According to Mark Hall, the lead vocalist of Casting Crowns, "Lifesong" came out of what he found himself saying to students in his church's youth ministry.

Compared to the work of rock band U2, the song lyrically points believers towards honoring God in all they do.

[4] "Lifesong" has been described as a power ballad[5] and "robust pop",[6] and it has been musically compared to the work of rock band U2,[7][8] Lyrically, it "points believers towards honoring God in all they do".

[9] According to lead vocalist Mark Hall, the song came out of what he found himself saying and praying to the student's in his church's youth ministry.

John DiBiase of Jesus Freak Hideout described it as a "musical nod to U2" and felt that the opening of Lifesong with the song was responsible for the album having a "greater appeal" than Casting Crowns' debut record.

[9] Russ Breimeier of Christianity Today, however, felt the song was one of the weakest on the album, calling it "predictable" and criticizing what he perceived as imitation of U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name" and Chris Tomlin's "Forever".

At a concert at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Casting Crowns opened their setlist with the song, accompanied by over 100 robed choir members.

[6] At a concert on November 12, 2005 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Casting Crowns opened their setlist with the song.

[37] They performed "Lifesong" as the eighteenth song on their setlist at a concert on February 5, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.