Luke Bryan Goes Home for ‘Born Here Live Here Die Here’ Video

Check out how far this humble Georgia boy has really come.

Written by Chris Parton
Luke Bryan Goes Home for ‘Born Here Live Here Die Here’ Video
Luke Bryan; Photo credit: Jim Wright

Luke Bryan takes fans to his hometown — and takes his hometown to the world — in his new video for “Born Here Live Here Die Here.”

Capturing both Bryan’s small town Georgia roots and his stadium-filling role as a country megastar, the black-and-white video is a study in contrast that mirrors Bryan’s life. On the one hand he’s seen fishing with family and enjoying the peace and quiet of Leesburg, Georgia. And on the other he’s pushing the envelope of country fame, performing for tens of thousands, accepting awards from Reba McEntire at the CMA Awards, hobnobbing with American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, and even opening his very own bar and restaurant in downtown Nashville.

Speaking with Sounds Like Nashville for our August cover story, superstar explained how that contrast shows up in his music. The song’s theme may be pride in never leaving your hometown, but it still speaks to him, even though he’s made a life of charming audiences all over the globe.

“If you’re really dissecting me singing [‘Born Here Live Here Die Here’], you can say ‘Well, you actually left your small town and you’re kind of a hypocrite,’” he says. “But I don’t view it that way. I view it as a song that’s really gonna speak to those people that did stay and do love their home town. There are so many wonderful, beautiful people out there who don’t have to go chase these crazy dreams — they’re content. They love to go to church, get up and work a hard day, they love the small-town feel and what that small-town life is about, and this song really pays homage to them.”

Even while staying true to his roots, Bryan continues to also stay in the spotlight, even as concert touring has been put on pause for COVID-19. After releasing his Born Here Live Here Die Here album last week, Bryan has appeared on TV shows from Late Night With Seth Meyers to The Kelly Clarkson Show, and will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on August 15.