The Weight of Eternal Regret | This Is Your Life | Dio

"This Is Your Life" is a song by American heavy metal musician Dio, from his 1984 album "Holy Diver". The song is often considered one of Dio's most iconic and enduring tracks.

The lyrics of "This Is Your Life" are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation, but they appear to be a cautionary tale about the consequences of making deals with dark forces. The opening lines, "You're living too long, your life's too short / You're running out of time", suggest that the protagonist is aware that their life is slipping away from them, possibly due to some sort of Faustian bargain.

Throughout the song, Dio's powerful vocals and the band's driving rhythm section create a sense of urgency and foreboding, as if the listener is being warned about the dangers of delving too deep into the darkness. The chorus, "This is your life", becomes a haunting refrain that drives home the message that the protagonist (and by extension, the listener) must take control of their own destiny.

Musically, "This Is Your Life" features some of Dio's most impressive vocal work, with his signature screams and wails adding to the song's overall sense of tension and drama. The guitar work is also noteworthy, with Vivian Campbell's (formerly of Def Leppard) leads adding a layer of complexity to the track.

Despite being released over 30 years ago, "This Is Your Life" remains a fan favorite and a staple of Dio's live shows. Its themes of self-awareness and the importance of taking control of one's own life continue to resonate with listeners today.