It's My Life by Talk Talk
You may be more familiar with No Doubt's 2003 cover version, but there's no doubt the original, by British synthpop band Talk Talk, is a chilled out New Wave New Romantic classic. It's a mediation on the nature of relationships, and the agony and ecstasy of falling in love. "I've asked myself how much do you/Commit yourself/It's my life/Don't you forget". The minor chord progressions from the verse into the chorus is really quite lovely; with the plaintive cry of "It's my life!" almost tragically beautiful.
The music video is a protest against lip-synching, by way of a nature documentary. Lead singer Mark Hollis is pictured among critters at London Zoo, his mouth obscured by scribbled lines and blocks of black; the rest is all footage of wild animals running about, looking fairly uncommitted, as it were. Not for them the torture of decision. Nope, they just roam free, pooping wildly whenever they choose. No wonder there's so much synth angst in Talk Talk's singing.
It's My Life by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is possibly the most enduring of the big-haired 80s-soft-rock bands, and with this 2000 hit, found themselves a whole new fanbase (Apparently. Well, it went number one in a bunch of places, so I guess someone was tuning in). Paying tribute to Tommy and Gina, the lovers from 1986's Livin' On A Prayer, as well as Frank Sinatra, It's My Life is a shout-out to self-control and self-determination. "Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake/ Luck, it ain't enough, you've got to make your own breaks".
Accompanied by Jon Bon Jovi's instantly recognisable rough, drawl-y, yell-y vocals and the band's trademark power chords, it's a big stadium rock favourite, played at every concert the band does these days. The video clip is a tribute to Run Lola Run, with Tommy racing his way downtown to join Gina... at a Bon Jovi concert. Yeah. Living their life on their own terms, and that means BON JOVI OR BUST DAMNIT. "It's my life, and it's now or never/I ain't gonna live forever". Lyrical genius, my friends.
Verdict: I'm going to tick tick the Talk Talk box box on this one. As much as I love a camp soft-c**k rock hit; the British romantics are just too cool. But what do you think?
Verdict: I'm going to tick tick the Talk Talk box box on this one. As much as I love a camp soft-c**k rock hit; the British romantics are just too cool. But what do you think?