Don't Give Me Your Life

"Don't Give Me Your Life" is a 1995 song recorded by the 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 2 in the UK and number 5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. Today, the song is widely regarded as one of the biggest dance anthems of the 1990s. In 2015, Idolator listed the song at number 21 in their ranking of The 50 Best Pop Singles of 1995.[1]

"Don't Give Me Your Life"
Single by Alex Party
from the album Alex Party
B-side"Remix"
ReleasedFebruary 3, 1995
Genre
Length3:50
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"
(1994)		 "Don't Give Me Your Life"
(1995)		 "Wrap Me Up"
(1995)
Music video
"Don't Give Me Your Life" on YouTube
Alternate cover
Italy edition cover

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. She wrote the lyrics for "Don't Give Me Your Life". The lyrics tells the story of a woman that tells her man that she don't need him anymore. He has been treating her badly, cheating on her and she have 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]

Release

"Don't Give Me Your Life" reached number 2 in Ireland, Scotland and the UK (their highest charting hit in those countries). In the UK it was held off reaching number one by Celine Dions "Think Twice". "Don't Give Me Your Life" also peaked at number 6 in Iceland, number 16 in Denmark and the Netherlands. In addition, it topped the Club Record category at Music Week's 1995 Awards. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 9 in March 1995. Outside Europe, "Don't Give Me Your Life" peaked at number 2 in Israel, number 5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US and number 13 in Australia. The song was included in many compilation albums all over the world, and remains to date the most famous release by Alex Party.

In 1999, "Don't Give Me Your Life" was re-released, with new mixes included and a full length bonus track Megamix from 1996. A new music video was also made to accompany the new version.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from 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 described it as a "kiss-off anthem", adding it as "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]

Music video
Robin 'Shanie' Campbell performing in the "Don't Give Me Your Life" 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.[6] The music video was directed by La La Land.[7] They had previously directed the music video for 2 Unlimited's "No One".

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.[8] Then at March 2, after reaching number 3 with 150 000 copies sold.[9] And again at March 16, after reaching number 2 with 350 000 copies sold.[10]

Track listing
Italy Vinyl, 12" (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Mix)5:10
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix)5:30
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)3:15
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix (V1))6:30
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)5:32
7."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Original Mix)5:12
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)3:34
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Radio Version)3:59
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)5:12
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)5:32
US Maxi-Single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Edit)3:11
2."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Dancing Divaz Edit)3:07
3."Don't Give Me Your Life" (Classic Alex Party Mix (V1))6:29
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)7:19
4."Don't Give Me Your Life" (June Party)4:11

Charts
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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. "Jake Canuso Interview ~ Mateo Benidorm ITV". celebrityradio.biz. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  7. "alex party - don`t give me your life ( viva tv )". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  8. Top of the Pops, BBC 16-2-95
  9. Top of the Pops, BBC 2-3-95
  10. Top of the Pops, BBC 16-3-95
  11. "Alex Party - Australian chart positions".Australian-charts.com. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
  12. Danish Singles Chart 14 April 1995
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  15. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (06.05.1995 - 12.05.1995)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  16. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Give Me Your Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  17. "Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  18. "Scottish Singles Chart 26 February 1995 - 04 March 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  19. "Swisscharts.com – Alex Party – Don't Give Me Your Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  20. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 18. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  21. "UK Dance Singles Chart Top 40 12 February 1995 - 18 February 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  22. "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  23. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  24. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
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