♫ My Life ♫

Posted on by under music

Rawgod said he was in the mood for some of the older music by The Doors, so I went in search of …  But in my travels ‘cross the music world, I came across this and it cried out, “Me, ME … Play ME!!!”  Another night, rawgod … I promise not to forget!

This song by Billy Joel first appeared on his 1978 album 52nd Street, and a single version was released in the fall of 1978.

My  Life was used as the theme song for the ABC television series Bosom Buddies starring Tom Hanks (1980–82), 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.

I don’t find much trivia about this song, but the one tidbit I found fun is that Chicago members Peter Cetera and Donnie Dacus performed the backing vocals and sang along with Billy Joel during the bridge and in the outro (“Keep it to yourself, it’s my life”).

My Life
Billy Joel

Got a call from an old friend we’d used to be real close
Said he couldn’t go on the American way
Closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the west coast
Now he gives them a stand-up routine in L.A.

I don’t need you to worry for me ’cause I’m alright
I don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home
I don’t care what you say anymore this is my life
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone

I never said you had to offer me a second chance
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
I still belong
Don’t get me wrong
And you can speak your mind
But not on my time

They will tell you you can’t sleep alone in a strange place
Then they’ll tell you can’t sleep with somebody else
Ah but sooner or later you sleep in your own space
Either way it’s O.K. you wake up with yourself

I don’t need you to worry for me ’cause I’m alright
I don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home
I don’t care what you say anymore this is my life
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone

I never said you had to offer me a second chance
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
I still belong
Don’t get me wrong
And you can speak your mind
But not on my time

I don’t care what you say anymore this is my life
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Billy Joel
My Life lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management

25 thoughts on “♫ My Life ♫”

  1. I loved the beginning shots of this clip. It reminded me of ‘Westside Story’! And what’s not to love about a sax solo. (Although nothing beats the sax solo in ‘Baker Street’.)

    Liked by 1 person

    • That was my first thought, too!!! I found a shorter version that left out that beginning sequence, and thought about using it, but I just really liked that start to the song, so I kept this one. Ooooohhhh … I love Baker Street! I played it here back in 2018, but maybe it’s time for a redux! Thanks for the reminder!

      Like

  8. Not bad, Jill. A bit stand-offish, I’ll make it on my ownish. But then that’s me, isn’t it. Guess I don’t like myself right now.

    You won’t get this reference, it’s from the Winnipeg band GUESS WHO before they went international, or even national, but they did a song about the Winnipeg rock scene called Friends of Mine, on an album called Wheatfield Soul. Sounds a bit Jimmish. I’m gonna go see if I can find it on YouTube.
    Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Now rg … why are you down on yourself right now? You’re a good man. I would love to just tell you to ‘cheer up’, but I know that’s easier said than done. Be angry, but not with yourself …

      Like

      • No, I’m not angry with myself. Anger is a luxury I do not allow myself. I watched my father live on anger my whole youth. He didn’t know any better, his elders taught him anger is an emotion, but it’s not.

        Anger is permission by the ego to use violence to cover one’s own weaknesses. My father had a lot of weaknesses.

        But all that aside, yes, I need to cheer up, but at this very moment I have no reason to. Today is not my day. Maybe tomorrow.
        LuL

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.