His achievements include selling 53 million albums, eight top ten albums, two number one singles on the Billboard charts, and awards from both the American Music Awards and Grammy Awards.
Michael Bolton had an extensive, though not very successful, career under his real name, Michael Bolotin, before emerging in the mid-'80s as a major soft rock balladeer. Bolton began recording in 1975. This first album was self-titled using his original surname, Bolotin. Early in his musical career, he focused on hard rock. His band, Blackjack, once toured with heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. He turned up on RCA Records in the mid-'70s singing in a gruff, Joe Cocker-like voice both his own blue-eyed soul songs and cover tunes. Neither record buyers nor critics were much interested by the result. He then became the lead singer in Blackjack, a heavy metal band that made two albums for Polydor at the end of the '70s and the start of the '80s. In 1983, he changed his name to Michael Bolton, signed to Columbia Records as a solo act, and relaunched his career.
Michael Bolton was released in April 1983, and made the Top 100 bestsellers, as did its single, "Fools Game." At the same time, "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," which Bolton had co-written, became a Top 40 hit for Laura Branigan. Nevertheless, Bolton's second Columbia album, Everybody's Crazy (1985), was a commercial flop. His breakthrough came with his third album, The Hunger, released in September 1987. On this album, Bolton abandoned the more hard rock aspects of his style to concentrate on blue-eyed soul singing: both on his own songs, such as "That's What Love Is All About," and on covers like Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." Those two songs became Top 40 hits.
Soul Provider, released in July 1989, turned Bolton into a superstar, reaching the Top Ten, selling four million copies, and spawning five Top 40 singles, including Bolton's number one version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," and the Top Ten hits "How Can We Be Lovers" and "When I'm Back on My Feet Again." "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" won Bolton a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Time, Love & Tenderness, released in April 1991, was even more successful, hitting number one, selling six million copies, and featuring four Top 40 hits, including the chart-topping cover of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," and the Top Ten hits "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" (later the subject of a successful plagiarism suit brought against Bolton by the Isley Brothers) and "Time, Love and Tenderness."
Bolton won another Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, for "When a Man Loves a Woman," but he had to put up with abuse from two camps of detractors at the February 1992 ceremony. Just after Bolton had performed, pre-rock songwriter Irving Gordon won the Song of the Year award for "Unforgettable" and pointedly attacked songs that "scream, yell, and have a nervous breakdown" and singers who "have a hernia" when they sing. Then, backstage, Bolton faced a hostile press corps of critics unhappy with his tendency to copy great soul singers like Redding, Ray Charles, and Sledge. Bolton suggested they apply their lips to a certain part of his anatomy. He further responded with Timeless: The Classics in September 1992, an album made up entirely of cover songs. It went to number one, sold three million copies, and featured a Top 40 hit in Bolton's version of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody." Bolton's next album of original material, The One Thing, came in November 1993. It hit the Top Ten, sold three million copies, and featured the Top Ten hit "Said I Loved You...But I Lied." Bolton released Greatest Hits 1985-1995 in the fall of 1995, which debuted in the Top Ten. The following year, This Is the Time: Christmas Album appeared.
Bolton returned with All That Matters, his first album of new material since 1993's The One Thing, in the fall of 1997. Instead of continuing his success, it was a surprise flop. Not only did it not generate a hit single, it barely cracked the Top 40 and fell out of the charts after 15 weeks. Its lack of success didn't stop Bolton from turning his attention to My Secret Passion, a collection of opera and arias that he released in January 1998. By classical standards, the album was a hit, and the record received a great deal of press and surprisingly good reviews. He supported the two albums with a summer tour which were co-headlined with Wynonna Judd. He voluntarily stepped back for almost four years, disappearing from the public eye until the spring of 2002 when he began promoting Only a Woman Like You, his first album on Jive Records. After a brief sabbatical, he returned with Til the End of Forever, a hybrid new album of seven new recordings and a live greatest-hits concert. In 2006 he released Bolton Swings Sinatra, a 12-song tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes that included a duet with fiancée/actress Nicolette Sheridan.
It would be worth mentioning "Can I Touch You There" proved to be one of the all-time hit love songs from Micheal Bolton from the album Greatest Hits.
www.michaelbolton.com/
That's Life
Michael Bolton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I said that's life (that's life), and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, and a king
I've been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race
That's life (that's life)--I tell you I can't deny it
I thought of quitting, baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, and a king
I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin' flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race
That's life (that's life), that's life and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cuttin' out, but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothin' shakin' come this here July
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
My, my
Michael Bolton's "That's Life" is an inspiring anthem about the ups and downs of life. The song's opening line, "That's life (that's life)--that's what all the people say" sets the tone for the rest of the song. Through the lyrics, Bolton shares personal experiences of feeling high in one moment and low in the next. He mentions being a "puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, and a king," indicating that he has experienced different roles and situations in life. He acknowledges the reality that some people take pleasure in stepping on others' dreams. However, Bolton chooses to focus on how he can improve his situation and come back stronger each time he falls down. He ends the song by saying that even if he fails, he won't give up or quit, giving a powerful message of resilience and determination.
The song's message is not only inspiring, but it is also relatable to many people across different walks of life. The lyrics echo the sentiments of anyone who has been through tough times and continues to push forward. The song has become a classic and has been covered by various artists, reinforcing its timeless appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
That's life (that's life)--that's what all the people say
Life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs, but everyone has to face it.
You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May
Life can change quickly and unexpectedly, going from success to failure in a short time.
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
Despite setbacks, I am determined to turn things around and succeed.
When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I am optimistic that I will regain my success and be on top again in the near future.
I said that's life (that's life), and as funny as it may seem
I acknowledge that life can be strange and unpredictable, and I accept it for what it is.
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream
There are those who enjoy putting others down and crushing their hopes and aspirations.
But I don't let it, let it get me down
I refuse to let negative people or circumstances bring me down or discourage me.
'Cause this fine old world it keeps spinnin' around
I realize that life goes on and continues to move forward, no matter what challenges I may face.
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, and a king
I have experienced various roles and situations in life, from being controlled to being in power.
I've been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing
I have faced many highs and lows in life, but one thing remains constant: my ability to persevere.
Each time I find myself flat on my face
Whenever I experience failure or defeat, I pick myself up and continue on.
I pick myself up and get back in the race
I refuse to give up or give in, and I keep pushing forward towards my goals.
That's life (that's life)--I tell you I can't deny it
Once again, I acknowledge that life can be unpredictable and challenging, but I cannot deny its existence.
I thought of quitting, baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it
Although I have considered giving up, my passion and drive keep me going and prevent me from quitting.
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I only continue to persevere because I believe that my efforts are worth it and will eventually pay off.
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly
If I ever truly lost hope, I would give up and move on, leaving everything behind.
Many times I thought of cuttin' out, but my heart won't buy it
I have contemplated giving up many times, but my passion and drive always pull me back in and prevent me from quitting.
But if there's nothin' shakin' come this here July
If my situation does not improve by the coming month of July, I may reconsider my path and make a change.
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
If I continue to face insurmountable obstacles and disappointments, I may eventually lose hope and give up altogether.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dean Kay, Kelly L. Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hanna R
Love Michael Bolton since 1986, songs are priceless 🙌
Greta Georgieva
MICHAEL is not sunset sun! Great, unique, great! A man like him remains forever in the hearts of millions of people around the world
Sandra Jeffery
Your voice is so beautiful Michael in every genre of music and I love hearing you sing this!! Thanks so much for brightening my day with this with this wonderful video...That,s Life!!😀❤❤❤🎶🎼🎶
juana lidia benitez piña
Muy buena interpretación, me hiciste recordar a mi papá le encantaba la música: de Sinatra.
Jan Cyples
Hi Michael , Jan from Staffordshire U.K. Again!!
Last night on Spotify I was listening to you singing this very song!!
You have such presence when you sing no matter where you are Michael!!
Your voice is just amazing!!! The power and the slight husky sound is mesmerizing!!
I'm so addicted to these videos that you share !!....more please 😊🤗❤️❤️❤️
jorge alfredo adimari
Impecable tu voz Michael !!! Hermosa cancion!!! Te escucho desde los 16 años , hoy tengo 47.
Aparecida Santos
Uau esse vc é show 👏👏👏👏linda música amei ❤ 😘
Maria Dajuda
Meu Deus, olha o charme deste homem 😍😍😍😍🌹
Sandra Jeffery
Awesome video clip Michael!😀😍❤🎶 I LOVE your version of That,s Life, best version ever and always love hearing this live at your concerts!! I have your Bolton Swings Sinatra CD and this is my favourite track on that album!! Absolutely AWESOME Michael and wonderful choice for Bolton,s Vault!! Lots of love to you always from the UK. 🇬🇧😘❤❤❤🎶🎼🎵
Rose Agaatsz
Brilliant performance ! MB 👀🎤🎧🎼❤️