Released in January 1984, It’s My Life is one of Talk Talk’s most recognizable songs, serving as the title track of their second studio album. Written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, the song blends synth-pop and new wave elements, showcasing the band’s evolving sound.
“It’s My Life” reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, but did better in several other countries. In 1990, it was reissued again to promote the compilation album Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk. This time, the song was a hit in the UK, reaching number 13. The song also gained popularity years later when it was covered by No Doubt, an American rock band, in 2003. No Doubt’s cover version also achieved commercial success and introduced the song to a new generation of listeners.
With its lush synthesizers, melodic bassline, and Hollis’ emotive vocals, It’s My Life carries themes of personal freedom and defiance. The lyrics have been interpreted as a statement of self-determination, with the singer refusing to conform to expectations.
Upon its initial release, the song reached No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart, but performed better internationally, hitting No. 9 in Italy and No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. A 1990 reissue helped the song gain further popularity, reaching No. 13 in the UK.
The original music video, directed by Tim Pope, featured BBC wildlife documentary footage interspersed with shots of Hollis at London Zoo, deliberately avoiding lip-syncing. A second version was later created, featuring the band miming the song in an exaggerated, comedic manner.
In 2003, the American rock band No Doubt recorded a cover version of “It’s My Life”.
