My Life – Billy Joel

In defense of Billy JoelSONG OF THE DAY

“My Life” by Billy Joel (52nd Street, Columbia Records, 1978). Written by Billy Joel.

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

– The song reached #2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Early the next year it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

– The verse about an old friend who “closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the west coast, now he gives them a stand up routine in LA.” is a reference to comedian Richard Lewis.

– 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” was used as the theme song for the television series Bosom Buddies (1980-82), however due to licensing issues it does not appear on the DVD release of the series.

– The differences between the single and album versions are the following:

  • The intro and the interlude that follows are abridged.
  • The interludes between the verses and refrains are cut in half.
  • The instrumental break that follows the second bridge is deleted, which was done by a very “crude” razor blade splice, whereas drummer Liberty DeVitto’s cymbal crash appeared to be audibly ‘severed’.

LYRICS

Got a call from an old friend
We 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 you had to)
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
(I never said)
I still belong, don’t get me wrong
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, you can’t sleep with somebody else
Ah, but sooner or later you sleep in your own space
Either way it’s okay to 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 you had to)
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
(Of cirumstance)
I still belong, don’t get me wrong
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
(Keep it to yourself, it’s my life.)
(Keep it to yourself, it’s my life.)
(Keep it to yourself, it’s my life.)
(Keep it to yourself, it’s my life.)

VIDEO OF THE DAY

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