"It's My Life" is a song by Nigerian-Swedish recording artist Dr. Alban. It was released by SweMix in February 1992 in Sweden as the first single from his second studio album, One Love (1992). Produced by Denniz PoP, who also co-wrote the song with Alban, it was a hit in most of the European countries where it was released, peaking at number one in Sweden, Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium and number two in the British countries. In France, the song was marketed twice: first in 1992, then in 1993 because the song was used in a TV advert for Tampaxtampons (as it was in the British countries, and other countries in Europe in 1992), thus giving to the single a second career.[4] The song had enough airplay on US college radio stations to chart on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in 1992. "It's My Life" was re-released in 1994 in Australia, following the success of "Sing Hallelujah!".
Dr. Alban has stated that the song took five hours to record. In the 2017 book Stars of 90's Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers by James Arena, he explained on the new sound of the song: "'It's My Life' and another hit off the second album, 'Sing Hallelujah!', had totally different sounds [compared to his 1990 debut single "Hello Afrika"], which I wanted to explore at the time. I left the 'Hello Afrika' sound and did 'It's My Life', which had more of a pop, catchy style. Keeping things fresh was very natural for us."[5]
"It's My Life" made a huge impact on the charts in Europe, becoming one of Dr. Alban's most successful songs to date. It peaked at number-one in Austria, Belgian Flanders, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked in October 1992. In addition, the single entered the top 10 in Denmark (3), Finland (5), Greece (2), Ireland (2), Norway (6), Portugal (9), Switzerland (2) and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it peaked at number two on 20 September 1992,[6] in its fourth week on the UK Singles Chart. It was held off reaching the top spot by The Shamen's "Ebeneezer Goode".
Outside Europe, "It's My Life" reached number two on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart, number three on the US BillboardHot Dance Club Play chart and number 10 in Zimbabwe. In Australia and New Zealand, it was a top 50 hit, peaking at number 43 and 49, respectively.
The song was awarded with a silver record in France, after 125,000 units were sold, and a platinum record in Austria and Germany, with a sale of 30,000 and 500,000 singles.
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine called "It's My Life" "a fast'n'furious cut".[7] He explained that the European rapper/toaster has previously been heralded for his sturdy dancehall releases. "This time, however, he aims for mainstream approval with a gem of a jam that carefully skirts the line dividing hi-NRG and rave sectors. Anthemic chants are placed within a percolating vat of keyboard and percussion effects that will kick during peak-hour sets."[8] Linda Ryan from the Gavin Report viewed it as a "mad creation".[9]Melody Maker declared it as a "veiled gay-anthem" which "made an ace Tampax ad."[10] Alan Jones from Music Week commented, "A highly commercial house track, recorded in Sweden, it's basically a West Indian accented rap punctuated at regular intervals by a catchy chorus. Probable Top 10 hit."[3]
R.S. Murthi from New Straits Times described the song as "a righteous declaration of independence" and added that it shows "a genuine attempt at depth."[11]NME ranked "It's My Life" number five in their list of "Top Five Euro-Hits of All Time" in December 1993, writing, ""Stop bugging me!" Dr. Alban's finest moment, as he decides that his life, after all is his own, and asks whether the world's producers can kindly leave him alone. The ultimate plea for Europop autonomy. And a half."[1]Mark Frith from Smash Hits complimented it as "a half-decent Euro-pop tune" that "will be remembered as an essential part of the music of summer '92."[2]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
In 2014, a remake of the song was released by Moroccan singer Chawki featuring vocals by Dr. Alban. The song with amended lyrics also known as "It's My Life (Don't Worry)" was produced by RedOne and released on RedOne Records. A music video was also shot for the release. The single charted in the French SNEP official Singles Chart.
Chawki also released a bilingual English/French version of the song titled "It's My Life (C'est Ma Vie)".
^Inc, Nielsen Business Media (20 June 1992). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Google Books. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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