It's My Life
Anka (Paul) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
It's my life
It's now or never
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
Got to make your own breaks
It's my life
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
The song "It's My Life" by Paul Anka is an anthem for those who refuse to be passive in life. The opening lyrics, "this ain't a song for the broken-hearted, no silent prayer for the faith-departed" indicates that the song is not made for people who give up easily. The lyricist wants to stand out and shout it out loud to make his voice heard. The chorus, "my heart is like an open highway, like Frankie said I did it my way" is a reference to the legendary Frank Sinatra, who sang "My Way" which was a song about living life on one's own terms. The lyricist says that it's his life and he wants to live it to his fullest, because he is not going to live forever.
The second verse is dedicated to those who stood their ground and never backed down. The lyricist gives an example of "Tommy and Gina" who never gave up. He acknowledges that tomorrow will be harder, but luck is not enough. One must make their own way and be proactive in creating opportunities. The chorus repeats, reinforcing the idea that it’s the lyricist’s life and he wants to make the most of it. The final lines "better stand tall when they're calling you out, don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down" are a reminder to stay strong and not to give in to pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
This song is not for those who are emotionally hurt
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
There is no quiet plea for those who have lost their faith
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
I am not going to blend in with everyone else
You're gonna hear my voice
My voice will be heard
When I shout it out loud
When I yell it with force
It's my life
This is my existence
It's now or never
It's either happening now or it will never happen
I ain't gonna live forever
I won't live indefinitely
I just want to live while I'm alive
I only desire to live life to the fullest
(It's my life)
(This is what I have chosen for myself)
My heart is like an open highway
My heart is wide open and free
Like Frankie said
Similar to what Frankie sang
I did it my way
I did it in the way I determined best for me
This is for the ones who stood their ground
This is in tribute to those who didn't give up
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
In honor of Tommy and Gina who never surrendered
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Tomorrow is going to be more challenging, that's certain
Luck ain't even lucky
Chance isn't even fortunate
Got to make your own breaks
You have to create your own opportunities
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
You should stay firm when being challenged
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
Don't give in or give up
(It's my life)
(This is what I have chosen for myself)
And it's now or never
It's happening at this moment or it will never happen
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
Because I can't live for eternity
I just want to live while I'm alive
My wish is to live fully in the present
'Cause it's my life
Because this is my existence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Richard S. Sambora, Max Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind