| To Live and Die in L.A. | |
| Cover: | To Live and Die in L.A. Single.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Wang Chung |
| Album: | To Live and Die in L.A. soundtrack |
| B-Side: | Black–Blue–White |
| Genre: | New wave |
| Length: | 4:53 (album version) 3:53 (single version) |
| Label: | Geffen |
| Producer: | Jolley & Swain |
| Prev Title: | Wait |
| Prev Year: | 1984 |
| Next Title: | Wake Up, Stop Dreaming |
| Next Year: | 1985 |
"To Live and Die in L.A." is a single from the soundtrack of the same name by the English new wave band Wang Chung. Released on 25 September 1985, the song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 41.
Cashbox said that the song "melds its own synth dance fusion with a clear cut pop sensibility which is alluring and ultimately triumphant" and that it captures "the city’s sense of 'loneliness within a maze of people.'"[1]
On the To Live and Die in L.A. DVD audio commentary, director William Friedkin stated to Wang Chung that he "didn’t want a theme song for To Live and Die in L.A." One day, though, Jack Hues and Nick Feldman gave Friedkin a copy of "To Live and Die in L.A." (to his dismay). Surprisingly, Friedkin was impressed and decided to keep the song as part of the film and soundtrack.
The album version includes additional lyrics not included in the single version.
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay Chart[2] | 30 |
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 21 |