Amy MacDonald — This Is the Life
Album: This Is the LifeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1262
Length: 3:03
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Oh the wind whistles down
the cold dark street tonight
and the people they were dancing
to the music vibe
And the boys chase the girls
with the curls in their hair
And the shy tormented youth sit
way over there
And the songs they get louder
each one better than before
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
where you gonna sleep tonight
So you're heading down the road
in your taxi for four
And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door
But nobody's in and nobody's home till four
So you're sitting there with nothing to do
Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew.
and where you're gonna go and where your gonna sleep tonight.
the cold dark street tonight
and the people they were dancing
to the music vibe
And the boys chase the girls
with the curls in their hair
And the shy tormented youth sit
way over there
And the songs they get louder
each one better than before
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
where you gonna sleep tonight
So you're heading down the road
in your taxi for four
And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door
But nobody's in and nobody's home till four
So you're sitting there with nothing to do
Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew.
and where you're gonna go and where your gonna sleep tonight.
Comments (107)add comment
Here is fun little AM Concert in Glasgow if you are cleaning the floors or something and need a little pep in your step.
Trailing melodic piano on the left channel is a sweet little touch to a nice tune!
eveliko wrote:
I disagree strongly.
This is magnificent songwriting.
This song is just like the food in her restaurants: unedible.
1.
I disagree strongly.
This is magnificent songwriting.
eveliko wrote:
Well, if you don't like this song, you don't have to eat it.
This song is just like the food in her restaurants: unedible.
1.
Well, if you don't like this song, you don't have to eat it.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Not an Alphaville fan, no, but I hear what you hear.
And I liked 'Big in Japan', too!
Not an Alphaville fan, no, but I hear what you hear.
And I liked 'Big in Japan', too!
zaebb wrote:
S_L420 wrote:
Ah yes, back when getting your upload played was such a great achievement. Nice song.
I uploaded this gem...bow to my existance!!! ;D
Ah yes, back when getting your upload played was such a great achievement. Nice song.
I've definitely heard this song many times before, but for some reason always thought it was Sinead O'Connor. Sinead Lite, maybe? Oh well, I'll give it a 7.
rbmbe wrote:
LOL....maybe rbmbe meant un-editable, as in, no time to be sure the word was used correctly....
LOL....maybe rbmbe meant un-editable, as in, no time to be sure the word was used correctly....
Broken_Ear wrote:
Wow, I just searched Google Images because of your comment
If I had money I would buy her albums just for the photos. 
Wow, I just searched Google Images because of your comment
eveliko wrote:
Did you mean: inedible
This song is just like the food in her restaurants: unedible.
1.
Did you mean: inedible
bam23 wrote:
You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio. Also, Amy MacDonald has never been played much in the US. I only know this album because of a Swiss friend who presented a burned CD during a visit here. Anyway, even good music gets played on radio stations that generally don't have high standards for playing original music. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, many musicians whose music is played on RP to great acclaim were played on TOP 40 radio here. That did not make the music any worse. I do have sympathy for those who are over-exposed to lame radio, especially if this is a form of unavoidable aural pollution.
Man, this gotta be the quote of the year: "unavoidable aural pollution" -that's pretty much the definition of flow-radio here in Denmark ;)
You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio. Also, Amy MacDonald has never been played much in the US. I only know this album because of a Swiss friend who presented a burned CD during a visit here. Anyway, even good music gets played on radio stations that generally don't have high standards for playing original music. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, many musicians whose music is played on RP to great acclaim were played on TOP 40 radio here. That did not make the music any worse. I do have sympathy for those who are over-exposed to lame radio, especially if this is a form of unavoidable aural pollution.
Man, this gotta be the quote of the year: "unavoidable aural pollution" -that's pretty much the definition of flow-radio here in Denmark ;)
Lumpy13 wrote:
Not an Alphaville fan, no, but I hear what you hear.
Any Alphaville fans out there? No? Well, that's ok. This song is just an up-tempo copy of "Big in Japan" by Alphaville circa 1984.
Not an Alphaville fan, no, but I hear what you hear.
This song is just like the food in her restaurants: unedible.
1.
Lumpy13 wrote:
I doubt she's ever heard of Alphaville or that song, which was written three years before she was born. In addition to that, this song has a traditional Celtic/folk chord progression which is entirely different than the chord progression from"Big In Japan". Other than that....
Any Alphaville fans out there? No? Well, that's ok. This song is just an up-tempo copy of "Big in Japan" by Alphaville circa 1984.
I doubt she's ever heard of Alphaville or that song, which was written three years before she was born. In addition to that, this song has a traditional Celtic/folk chord progression which is entirely different than the chord progression from"Big In Japan". Other than that....
Lumpy13 wrote:
Yes, I'm a bug fan of Alphaville. But I absolutely don't understand your comment. This song has nothing common with Big In Japan.
Any Alphaville fans out there? No? Well, that's ok. This song is just an up-tempo copy of "Big in Japan" by Alphaville circa 1984.
Yes, I'm a bug fan of Alphaville. But I absolutely don't understand your comment. This song has nothing common with Big In Japan.
If I had money I would buy her albums just for the photos.
Lumpy13 wrote:
-who probably stole the title from the name of a 1970s semi-punk band from Liverpool.
Any Alphaville fans out there? No? Well, that's ok. This song is just an up-tempo copy of "Big in Japan" by Alphaville circa 1984.
-who probably stole the title from the name of a 1970s semi-punk band from Liverpool.
Any Alphaville fans out there? No? Well, that's ok. This song is just an up-tempo copy of "Big in Japan" by Alphaville circa 1984.
I'm really loving the Celtic lilt of this amazing artist only discovered through the RP karmic interface...
bam23 wrote:
"You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio."
I didn't know we RP listeners had that in common. But it makes sense. And somehow it makes me feel less strange. If I played the last 50 albums I have been listening lately to the people around me, they would probably know... about 5 of them.
"You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio."
I didn't know we RP listeners had that in common. But it makes sense. And somehow it makes me feel less strange. If I played the last 50 albums I have been listening lately to the people around me, they would probably know... about 5 of them.
user4176 wrote:
You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio. Also, Amy MacDonald has never been played much in the US. I only know this album because of a Swiss friend who presented a burned CD during a visit here. Anyway, even good music gets played on radio stations that generally don't have high standards for playing original music. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, many musicians whose music is played on RP to great acclaim were played on TOP 40 radio here. That did not make the music any worse. I do have sympathy for those who are over-exposed to lame radio, especially if this is a form of unavoidable aural pollution.
This must be the most mainstream pop song on RP I ever heard. Still like it though, despite being overplayed on all stations while it was new. Captures that feeling of being in your late teens and twenties like few others. At least, that's what it felt for me. Unburdened, free to do almost anything, couldn't-care-less attitude about all things work, money and securities, yet somehow melancholic and unfullfilled at the same time. I prefer the grown-up life, you just have to get used to the getting-older part of it :-)
You should realize that many of us who listen to RP hear very little mainstream radio. Also, Amy MacDonald has never been played much in the US. I only know this album because of a Swiss friend who presented a burned CD during a visit here. Anyway, even good music gets played on radio stations that generally don't have high standards for playing original music. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, many musicians whose music is played on RP to great acclaim were played on TOP 40 radio here. That did not make the music any worse. I do have sympathy for those who are over-exposed to lame radio, especially if this is a form of unavoidable aural pollution.
user4176 wrote:
I think this is the only place I've heard this song; maybe it gets more airplay in Europe.
This must be the most mainstream pop song on RP I ever heard. Still like it though, despite being overplayed on all stations while it was new. Captures that feeling of being in your late teens and twenties like few others. At least, that's what it felt for me. Unburdened, free to do almost anything, couldn't-care-less attitude about all things work, money and securities, yet somehow melancholic and unfullfilled at the same time. I prefer the grown-up life, you just have to get used to the getting-older part of it :-)
I think this is the only place I've heard this song; maybe it gets more airplay in Europe.
This must be the most mainstream pop song on RP I ever heard. Still like it though, despite being overplayed on all stations while it was new. Captures that feeling of being in your late teens and twenties like few others. At least, that's what it felt for me. Unburdened, free to do almost anything, couldn't-care-less attitude about all things work, money and securities, yet somehow melancholic and unfullfilled at the same time. I prefer the grown-up life, you just have to get used to the getting-older part of it :-)
Nice song, yet it gets on my nerves after having heard it 100s of times on mainstream radio.
Deserves to be listened to 2 or 3 times, then, boring.
Oh the wind whistles down
the cold dark street tonight
and the people they were dancing
to the music vibe
And the boys chase the girls
with the curls in their hair
And the shy tormented youth sit
way over there
And the songs they get louder
each one better than before
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
where you gonna sleep tonight
So you're heading down the road
in your taxi for four
And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door
But nobody's in and nobody's home till four
So you're sitting there with nothing to do
Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew.
and where you're gonna go and where your gonna sleep tonight.
the cold dark street tonight
and the people they were dancing
to the music vibe
And the boys chase the girls
with the curls in their hair
And the shy tormented youth sit
way over there
And the songs they get louder
each one better than before
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
and you're singing the songs
thinking this is the life
and you wake up in the morning
and your head feels twice the size
where you gonna go
where you gonna go
where you gonna sleep tonight
where you gonna sleep tonight
So you're heading down the road
in your taxi for four
And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door
But nobody's in and nobody's home till four
So you're sitting there with nothing to do
Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew.
and where you're gonna go and where your gonna sleep tonight.
I'd like to know if Amy likes Guinness. Nice tune, too !
horstman wrote:
Wow. I'm there with you dude. How about another coo.l beer ?
Reminds me of late evening at a county fair. The energy is still there but its waning and the parking lot beckons you. But it's getting darker, the lights on the rides go on and suddenly a sparkle comes back on in your mind. Wander around, smell fried food, and wonder how the kids are doing with their friends.
Pure summertime music.
Pure summertime music.
Wow. I'm there with you dude. How about another coo.l beer ?
Reminds me of late evening at a county fair. The energy is still there but its waning and the parking lot beckons you. But it's getting darker, the lights on the rides go on and suddenly a sparkle comes back on in your mind. Wander around, smell fried food, and wonder how the kids are doing with their friends.
Pure summertime music.
Pure summertime music.
"Mr Rock & Roll"?
" L.A."?
Amy is one of my current favorites. This entire CD is really great. Her second CD is also very good.
Amy MacDonald is very much flavour of the year in Scotland the now, with Press reviews and airplay a-plenty. She's in the same vein as KT Tunstall and, IMO, nearly (but not quite, yet) as good. Nice voice, snappy songs. 8 from the Albaphile Nottingham jury.
Pommie wrote:
Strong Scottish accent indeed!
Very pleasant. Love the Irish Accent!
Strong Scottish accent indeed!
Bill, how about a set from beautiful women singing wretched dreck? This would be a good start. Wow, that was fast! While I was typing this Noah's Dove from 10,000 Maniacs spun up!
Used to be an 8, now a 5.
Hearing an accelerated version of "Blue lips" by Regina Spektor
avidlistener wrote:
yep.
sounds a lot like Dar Williams
yep.
Voice is much bigger than her sweet face!
Amy, you sure are purty but this song is one of the most repetitive I have heard in a while . . . .
I don't see why people think this is so bad. I find it pleasant enough....
the first 30 seconds, well, you expect something, but after that it becomes a very boring song IMHO
if this is the life it's a wasted experience....
if this is the life it's a wasted experience....
sounds a lot like Dar Williams
dsolomon wrote:
Absolutely! The chorus is a dead ringer for it. When my ear first caught this song, I was hoping against hope it was a folksy cover of it, just for the sheer amusement factor.
Sadly, I was disappointed. This one doesn't do it for me. (But, oddly, "Big in Japan" does..?)
Is it just me or does this sound like Big in Japan by Alphaville?
Absolutely! The chorus is a dead ringer for it. When my ear first caught this song, I was hoping against hope it was a folksy cover of it, just for the sheer amusement factor.
Sadly, I was disappointed. This one doesn't do it for me. (But, oddly, "Big in Japan" does..?)
so bad.
OK, OK, I give! Uncle!! Take my $$$ and my dog. Kill me already!!!
LOVE AMY MacDONALD! (she looks exactly like one of my friends! ..creepy!)
Pommie wrote:
Now, that's a flamebait for all weegie listeners out there!
Love the Irish Accent!
Now, that's a flamebait for all weegie listeners out there!
dsolomon wrote:
Yep. I just searched the comments to see if anyone had posted this question.
Is it just me or does this sound like Big in Japan by Alphaville?
Yep. I just searched the comments to see if anyone had posted this question.
"And you're enduring this song
Thinking it will play for the rest of your life
And you wake up in the morning and it still plays on
Where you gonna go? Where you gonna hide?
Where you gonna go to get away from it tonight?"
Pommie wrote:
Pommie. You are such a pommie. That would be a Scottish accent. But you're right it is very pleasant or even better.
Very pleasant. Love the Irish Accent!
Pommie. You are such a pommie. That would be a Scottish accent. But you're right it is very pleasant or even better.
Pommie wrote:
Interesting, because she's Scottish
Very pleasant. Love the Irish Accent!
Interesting, because she's Scottish
Nice artist, but really annoying song with WORST guitar-lick ever
nice rhythm and vocal delivery...and I see from the cover she's easy on the eyes which doesn't hurt. 
Well she didn't sleep here, so WHERE was she, at your place, come-on come clean ??
dprazuch wrote:
There's a radio station that plays music like this in PR? Would love to know which one it is. The bloody regaetton and bachatas are just unbearable!
Hello Denmark! I logged on to say the same thing! Its marketed crazy here in Puerto Rico.
There's a radio station that plays music like this in PR? Would love to know which one it is. The bloody regaetton and bachatas are just unbearable!
Very pleasant. Love the Irish Accent!
I hear "where ya gonna slip tonight" !
Bloody irritating.
DeeCee1109 wrote:
Dang! where were you when I needed you 30 years ago?
The womb....
Literally
Dang! where were you when I needed you 30 years ago?
The womb....
Literally
Poor Amy, she should've edited her lyrics. You can't even sing this tune. Too many words.
I saw her on the Graham Norton Show a couple of months ago - she's got a great voice.
This song is catchy, and I actually kinda like it, but it hovers on teh edge of falling into mainstream pop.
New to me. I like.
Hello Denmark! I logged on to say the same thing! Its marketed crazy here in Puerto Rico.
The first 100 times I heard this song on the radio, I thought she was singing "where you gonna stick the knife".
Had me wondering why it hadn't been banned....
Had me wondering why it hadn't been banned....
This is being marketed rather aggressively over here (Denmark). I just can't stand it!
"american-way-women" to make songs....in series....
exists: the ready one to dress, the ready one to eat, the ready one to think and the ready one to hear.....music
note: also i believe that this singer has potentialities to evolve in the direction most creative... (it only has 21 years old!....she have the all life!).
** 4 / 5 **
Hi! I come from Barcelona, amazing radio!!!!the best i've ever heard!thank you!!
Sadly, Amy was being played in Starbucks the other day... I hope she doesn't end up falling into the mainstream pit that KT Tunstall did.
Nifty tune.
Nifty tune.
In Terrassa ( BCN) - Faktoria d´arts - , last night.
sar5w wrote:
<plus countless other similar comments> Let me guess... according to RP Chattering Class code, that automatically makes it bad, right?
I heard this song about 1000 times while I was in Germany and Austria and I didn't even listen to the radio that much.
<plus countless other similar comments> Let me guess... according to RP Chattering Class code, that automatically makes it bad, right?
Ketchup Song anyone?
Urgh, Amy MacDonald on here and at the same time Kate Rusby on the LRC. It's like I didn't even switch stations.
8 
10. More I hear it, the more I love it. The harmony is great.
10. More I hear it, the more I love it. The harmony is great. sirrus wrote:
Dang! where were you when I needed you 30 years ago?
Radio Friendly Tune 101:
Write 2 verses.
Write 1 chorus.
Add small transition of guitar plucking that just mimics the chorus.
Sing chorus EIGHT TIMES.
Phase 3: PROFIT !
Write 2 verses.
Write 1 chorus.
Add small transition of guitar plucking that just mimics the chorus.
Sing chorus EIGHT TIMES.
Phase 3: PROFIT !
Dang! where were you when I needed you 30 years ago?
Radio Friendly Tune 101:
Write 2 verses.
Write 1 chorus.
Add small transition of guitar plucking that just mimics the chorus.
Sing chorus EIGHT TIMES.
Phase 3: PROFIT !
Write 2 verses.
Write 1 chorus.
Add small transition of guitar plucking that just mimics the chorus.
Sing chorus EIGHT TIMES.
Phase 3: PROFIT !
Sounds a lot like Dar Williams.
Just heard this for the first time over the weekend on my friend's MySpace page & really liked it. She & I have very similar taste in music, so I'll have to check out this CD.
Music is so good this morning Bill, I almost feel like skipping lunch so I can stay here at my desk and listen through! 
DrLex wrote:
If you come to Belgium or France one of these days, don't turn on your radio. This song is played about every hour there, even on the most commercial stations.
The same in Switzerland! can't hear it anymore...
If you come to Belgium or France one of these days, don't turn on your radio. This song is played about every hour there, even on the most commercial stations.
The same in Switzerland! can't hear it anymore...
I have a couple of friends (whose musical tastes and recommendations are usually impeccable) who are raving about this CD. I may have to check it out....
I've heard this song, and another by her, "Youth of Today" a few times on RP now. I haven't compared closely, but it always strikes me that musically, they seem to be essentially the same song (chord progression) — it's just that this one is sped up. This one doesn't do much for me, but I do like "Youth of Today". I'd rather hear less of this one, and more of that one.
Is it just me or does this sound like Big in Japan by Alphaville?
Where's that confounded bridge?
8 for the lovely accent
I've heard this tune enough times not to actually rate it. It gets a 9 from me only because I try to save my godlike rating for what I consider truly god like tunes.
And yeah, she's a babe.
I like it right out of the gate.
I like it ... but do you remember that Saturday Night Live skit? (I think Adam Sandler was one of three"band" members) If I were more techno-efficient I'd post it for smiles, but alas, this is a project left for another day or another poster...
jjbix wrote:
Me too...guilty, as well
she gets a 9 on looks alone . . . call me shallow, but observant
Me too...guilty, as well
I heard this song about 1000 times while I was in Germany and Austria and I didn't even listen to the radio that much.
she gets a 9 on looks alone . . . call me shallow, but observant
S_L420 wrote:
Thank you. She's the real deal for me too. First came across her in a BBC interview. She was asked (questions in bold)
"There's a blog on your website - do you actually write it yourself? I do. Nobody from my record company could be that intelligent."
For live stuff, if you can stand some more seriously dodgy picture and sound quality, there are videos of her performing solo in record shops around Glasgow on youtube. They include Run, This is the life, and Mr Brightside. There are also plenty of more raucous, live versions from recent tours - Poison prince live at the O2 in London, and a set, audio only, from the V Festival 2008.
May she play to smallish, adoring crowds, for many years to come. However, fame and fortune seem more likely. She is in four categories - Act of 2008, New Act, Most Addictive Track and Album Of The Year - in the MTV Europe awards this year.
One to watch, and hope the music wins in the end. And please play more of her on RP.
I uploaded this gem...bow to my existance!!! ;D
Thank you. She's the real deal for me too. First came across her in a BBC interview. She was asked (questions in bold)
"There's a blog on your website - do you actually write it yourself? I do. Nobody from my record company could be that intelligent."
Not a time-server. She is a lump of a young (21 a fortnight ago, not that I'm obsessive or anything) woman with a fantastic voice and talent to match. Saw her at the Carling Academy in Oxford, England, in May this year. Took my 12 year old daughter and her best friend to their first gig. Amy was much better live than on CD. Her studio stuff can get slightly sugary. For her first encore she did a solo version of Dancing in the dark, which, for me, was worth the trip on its own.
For live stuff, if you can stand some more seriously dodgy picture and sound quality, there are videos of her performing solo in record shops around Glasgow on youtube. They include Run, This is the life, and Mr Brightside. There are also plenty of more raucous, live versions from recent tours - Poison prince live at the O2 in London, and a set, audio only, from the V Festival 2008.
May she play to smallish, adoring crowds, for many years to come. However, fame and fortune seem more likely. She is in four categories - Act of 2008, New Act, Most Addictive Track and Album Of The Year - in the MTV Europe awards this year.
One to watch, and hope the music wins in the end. And please play more of her on RP.
Laptopdog wrote:
For some reason, this song irritates the heck out of me!
If you come to Belgium or France one of these days, don't turn on your radio. This song is played about every hour there, even on the most commercial stations.
For some reason, this song irritates the heck out of me!
If you come to Belgium or France one of these days, don't turn on your radio. This song is played about every hour there, even on the most commercial stations.
For some reason, this song irritates the heck out of me!
S_L420 wrote:
My favorite Mercedes
I uploaded this gem...bow to my existance!!! ;D
My favorite MercedesFreaky! I was just listening to this cd on my way into work this morning and thinking, "I should upload some of Amy's songs to RP". And then, bam!, here it is.....
Nice song, but is it me or does she say "tonight" too many times?
This is great, I just got back from France and it gets a lot of airplay there.
My 10 year old sons favorite tune.
Thanks for uploading it.
My 10 year old sons favorite tune.
Thanks for uploading it.
S_L420 wrote:
I bow! I bow!
I uploaded this gem...bow to my existance!!! ;D
I bow! I bow!
I uploaded this gem...bow to my existance!!! ;D