John Taylor was a saxophone player who had worked with various big band groups as far back as the 30s. By the early '60s he had quit playing and had a career as a teacher. It was during this time that he came across the Creators, a Hudson County, New Jersey streetcorner quintet. The Creators consisted of Hugh Harris, James Wright, John Alan, Danny Harris, and Chris Coles. By mid 1963 the Creators had released their first record on TR label without any chart success. A single "I'll Stay Home" a year later on Phillips met the same fate.
In 1964 the Creators re-formed in Newark, New Jersey with Harris and Austin teaming up with Norman Donegan and Dave Watt. They added Mary Ann Thomas and renamed themselves the Ad Libs.
Taylor's jazz and big band flavored songwriting along with the Ad Libs' natural harmonic sound and modified boogie woogie rhythm created "The Boy From New York City."
Taylor took the demo tape to Red Bird Records' owners Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Ad Libs were signed to their Blue Cat affiliate and "The Boy From New York City" was released in December, 1964 and by March 1965 had reached #8 on the Pop chart and #6 on the R&B charts. In May 1965 the follow-up "He Ain't No Angel" barely made the Pop 100. The next single "On the Corner" saw little activity, and after one more unsuccessful release the group was dropped by Blue Cat.
Three labels and three singles later, the Ad Libs signed with Share Records of New York and recorded "Giving It Up" (34 R&B) which was their last chart record.
Various group changes were made over the next twenty years and a few more releases, but none with the success of "The Boy From New York City." In 1984 Taylor started Passion Records, to record the Ad Libs, and in the fall of 1988 he came up with the Johnny-Boy label for their "I Stayed Home (New Years Eve)." In 1989 they released another seasonal 45 on Johnny-Boy "Santas on His Way."
It's My Life
The Ad-Libs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, it's possible to die of heartbreak
Ye, it's not easy like heartbreak
What if we all died of heartbreak?
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak (Traitor)
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
And you broke my heart again
She broke my heart again
She broke my heart and
She's gone again
Is it possible to die of heartbreak?
Yes, it's possible to die of heartbreak
Ye, it's not easy like heartbreak
What if we all died of heartbreak?
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak (Traitor)
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
Heartbreak
You traitor (Traitor)
You broke my heart
And I know you'd do it again
I know you'd do it again
(Traitor)
(The ghosts are coming closer, Mr. Laurent)
The lyrics to The Ad-Libs's song "It's My Life" revolve around the theme of heartbreak and its profound impact on a person's emotional well-being. The opening lines express the question of whether it is possible to die of heartbreak, to which the answer is given as a resounding "Yes." This highlights the intense pain and anguish that can be brought on by a broken heart.
The repetition of the word "heartbreak" throughout the song emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of this emotional turmoil. It becomes a haunting and relentless presence, dominating the thoughts and feelings of the singer. The phrase "She broke my heart and she's gone again" further illustrates the repetitive cycle of heartbreak, hinting at a relationship that is continuously tumultuous.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of betrayal, referring to the subject as a "traitor." This suggests that the heartbreak may stem from a breach of trust or a repeated pattern of hurting the singer. The final lines, "I know you'd do it again," convey a resigned acceptance of this reality, acknowledging that the pain will likely be inflicted once more.
In the closing line, the mention of "The ghosts are coming closer, Mr. Laurent" adds an eerie and mysterious element to the song. This could symbolize the emotional ghosts of past heartbreaks that continue to haunt the singer, perhaps suggesting that the pain of heartbreak never truly dissipates.
Overall, "It's My Life" explores the profound impact of heartbreak, the recurrent cycle of pain, and the possibility of being betrayed and hurt by the same person repeatedly. It captures the raw emotions and lingering scars left by a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it possible to die of heartbreak?
Can one actually die from the pain of a broken heart?
Yes, it's possible to die of heartbreak
Indeed, it is conceivable to succumb to the agony caused by a shattered heart
Ye, it's not easy like heartbreak
But, heartbreak is not a simple matter to face
What if we all died of heartbreak?
Imagine a world where everyone perished due to the anguish of heartbreak
Heartbreak
The intense pain and emotional distress caused by a shattered love
Heartbreak (Traitor)
Betrayal leading to heartbreak
You traitor (Traitor)
You, the one who deceitfully caused me pain
You broke my heart
You shattered the very core of my being
And I know you'd do it again
And I am aware that you would repeat your hurtful actions
She broke my heart again
Once again, she shattered my heart into pieces
She broke my heart and
She caused me immense pain, and as a result
She's gone again
She has departed from my life once more
(The ghosts are coming closer, Mr. Laurent)
(The memories of past pain and heartbreaks are hauntingly closing in)
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: D3ad_un1corn, Hans Houdini, Oliver Keerig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J B
RIP to anyone who thought he really did this lolll
Mike C
RIP to anyone who still thinks that
gr8aquino
I dunno man
《¤ꑭСлава Україніꑭ¤》
@gr8aquino RIP to this guy ⬆️
Yelk Nicols
This shit was in mixtapes way before mclovin was this old 🤣
Nexus
@Yelk Nicols can you point me to a tape before 2012 with this in
djpemb
Mclovin spitting fire bars
King Monocle Blöb
And you're Mclovin' it.
King Monocle Blöb
Ba da ba ba ba
tyler elefterion
We making it outta the liquor store with this one 🔥🔥🔥