Get a Life (Soul II Soul song)

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"Get a Life"
Soul II Soul-Get a Life.jpg
Single by Soul II Soul featuring Marcia Lewis
from the album Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade
Released27 November 1989 (1989-11-27)[1]
Genre
Length3:43
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Soul II Soul singles chronology
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)"
(1989) 		"Get a Life"
(1989) 		"A Dream's a Dream"
(1990)
Music video
"Get a Life" on YouTube

"Get a Life" is a 1989 song by British R&B band Soul II Soul, released as the first single from their second album, Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade. It features singer Marcia Lewis and gained success in Europe, reaching number-one in Greece, number 2 in the Netherlands and number 3 in the UK. Additionally, it was a Top 10 hit in Austria, Belgium, Finland, West Germany, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Outside Europe, the song peaked at number 4 in Zimbabwe and number 5 in New Zealand. In the UK, it sold over 200 000 copies and was certified Silver.

Critical reception[]

J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun said that "there are allusions to Philly Soul in the way the bluesy "Elevate your mind" chorus is played off against a lush string arrangements, echoes of reggae in the deep thump of the bass, and definite African undercurrents to the use of conga and shekere — even if the rest of the drum sound is straight hip-hop."[2] Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as a "familiar groove that's infectious nonetheless".[3] Forest Green III from The Michigan Daily wrote that the song is a "constant stimulation, basically an ingenious engaging piece of rap/dance/soul/R&B fusion." He added that "helping the euphoric power of the piece are various references to the earlier singles, another perfectly crafted techno beat, a bit of the old "Feel Free" piano; flutes and strings humming in and out of the groove, and a female singer"."[4]

Music & Media called it "cool, breezy, funky, simple and effective. Effortlessly seductive and supremely self-assured."[5] People Magazine noted that "a roiling bottom of drums, congas and bass underpins delicate instrumentation and the combined vocals of Jazzy B. rapping and Marcia Lewis and Daddae Harvey singing."[6] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits complimented Lewis' singing voice as "marvellous".[7] Nathaniel Wice from Spin wrote, "The underground club scene's party line is dance music. This is expressed perfectly in "Get a Life". The mellow, satisfied rap explains the title's imperative: "Implement your ideas, put them in motion.... Be an asset to the collective", while a child chorus nags "What's the meaning of life?" and Marcia Lewi's voice soars over the classical-sounding synth oceans, "Let your body take control.""[8]

Track listing[]

CD single, UK & Europe (1989)
No.TitleLength
1."Get a Life" (7" Version)3:43
2."Get a Life" (Club Mix)4:31
3."Keep On Movin'" (Teddy Riley Remix)6:00
4."Jazzie's Groove" (New Version)5:03
CD single, US (1989)
No.TitleLength
1."Get a Life" (12" Mix)4:48
2."Get a Life" (Bonus Beats)3:46
3."Get a Life" (Club Mix)4:28
4."Fairplay" (12" Mix)5:55
CD single, Japan (1990)
No.TitleLength
1."Get a Life"3:44
2."Jazzie's Groove" (New Version)5:04
3."Back to Life" (Club Mix)7:40
4."Keep On Movin'" (Club Mix)5:51

Charts and certifications[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "British single certifications – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Eurosoul: A Musical Melting Pot". The Baltimore Sun. 11 May 1990. p. 9. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 24 March 1990. p. 69. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Records: Soul II Soul "Get a life"". The Michigan Daily. 17 April 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 16 December 1989. p. 14. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: 1990-a New Decade". People. 2 July 1990. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 299. 16 May 1990. p. 54. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  8. ^ Wice, Nathaniel (1 August 1990). "SPINS". Spin. p. 74. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soul II Soul – Get a Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soul II Soul – Get a Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1247." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7921." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 3. 20 January 1990. p. IV. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  15. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  16. ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 10. 10 March 1990. p. VII. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  17. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Get a Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 6, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soul II Soul – Get a Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Charts.nz – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". VG-lista. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Soul II Soul Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  26. ^ "Soul II Soul Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Soul II Soul Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Soul II Soul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soul II Soul – Get a Life". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  30. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  31. ^ "Year-End Charts '89 – Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 3 March 1990. p. 16.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  33. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 36. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1990". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  37. ^ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  38. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved 21 February 2021.

External links[]

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