It's My Life (Bon Jovi song)

"It's My Life" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on May 23, 2000 as the lead single from their seventh studio album, Crush (2000). It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Max Martin, and co-produced by Luke Ebbin.

"It's My Life"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album Crush
Released	May 23, 2000
Recorded	1999
Genre	Pop rock[1] arena rock[1]
Length	3:44
Label	Island
Songwriter(s)	Jon Bon Jovi Richie Sambora Max Martin
Producer(s)	Jon Bon Jovi Richie Sambora Luke Ebbin
Bon Jovi singles chronology
"Real Life" (1999) "It's My Life" (2000) "Say It Isn't So" (2000)
Audio sample
It's My Life file help
Alternative cover
Music video
"It’s My Life" on YouTube

The song peaked at number one in Austria, Flanders, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Switzerland while charting within the top 10 across several other countries and peaking at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also appeared in Mitsubishi Motors promotional videos from 2001 until 2004.

Background

The song has many classic Bon Jovi features, such as Sambora's use of the talk box, and a line in the second verse "For Tommy and Gina, who never backed down" refers to Tommy and Gina, a fictional working class couple that Bon Jovi and Sambora first wrote about in their 1986 hit "Livin' on a Prayer".

"It's My Life" is also notable for its line referencing fellow New Jerseyan Frank Sinatra: "My heart is like an open highway / Like Frankie said / I did it 'My Way'." Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora apparently had a disagreement over those lines, with Bon Jovi recalling:[2]

I had just come home from making U-571 and I said "Sinatra made 16 movies and toured till he was 80. This is my role model." He [Sambora] said, "You can't write that damn lyric. Nobody cares about Frank Sinatra but you." And I wrote it anyway.

In Paul Anka's cover of the song for his 2005 album Rock Swings, he sings the second line as "Frankie said he did it my way", since Anka wrote "My Way".

Response from fans

"Nobody had anticipated the song 'It's My Life'," noted Jon Bon Jovi in 2007. "Except us. We knew we had a hit."[3] The song became an anthem that appealed to many fans. As Bon Jovi later stated:[4] "I thought I was writing very self-indulgently about my own life and where I was in it. I didn't realize that the phrase 'It's My Life' would be taken as being about everyone – by teenagers, by older guys, mechanics, whatever. 'It's my life, and I'm taking control.' Everyone kind of feels that way from time to time."

Music video

The music video was directed by Wayne Isham. Will Estes (as Tommy) and Shiri Appleby (as Gina) are the two main characters.[5] At the beginning, Tommy is watching a video of a Bon Jovi concert on his computer when he is ordered by his mother to take out the trash. Suddenly, Gina calls and tells him to immediately come to the tunnel as the live concert has already started.Tommy starts running down to his apartment and obediently takes out the trash. He then runs through the streets of Los Angeles up to the concert, getting chased by dogs, running a marathon, posing for pictures, and jackknifing a truck. The video was inspired by the film Run Lola Run.[6] Jon Bon Jovi met Estes on the set of U-571 and chose him to be in the video. The music video features the 2nd Street Tunnel as one of the main settings.

It is the most viewed video for Bon Jovi on YouTube, with over 900 million views as of November 2020.

Track listings and versions

Major formats released for "It's My Life":

German CD single Pt. 1 (Released: May 23, 2000) "It's My Life" (Main version) — 3:46 "Hush" (Demo version) — 3:48 "You Can't Lose at Love" (Demo version) — 4:44 "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" (Enhanced Video Clip) Recorded live at the Sanctuary II, New Jersey Web Concert on February 10, 1999. Directed by Tony Bongiovi. UK CD single Pt. 1 (Released: 2000) "It's My Life" (Main version) — 3:46 "Hush" (Demo version) — 3:48 "You Can't Lose at Love" (Demo version) — 4:44 Includes Poster. Australian CD single (Released: May 23, 2000) "It's My Life" (Main version) — 3:46 "Hush" (Demo version) — 3:48 "You Can't Lose at Love" (Demo version) — 4:44 "I Don't Want to Live Forever" (Demo version) — 4:27 "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" (Enhanced Video Clip) Recorded live at the Sanctuary II, New Jersey Web Concert on February 10, 2000. Directed by Tony Bongiovi.

German CD single Pt. 2 (Released: May 23, 2000) "It's My Life" (Dave Bascombe Mix) — 3:44 "Temptation" (Demo version) — 3:48 "I Don't Want to Live Forever" (Demo version) — 4:27 "Livin' on a Prayer" (Enhanced Video Clip) Recorded live at the Sanctuary II, New Jersey Web Concert on February 10, 2000. UK CD single Pt. 2 (Released: 2000) "It's My Life" (Dave Bascombe Mix) — 3:44 "Temptation" (Demo version) — 3:48 "I Don't Want to Live Forever" (Demo version) — 4:27 "It's My Life" (Enhanced Video Clip) Dutch CD single (Released: January 26, 2004) "It's My Life" (Acoustic version) — 3:41 "Wanted Dead or Alive" (Demo version) — 3:42 "Joey" (Live version) — 5:03 Recorded live on January 19, 2003 in Yokohama Arena, Japan. 4. "Wanted Dead or Alive" (Enhanced Video Clip)

Official versions and remixes

The following versions and remixes were commercially released.

• Main version — 3:46
• Acoustic version — 3:41
• Dave Bascombe Mix — 3:44

Acoustic version

A much slower, acoustic ballad version of the song is featured on Bon Jovi's 2003 album This Left Feels Right, a collection of their greatest hits that were adapted into new formats. This version was also released as a single. A live performance was uploaded to YouTube in May 2020.

Awards

Won:

• "Video of the Year" at the VH1 My Music Awards[7]
• Chosen as one of the greatest songs of the year at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards

Nominated:

• "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" at the 43rd Grammy Awards, but lost to U2's "Beautiful Day"

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2000–2001) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 5 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] 6 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 20 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[13] 38 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[14] 11 Denmark (IFPI)[15] 2 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[16] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[17] 6 France (SNEP)[18] 14 Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 2 Greece (IFPI)[20] 3 Hungary (Mahasz)[21] 5 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[22] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[23] 5 Italy (FIMI)[24] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[27] 3 Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)[28] 2 Poland (LP3)[29] 1 Portugal (AFP)[30] 1 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[31] 1 Scotland (OCC)[32] 3 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[33] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 2 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[36] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[37] 33 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 11 US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[39] 40 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 14 Chart (2011) Peak position Hungary (Single Top 40)[41] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Australia (ARIA)[42] 24 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[43] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[44] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[45] 19 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[46] 5 France (SNEP)[47] 60 Germany (Official German Charts)[48] 5 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[49] 58 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 17 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 12 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[31] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[52] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[53] 3 Decade-end charts Chart (2000–2009) Position Germany (Official German Charts)[54] 53 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[55] Platinum 70,000^^ Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] Platinum 50,000^* Belgium (BEA)[57] Platinum 50,000^* France (SNEP)[58] Gold 250,000^* Germany (BVMI)[59] Platinum 500,000^^ Italy (FIMI)[60] Platinum 50,000 Netherlands (NVPI)[61] Gold 40,000^^ Sweden (GLF)[62] Platinum 30,000^^ Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[63] Platinum 50,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Platinum 600,000 United States (RIAA)[65] 2× Platinum 2,000,000 ^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

• List of number-one hits of 2000 (Austria)
• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 2000
• List of number-one hits of 2000 (Italy)
• List of number-one singles of 2000 (Spain)
• List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s
• List of number-one singles of the 2000s (Switzerland)

References

1. Spanos, Brittany (November 10, 2016). "Readers' Poll: 10 Best Bon Jovi Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
2. "Jon Bon Jovi recalls "It's My Life"". The Rock Radio. October 21, 2005. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
3. Blake, Mark (August 2007). "My brilliant career: Jon Bon Jovi". Q #253. p. 68.
4. "Bon Jovi Popularity Soars in Germany". Deutsche Welle. October 12, 2005. Archived from the original on October 4, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
5. "Bon Jovi: It's My Life (2000)". IMDB. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
6. Alex Gernandt: Bon Jovi, 2. edition, Goldmann, München 2001, ISBN 3-442-42851-3, p 261
7. "Creed, Hill Lead My VH1 Awards". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
8. "Australian-charts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
9. "Austriancharts.at – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
10. "Ultratop.be – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
11. "Ultratop.be – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7292." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
13. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7106." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
14. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7183." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
15. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 25. June 17, 2000. p. 13. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
16. Sexton, Paul (July 10, 2000). "Corrs Bump Eminem From Top Of U.K. Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
17. "Bon Jovi: It's My Life" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
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19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
20. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 31. July 29, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved June 9, 2020. See LW column.
21. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 23. June 3, 2000. p. 17. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
22. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (16.9–23.9 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). September 15, 2000. p. 12. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
23. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – It's My Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
24. "Italiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
25. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved June 26, 2019.
26. "Dutchcharts.nl – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
27. "Norwegiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". VG-lista. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
28. "Polish Airplay Charts - Lista krajowa 35/2000". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on 4 March 2001. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
29. "Notowanie nr 960" (in Polish). June 23, 2000. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
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31. "Topul anului 2000" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
32. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
33. "Spanishcharts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
34. "Swedishcharts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
35. "Swisscharts.com – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
36. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
37. "Bon Jovi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
38. "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
39. "Bon Jovi Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
40. "Bon Jovi Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
41. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
42. "2000 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
43. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2000" (in German). Retrieved April 24, 2020.
44. "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
45. "Rapports annuels 2000" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
46. "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 52. December 23, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
47. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2000" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
48. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
49. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 5, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
50. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
51. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
52. "Årslista Singlar, 2000" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
53. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000" (in German). Retrieved April 24, 2020.
54. "Die ultimative Chart Show | Hits des neuen Jahrtausends | Download". RTL.de. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
55. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
56. "Austrian single certifications – Jon Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
57. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
58. "French single certifications – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
59. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bon Jovi; 'It's My Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
60. "Italian single certifications – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 6, 2020. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "It's My Life" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
61. "Dutch single certifications – Bon Jovi – It's My Life" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved August 6, 2020. Enter It's My Life in the "Artiest of titel" box.
62. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
63. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Bon Jovi; 'It's My Life')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
64. "British single certifications – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
65. "American single certifications – Bon Jovi – It's My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 26, 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 

External links

• Bon Jovi — Official Website.
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics