The Animals – It’s My Life

The Animals were one of the many British bands I learned through by reading about the Beatles. My cousin had House of the Rising Sun and I was mesmerized by the lead singer’s voice. Eric Burdon’s voice huge and commanding. The Animals may have had the hardest edge of any of the British Invasion bands.

This song starts off with Chad Chandler’s bass line and it sets the tone for the rest of the song. Eric Burdon sounds tough, determined, and cocky through the verses. The song peaked at #23 in the Billboard 100, #7 in the UK and #2 in Canada in 1965.

From Songfacts

This was written by Carl D’Errico (music), and Roger Atkins (lyrics) specifically for The Animals. The duo were at the time working for Screen Gems Music, part of the the New York City music scene that included the Brill Building. “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place” (Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) and “Don’t Bring Me Down” (Gerry Goffin and Carole King) were also hits for the Animals, which originated from the Brill Building songwriting scene.

Animals lead singer Eric Burdon said he “detested” this song and didn’t want to sing it (producer Mickie Most pushed it through). Perhaps in protest, Burdon changed some of the lyrics. He sang:

Sure, I’ll do wrong
Hurt you sometime
But someday I’ll treat you so fine

But the lyrics was written as:

Show me I’m wrong
Hurt me sometime
But some day I’ll treat you real fine

 

It’s My Life

It’s a hard world to get a break in
All the good things have been taken
But girl there are ways to make certain things pay
Though I’m dressed in these rags, I’ll wear sable some day

Hear what I say
I’m gonna ride the serpent
No more time spent sweatin’ rent
Hear my command
I’m breakin’ loose, it ain’t no use
Holdin’ me down, stick around

But baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It’s my life and I’ll do what I want
It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want
Show me I’m wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I’ll treat you real fine

There’ll be women and their fortunes
Who just want to mother orphans
Are you gonna cry, when I’m squeezin’ the rye
Takin’ all I can get, no regrets
When I, openly lie
And leave only money
Believe me honey, that money
Can you believe, I ain’t no saint
No complaints
So girl go out
Hand it out

And baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It’s my life and I’ll do what I want
It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want
Show me I’m wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I’ll treat you real fine

(It’s my life and I’ll do what I want) Don’t push me
(It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want) It’s my life
(It’s my life and I’ll do what I want) And I can do what I want
(It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want) You can’t tell me
(It’s my life and I’ll do what I want) I’ll do what I want