WHO'S READY FOR AN ORIGINAL?? Super excited to present Live in Life, made in association with HoYoFair Spring 2023!! distrokid.com/hyperfollow/willstetson/live-in-life CATCH THE HOYOFAIR 2023 STREAM HERE: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aKqSrbd12N7Nimg.html

The contrast between this and Writing On The Wall when talking about existential crisises is just so cool

"You can’t outrun the wind, you’ll just be running out of breath" -- Absolute poetry

“you’ve got to live in life and leave the dying to the dead” is such a raw quote to live by damn this definitely is on the list with the best parts of hoyofair along with the diagnosis and the theme song for me

This song really embodied what Hu Tao belief in death. Hu Tao believes that that death is part of the cycle of life and shouldn't be feared. She praised the guy who gambled and die with a happy smile while pitying the woman who spend all of her resource, extending her suffering in a desperate hope that she might live. This is why most people tend to avoid her, as her belief make it seems like she enjoy death. Of course, she is still young and and still can change part of her belief. For example with Qiqi. Hu Tao really wants to bury Qiqi so that Qiqi would finally rest in peace and restore the cycle of life and death but after seeing Qiqi backstory and her desperate clinging to life, Hu Tao decided that Qiqi deserve her second chance in life and made her an exemption to her belief.

As someone who doesn’t play genshin, this is an amazing song. The lyrics, vocals and the track are all top tier. Good stuff. I know absolutely nothing about this character going in but this song gives a great insight to who this person is. Death being a huge theme in their character, obviously. A Grimm reaper esq character? Or someone with a solid life philosophy? Either way, a certified will classic. Bravo, bravo.

As a hu tao main and a Will Stetson fan, i know this original song is gonna be amazing!

As someone actually going into funeral service, Hu Tao's way of seeing things about life and death is actually something I think more people should consider. Funerals are celebrations of life, not death. Great song as always, Will! :)

This song makes Hu Tao like a jester or courier of death, and I’m all for it ❤

LET'S GO!! Original Stetson song finally omg. And it has Hu Tao as an added bonus.

idk if yall noticed, but this song unironically has a good message "Live in life, when your flame is burning strong, why watch the shadows on the walls?" - when you're still young and energetic, use this to be happy, and dont focus on all the bad things you did / are happening

I love seeing Hu Tao as an actual character like this instead of what Hoyo does and use her as waifu bait for brand collabs. Her character in game is so mysterious, working with Zhongli and maintaining the border of life and death and yet she barely has screen time, wasted potential imo. This makes up for that rap in Lantern Rite. Also love the whispering part at the beginning reminds me of tbhk

i love you will

This is great. Anyone who's familiar with her backstory can tell that the song's been written with a proper understanding of Hu Tao's character. I recognised a few references to her character story too: 0:33 - 0:40 It seems your friend has found a happy end. Is enjoying every day such a sin? and 0:48 - 0:54 Living life without regret so you can see what lies beyond the border when you gone are both references to this paragraph in her "Vision" character story: [At last she came to the conclusion: her grandfather's absence was due to him having passed over the border as soon as he'd arrived, to the place where he was bound. He had been open and honest in life, leaving behind no regrets, so was it right for his departure to be framed in regretful terms?] 0:41 - 0:44 Live in life, and leave the dying to the dead is also a reference to the lines in her "Vision" character story: [The faraway moon had been casting a thin light on the way over but had now been replaced by the bright light of dawn. As she walked, Hu Tao thought of a saying that her grandfather had often quoted: "Live in life, die in death. Follow your heart, do what you can."] 1:02 - 1:30 talks about the old lady trying very hard to survive despite the futility of it [This one's just a reference to Hu Tao's philosophy that she managed to solidify after her journey to the border between life and death to look for her late grandfather's spirit, right after having to conduct a funeral for him as her first official task as the funeral director. She spent days among dead spirits, and ran out of rations while attempting to locate her grandfather. In the end, an old woman's spirit took pity on her and explained that those who've lived life to the fullest would never have regrets and linger in the border. It also shows why she dislikes Baizhu who is known to be sickly and is in pursuit of eternal life.] All other variations of "live in life" or having fun while you're alive are just extensions to her philosophy that is often misunderstood. She does not make fun of death, nor does she wish for people to die so she can sell coffins and funeral services (the EN localisation likes to ignore this and kept adding death jokes despite one of her voicelines where she solemnly stated that death is something that should never be joked about). She wants people to come to terms with the fact that death is inevitable and should not be feared. Instead, they should just make the preparations for it in advance so they can focus on enjoying their life instead.

If this song isn’t played at my funeral, I’m not attending

THIS SONG DESERVES SO MUCH MORE ATTENTION 😭😭😭

My friend sang this today on our school talent show. She didnt win, but i am in love with this song. Death has no favourite child- a wise person called Wil Stenston

OMG It's your first original song and it's related to HU TAO??? It's my favourite genshin character I'm so nervous right now

Will, i know your voice in this one is gonna be good as always, and i love to know it

To be honest it doesn't feel like a theme anymore, it feels like a life story

I love it when people understand how actually creepy Hutao and her lore is. She isn't broken or melancholic. She's literally someone who sees beyond the average person, like a genius with creepily suspended human aspects, except her suspension is the fear of death.

lyrically _and_ visually, this song is so so much fun. including gustav klimt's _the kiss_ to parallel the unspoken idea of the kiss of death in the bridge was ingenious. when i saw the painting during the stream yesterday, my jaw dropped-it was so well placed. congratulations on such a fantastic first original song will! can’t wait to see what comes next

As a representative of the Hu Tao mains, I can confirm this will be a banger even before it premieres🔥🔥🔥

For anyone wondering, here is Hu Tao's backstory and why she is so cheerful around death: "This tale should begin with the funeral of Hu Tao's grandfather. Ten days before the funeral itself, Old Hu had passed away following a bout of illness. For its 75th Director, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held a grand funeral, in accordance with the last wishes of the old man himself, to be conducted by Hu Tao. Only thirteen at the time, Hu Tao, who would later go on to become the Director in turn, made all the arrangements herself to the highest standard, greatly impressing the undertakers. After the funeral, the thirteen-year-old Hu Tao grabbed her traveler's bag and crept out alone in the dead of night. In her bag were only a few rations, some water, and a means to create some light. She was headed to a mysterious and seldom-seen frontier. Heading straight from Wuwang Hill, one may arrive at the "border." It is the line that separates life and death, the secrets of which have been managed by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for generations. According to legend, it is a place where the souls of past relatives and the spirits of those with unfulfilled aspirations linger. For Hu Tao, this journey was a chance to see her grandfather once more before he departed forever. For two days she journeyed unceasingly before finally arriving at her destination, yet was unable to locate her grandfather upon arrival. Between the innumerable spirits she walked, but not one of them resembled the old man. She stayed there the whole day before falling asleep in exhaustion, awakening to a night sky and heavy dew. Around her were gathered a few lone spirits, clapping and laughing: "Silly girl, why would Old Hu be here of all places? What were you thinking, looking for your relatives here?" Not one to be swayed so easily, Hu Tao continued to wait, day after day. Her rations gradually disappeared and her water supplies drained away, but her grandfather did not appear. In the end, it was a little old woman who came to her. She laid eyes on the exhausted Hu Tao and smiled as she spoke: "Look at your stubbornness, you're exactly like Old Hu. It's a shame, but none of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Directors would ever linger here. You come from a family of plain speakers, so let me return the favor... Go back. Go back to where you came from." The old woman bid farewell to Hu Tao, before passing over the border and into the distance. Hu Tao watched as the figure of the mysterious woman grew smaller and disappeared, as a sense of doubt tinged with relief manifested itself. At last she came to the conclusion: her grandfather's absence was due to him having passed over the border as soon as he'd arrived, to the place where he was bound. He had been open and honest in life, leaving behind no regrets, so was it right for his departure to be framed in regretful terms? With a smile, she set forth on the return journey. The faraway moon had been casting a thin light on the way over but had now been replaced by the bright light of dawn. As she walked, Hu Tao thought of a saying that her grandfather had often quoted: "Live in life, die in death. Follow your heart, do what you can." It was noon when Hu Tao arrived home. She climbed over the wall into the rear courtyard, went straight to her room, and unpacked her travel bag. With her food and water long gone, and the rest of her belongings unpacked, the bag she had taken for empty instead contained a colorful Vision. Just when had it arrived? As one of the few living that had dared to visit the border, perhaps Hu Tao's actions had moved some unknown god. Perhaps this then constituted a heavenly gift... the ultimate recognition of her strength."

Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning 'remember you must die'. I found it interesting that it can be seen in multiple places and it's a nice detail

Lyrics: He died Holding four kings and an ace The smell of foreign wine and faint smile on his face Hushed words Could be barely overheard To go so shamelessly, oh what a waste But then a girl in black Took the wake aback When she spoke up with an oddly cheerful grin It seems your friend Has found a happy end Is enjoying every day such a sin? After all, you've got to Live in life, and leave the dying to the dead If your flame is burning strong, Why watch the shadows on the wall instead of Living life without regret, So you can see what lies beyond The border when you're gone She died Skin stretched thin across her bones With shelves of medicine To stop the agonizing groans Each cent And precious second spent Trying desperately to stave off the unknown When the director saw This duel with natural laws She seemed both disappointed and amused Why sell your soul For such a futile goal It's a battle that you're destined to lose After all, you've got to Live in life, and leave the dying to the dead 'Cause you can't outrun the wind You'll just be running out of breath instead of Living life without regret so you can see what lies beyond The border when you're gone Death has no favorite child He visits those who wait And he visits those who ought to have a while But fighting fate has a price Disturbing the order of things Means you need to make a sacrifice "In the end, you've got to Live in life, and leave the dying to the dead What's the point of sinking down in dread and losing hope When you could go and keep on Living life without regret So you can see what lies beyond The border when you're Gone is gone, so make the most of what you've got You should have a little fun Before your body turns to rot, so go and Live your life without regrets Or you won't see what lies beyond The border when you're gone

Kill me now and send me to the afterlife like Hu Tao- Will I'm so proud!!! You've come a long way and I can't believe your 1st original song is with the likes of Hoyoverse 😭 After watching, I really am deceased 💀

Hu Tao is just the exact opposite of me, from what I'm gathering here. I really should learn a bit from this song and her philosophy, considering that I'm so terrified of death that it occasionally gets in the way of my ability to enjoy my life and the world around me.

Those who don't know Genshin: What a nice person! So positive! Those that know: "would you like to have a membership plan for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"

I’m honestly so impressed, the lyrics and music feel so much like the character, when first listening I literally screamed with how awesome it sounded-and the animation? Absolutely incredible, little details and the way the lyrics are displayed make everything come to life. Hu Tao might still be trying to bury Qiqi, but this song is staying buried in my brain forever!

I don’t know how but the first ever Will Stetson original song has surpassed and exceeded every expectation that I’ve had. And these expectations were that this’d be the best original song I’ve ever heard

Hello 👋🏻 I’m here to bring you the lyrics in the comments : He died Holding four kings and as ace The smell of foreign whine and a faint smile on his face Hushed words Could be barely overheard To go so shamelessly,oh what a waste But then a girl in black Took the wake aback When she spoke up with an oddly cheerful grin “It seems your friend,has found a Happy End. Is enjoying everyday such a sin?” After all you’ve got to live in life and leave the dying to the dead If your flame is burning strong why watch its shadows on the wall Instead of living life without regret so you can see what lies beyond The border when your gone She died skin stretched thin acrossed her bones With shelves of Medicine to stop the agonizing groans Each cent and precious second spent Trying desperately to stave of the unknown When the director saw This duel with natural laws She seemed both disappointed and amused Why sell your soul for such a futile goal It’s a battle that’s you’re destined to loose After all you’ve got to Live in life and leave the dying to the dead Cause you can’t outrun the wind, you’ll just be running out of breath Instead of living life without regret so you can see what lies beyond The border when your gone Death has no favorite child He visits those who wait And he visits those who ought to have awhile But fighting fate has a price Disturbing the order of things Means you need to make a sacrifice I’m the end you’ve got to live in life and leave the dying to the dead What’s the point of sinking down in dread and loosing hope When you could go and keep on living life without regret So you can see what lies beyond The border when your gone Is gone So make the most of what you’ve got You should have a little fun Before your body turns to rot So go and Live your life without regret Or you won’t see what lies beyond The border when your gone Well that took 40 mins anyway enjoy-🍒🌸

I like how life and death is kinda represented with the drums and piano. You can hear the piano when the song talks about grief or sacrifice, but the drums come in when it talks about moving on and life.

Wow! As a big Genshin and Will Stetson fan, I’m so excited for this original!! I never expected this but I know it’ll be amazing! Congratulations on making this for the Hoyofair, I know you’ll go above and beyond on this!!

I waited and this did NOT dissapoint I loved how upbeat it was despite the lyrics talking of death its definitely fitting for Hu Tao and perfectly crafted

"SO GO AND LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS OR YOU WONT SEE WHAT LIES BEYONNDD.. THE BORDER WHEN YOU'RE GONE!!"~ 🔥 Holy Crap Will! i love that line! it has such a GOOD message and this perfectly captures HuTao's personality. this song is so good, please make more originals. holy crap!

This song has given me more clarity over life than any speech.

"Why sell your soul for such a futile goal? Its a battle you're destined to lose." thats something i love sm

My baby brother passed away at the start of this year and he was absolutely my moms favorite child so the line death has no favorite child always makes me cry man

This was released 3 weeks ago, but the relevance to Baizhu's story quest is eerily uncanny. It would seem that, just like Hu Tao, you know more about what's going on than you should. Very well done.

Heard this song on the Hoyofair and oh my god it's such a banger Thank you Will as always for such banger music 🙏🙏

Willさんが原神に触れてることが既に喜びすぎて涙が止まらん

WE ARE MAKING IT OUTTA GRAVE 🗣️🔥🔊🔊

“Live in life and leave the dying to the dead.” is such a good line

As somebody who is desperately scared of dying, every day makes me anxious knowing death is drawing closer. this made me feel something I cried a little. Why fight something so hard when you can’t win, you can just enjoy every second doing what you love instead. It really made me a lot less scared, and I just want to enjoy life now. :)

I don’t know why but i want this to be played at my funeral

song so good it literally changed my perspective on life wtf

couldnt believe some lines in a random song would stop me from having su*cidal thoughts

I honestly gotta thank you for this. Full honesty, a funeral for a close friend of mine had died was just a day before this dropped, and the build-up to that had me a bit outta my head. But between the message within this and the closure I got from the day before, I feel way better about the whole thing and can focus back on my own things. I guess what I mean to say is, I needed to hear something like this, and you just happened to provide it, so thanks, even if it’s coincidence. On a less depressing or personal note… *do more originals, please-?* This is so damn good, and I’m not saying that cuz of my bias to a swinging beat.

my expectations were high and man you blew them away !! seeing will get to shine in his specialty of jazzy type songs is such a treat, and with a genshin fansong for one of my favorite characters really feels like i'm being spoiled. the lyrics are catchy, the tune is addicting, and i'm preparing to loop this song for hours and hours; not to mention the style and animation of the mv is so unique and tasteful !! everyone on this project did a BREATHTAKING job, huge kudos to the entire team !!!

I honestly thought this was going to be bad because most songs about Hu Tao are raps and I don't really like them, but this is fucking amazing. I can't stop listening to it fr it's so good 😭😭😭

The idea that death is amused by humanity's attempts to hold it back is so intriguing to me, idk why

you literally deserve everything in the world at this point 😭 I'm so glad your work is being recognised and you're getting the attention you deserve

If were lucky we can get Hu tao VA herself sing this

Will, please make more songs in this jazz rock style, your voice was MADE to be amazing with this sound you are INCREDIBLY TALENTED

歌詞です。 Live in Life 彼は死んだ 4枚のキングとエースを1枚持ったまま 洋酒の香りを漂わせて 笑みを浮かべたまま ひそひそ声が どこからか聞こえる 「こんな逝き方は、ちょっと惜しいな」 そこへ黒衣の少女が一人 奇妙な笑みを浮かべ 驚くべき言葉を放つ 「お友達はどうやら」 「いい終わり方をしたみたい」 「日々を楽しむのは、別に罪じゃないでしょ？」 「だって、あなたも」 「ちゃんと生きて、心残りなく逝かなきゃいけないんだから」 「まだあなたの火が消えてないなら」 「壁に映る影を見つめるのをやめて」 「悔いのないように生きて」 「いつかあなたが逝くとき」 「向こう側にある景色を見るために」 彼女は死んだ 骨と皮ばかりになって 棚にあるすべての薬を飲んで 胸の張り裂けるような痛みを止めようとした ありったけの金と 大事な時間と引き換えに 少しでも生き永らえようとした 自然の摂理との争い それを目にした堂主には 失望と興味があった 「無駄なことなのに」 「なんで魂を売ってしまったの？」 「これは勝ち目のない戦いだった」 「だって、あなたは」 「ちゃんと生きて、心残りなく逝かなきゃいけなかったのに」 「風と競走したって」 「息が切れるだけ」 「悔いのないように生きてほしかった」 「こうしてあなたが逝くとき」 「向こう側にある景色を見るために」 死神は贔屓をしない 命尽きる者のもとに 抗おうとする者のもとに、必ず訪れる 運命に挑むには対価がいる 生死の定めを覆すには 何かを犠牲しなければならない 「結局、あなたは」 「ちゃんと生きて、心残りなく逝かなきゃいけないんだから」 「恐怖に溺れ希望を失う意味は何？」 「まっすぐ前へ進んで」 「悔いのないように生きて」 「いつかあなたが逝くとき」 「向こう側にある景色を見るために」 過ぎ去ったことを悔いても無意味だから 楽しいことを見つけよう 体が老いてしまう前に 悔いのないように生きて でないとあなたが逝くとき 向こう側にある景色を見られないでしょう

As a proud Hu Tao main, this song really describes her perfectly, great job!

"Why sell your soul, for such futile goal?It's a battle that you're destined to loose?" After I heard Baizhu story this line makes me think that HuTao is addresing to him somehow

The melody is reminding me of that one part of the BEASTARS opening, i love it so much!

there’s something about this song that just makes it so, addictive. bc i’ve never even played genshin and i still added it to my playlist and listen to it regularly

Saw this ad and hated that it was long but as I was qbout to push skip I got so into it I listened to the whole song! Great song

Holy... You should make more original songs. It's already given that your voice is amazing from the covers, but your lyrical work and the flow you create with it is someting else entirely. This song is a straight up banger. Especially the themes and how well it fits. Great work :)

I love this so much. The jazzy feel is exactly what kind of music I’d imagine Hu Tao would enjoy. Plus it gives off vibes of her mischief I love it

Holy crap this is so.... so good It really captures Hu Tao's personality imo, I have no idea why The really cheery music and the slightly uneasy lyrics and that one part where the more cheery music dies down as more serious lyrics arises are so good Istfg I literally cannot find any words. Delightful? Tremendous? Magnificent? It's just THAT wonderful, I legit can't

The ‘boarder when you’re gone’ sent me chills

As one of those few Baizhu mains, i hate how i cant stop coming back to this BANGER

Omg you and Miyo absolutely killed it!! As a hu tao main, I actually love the way you guys captured her vibe

fun fact: in 2:53 the lyrics say "momentomori" which means remember about death

i would listen to this song on repeat, its so hyponotizing in a good way you’d never expect! the way the beat youd be missing in your mind wanting a taste of the song again and again

I love how both this song and Will Stetson’s other Genshin Impact Fansong called “Writing on the Wall” sounds just like a song in the “Royal Scandal” Series sung by Japanese Singer Luz, but just in English instead of Japanese. I love it so so much!

Dude, even as a non Hu Tao song, THIS SLAPS SO HARD, Will has some serious talent

ive now watched this one 30 times aswell as writing on the wall

As a Hu Tao enjoyer, and a will Stetson listener, This is….AMAZING!? WTF YOU DID SO GOOD, THE VOCALS, INSTRUMENTALS, AND LYRICS!!! you did so good with making an original song!!! Keep up the good work!!

“if your flame is burning bright, why watch the shadows on the wall instead?” amazing line wow

Gone is gone, so make the most of what you’ve got.

もう最高………！！！！この言葉しか出てこない…ｲｯﾃﾙｲﾐﾜｶﾗﾅｲｹﾄﾞ……

just saw the livestream AND HOLY SHIT??????? FUCKING BANGER!!!!!!!!!!! so proud to see how far will's come :')))

EEEE THIS IS SO GOOD Congrats on your first original song!!🎉 I hope to hear more in the future!

How come when I listen to this song an animatic of Greek mythology starts playing in my head? Like my drawing skills aren't even good enough to have a hope of making that, brain stop it!

THIS SONG IS TOO PERFECT!! Beautiful and catchy and you captured Hu Tao's vibe and personality perfectly with these lyrics, stunning amazing job and I'll be listening on repeat ☺️

Hey Will please don’t be discouraged if this song doesn’t blow up. It’s one of the best songs with your voice in it and the lyrics and message are so good

I've been replaying this for like 12 times. I DON'T EVEN PLAY GENSHIN ANYMORE

This is truly a spectacular debut. I loved every second of this well crafted direction! The duality of Genshin, it's Creators vs. Impact.

will once again said "its time to make the best hoyofair song"

God, it's just so good. I'm never going to get tired of listening to this.

I like how it shows the words "memento mori" around the MV, which is an artistic or symbolic trope acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death

i cant stop listening to this

THAT SUCH AN AMAZING SONG🥹😭😭😭 I love Hu Tao so much oh my goodness,the message “You got to live in life” is wonderful and I feel a little bit less worried about anything Thank you,Will,you did an amazing job 🥹💗💗💗

THE ADRENALINE RUNNING UP AND DOWN IN MY BODY WHEN LISTEN TO THIS 🏃🏃🏃

もっとバズっていい曲

I’ve just been repeatedly coming back to this song because of how much I love it, and while trying to memorize the lyrics this just popped into my head that the first part of the song reminds me of a great quote from Berserk “He died doing what he wanted no matter what right? I bet he died happy” This song really is amazing and respect to Kentaro Miura as well ❤

This somehow exceeded my expectations. Oh my Archons, this is incredible! (I tried to catch the premier in a church bathroom but didn’t have service, so watched it first thing after service. And I listened to it 3 times before coming to write this comment, because WOW. ) The composition and lyrics are very well written, and the song itself fits perfectly for Hu Tao’s character and outlook! Of course your singing is fantastic, but we all already expected that! I also love the animation style, beautiful artwork and very Liyue-esque. It’s exciting hearing your first original song, and just how well crafted it is makes me really look forward to whatever you do next! This is quickly becoming a new favorite, thank you! if will sees this, ily, have a wonderful day!

Streamed this so hard when it came out on Spotify and the MV made this even more hype, I love!!!💗💗💗

Now this is what i call a banger of a song, it has a deep meaning even tho sounding amazing. What an excellence.

dude, i screamed when i saw this i’ve played genshin for 2 years and listened to your music for about the same so this was the best thing ever

this lowkey sounds like a anime opening, perfect for genshins anime actually

As a Hu Tao enthusiast, I am very happy

Story telling through music like this is just so so cool

Your songs are just so fantastic man, love them all Keep doing what you love

The entire song has just so many lyrics that feel so deep and meaningful and I absolutely LOVE it ❤️