Sevendust Premieres Cover of Soundgarden’s ‘The Day I Tried to Live,’ Inspired By ‘Scenes of Societal Changes Around the World’

Sevendust roared back on Friday with a timely new cover of a classic song from Soundgarden and late vocalist Chris Cornell, who passed away in 2017.

“The Day I Tried to Live,” from 1994’s Superunknown, is one of the standout tracks among Soundgarden’s career, and showcased Cornell’s powerhouse vocals throughout its memorable verses and thunderous chorus. Sevendust vocalist Lajon Witherspoon also has a unique vocal delivery, one that proves up to the challenge of following in Cornell’s formidable footsteps.

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Our cover of Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried To Live” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. Link in bio!

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Sevendust’s first bit of new music since 2018, the band was motivated “after seeing the societal changes happening around the globe.”

Said Witherspoon in a statement:

“Soundgarden is such an important band to all of us in Sevendust and this love for them goes all the way back to when we were starting. We discussed trying to do one of their songs and our producer Elvis suggested ‘The Day I Tried To Live.’ I would have been fine with any of those songs personally. When I first heard it, I thought the lyrics were timeless. The lyrics are about trying to experience new things and change the way you live, and we see examples of that every day with what is happening around the world. To have the chance to cover this song and release it is so special to all of us. Thank you, Chris Cornell and Soundgarden.” 

Here’s the original Soundgarden music video for “The Day I Tried to Live”: