"What You Live By" by Harvey Danger seems to be a contemplation on the choices and actions we make in our lives and how they ultimately lead to our demise. The lyrics suggest meeting up with someone to talk about past experiences and the reasons why they are still alive, perhaps implying that they have made some questionable decisions in their lives that could have led to a different outcome. The song also touches upon the idea that we are all limited by the choices we make, with only a limited number of sides to the record we play. The line "You die by what you live by" suggests that the choices we make in life ultimately dictate our fate. The song contrasts the idea of living excessively with the reality of being limited and vulnerable to our circumstances. It describes how we can quickly become consumed by our desires, leading us to desperate actions and eventually drowning in stagnant pools. Overall, "What You Live By" seems to be a sobering reminder that our choices in life have consequences, and we must be mindful of the paths we take and the lives we lead.
