LeAnn Rimes – How Do I Live Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up12How Do I LiveLeAnn RimesProducersWilbur C. Rimes, Chuck Howard & 1 moreTrack 2 onGreatest Hits & Dance Like You Don’t Give A....Greatest Hits Remixes May 27, 19971 viewer164.1K views21 Contributors

How Do I Live Lyrics

[Verse 1]How do I get through one night without you?If I had to live without youWhat kind of life would that be?Oh, I, I need you in my arms, need you to holdYou're my world, my heart, my soul[Pre-Chorus]And if you ever leaveBaby, you would take away everything good in my lifeAnd tell me now[Chorus]How do I live without you? I want to knowHow do I breathe without you if you ever go?How do I ever, ever survive?How do I, how do I, oh, how do I live?[Verse 2]Without you, there'd be no sun in my skyThere would be no love in my lifeThere'd be no world left for meAnd I, baby, I don't know what I would doI'd be lost if I lost you[Pre-Chorus 2]If you ever leaveBaby, you would take away everything real in my lifeAnd tell me nowSee LeAnn Rimes LiveGet tickets as low as $76You might also like[Chorus]How do I live without you? I want to knowHow do I breathe without you if you ever go?How do I ever, ever survive?How do I, how do I, oh, how do I live?[Pre-Chorus]Please, tell me, babyHow do I go on if you ever leave?Baby, you would take away everything, I need you with meBaby, don't you know that you're everything good in my life?And tell me now[Chorus]How do I live without you? I want to knowHow do I breathe without you if you ever goHow do I ever, ever survive?How do I, how do I, oh, how do I live?How do I live without you?How do I live without you, baby?How do I live?12EmbedCancel

How to Format Lyrics:

• Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
• Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
• Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
• Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
• If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

AboutThis song bio is unreviewedSong Bio1 contributor

This song was written by Diane Warren for the soundtrack of 1997’s blockbuster Nicholas Cage film “Con Air”. By Rimes account, Warren had promised the song to her and wrote it for her. Apparently, though, Walt Disney Pictures told Touchstone Pictures, producers of the film, that Rimes was too young for the song’s content (she was 14 at the time) and her version was too “pop”, so directed a re-record of the song with Trisha Yearwood that appeared in the film and was released as a single on May 27, 1997. When Rimes' father/manager Wilbur Rimes found out this was going to happen, he directed the release of Rimes' version as a single with an extended version as the B side on the same day. The extended mix was also included in her album You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs released later that year.

In the U.S., this version peaked at #2 and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record breaking 69 weeks, a record held until 2008. It broke another set of records for being in the Billboard Hot 100 top 5 for 25 consecutive weeks (a record it held until 2017), being in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for 32 consecutive weeks (also broken in 2017) and Billboard Hot 100 top 40 for 62 consecutive weeks (which it still holds). It is Billboard’s All Time Top 100 #4, the only single amongst the top 10 of those that never hit #1. Finally, the single held the record as the top-selling country single until 2008, finally beaten by Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”.

Both Rimes and Yearwood’s versions of the song were nominated for Grammy’s Best Country Female Vocal Performance in 1998, the first time that two separate artists were nominated for the same song at the same time.

Expand +14ShareQ&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Ask a questionWhat did LeAnn Rimes say about "How Do I Live"?Genius Answer1 contributor

LeAnn Rimes on Diane Warren writing the song:

Diane really hit the co-dependency nerve of our society with ‘How Do I Live’ – it’s played at weddings, funerals and just about every pivotal life-altering moment. There’s magic to great songwriters, their heartfelt lyrics and the right voice that soulfully delivers that message and we seem to have been the perfect storm. I loved it from the very moment Diane played it for me.”

Via Billboard

+2What has Diane Warren said about Rimes recording the song?Genius Answer1 contributor

After LeAnn won the best new artist Grammy [in 1996], I ran into her at a restaurant. She was the young hot artist at the time. She was just a great singer, even at that age. I told her I wrote this song for Con Air – though I didn’t mention that there were 200 songs in contention – and literally the next day she demoed it. After Trisha’s version ended up in the film, [LeAnn’s label] Curb Records wasn’t going to put it out, so I called [founder] Mike Curb and said, “You have to put it out. It’s a hit record for her. Even though LeAnn came from the country world, I figured she had a better shot at crossing over into pop, and my prediction was right. She’s one of the most underrated (and best) singers in music. Trisha had a massive career and a Grammy-winning country hit because of it, but LeAnn’s version exploded. It was everywhere."

Diane Warren via Billboard

+3What else has Diane Warren said about the song?Genius Answer1 contributor

I remember getting in a lot of trouble because there were two versions of it. I wrote the song for the movie Con Air. Well, what happened was, so I wrote it. And I wrote for the movie, and I played it for [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer. And he liked it. But there were I think, 200 other songs in the [running] at that time for that movie. And I happened to run into LeAnn Rimes, who had just won the Grammy for Best New Artist, at a restaurant and I told her, I wrote this song, do you want to demo it?” So she went back and recorded it, did a video, and spent all this money. I played it for Jerry. And he was excited about LeAnn, but he wanted some changes made. And her dad, who was a co-producer on the song, was like, ‘I’m not changing nothing for them Hollywood people.’ And then Jerry asked if it was okay to put Tricia [Yearwood] on. And I said, Yeah, but I can’t pull it from LeAnn. even if Trisha does it for the movie. And then Jerry was like, ‘No, you have to pull it from LeAnn.’ I couldn’t do that. Jerry was like, ‘I’m never gonna work with you again.” Then LeAnn was mad at me and Jerry was mad at me. Until it became, you know, the biggest hit. So then they all start liking me again. That’s what hits do. They make people like you!

–via RollingStone (Feb. 2021)

+3Alternative Cover ArtIs there a live performance of "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes?Who produced “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes?When did LeAnn Rimes release “How Do I Live”?Who wrote “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes?Greatest Hits & Dance Like You Don’t Give A....Greatest Hits Remixes (2014)LeAnn Rimes

1. 1. Blue
2. 2. How Do I Live
3. 3. Can’t Fight the Moonlight (Graham Stack Radio Edit)
4. 4. One Way Ticket (Because I Can)
5. 5. Commitment
6. 6. I Need You
7. 7. Written in the Stars (Alternate Version)
8. 8. Unchained Melody
9. 9. The Light in Your Eyes
10. 10. On the Side of Angels
11. 11. You Light Up My Life
12. 12. Nothin’ New Under the Moon
13. 13. Big Deal
14. 14. Life Goes On
15. 15. We Can
16. 16. Last Thing On My Mind
17. 17. This Love
18. 18. Crazy
19. 19. Gasoline and Matches (Dave Audé Remix)
20. 20. What I Cannot Change (Kaskade Radio Edit)
21. 21. Crazy Women (7th Heaven Remix)
22. 22. I Need You (Digital Dog Remix)
23. 23. Help Me Make It Through the Night (Fear of Tigers Remix)
24. 24. Spitfire (Fagault & Marina Remix)
25. 25. Can’t Fight the Moonlight (Alais Remix)
26. 26. You’ve Ruined Me (Dave Audé Remix) (Missing Lyrics)
27. 27. How Do I Live (Cahill Remix)
28. 28. Strong (Cicada Remix) (Missing Lyrics)
29. 29. Nothin’ Better To Do (Soul Seekerz Radio Edit)
30. 30. Headphones (Headspinners Remix)
31. 31. Grace

All-Time Greatest Hits (2015)LeAnn RimesGreatest Hits (Reissue) (2003)LeAnn RimesThe Best of LeAnn Rimes (2004)LeAnn RimesNOW That’s What I Call Country [UK] (2017)NOW That’s What I Call Music!NOW 100 Hits Country [UK] (2020)NOW That’s What I Call Music!Country Ballads: The Greatest Country Love Songs In The World Various ArtistsThe Best Country Love Songs (2015)Various ArtistsThe Country Album (2015)Various Artists Country - Modern To Timeless Country Classics (1999)Various ArtistsAmerican Heartland (2012)Various ArtistsFirst Ladies Of Country (2015)Various ArtistsNow That’s What I Call Country [South Africa] (2012)NOW That’s What I Call Music!Country Love: 38 Classic Country Love Songs (2003)Various Artists I ❤ Mum (2005)Various Artists Play It!: Country - An EMI In-Store Play Compilation Volume Seven (1997)Various ArtistsUltimate Wedding Hits Vol. 2 (2003)Various ArtistsGreatest Ever! Country (2017)Various ArtistsThe Sound Of Nashville (2016)Various ArtistsThe Very Best Of Love Legends (2006)Various ArtistsJe T’Aime⁵ (2006)Various ArtistsLatest & Greatest Country Hits (2015)Various ArtistsMy Country (2009)Various ArtistsNOW That’s What I Call Country (2021) [UK] (2021)NOW That’s What I Call Music!Love 101: 101 Ways to Say I Love You (2009)Various ArtistsMcMusic 5 [NOR] (1998)McMusic (NOR)Absolute Music 25 [NOR] (1998)Absolute MusicThe Time Of My Life - The Greatest Hits Of The Movies (2014)Various ArtistsBravo: The Hits 99 (1999)Bravo HitsNow That’s What I Call Music! 39 [UK] (1998)NOW That’s What I Call Music!How Do I Live (1997)LeAnn RimesHow Do I Live (Reissue) (1997)LeAnn RimesThe Biggest Hits of LeAnn Rimes (2018)LeAnn RimesThe Best of LeAnn Rimes (Thailand Edition) (2004)LeAnn RimesGreatest Hits (Limited Edition) (2003)LeAnn RimesGreatest Hits (Japan Edition) (2003)LeAnn RimesI Love Mom (2006)Various ArtistsSad Songs (2004) (2004)Various ArtistsDJ Copy (Japan Promo) (1998)LeAnn RimesHow Do I Live (Remixes) - EP (1998)LeAnn RimesMini Best (2002)LeAnn RimesExpand CreditsReleased onMay 27, 1997ProducersWilbur C. Rimes, Chuck Howard & Mike CurbWriterDiane WarrenMixing EngineerMick Guzauski & Bob Campbell-SmithSteel GuitarPaul FranklinKeyboardsSteve NathanPianoSteve NathanBassMichael RhodesElectric GuitarJohn WillisAcoustic GuitarMichael SpriggsDrumsGreg MorrowBackground VocalsMary Ann Kennedy (UK), Pam Rose, Michael Black & Dennis WilsonLabelCurb RecordsRecorded AtStarstruck Studios, KD Studios, Curb StudiosSongs That Interpolate How Do I LivePaano Ngayong Wala Ka by Renz Verano, Nic Cage Romance by Toby Fox & How Do I live with Sabu by Joe HendryHow Do I Live CoversHow Do I Live (Without You) by Trisha Yearwood, How Do I Live Without You by Jim Brickman, How Do I Live by Cast of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Ft. Jane Levy), How Do I Live (Bunny Back in the Box Version) by Michael Guy Bowman, How Do I Live / I Need You by Caleb and Kelsey, How Do I Live by Nina, How Do I Live (Re-Imagined) by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live by Dexys & How Do I Live by Janno Gibbs & Jennylyn MercadoHow Do I Live RemixesHow Do I Live (Mr. Mig Remix) [Club Mix] by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live (Rh Factor Radio Edit) by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live (Mr. Mig Remix) [Club Radio Edit] by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live (Mr. Mig Remix) [Dance Radio Edit] by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live (Cahill Remix) by LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live (Extended Mix) by LeAnn Rimes & How Do I Live (RH Factor Club Vocal) by LeAnn RimesView How Do I Live samplesTagsPopCountryAdult ContemporaryUSAIn EnglishCountry PopBalladExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up