"It's My Life"
Single by Dr. Alban
from the album One Love
ReleasedFebruary 1992
Genre
Length4:00
LabelSweMix
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Denniz PoP
Dr. Alban singles chronology
"(Sing Shi-Wo-Wo) Stop the Pollution"
(1991)		 "It's My Life"
(1992)		 "One Love"
(1992)
Music video
"It's My Life" on YouTube

"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, 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 Tampax tampons (as it was in the British countries, and other countries in Europe in 1992), thus giving to the single a second career.[1] 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!".

Background

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."[2]

Chart performance

"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, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked in October 1992. In addition, the single made it to 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,[3] 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 Billboard Hot 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.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine called "It's My Life" "a fast'n'furious cut".[4] 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."[5] Linda Ryan from the Gavin Report viewed it as a "mad creation".[6] Melody Maker declared it as a "veiled gay-anthem" which "made an ace Tampax ad."[7] 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."[8]

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."[9] 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."[10] 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."[11]

Track listings

  • 7-inch and CD single
  1. "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00
  2. "It's My Life" (club edit) – 4:10
  • 12-inch single
  1. "It's My Life" (extended club mix) – 7:45
  2. "It's My Life" (extended radio edit) – 7:05
  3. "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00
  • CD maxi
  1. "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00
  2. "It's My Life" (extended radio edit) – 7:05
  3. "It's My Life" (extended club mix) – 7:45

Personnel

Composers

Vocals

  • Dr. Alban – primary artist
  • Chuck Anthony – background vocals
  • Atari
  • Kofi Benitez & The Girls – background vocals
  • Anneli Berg – background vocals
  • Marilyn Bergman – background vocals
  • Giovanna Bragazza – background vocals
  • Gladys del Pilar – background vocals
  • Toro Paola Choir – background vocals
  • Poe & The Afrikan Conga Association – background vocals
  • Rico – background vocals
  • Bjorn Strom – background vocals

Technical

  • Douglas Carr – engineer, producer
  • Björn Engelmann – mastering
  • Anders Hansson – arranger
  • Rene "JM Fax" Hedemyr – producer
  • Denniz Pop – producer
  • Gundars Rullis – engineer

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[51] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[52] Silver 125,000*
Germany (BVMI)[53] Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[54] Platinum 75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 200,000‡

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

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Sweden February 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 SweMix
Germany 1 May 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
[21]
United Kingdom 24 August 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[56]

"It's My Life (Don't Worry)"

"It's My Life (Don't Worry)"
Single by Chawki featuring Dr. Alban
Released13 November 2014[57]
Recorded2014
GenreEurodance
Length3:29
LabelRedOne
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)RedOne
Chawki singles chronology
"Time of Our Lives"
(2014)		 "It's My Life (Don't Worry)"
(2014)
Dr. Alban singles chronology
"Colour the World"
(1999)		 "It's My Life (Don't Worry"
(2014)
Music video
"It's My Life (Don't Worry)" on YouTube

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)".

Charts

Chart performance for "It's My Life (Don't Worry)"
Chart (2015) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[58] 187

References

  1. ↑ Elia Habib (2002), Muz hit. tubes, Alinéa Bis, p. 252 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  2. ↑ Arena, James (2017). Stars of 90's Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc.
  3. 1 2 "It's My Life", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 12 August 2008)
  4. ↑ Flick, Larry (12 December 1992). "Dance Trax: Roc & Kato Shaking Up The Deep-House Sound" (PDF). Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (9 January 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Ryan, Linda (5 March 1993). "Alternative: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 49. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "Europa Uber Alles". Melody Maker. 25 December 1993. p. 40. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Jones, Alan (22 August 1992). "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 8. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Murthi, R.S. (1 July 1992). "Impassioned Mission". New Straits Times. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  10. ↑ Moody, Paul (25 December 1993). "I'd Rather Jacques..." NME. p. 53. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Frith, Mark (28 October 1992). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 54. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  12. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  13. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  15. ↑ "Canadian Dance peak".
  16. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 August 1992. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  17. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 10 October 1992. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. 17 October 1992. p. 32. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  20. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in French). Les classement single.
  21. 1 2 "Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  22. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 20 June 1992. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – It's My Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  24. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (20 June 1992). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Google Books. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Dr. Alban" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  26. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  27. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life". Top 40 Singles.
  28. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life". VG-lista.
  29. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 July 1992. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  30. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life". Singles Top 100.
  32. ↑ "Dr. Alban – It's My Life". Swiss Singles Chart.
  33. ↑ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 September 1992. p. 20. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  34. 1 2 3 4 Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved 12 August 2008)
  35. ↑ Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  36. ↑ "australian-charts.com > Dr. Alban - It's My Life (song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  38. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 26.08.2023–01.09.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1992" (in German). Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1992" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  41. ↑ "1992 Year-End Sales Charts – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 51/52. 19 December 1992. p. 17. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  42. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1992" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  43. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1992" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  45. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1992" (in German). Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  46. ↑ "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. 16 January 1993. p. 8.
  47. ↑ "Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  48. ↑ "Bestenlisten – Singles 1990er". Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  49. ↑ "Ultratop Nineties 500" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  50. ↑ "Top 100 – Decenniumlijst: 90s". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  51. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  52. ↑ "French single certifications – Dr Alban – It's My Life" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 12 April 2022. Select DR ALBAN and click OK. 
  53. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dr. Alban; 'It's My Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  54. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Dr. Alban – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 16 July 2022. Enter It's My Life in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1992 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  55. ↑ "British single certifications – Dr Alban – It's My Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  56. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 22 August 1992. p. 19.
  57. ↑ "It's My Life (don't Worry) [feat. Dr. Alban] - Single by Chawki" – via music.apple.com.
  58. ↑ "Chawki Feat. Dr. Alban – It's My Life (Don't Worry)" (in French). Les classement single.
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