Get a Life (Soul II Soul song)

"Get a Life" is a 1989 song by British R&B band Soul II Soul. It was 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 2 in the Netherlands and number 3 in the United Kingdom. In addition, the song also peaked within the Top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and Sweden. Outside Europe, "Get a Life" peaked at number 5 in New Zealand, number 38 in Australia and number 54 in the US. In the UK, the single sold over 60 000 copies and was certified Silver.

"Get a Life"
Single by Soul II Soul featuring Marcia Lewis
from the album Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade
Released1989
Genre
Length3:43
LabelVirgin
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

Critical reception

J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun said that in the song, "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."[1] Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as a "familiar groove that's infectious nonetheless".[2] Forest Green III from The Michigan Daily wrote that the song is "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"." [3] People 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."[4] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits complimented Lewis' singing voice as "marvellous".[5] 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.""[6]

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
Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 38
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 8
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 9
Germany (Official German Charts) 6
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 6
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 12
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 3
US Billbord Hot 100 54
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16] 9
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 5
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[18] 4
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References
  1. "Eurosoul: A Musical Melting Pot". The Baltimore Sun. 11 May 1990. p. 9. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  2. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 24 March 1990. p. 69. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  3. "Records: Soul II Soul "Get a life"". The Michigan Daily. 17 April 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  4. "Picks and Pans Review: 1990-a New Decade". People. 2 July 1990. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  5. "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 299. 16 May 1990. p. 54. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  6. Wice, Nathaniel (1 August 1990). "SPINS". Spin. p. 74. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  7. "Australian-charts.com – Soul II Soul – Get A Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  8. "Austriancharts.at – Soul II Soul – Get A Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. "Ultratop.be – Soul II Soul – Get A Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Get A Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Soul II Soul" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Soul II Soul – Get A Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  13. "Charts.nz – Soul II Soul – Get A Life". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. "Swedishcharts.com – Soul II Soul – Get A Life". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. "Swisscharts.com – Soul II Soul – Get A Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. "Soul II Soul Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  17. "Soul II Soul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
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