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Mara Sandlewick

Prof. Barnes

Eng 1201-515

1 October 2020

I’m In a Hurry and Don’t Know Why

In the original song called “I’m in a Hurry and Don’t Know Why” by Alabama the

main idea of this song is to slow down and enjoy life. This song was produced in 1992 it

is an older song and has a slightly different interpretation than the remix. The remix

version of this song is by Florida Georgia Line. They just released this song in 2018, this

has a lighter mood to it. “I’m in a Hurry and Don’t Know Why” by both Alabama, and

Florida Georgia Line share a very similar meaning to the song. The listeners can listen

to these versions in different ways according to the point they are at in their lives. The

version by Alabama however, is geared more towards an older audience of people, this

is an older band and was popular several years ago. Florida Georgia Line has a more

fun twist on it, attracting more younger listeners in today’s generation. Both were and

are major hits in the music industry.

The original song sung by Alabama was a huge 1900s hit. The writer of this song

realizes that he is rushing in life to get things done but he does not realize why he is

rushing in the first place. One lyric that really sticks out is “All I gotta do is live and die.”

When people get stressed out and overwhelmed, we tend to rush through things and

not take pride in the things we are doing. This song lyric is so short yet so powerful, it is

very straight to the point. In the grand scheme of things this singer is correct, all we

have to do in life is live and die. As free people, we pick and choose what we want to do

in life. The purpose of this version of the song is to calm people down, make them
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realize life is short, and to enjoy every moment without rushing through it all. This song

has a really deep meaning to life when you get to thinking about the meaning behind all

of the lyrics.

The remix version of this song sung by Florida Georgia Line is a popular country

song that was released in 2018. This band is two young male country singers that tend

to write positive and cheerful songs. They sing the same song and do not change any

lyrics. However, by seeing their music video and knowing their age, us listeners can

view it a little differently. Florida Georgia Line has a majority of a young audience. The

meaning behind their version of the song is very similar but has a few differences. In the

first version Alabama is saying that life is short and enjoy every moment. Florida

Georgia Line is telling the listeners to remember every moment, they soon become

great memories. In their music video there are many pictures and through all of these

pictures we can see that they genuinely are full of good times and happy memories.

Overall, this song is very beneficial and has a great message to all listeners.

In both of these songs we see a heavy use of pathos. There are many emotions

through both versions of this song. Like said above, slightly different but still overall a

very joyful song. Everyone will feel different emotions through these lyrics. In the

original song the audience is older people with many life experiences. The lyric “Oh I

rush and rush until life’s not fun” is very powerful. By hearing this we assume the singer

is rushing a lot of things and life and not truly enjoying life. As listeners we learn to enjoy

the rest of their lives and take their time through each and every moment, whether it is

good or bad. In the remix by Florida Georgia Line, the audience is aimed towards the

younger generation with not as many life experiences. From the lyrics we learn to take
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many pictures and enjoy every moment because it soon becomes a great memory. Both

of these songs have a large impact on the things we do in life and how we chose to live

our lives.

The original version of this song is more southern rock. The remix by Florida

Georgia Line is country pop. By listening to these two songs everyone interprets things

differently. The main message for both of these is that time is precious and to retain

every moment that we get in life.

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Works Cited

Alabama, “I’m in a Hurry and Don’t Know Why.” ​I’m in a Hurry, 1992

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEzi5WFiMCs

Florida Georgia Line, “I’m in a Hurry and Don’t Know Why.” ​Alabama And Friends, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qaynes_3jY