Dying Man

Album: One Thing At A Time (2023)
Charted: 43
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Much of One Thing At A Time finds Morgan Wallen lovesick or battling with his demons. The album takes the listener on a journey through the depths of the county star's despair. Wallen ultimately ends the record on a positive note, sharing this story of redemption through the love of a good woman.
  • Codeine, it got Elvis
    Whiskey, it got Hank
    I always thought somethin' like that
    Might send me on my way
    But you took hold of me
    Like only a woman can


    Wallen has found true happiness and no longer feels trapped by his own self-destructive tendencies. While he once believed he'd suffer a similar fate to that of Elvis Presley and Hank Williams, succumbing to the vices of codeine and whiskey, he has now found contentment and a renewed sense of purpose thanks to the love he has found.
  • Ben Johnson, Blake Pendergrass and Josh Thompson wrote "Dying Man." Though he addresses a woman, Wallen is actually talking about his son.

    "I don't have a girlfriend or a wife so I would be in authentic if I'm singing a love song about a woman changing my life," he explained to American Songwriter in a video. "That wouldn't feel right to me, but my son did and that's where the song hits home to me."
  • "Dying Man" opens with a guitar intro nearly identical to One Thing At A Time's opening track, "Born With a Beer in My Hand," suggesting Wallen is bringing the listener full circle.
  • While making the One Thing At A Time album, Wallen enlisted friends and family to give feedback on the songs in progress, often holding informal listening parties where he would gauge reactions to different tracks. He even brought in his mother to sing backing vocals on a couple of songs, including "Dying Man," making the project a true family affair.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.