Don't Give Me Your Life

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"Don't Give Me Your Life"
Don't Give Me Your Life (Alex Party song).jpg
Artwork for Italian and Dutch releases
Single by Alex Party
from the album Alex Party
B-side"Remix"
ReleasedFebruary 3, 1995
Genre
Length7:25
Label
  • Systematic
  • UMM
Songwriter(s)Robin 'Shanie' Campbell
Producer(s)
  • Paolo Visnadi
  • Gianni Visnadi
  • DJ Alex Natale
Alex Party singles chronology
""Alex Party/Read My Lips/Saturday Night Party

prev_year = 1993"

"Don't Give Me Your Life"
(1995) 		"Wrap Me Up]]"
(1993)
Music video
"Don't Give Me Your Life" on YouTube

"Don't Give Me Your Life" is a 1995 song recorded by Italian electronic dance group Alex Party. It is produced by Italian producer brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi with DJ Alex Natale, and was released as the first single from their first and only album, Alex Party. The vocals are performed by singer Robin 'Shanie' Campbell, who also wrote the lyrics. The song peaked at number 13 in the UK and number 25 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. It also topped the Club Record category at Music Week's 1993 Awards. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the biggest dance anthems of the 1990s. Idolator ranked it number 21 in their list of "The 50 Best Pop Singles of 1995" in 2015.[1]

In 1996, "Don't Give Me Your Life" was re-released, with new mixes included and a full length bonus track Megamix from 1994. A new music video was also made to accompany the new version.

Background[]

After the success with their first single, "Read My Lips/Saturday Night Party" which peaked at number 29 in the UK and became an Ibiza anthem during the summer of 1993, producers and brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi, with DJ Alex Natale, wanted to create something more oriented to the underground scene. But they then decided to add a voice to it. Through their label they were introduced to British singer Robin 'Shanie' Campbell, who wrote the lyrics for "Don't Give Me Your Life". The lyrics tells the story of a woman that tells her man that she doesn't need him anymore. He has been treating her badly, cheating on her and she has had enough, telling him that she don't need his love/life.

The quartet's varied experiences gave the song a unique sound and a sophisticated flare compared to the other stomping grooves at the time. The means of productions back then were not like today, and the production phase was actually more challenging. The hardest part was the huge amount of work during the assembly, once the vocals were recorded on tape. After that, every single phrase from the vocals was sampled individually and controlled via midi with an Atari computer.[2]

Critical reception[]

Larry Flick from American magazine Billboard wrote, "This popular U.K. import, is showing early signs of widespread approval from a variety of dance programmers. Producer Visnadi and Alex Natale offer a jumpy bassline and carnival-like keyboards, while resident singer Shanie bumps and grinds with giddy abandon. The chorus will have you reaching for your tambourine and platform boots."[3] Robbie Daw from Idolator declared it as a "kiss-off anthem" and "one big F U to a no-good ex". He complimented Campbell as "the epitome of powerhouse dance diva."[4] Music & Media commented, "Vocals by Shanie, rap by Danny Johnston; assemble these two elements and you get one of the catchiest Euro tracks currently available."[5] Alan Jones from British magazine Music Week said, "A startlingly simple but hugely effective Italo-NRG bouncer with an impossibly catchy chorus, it could go all the way."[6] James Hamilton from the magazine's RM Dance Update described it as a "girl sung sometimes somewhat Whigfield-ishly tinged (but no ducks!) jaunty Euro romp".[7]

"Don't Give Me Your Life" was ranked number 21 in Idolator's list of "The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995" in 2015. It was also ranked number 9 in Attitude's list of "The Top 10 Dance Tunes Of The '90s" in 2016.[8]

Chart performance[]

"Don't Give Me Your Life" reached number 2 in Ireland, Scotland and the UK, becoming their highest charting hit in those countries. In the latter, it peaked at number 2 on March 5, 1995, in its fourth week on the UK Singles Chart.[9] The single spent two weeks at that position and was held off reaching number-one by Celine Dion's "Think Twice". It also peaked at number 6 in Iceland, number 16 in Denmark and the Netherlands. In addition, it topped both Music Week's On A Pop Tip Club Chart and the Club Record category at Music Week's 1995 Awards. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 9. Outside Europe, "Don't Give Me Your Life" was very successful in Israel, peaking at number 2 and on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it hit number 5. In Australia, it reached a respectable number 13. The song was included in many compilation albums all over the world, and remains to date the most successful release by Alex Party.

Music video[]

The music video of "Don't Give Me Your Life" features singer Robin Campbell and dancers. She wears a white high neck sweater and performs toward a dark background. The male dancer in the video is actor and dancer Jake Canuso, known for his role in the British TV series Benidorm, in which he plays barman Mateo Castellanos.[10] The video is directed by La La Land,[11] who had previously directed the video for 2 Unlimited's "No One". "Don't Give Me Your Life" was uploaded to YouTube in May 2011. As of August 2020, the video has got more than 1,5 million views.[12]

Live performances[]

Alex Party performed "Don't Give Me Your Life" in the British music chart television programme Top of the Pops three times in 1995. The first performance was at February 16, after reaching number 10 in the UK Singles Chart.[13] Then at March 2, after reaching number 3 with 150 000 copies sold,[14] and again at March 16, after reaching number 2 with 350 000 copies sold.[15]

Track listing[]

Italy Vinyl, 12" (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Mix)5:15
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix)5:35
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (LWS Remix)4:39
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (LWS DJ's Choice Instrumental)5:03
UK Vinyl single, 7" (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Edit) 
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Edit) 
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Saturday Night FMS Edit) 
UK CD single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Edit)3:20
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix (V1))6:35
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Edit)3:10
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Saturday Night FMS Edit)4:34
5."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Club Mix)8:16
6."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix)5:35
7."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Mix)5:15
8."Don't Give Me Your Life" (LWS Bitch Mix)4:41
Netherlands Maxi-Single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Radio Version)3:35
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Radio Version)4:00
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Edit)3:10
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Saturday Night FMS)4:33
5."Don't Give Me Your Life" (LWS Bitch Mix)4:41
6."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Mix)5:15
7."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Club Mix)8:15
8."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Rhythm Mix)6:02
9."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party)5:35
US Maxi-Single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Edit)3:20
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Edit)3:07
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix (V1))6:35
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Club Mix)8:13
5."Don't Give Me Your Life" (LWS Bitch Mix)4:40
Sweden Maxi-Single (Remix) (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Pierre J's Alternative Radio Remix)3:38
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Pierre J's Full Organ Remix)8:48
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Orgasmic Mix)7:25
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (June Party)4:15

Charts[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995 (Featuring New Interviews With Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Monica, Ace Of Base & More!)". idolator.com. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  2. ^ "The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995 (21. ALEX PARTY, "Don't Give Me Your Life" (Interview))". idolator.com. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  3. ^ "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  4. ^ Daw, Robbie (2015-12-09). "The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995 (Featuring New Interviews With Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Monica, Ace Of Base & More!)". Idolator. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  5. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1995-03-18. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  6. ^ Jones, Alan (1995-02-04). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 30. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  7. ^ Hamilton, James (1995-01-21). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  8. ^ Fussell, Glyn (2016-06-09). "The Top 10 Dance Tunes Of The '90s". Attitude. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 05 March 1995 - 11 March 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  10. ^ "Jake Canuso Interview ~ Mateo Benidorm ITV". celebrityradio.biz. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  11. ^ "alex party - don't give me your life ( viva tv )". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  12. ^ "Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  13. ^ Top of the Pops, BBC 16-2-95
  14. ^ Top of the Pops, BBC 2-3-95
  15. ^ Top of the Pops, BBC 16-3-95
  16. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  17. ^ Danish Singles Chart 14 April 1995
  18. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 10. 11 March 1995. p. 18. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (06.05.1995 – 12.05.1995)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 6 May 1995. p. 42. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Give Me Your Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  28. ^ "The RM On A Pop Tip Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 4 March 1995. p. 8. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Alex Party Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Billboard Hot Dance Breakouts" (PDF). Billboard. 8 July 1995. p. 20. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Billboard Hot Dance Breakouts" (PDF). Billboard. 26 August 1995. p. 26. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  32. ^ "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 51/52. 23 December 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  34. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
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