My Life
Billy Joel Lyrics
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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
The lyrics to Billy Joel's song All My Life touches on themes of individualism, independence and self-discovery. The song starts with Joel receiving a call from an old friend who has decided to abandon the typical American way of life to pursue a career in stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. Although the decision may seem risky and unconventional, Joel assures his friend that he doesn't need to worry for him, because he knows what he's doing and that he's happy with the choices he's made. He also asserts that he doesn't need anyone else telling him what to do with his life, highlighting the importance of autonomy and self-determination.
The chorus is a defiant expression of his individuality, and a rejection of the notion that people have the right to dictate how he should live his life. He asserts that he still belongs, meaning that he's not lost, but that he just wants to live life on his own terms. The song's final verse talks about the importance of finding oneself, and how sometimes it's necessary to go through uncomfortable or uncertain situations in order to do so. Ultimately, the song's message is about taking control of one's life and pursuing one's own dreams, without fear of judgment or ridicule from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a call from an old friend we'd used to be real close
I received a call from someone who I used to be very close with in the past.
Said he couldn't go on the American way
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the way things were going in his life in the US.
Closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the west coast
He made drastic changes in his life such as selling his property and moving to the west coast.
Now he gives them a stand-up routine in L.A.
He started to perform comedy in Los Angeles.
I don't need you to worry for me 'cause I'm alright
I don't want anyone to be concerned about my current situation because I'm doing well.
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I'm happy where I am and I don't want anyone to pressure me to return home.
I don't care what you say anymore this is my life
I'm taking control of my life and I don't care about other people's opinions.
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone
I want people to let me live my own life without interference or judgement.
I never said you had to offer me a second chance
I'm not expecting anyone to give me another opportunity.
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
I don't blame my situation on outside factors beyond my control.
I still belong
Despite my unconventional choices, I still feel like I belong somewhere.
Don't get me wrong
I don't want others to misunderstand my intentions or feelings.
And you can speak your mind
I'm open to hearing other people's opinions and viewpoints.
But not on my time
However, I prefer people to express their opinions in a timing that works for me or in a respectful manner.
They will tell you you can't sleep alone in a strange place
Sometimes others may discourage you from doing things that they think are risky or unconventional.
Then they'll tell you can't sleep with somebody else
However, other people's opinions shouldn't dictate who you choose to spend your time with.
Ah but sooner or later you sleep in your own space
Eventually, you'll have to prioritize your own preferences and choices.
Either way it's O.K. you wake up with yourself
Regardless of the choices you make, ultimately you have to deal with the consequences and live with yourself.
I don't care what you say anymore this is my life
I'm taking ownership of my life and no one else gets to make decisions for me.
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone
I want people to let me live my life on my own terms.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The song begins with drums, electric bass, and a left hand piano part, followed by a keyboard riff in the right hand. The riff is also used as a fill between verse and chorus sections and is also played at the end. The section order is intro-verse-fill-chorus-bridge-v-f-c-b-solo-c-outro. Read Full Bio"My Life" is a song by Billy Joel that first appeared on his 1978 album 52nd Street. A single version was released in the fall of 1978 and reached No. 2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Early the next year it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song begins with drums, electric bass, and a left hand piano part, followed by a keyboard riff in the right hand. The riff is also used as a fill between verse and chorus sections and is also played at the end. The section order is intro-verse-fill-chorus-bridge-v-f-c-b-solo-c-outro.
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 ABC television series Bosom Buddies (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; in both cases, it is replaced by a vocal version of the show's closing instrumental theme, "Shake Me Loose", sung by Stephanie Mills, who, like Billy, also originated from New York City.
Billboard Magazine described "My Life" as "an infectious uptempo tune guaranteeing a good mood for the listener."
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, such that drummer Liberty DeVitto's cymbal crash appears to be audibly severed.
Abuelo
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 and 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 you can't sleep
With somebody else
Ah, but sooner or later you sleep
In your own space
Either way it's okay
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 and 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 and leave me alone
Brett Koeshall
This is actually one of my favorite Billy Joel songs.
Hector
This is one of my favorite songs in the world. :)
Ruple Thaker
Same.
Andy Hinds
And mine.
Sisvelyn E Peralta
@Sir Albastoss kkk
zanele nene
me too a classic
Maleka & Eric
I was 14 when I first heard this song on the radio in Kansas City driving through traffic with my mom.. I love it now bc it was one of her favorites.
Yul Johnson
Billy joel's incredible music has recently became a major major staple in my St.louis(my favorite city)vacations playlist and it highly resembles and reflects the good times i always have there!!! And this song is my favorite Billy joel song which is also the one i love listening to the most when i go to St.louis. A cold cold cut with that dynamic piano playing by Billy!!!
Larry Tate
I just want to dedicate this song to my mother and let her know that it is definitely time she understand
AngusTCat
I always dedicated this song to my parents. I never did what they wanted because it was my life, not theirs.