Take a look behind the scenes to see how the band and director Ethan Lader brought this organic, film-inspired aesthetic to life: OneRepublic - behind the scenes of Good Life YouTube• Mar 22, 2014 The Disney Connection and Alternative Versions
These appearances, along with various symbols throughout the video, marked a departure from the band's previous, more straightforward music videos. Meaning: Living in the Moment
The official music video, which premiered on , was directed by Ethan Lader . While the lyrics globe-trot from London to Paris, the core performance was actually filmed in a mountain valley in West Hills, California .
Fans often connect with the song's message of looking on the bright side, regardless of current struggles or location.
One of the video's most intriguing features is its subtle star power. It includes cameo appearances by several A-list actors, including: Anne Hathaway Nicolas Cage Russell Crowe
Lader chose an "effortless cool" aesthetic, utilizing a principle and vintage film processing to give the video an organic, timeless feel. Despite the sunny California location, the day of shooting was surprisingly cloudy, which the band felt added an "otherworldly" quality to the footage, almost as if they were on a beach in Virginia. Celebrities and Secret Cameos
At its heart, "Good Life" is about appreciation. Lead singer Ryan Tedder has described the song as a reminder to "savor the good times" and take "mental pictures" of life's peaks before the window closes.
