| Don't Tell Me How to Live | |
| Cover: | Kid Rock - Don't Tell Me How to Live.webp |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Kid Rock featuring Monster Truck |
| Album: | Bad Reputation |
| Genre: | Rap rock[1] |
| Length: | 4:02 |
| Label: | Top Dog |
| Producer: | Kid Rock |
| Chronology: | Kid Rock |
| Prev Title: | American Rock 'n Roll |
| Prev Year: | 2018 |
| Next Title: | Ala-Fuckin-Bama |
| Next Year: | 2021 |
"Don't Tell Me How to Live" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kid Rock released on November 18, 2021, through Top Dog Records as the lead single from his twelfth studio album, Bad Reputation (2022). It samples the song of the same name by Monster Truck, who are credited as a featured artist.[2]
Kid Rock recorded the song with Monster Truck in late 2019, it started after he ranted about Oprah Winfrey at his Nashville bar. He teased the chorus and the first verse in various Instagram live streams, and shared a snippet on January 17, 2021 on his birthday, Before he played the song at the party he stated that he was "sick of the snowflakes going after people for no reason".[3]
In the third verse he makes references to Rev Run, David Lee Roth, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, and Brad Pitt comparing himself to them (personality wise).[4]
The video starts out with Kid Rock standing in front of a TV display showing news reports of himself regarding his controversial statements towards Oprah Winfrey, Joy Behar, and Al Sharpton along with the time when he called people filming his performance at a private party in Tennessee "faggots". He then is seen outside his Tennessee Double Wide with his cars and motorcycles while Monster Truck is standing. During the turntable/guitar solo, Kid Rock is seen flying on a middle finger statue called the "Kid Rocket". The video uses a noticeably large number of green screen effects.[5]
Upon the release of the single, it was met with negative reception, with criticism directed toward its lyrics, message, and music video. Some critics have referred to the single as a parody song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. After receiving tweets praising him for the supposed parody, Weird Al then tweeted back confirming that he had no involvement.[6]