"Don't Give Me Your Life" is a 1995 song recorded by the Italian electronic dance groupAlex 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 BillboardHot 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.
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.
Release
"Don't Give Me Your Life" reached number 2 in Ireland, Scotland and the UK. 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
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." 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." 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."
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 seriesBenidorm, in which he plays barman Mateo Castellanos. The music video was directed by La La Land. They had previously directed the music video for 2 Unlimited's "No One".
Live performances
performed "Don't Give Me Your Life" in the British music charttelevision programmeTop of the Pops three times in 1995. The first performance was at February 16, after reaching number 10 in the UK Singles Chart. Then at March 2, after reaching number 3 with 150 000 copies sold. And again at March 16, after reaching number 2 with 350 000 copies sold.
