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My Life (Billy Joel song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = My Life
| cover = My_Life_-_Billy_Joel.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Artwork for Dutch, French, and German vinyl releases
| type = single
| artist = Billy Joel
| album = 52nd Street
| B-side = 52nd Street
| released = October 28, 1978
| recorded = 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:44 (Album Version)
3:50 (Single Version)
| label = Columbia
| writer = Billy Joel
| producer = Phil Ramone
| prev_title = The Stranger
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Big Shot
| next_year = 1979
| misc =
}}
"'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.
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").
"My Life" was used as the theme song for the ABC television series 'Bosom Buddies' (198082), albeit in a re-recorded version with a different vocalist. 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.
Reception
'Billboard' described "My Life" as "an infectious uptempo tune guaranteeing a good mood for the listener." '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."
Personnel
* Billy Joel lead and backing vocals, Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, synthesizers
* David Brown electric guitar
* Russell Javors acoustic guitar
* Doug Stegmeyer bass
* Liberty DeVitto drums
* Richie Cannata clarinet
* Peter Cetera backing vocals
* Donnie Dacus backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Buy My Life (Billy Joel song) now from Amazon
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