The new Motley Crue single, "If I Die Tomorrow," is actually a leftover song from Simple Plan's recording sessions with Bob Rock for their latest album, Still Not Getting Any...

"We loved the song when we wrote it. But it didn't really sound like it belonged on the album, and we had it kicking around," says drummer Chuck Comeau, who co-writes all of Simple Plan's songs with singer Pierre Bouvier. "It's pretty dope to be thinking that such an influential, huge band chose to work on it for their comeback."

After Rock produced the Montreal rockers, he went to work with Motley Crue, and knowing they were looking for new material to add to the best-of package, Red, White and Crue, brought "If I Die Tomorrow" with him. "Bob played them the song, and they really liked it. [Crue bassist] Nikki Sixx worked on some stuff on it, changed a few lines, then they recorded it," explains Comeau. (Sixx's changes, though minor, were just enough to warrant a co-publishing credit.)

The song's title remained the same, but Comeau confesses that the lyrics have taken on new meaning now. "We all read [the Crue biography] The Dirt," he says, "and how they basically lived on the edge and really pushed the envelope of life itself by their actions, walking on the edge of dying and waking up with needles in their arms. [The song is] almost about life now: 'I live my life to the fullest and to the extreme, and I did it all, so if I die tomorrow, it's okay.'"

Simple Plan -- which also includes guitarists Sebastien Lefebvre and Jeff Stinco, and bassist David Desrosiers -- have not met any of the Crue members, but hope to cross paths on tour next year. "We'd love to hang out, and just go to a show," says Comeau.

As to whether the pop-punk quintet might open for the veteran metal men, the band, Comeau says, "We haven't got anything yet, but it would be really, really cool. Nikki, if you're reading this, call me..."

Simple Plan will wrap up 2004 with a handful of radio shows and television appearances, before shooting the video for the album's second single, "Shut Up." At the end of January, they kick off a world tour in Mexico, returning to North America from April to June.