My Life (Billy Joel song)

"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.

Musical structure

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 Joel during the bridge and in the outro ("Keep it to yourself, it's my life").

Reception

Billboard described "My Life" as "an infectious uptempo tune guaranteeing a good mood for the listener." Cash Box said that the "jumpy, upfront beat, keyboards, and acoustic guitar lines back Joel's strong singing" and praised the "musical and lyrical hooks." Record World called it a "Top 40 & adult [oriented rock] natural."

Personnel

Billy Joel – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano (layered with a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano), synthesizers
David Brown – electric guitar
Russell Javors – acoustic guitar
Doug Stegmeyer – bass
Liberty DeVitto – drums
Richie Cannata – clarinet
Peter Cetera – backing vocals
Donnie Dacus – backing vocals