We’ll take the most from living/
Have pleasure while we can.
“Live for Today” is a summer of love classic by The Grass Roots. Notice the psychedelic-like feel of the guitars and the blended vocals in the chorus. The notion of living for today captures the music of this time period so perfectly.
Forget society with all their rigid plans. That just leads to needless complication and worry. Chasing money? That’s a fools errand too. The author tells his love that “as long as I’m with you” that’s all he really needs. He’ll live for today while others waste their life away.
“Live for Today” came out during the height of the Vietnam War, so when The Grass Roots sing “Let’s take the most of living/ have pleasure while we can,” it struck a chord with those who feared getting drafted. It is a great Carpe Diem song that stands the test of time. How important is chasing money and making plans if you can’t have love? A song that really epitomizes the hippy culture of the late 60s.
I think “Live For Today” makes an interesting contrast to one of the best protest songs of the 2010’s I’d Love it if We Made it by 1975.
Live For Today Lyrics
When I think of all the worries
People seem to find,
And how they’re in a hurry
To complicate their minds.
By chasing after money
And dreams that can’t come true,
I’m glad that we are different
We’ve better things to do.
May others plan their future
I’m busy loving you.
(One, two, three, four!)
Sha la la la la la live for today.
Sha la la la la la live for today.
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, hey.
Sha la la la la la live for today (live for today).
We were never meant to worry
The way that people do.
And I don’t mean to hurry
As long as I’m with you.
We’ll take it nice and easy
And use my simple plan.
You’ll be my lovin’ woman
I’ll be your lovin’ man.
We’ll take the most from living.
Have pleasure while we can.
(Two, three, four!)
Sha la la la la la live for today.
Sha la la la la la live for today.
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, hey.
Sha la la la la la live for today (live for today).
Baby, I need to feel you inside of me.
I got to feel you deep inside of me.
Baby, please come close to me.
I got to have you now, please, please.
Please, please gimme some a-lovin’.
To gimme some a-lovin’.
To gimme some a-lovin’.
To gimme some a-lovin’.
Baby, gimme some a-lovin’.
Gimme some a-lovin’.
Got to have all your lovin’.
Gimme some a-lovin’.
I need all your lovin’.
Gimme some a-lovin’.
Now I need all your loving
Sha la la la la la live for today.
Sha la la la la la live for today.
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, hey
Sha la la la la la live for today.
(Oh, no, no, no, no, no)
Sha la la la la la live for today.
Songwriters: Giulio Rapetti Mogol / Norman David Shapiro