The Animals - It's My Life

The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London. Known for their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, as exemplified by their number one signature song "The House of the Rising Sun" as well as by hits such as "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "It's My Life" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", the band balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm and blues-oriented album material.

One of the most important bands originating from England's R&B scene during the early '60s, the Animals were second only to the Rolling Stones in influence among R&B-based bands in the first wave of the British Invasion. The Animals underwent numerous personnel changes in the mid-1960s and suffered from poor business management.

Under the name Eric Burdon and the Animals, they moved to California and achieved commercial success as a psychedelic rock band, before disbanding at the end of the decade. Altogether, the group had ten Top Twenty hits in both the UK Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Membership included pianist Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums), and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass).
The original lineup had a brief comeback in 1977 and 1983. There have been several partial regroupings of the original era members since then under various names. The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

It's My Life" is a rock song composed by Roger Atkins and Carl D'Errico and recorded as a 1965 single. D'Errico, who wrote the music, and Atkins, who wrote the lyrics, were professional songwriters associated with the greater Brill Building scene in New York City. It was written specifically for The Animals as their producer Mickie Most was soliciting material for the group's next recording sessions.

As laid down "It's My Life" was a natural fit for The Animals. It was propelled by a bass guitar riff from Chas Chandler, soon joined by a ringing electric twelve-string guitar riff from Hilton Valentine. Then lead singer Eric Burdon's classic low growl entered with lyrics seemingly direct from his native working class Northern England.

The single was a number 7 hit on the United Kingdom pop singles chart in October of 1965.In the United States, the song did not do as well, reaching number 23 on the pop singles chart in 1966, It later became one of The Animals' most-played tracks on album oriented rock radio stations due to its angry attitude.