.
You can support The Band Perry by purchasing this single at Amazon | iTunes.
READER'S COMMENTS
kepa says:
Posted: Thursday, December 1, 2011
best country song i have ever herd
hannah willis says:
Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010
i love the song if i die young love hannah willis
says:
Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010
says:
Posted: Friday, December 3, 2010
Jeff says:
Posted: Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I'm late to the party because modern country music, with a handful of exceptions, stinks and I only heard this song yesterday, by accident, while station surfing on a long roadtrip. I know you're paid to parse words, but all that analysis gets in the way of the fact that this song is absolutely gorgeous. Simple as that. This girl is a MAJOR talent. A cross between Miranda and Taylor and a far better singer than both. I worship Miranda Lambert so I don't say this lightly. I listened to this song about 20 times today and I haven't done that since the day I bought Crazy Ex- GF and heard Easy From Now On. Truly great country music is so rare, I hope you'll excuse me if I'm a little worked up. Thanks!
Camille De Pr atter says:
Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Not to be chessy or anything but this song is sooooooo AWESOME!!!! It is EXTREMELY catchy!! I love the band perry
ashley says:
Posted: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
i love your song
shirlee says:
Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010
Does anyone k now the significance of the Tennyson poetry book in this video?
savannah says:
Posted: Sunday, August 1, 2010
hi there better then tyler swift
Brionna Allen says:
Posted: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I absolutely love this song! It is amazing!
Bobby P. says:
Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010
That's really what I was trying to get at. It does sugarcoat it a little, but at the same time, that IS pretty much the point of the song, and that's why it clicked with me. I know a couple older friends who said they didn't like this song much because of its perspective, and I tried to acknowledge that in the review without portraying that as a "bad thing." That, and I do think it goes a little too sweet at times, but it balances out finely.
Mike says:
Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010
Thanks for previewing this song; I heard it a little while ago and wondered feared The Band Perry would not get this out to the public. I must respond to your critique with a slight rebuff. You seem to be critical of the song for taking a "youthful" approach to death, but, isn't that the point of the song?! The song is called, after all, 'If I Die YOUNG" not "If I Die Middle-aged" or for that matter, "If My Child Dies Young." It's supposed to have that youthful bounce to it, somewhat innocent about it.
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