“It’s My Life,” released in 1965 (not 1964, a common misconception), is a defiant anthem of youthful independence delivered by the raw, blues-infused power of The Animals. This British Invasion band, fronted by the unmistakable, gravelly vocals of Eric Burdon, carved a distinct niche with their gritty sound, setting them apart from the more polished pop of their contemporaries. Hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, The Animals drew heavily from American blues and R&B, a characteristic that resonated strongly in “It’s My Life.”
The song, penned by Brill Building songwriters Roger Atkins and Carl D’Errico, wasn’t initially intended for The Animals. However, their ferocious interpretation transformed it into a working-class battle cry. Burdon’s passionate delivery of lines like “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want / It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want” perfectly captured the burgeoning spirit of rebellion and self-determination that defined the mid-1960s.
While “It’s My Life” didn’t achieve the same chart-topping success as their signature hit “House of the Rising Sun,” it became a significant song of their catalog. It reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and number 7 in the UK. The charts, does not show how much the music became an athem.
The audience response was immediate and powerful. “It’s My Life” resonated with young people feeling constrained by societal expectations and parental authority. It became an anthem for a generation yearning to break free and forge their own paths. The raw energy of the performance, coupled with the song’s message of personal autonomy, made it a staple of their live shows and a favorite among fans. The feedback was clear: this wasn’t just a song; it was a statement. It was a declaration of independence echoed in garages and bedrooms across the world.