This Is the Life (Amy Macdonald song)

Last updated

"This Is the Life"
This Is the Life (Amy Macdonald single) coverart.jpg
Single by Amy Macdonald
from the album This Is the Life
Released10 December 2007 (2007-12-10)
Studio Brookland Road, Soho (London) [1]
Length3:05
Label
Songwriter(s) Amy Macdonald
Producer(s) Pete Wilkinson
Amy Macdonald singles chronology
"L.A."
(2007)		"This Is the Life"
(2007)		"Run"
(2008)
Music video
"This Is the Life" on YouTube

"This Is the Life" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald from her 2007 debut album of the same name. It was released on 10 December 2007 in the United Kingdom and in 2008 in most European countries. It became a hit in mainland Europe, topping the charts of five countries and reaching the top 10 on 12 other European music listings. Conversely, the song did not match the success of "Mr Rock & Roll" in the United Kingdom, stalling at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video consists of pictures of Macdonald and her friends' night out.

Contents

Background

Macdonald explained in a video posted on March 30, 2023, on her official TikTok account that she wrote the song when she was 16 years old. She shared that one night she went out using her sister's ID and had an amazing time. However, the next day, she was caught and grounded, spending the entire day in her room. It was during that confinement day that, inspired by the unforgettable night before, she wrote the song. [2]

Composition

"This is the Life" is three minutes and five seconds long, and is written in the key of C-sharp minor. It is set in common time and has a tempo of 100 beats per minute. MacDonald's vocal range is from G♯3 to A4. [3] In an interview with Expressen, MacDonald said that the song took about 10 minutes to write. [4]

Chart performance

The song was first released in December 2007 in the United Kingdom but achieved only moderate success, peaking at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on the Scottish Singles Chart. [5] [6] Throughout 2008, it was released throughout most of Europe, reaching number one in Austria, [7] Belgium, [8] [9] the Czech Republic, [10] and the Netherlands. [11] In Flanders and the Netherlands, "This Is the Life" was the highest-selling song of 2008. [12] [13] The single reached the top three in France, [14] Germany, [15] Hungary, [16] Italy, [17] Spain, [18] Sweden, [19] and Switzerland. [20] In Spain, the song was certified double platinum, denoting sales of over 80,000 units, in 2009. [21] In Norway, the song reached number 10 during its initial release, but in January 2011, it re-entered the chart at number one. [22] "This Is the Life" was Macdonald's only song to chart in North America, peaking at number 19 on the US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart. [23]

The song was used in a 2010 advert for the Fiat 500 shown across Europe. [24] It was also used in a Norwegian advert in early 2011 and re-entered the country's official chart at number one. The track was released in the United States on a vinyl 45 rpm single (Decca UCGR-00199-1) with a unique picture sleeve, backed with "Let's Start a Band."

Track listings

UK and European CD single [25]

  1. "This Is the Life"
  2. "This Much Is True"

French CD single [26]

  1. "This Is the Life"

Charts

Certifications

Sales and certifications for "This Is the Life"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA) [58] Platinum 
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [59] Platinum90,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [60] 5× Gold750,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [61] Platinum70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [62] Gold15,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [63] 2× Platinum50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [64] Platinum60,000‡
Sweden (GLF) [65] Gold10,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [66] Gold15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [67] 2× Platinum1,200,000‡

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

Release history

Release dates for "This Is the Life"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom10 December 2007CD
 [68]
France20 October 2008
 [14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Release "This Is the Life" by Amy Macdonald - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Macdonald, Amy. "Amy Macdonald". Amy Macdonald Official's TikTok. Retrieved 9 July 2025. The story behind my song 'This Is The Life'... #behindthesong #thisisthelife #acoustic #ownit
  3. ↑ "This Is the Life By Amy MacDonald - Digital Sheet Music". musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing Company Inc. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  4. ↑ Amy Macdonald om sin hit. Expressen. 4 March 2009. Event occurs at 1:30. Retrieved 19 May 2025– via YouTube.
  5. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  10. 1 2 "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51. týden 2008 in the date selector.
  11. 1 2 "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  12. 1 2 "Jaaroverzichten 2008" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2008" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in French). Le classement de singles.
  15. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  16. 1 2 "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  17. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life". Top Digital Download.
  18. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" Canciones Top 50.
  19. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life". Singles Top 100.
  20. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. 1 2 "Top 50 Canciones Anual 2009" (PDF) (in Spanish). PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  22. 1 2 3 "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life". VG-lista.
  23. 1 2 "Amy MacDonald Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ Amy-Macdonald.de Archived 3 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine (in German)
  25. ↑ This Is the Life (UK & European CD single liner notes). Amy Macdonald. Vertigo Records, Melodramatic Records. 2007. 175 526-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ This Is the Life (French CD single liner notes). Amy Macdonald. Mercury Records, Melodramatic Records. 2007. 178 745-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life". Tracklisten.
  28. ↑ "Hits of the World – Euro Singles Sales" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 120, no. 47. 22 November 2007. p. 94. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  29. ↑ IFPI Greek Singles Chart
  30. ↑ "Lagalistinn – 13. vika 2008". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  31. ↑ "Amy MacDonald – This Is the Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ↑ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  33. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  34. ↑ "This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20: from 29/09/2023 to 05/10/2023". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 28.04.2023–04.05.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  36. ↑ "This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20: from 15/09/2023 to 21/09/2023". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  37. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2008". austriancharts.at (in German). Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  38. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2008" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  39. ↑ "Year End Charts: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  40. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2008" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  41. ↑ "Classement Radios – année 2008" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  42. ↑ "Classement Téléchargments Singles – année 2008" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  43. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2008" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  44. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2008". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  45. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2008" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  46. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2008" (in German). Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  47. ↑ "Official Singles Chart 2008" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  48. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at (in German). Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  49. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2009" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  50. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2009" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  51. ↑ "Year End Charts: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  52. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2009" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  53. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2009" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  54. ↑ "FIMI – Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana – Ricerche e dati di mercato". FIMI. 19 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  55. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2009" (in German). Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  56. ↑ "Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste" [Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List] (in German). RTL. 2010. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  57. ↑ "Decennium Charts – Singles 2000–2009" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  58. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2008". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  59. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Amy Macdonald – This Is the Life". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  60. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Amy Macdonald; 'This Is the Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  61. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Amy Macdonald – This Is the Life" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  62. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Amy Macdonald – This Is the Life". Radioscope. Retrieved 27 May 2025.Type This Is the Life in the "Search:" field.
  63. ↑ "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 9 February 2021.Select Canciones under "Categoría", select 2009 under "Año". Select 51 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  64. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Amy Macdonald – This Is the Life". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  65. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2009" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  66. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('This Is the Life')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  67. ↑ "British single certifications – Amy Macdonald – This Is the Life". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  68. ↑ "Music Upfront: December 10". Music Week . 8 December 2007. p. 31.
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