"It's My Life" is a song by Nigerian-Swedish recording artist Dr. Alban. It was released by label SweMix in February 1992 in Sweden as the first single from his second studio album, One Love (1992). Produced by Denniz PoP, who also co-wrote the song with Alban, it was a hit in Europe, peaking at number one in six countries and reaching number two in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The song was re-marketed in 1993 due to its usage in a TV advert for Tampax tampons.Elia Habib (2002), Muz hit. tubes, Alinéa Bis, p. 252 () The song additionally charted in the United States and was re-released in Australia in 1994, following the success of "Sing Hallelujah!".

Background Dr. Alban has stated that the song took five hours to record. In the 2017 book Stars of 90's Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers by James Arena, he explained on the new sound of the song: "'It's My Life' and another hit off the second album, 'Sing Hallelujah!', had totally different sounds [compared to his 1990 debut single "Hello Afrika", which I wanted to explore at the time. I left the 'Hello Afrika' sound and did 'It's My Life', which had more of a pop, catchy style. Keeping things fresh was very natural for us."

Chart performance "It's My Life" made a huge impact on the charts in Europe, becoming one of Dr. Alban's most successful songs to date. It peaked at number-one in Austria (6 weeks), Belgian Flanders (8 weeks), Germany (8 weeks), Italy, the Netherlands (5 weeks) and Sweden (2 weeks), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked in October 1992. In addition, the single entered the top 10 in Denmark (3), Finland (5), Greece (2), Ireland (2), Norway (6), Portugal (9), Switzerland (2) and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it peaked at number two on 20 September 1992, in its fourth week on the UK Singles Chart. It was held off reaching the top spot by The Shamen's "Ebeneezer Goode".

Outside Europe, "It's My Life" reached number two on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart, number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number ten in Zimbabwe in Africa. In West Asia, it became a top-10 hit also in Israel, peaking at number eight on 16 June 1992. Search "It's My Life" for Israeli chart history. The song spent seven weeks inside the Israeli top 30. In Australia and New Zealand, it was a top-50 hit, peaking at numbers 43 and 49, respectively.

The song was awarded with a silver record in France, after 125,000 units were sold, and a platinum record in Austria and Germany, with a sale of 30,000 and 500,000 singles.

Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine called "It's My Life" "a fast'n'furious cut". He explained that the European rapper/toaster has previously been heralded for his sturdy dancehall releases. "This time, however, he aims for mainstream approval with a gem of a jam that carefully skirts the line dividing hi-NRG and rave sectors. Anthemic chants are placed within a percolating vat of keyboard and percussion effects that will kick during peak-hour sets." Linda Ryan from the Gavin Report viewed it as a "mad creation". Melody Maker declared it as a "veiled gay-anthem" which "made an ace Tampax ad." Alan Jones from Music Week commented, "A highly commercial house track, recorded in Sweden, it's basically a West Indian accented rap punctuated at regular intervals by a catchy chorus. Probable Top 10 hit."

R.S. Murthi from New Straits Times described the song as "a righteous declaration of independence" and added that it shows "a genuine attempt at depth." NME ranked "It's My Life" number five in their list of "Top Five Euro-Hits of All Time" in December 1993, writing, ""Stop bugging me!" Dr. Alban's finest moment, as he decides that his life, after all is his own, and asks whether the world's producers can kindly leave him alone. The ultimate plea for Europop autonomy. And a half." Mark Frith from Smash Hits complimented it as "a half-decent Euro-pop tune" that "will be remembered as an essential part of the music of summer '92."

Track listings 7-inch and CD single "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00 "It's My Life" (club edit) – 4:10

12-inch single "It's My Life" (extended club mix) – 7:45 "It's My Life" (extended radio edit) – 7:05 "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00

CD maxi "It's My Life" (radio edit) – 4:00 "It's My Life" (extended radio edit) – 7:05 "It's My Life" (extended club mix) – 7:45

Personnel Composers John Amatiello – composer Chuck Anthony – composer, backing vocals Dr. Alban – composer Jörgen Elofsson – composer Peo Haggstrom – composer Kristian Lundin – composer Sonny Okosun – composer Todd Terry – composer Errol Thompson – composer Jorge Vasconcelo – composer

Vocals Dr. Alban – primary artist Chuck Anthony – background vocals Atari Kofi Benitez & The Girls – background vocals Anneli Berg – background vocals Marilyn Bergman – background vocals Giovanna Bragazza – background vocals Gladys del Pilar – background vocals Toro Paola Choir – background vocals Poe & The Afrikan Conga Association – background vocals Rico – background vocals Bjorn Strom – background vocals

Technical Douglas Carr – engineer, producer Björn Engelmann – mastering Anders Hansson – arranger Rene "JM Fax" Hedemyr – producer Denniz Pop – producer Gundars Rullis – engineer

Charts

Weekly charts +Chart (1992–1993)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)97Denmark (IFPI)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)1Europe (European Dance Radio)7Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)5Greece (Virgin)2Israel (Israeli Singles Chart)8Italy (Musica e dischi)1Portugal (AFP)9Spain (AFYVE) 11UK Airplay (Music Week)4UK Dance (Music Week)9UK Club Chart (Music Week)76US Billboard Hot 10088US Dance Club Play (Billboard)3US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)4US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)28Zimbabwe (ZIMA)Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 200010

+Chart (1994)Peakposition

+Chart (1997)Peakposition

+Chart (2019)Peakposition

+Chart (2021)Peakposition

+Chart (2024)PeakpositionKazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)38Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)48

Monthly charts +Chart (2024)PeakpositionKazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)72

Year-end charts +Chart (1992)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)1Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)3Europe (European Dance Radio)21Germany (Media Control)2Israel (Israeli Singles Chart)13Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)2Netherlands (Single Top 100)2Sweden (Topplistan)8Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)1UK Singles (OCC)18UK Airplay (Music Week)39

+Chart (1993)PositionCanada Dance/Urban (RPM)24

Decade-end charts +Chart (1990–1999)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)21Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)26Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)41

Certifications and sales

Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)SwedenFebruary 1992SweMixGermany1 May 1992United Kingdom24 August 1992Australia19 October 1992Australia (re-release)18 April 1994

"It's My Life (Don't Worry)"

In 2014, a remake of the song was released by Moroccan singer Chawki featuring vocals by Dr. Alban. The song with amended lyrics also known as "It's My Life (Don't Worry)" was produced by RedOne and released on RedOne Records. A music video was also shot for the release. The single charted in the French SNEP official Singles Chart.

Chawki also released a bilingual English/French version of the song titled "It's My Life (C'est Ma Vie)".

Charts +Chart (2015)Peakposition

References