Hello, and welcome to Hearing Double, where I compare and contrast two unrelated songs of the same title and decide which song does the title the most justice!
Get ready for a discussion about rock icons, relationship issues and good old mortality. Today’s matchup: “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi or Talk Talk.
Starting in chronological order, we have the 1984 song by British band Talk Talk. This song had a big resurgence in the U.S. when No Doubt, the pop band led by Gwen Stefani, covered it in 2003, giving it more upbeat tones and modern instrumentation. The song centers on the themes of autonomy and power reclamation.
The verses indicate a relationship where the singer is unsure of their partner’s commitment and questions how sensible it is to be in their relationship. Lyrics like “one half won’t do” imply the partner could be seeing someone else at the same time.
However, when the chorus takes over, the singer, whether Stefani or Talk Talk’s Mark Hollis (also one of the writers of the song), focuses on what they are sure of: they can take control of their own life.
The chorus declares, “It’s my life, / don’t you forget. / It’s my life, / it never ends.” Despite their dicey love life, the singer pronounces that they have control over their future.
Furthermore, they’re extending this control to a feeling of immortality. Pay attention, because this will become a point of contention when the song goes head-to-head with Bon Jovi.
Being in charge of their own love life and destiny is how the singer finds their personal power and security. The chorus is underscored with music that is more energetic than the relatively mellow verses which chronicle the relationship.
Between its short, to-the-point lyrics and upbeat instrumentation, the song glorifies the invulnerable feeling of being in charge.
Meanwhile, Bon Jovi weaves a different triumphant tale of seizing the moment in his 2000 anthem.
This song’s tone could almost be described as aggressive compared to Talk Talk’s peppy hit. It immediately declares that “this ain’t a song for the brokenhearted” and establishes the singer as someone who isn’t just going to lie down and take what life throws at him.
Bon Jovi also dedicates the song to the “Tommy and Gina who never backed down” in a fantastic callback to his hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” I’m always a fan of little Easter eggs like this, but this one has some significance. After all, the point of Tommy and Gina’s story is one of staying on your feet in a world that wants to bring you down.
We won’t get too deep into the meaning of a completely different Bon Jovi song, but even for those unfamiliar with “Livin’ on a Prayer,” it’s easy to see that Tommy and Gina represent the everyman dealing with the challenges of making their way in the world. The setup allows listeners to imagine themselves as a protagonist figure as the song evokes strength in the face of hardship.
The most obvious divergence in Bon Jovi’s message from Talk Talk’s message is the explicit reference to mortality. Where Talk Talk says life never ends, Bon Jovi says he “ain’t gonna live forever.” That’s why he uses the song as a call to action to “live while [you’re] alive.”
This message comes off less optimistic, but it extends that same feeling of autonomy invoked by Talk Talk beyond romance, to all of life. Bon Jovi also finds power in reclaiming control, but he’s invoking the image of braving the slings and arrows of life with his fists clenched and head high. Life doesn’t last forever, so we have to know what we want, and we have to go after it.
What the songs have in common is a sense of reclaiming personhood and determination. What’s different is exactly what we are determined to get through and how we view life in the meantime. While it’s important to keep a hold on your identity and feel confident in a relationship, Bon Jovi takes a more holistic view of taking hold of life and recognizing that it doesn’t last forever.
While Talk Talk created an excellent song that I greatly enjoy, I think the determined message in Bon Jovi’s song is the one that we can cling to while we try to live our limited lives to the fullest.
Winner: Bon Jovi