Hell of a Life
A Life Unraveled: Tales of Adventure, Love, and Redemption
Lyrics
Helped save an alien when I was just thirteen
Recalls a youthful experience of saving an alien.
Shot down a helicopter yellin' wolverines
Describes an adventurous incident of shooting down a helicopter while shouting "wolverines."
Recited Robert Frost staring at the sun
Shares a memory of reciting Robert Frost while staring at the sun, possibly symbolizing reflection or introspection.
Held my ground at the Devil's Den with an empty gun
Recounts standing firm at the Devil's Den with an empty gun, indicating courage in the face of adversity.
Smoked marijuana with Cheech and Chong
Mentions smoking marijuana with Cheech and Chong, portraying a laid-back or rebellious attitude.
Survived a plane crash in the Amazon
Tells of surviving a plane crash in the Amazon, highlighting resilience and survival.
Ann-Margret made love to me on A Tiger's Tale
Recollects a romantic encounter with Ann-Margret on A Tiger's Tale.
Spent a lifetime in prison hoping to make bail
Shares a period spent in prison, expressing the hardship of hoping for bail.
It's a hell of a life, the one that I'm livin'
States that the narrator's life is remarkable and challenging.
I gotta keep moving on, doin' the best that I can
Emphasizes the need to keep moving forward and doing one's best.
Do a little less hurtin' and a little more forgivin'
Encourages a shift towards forgiveness and less hurting.
'Cause son that's the kind of life that makes a man
Asserts that a life of forgiveness and endurance makes a person.
Spent two years with my buddy Swayze
Reveals a two-year companionship with Swayze, including teaching roping and riding.
Even taught him how to rope and how to ride
Highlights a beneficial side of a collaboration with Jamie Lee Curtis.
You might've missed that one we did with Jamie Lee Curtis
Played a TV character called The Reaper, acknowledged for both love and hate.
But it had some lovely benefits on the side
Expresses a preference for the Greaser character from 1968.
I played a killer on TV called The Reaper
Reiterates that the narrator's life is extraordinary and demanding.
That a lot of folks have come to love and hate
Reiterates the importance of perseverance and doing one's best.
Well I guess if I had to pick me out a favorite
Encourages a shift towards forgiveness and less hurting.
It'd still be the little Greaser from '68
Stresses that a life of forgiveness and endurance makes a person.
It's a hell of a life, the one that I'm livin'
Recalls a fictional encounter with dinosaurs in a forgotten land.
I gotta keep moving on, doin' the best that I can
Mentions time-traveling before Michael J. Fox, suggesting unique experiences.
Do a little less hurtin' and a little more forgivin'
Claims to have made a significant amount of money early in life.
'Cause son that's the kind of life that makes a man
Highlights a carefree attitude, emphasizing the importance of having fun.
Fought me some dinosaurs in the land that time forgot
Reflects on the change in life circumstances, with the spouse gone and children grown.
I went back to the future before Michael J. Fox
Expresses a fresh start in writing and singing.
Well I made that boy I was a million dollars
Looks back on life without regrets, expressing contentment.
Way before he turned twenty one
Reiterates the challenging yet fulfilling nature of the narrator's life.
Well I spent every dime at least a dozen times
Encourages a shift towards forgiveness and less hurting.
But I won't ever be accused of never having fun
Asserts that a life of forgiveness and endurance makes a person.
The wife is gone, the kids are grown and I'm on my own
States the overall theme of the song, emphasizing the challenging yet fulfilling nature of life.
I'm starting over trying to write and sing
Reiterates the importance of perseverance and doing one's best.
Looking back if I had to live my life all over again
Encourages a shift towards forgiveness and less hurting.
I swear I wouldn't change a goddamn thing
Stresses that a life of forgiveness and endurance makes a person.
Hell of a life, the one that we're livin'
Reiterates the challenging yet fulfilling nature of the narrator's life.
I gotta keep moving on, doin' the best that I can
Emphasizes the need to keep moving forward and doing one's best.
Do a little less hurtin' and a little more forgivin'
Encourages a shift towards forgiveness and less hurting.
'Cause son that's the kind of life that makes a man
Asserts that a life of forgiveness and endurance makes a person.
I said, son that's the kinda life that'll make a man
Repeats the idea that a life of forgiveness and endurance is what defines a man.
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