My Life (Billy Joel song)

Last updated
"My Life"
My Life - Billy Joel.jpg
Artwork for Dutch, French, and German vinyl releases
Single by Billy Joel
from the album 52nd Street
B-side "52nd Street"
ReleasedOctober 1978
Recorded1978
Genre
Length4:44(album version)
3:50 (single version)
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"The Stranger"
(1978)		"My Life"
(1978)		"Big Shot"
(1979)

"My Life" is a song by Billy Joel that first appeared on his 1978 album 52nd Street . A single version was released in the fall of 1978 and reached No. 2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Early the next year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

Musical structure

The song begins with drums, electric bass, and a left-hand piano part, followed by a keyboard riff in the right hand. The riff is also used as a fill between verse and chorus sections and is also played at the end. The section order is intro-verse-fill-chorus-bridge-v-f-c-b-solo-c-outro.

Chicago members Peter Cetera and Donnie Dacus performed the backing vocals and sang along with Joel during the bridge and in the outro ("Keep it to yourself, it's my life").[ citation needed ]

"My Life" was used as the theme song for the ABC television series Bosom Buddies (1980–82), albeit in a re-recorded version with a different vocalist.[ citation needed ] However, due to licensing issues, it does not appear on the VHS and DVD releases of the series, nor is it used in the show's syndicated airings; in both cases, it is replaced by a vocal version of the show's closing instrumental theme, "Shake Me Loose", sung by Stephanie Mills.

The structure of the opening verse is essentially identical to the one in the song Sha-La-La-La-La, released five years prior by Danish glam rock band Walkers. Joel does not credit the band for inspiration.

Reception

Billboard described "My Life" as "an infectious uptempo tune guaranteeing a good mood for the listener." [4] Cash Box said that the "jumpy, upfront beat, keyboards, and acoustic guitar lines back Joel's strong singing" and praised the "musical and lyrical hooks." [5] Record World called it a "Top 40 & adult [oriented rock] natural." [6]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [29] Gold75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [30]
Physical 		Silver250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [31]
Digital 		Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [32] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>52nd Street</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Billy Joel

52nd Street is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on October 11, 1978, by Columbia Records. Presenting itself as the follow-up to his breakthrough studio album, The Stranger, Joel tried to give the new album a fresh sound, hiring various jazz musicians to differentiate it from his previous studio albums.

<i>Chicago 13</i> 1979 studio album by Chicago

Chicago 13 is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Chicago, released on August 13, 1979, by Columbia Records. Chicago 13 was the band's final release featuring lead guitarist Donnie Dacus, who had followed the late founding member, guitarist Terry Kath. All band members contributed to the songwriting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Shook Up</span> Song by Elvis Presley

"All Shook Up" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley, published by Elvis Presley Music, and composed by Otis Blackwell. The single topped the U.S. Billboard Top 100 on April 13, 1957, staying there for nine weeks. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart for four weeks, becoming Presley's second single to do so, and peaked at No. 1 on the country chart as well. It is certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptown Girl</span> 1983 single by Billy Joel

"Uptown Girl" is a song written and performed by American musician Billy Joel from his ninth studio album An Innocent Man (1983), released in September 1983 as the album's second single. The lyrics describe a working-class "downtown man" attempting to woo a wealthy "uptown girl". The 12" EP has the tracks "My Life", "Just the Way You Are" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", whereas some 7" single versions featured "Careless Talk" as a B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel song)</span> 1977 single by Billy Joel

"Just the Way You Are" is a song by Billy Joel from his fifth studio album The Stranger (1977), released as the album's second single in early November 1977. It became both Joel's first US Top 10 and UK Top 20 single, as well as Joel's first gold single in the US. The song also topped the Billboard Easy Listening Chart for the entire month of January 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)</span> 1977 single by Rod Stewart

"You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" is a song written and recorded by Rod Stewart for his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The song become a hit, reaching the top ten of many countries, including the United States (number 4), Canada (number 2), and Australia, peaking at number 1 for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">After All (Cher and Peter Cetera song)</span> 1989 single by Cher and Peter Cetera

"After All" is a song performed as a duet by American singers Cher and Peter Cetera, released on March 3, 1989 by Geffen Records. It was used as the love theme for the film Chances Are and was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards 1989. The song was also the first North American single release from Cher's nineteenth album Heart of Stone. The song appears on Peter Cetera's 1997 album You're The Inspiration – A Collection and his 2017 album, The Very Best of Peter Cetera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Next Time I Fall</span> 1986 single by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant

"The Next Time I Fall" is a song written by Bobby Caldwell and Paul Gordon and recorded by a duet of Peter Cetera and Amy Grant for Cetera's 1986 album Solitude/Solitaire. It reached number one on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In February 2020, it was listed on a Billboard pop music list of top 25 love song duets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just You 'n' Me</span> 1973 single by Chicago

"Just You 'n' Me" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their fifth studio album Chicago VI (1973). The lead vocals are sung by bassist Peter Cetera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I've Been) Searchin' So Long</span> 1974 single by Chicago

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII (1974). The first single released from that album, it reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number 8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song peaked at number 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby, What a Big Surprise</span> 1977 single by Chicago

"Baby, What a Big Surprise" is a ballad written by Chicago's then bassist/singer Peter Cetera, which appeared on their album Chicago XI (1977), with Cetera singing lead vocals. The first single released from the album reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alive Again (Chicago song)</span> 1978 single by Chicago

"Alive Again" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Hot Streets (1978), with Peter Cetera singing lead vocals. The first single released from that album, it reached No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, "Alive Again" spent two weeks at No. 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Tell Lover</span> 1978 single by Chicago

"No Tell Lover" is a song written by Lee Loughnane, Danny Seraphine, and Peter Cetera for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Hot Streets (1978), with Cetera and Donnie Dacus singing lead vocals. The second single released from that album, it reached No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 5 on the adult contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're the Inspiration</span> Single by Chicago

"You're the Inspiration" is a song written by Peter Cetera and David Foster for the group Chicago and recorded for their fourteenth studio album Chicago 17 (1984), with Cetera singing lead vocals. The third single released from that album, it reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1985 and also climbed to the top position on the Adult Contemporary chart at the same time. The song won honors for Cetera from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), in 1986 in the most-performed songs category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joel discography</span>

This is the discography of American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. He has released 13 studio albums, seven live albums, 18 compilation albums, 10 video albums, 82 singles, three promotional singles and 45 music videos. Throughout his career, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Joel has sold 85 million certified albums in the United States, making him the 4th best-selling solo artist of all time. Billboard ranked him as the 9th Greatest male soloist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honesty (Billy Joel song)</span> 1979 single by Billy Joel

"Honesty" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released by Columbia Records as the third US single from his sixth studio album 52nd Street (1978) in 1979. "Honesty" was solely written by Joel, while production was handled by Phil Ramone. The song appears on the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2, replacing "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Go to Extremes</span> 1989 single by Billy Joel

"I Go to Extremes" is a song by American singer Billy Joel from his eleventh studio album, Storm Front (1989), released as the album's second US single in early 1990. It reached the number-six position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number three on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The song was also a top-10 hit on both the Billboard Adult Contemporary and Album Rock Tracks charts. The song also reached at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The River of Dreams</span> 1993 single by Billy Joel

"The River of Dreams" is a song by American musician Billy Joel. It is the title track and first single from his 1993 album, River of Dreams. The song was a hit, peaking at number three on the US and UK charts, making it Joel's best-charting single of the decade as well as his final top ten in either country to date. It also hit the top spot in Australia, New Zealand, and on the Canadian and US Adult Contemporary charts. The song was produced by Joe Nicolo and Danny Kortchmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All About Soul</span> 1993 single by Billy Joel

"All About Soul" is a song by American musician Billy Joel, released in October 1993 as the third single from his 12th studio album, River of Dreams. The single was produced by Danny Kortchmar and Joe Nicolo and features backing vocals by Color Me Badd. The song peaked at No. 29 in the United States and No. 32 in the United Kingdom, becoming his final top-40 single in either country. The compilation box set My Lives contains an unfinished demo version of "All About Soul" called "Motorcycle Song".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Much I Feel</span> 1978 single by Ambrosia

"How Much I Feel" is a 1978 song by American rock band Ambrosia. The song, written by the band's guitarist/vocalist David Pack, was released in the summer of 1978 as the lead single from their third album, Life Beyond L.A., peaking at position three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two for three weeks on the Cash Box Top 100.

References

  1. ↑ "52nd Street by Billy Joel – Classic Rock Review". 5 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "52nd Street". Rolling Stone . 14 December 1978.
  3. 1 2 Mitchell, Matt (January 20, 2024). "The 25 Greatest Billy Joel Songs of All Time". Paste . Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. November 4, 1978. p. 110. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  5. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 4, 1978. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  6. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 4, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  7. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  8. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0091a." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  11. ↑ "RPM Adult Oriented Playlist". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1979-01-20. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  12. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Results for "Billy Joel"". irishcharts.ie. p. 3. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Billy Joel" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  17. ↑ Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  18. ↑ ""My Life" on the South African Singles Chart". Springbok Radio. January 26, 1979. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Billy Joel – My Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Billy Joel: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Billy Joel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Billy Joel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  25. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979". Kent Music Report . Retrieved January 10, 2023– via Imgur.com.
  26. ↑ "1979 Top 200 Singles". RPM . Vol. 32, no. 13. Library and Archives Canada. December 22, 1979. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1979" . Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  29. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Billy Joel – My Life". Music Canada . Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ "British single certifications – Billy Joel – My Life". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ↑ "British single certifications – Billy Joel – My Life". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  32. ↑ "American single certifications – Billy Joel – My Life". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved May 19, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.