The song is a mid-tempo ballad set in triple meter and primarily accompanied by piano, in which the narrator addresses someone else, telling of how that person keeps the narrator from making mistakes in life ("every day, you save my life").
Jeffrey Steele, one of the song's co-writers, was inspired to write down the title after meeting singer Sarah Buxton at a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. Buxton told Steele about her roommate, saying "Every day, she saves my life". Steele then went home thinking about a lyric.[1] Later on, while at a songwriting seminar in Colorado, Steele met songwriter Alissa Moreno, who was playing a melody on the piano. Steele then sang the title that he had written alongside Moreno's melody, they worked on the lyric and melody, and the song was completed.[1] He then sent the song to record producer Dann Huff, who recommended the song to Rascal Flatts. The group then recorded it for their Still Feels Good album, giving Moreno her first outside cut as a songwriter.[1]
Music video
A music video for the song was issued on April 17, 2008. It features actors portraying various dramatic scenes based on "the concept that a single act of kindness… mak[ing] a difference in the lives of others", according to CMT.[2] The video was created by Deaton Flanigen Productions.
Chart performance
The song debuted at #42 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated March 8, 2008, reaching a peak of #2 on that chart on the chart week of June 14, 2008.
Charts
Chart (2008)
Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs
2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100
45
U.S. Billboard Pop 100
85
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs
75
Canadian Country Singles Chart
5
Billboard Canadian Hot 100
65
References
^ abc Horner, Alanna (2008-07-14). "Story Behind the Song: A True Lifesaver". Country Weekly15 (14): 50. Retrieved on 2008-06-26.