In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Womack recalled hearing the song for the first time and her initial reaction: "Real roots music, whether it's country or bluegrass, the blues, even rock, is about hitting a nerve. You can't not react. It's not an easy thing to do, but man, this song hit me the first time I heard it, and it hits me every time I sing it, hear it or even think about it." "The Way I'm Livin'" was recorded in sessions held in four different studios, three of which were located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions were produced by Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf.
