I'll Let You Live

Album: Louder Now (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song deals with Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazzara leaving his girlfriend Michelle Nolan. The line, "The first degree was a riot' refers to Michele starting a fight over the first time he cheated on her. "You've settled for less and I'm sure you'll settle again" is just another insult about how she'll never get another guy as good as him. At the end he blames her for his behavior with the line, "That represent and actively encourage all of my worst habits they all are proof that we're both capable of the most terrible things. Don't test me." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    niz - Mineral Wells, TX

Comments: 5

  • Ervo from Muncie, Ini def agree with Tim, sounds like he's daring the girl to leave him and that he's not ashamed of cheating on her...amazing song, best one of Louder Now. it really ends amazing with the weird like backwards/mumbles at the end
  • Dani from Chicago, Ili love where they took this song like right around the end with the akdhfahfahf weird sounding thing =]
  • Tim from South Jersey, Njthis song has a revengeful-imbetterthanyou feel to it. sounds liek he's almost daring the girl to leave him cuz hes so special and no other guy is like him. hes not ashamed of cheating and he knows shes not going to be happy but its her fault he did it. she doesnt understand why he did it and never will. near the end he begins to regret it and feel bad and says i know its not what u deserve. but this song sums up the over feel to louder now with its darkness, even tho the record has an upbeat pop-iness to it.
  • Laura from New Hope, PaI don't think this song is about Michelle Nolan. I mean that relationship was so long ago, and for Adam Lazzara to keep bringing it up seems unlikely. That is just my opinion though, who knows.
  • Bob from Hippy, Cowow, i had no idea this song had such depth. it's a pretty good song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."