Billy Joel's "My LIfe" - Covered by Gainesville Dudes and Me - Sing a song

Hi, my friends! I think, there is no need to introduce you Billy Joel as he has been a world-known singer, songwriter and pianist for about 40 years. So, I will introduce you my band, Gainesville Dudes. As I have already said, we are not professional singers or musicians. All "Dudes" either work or study at the University of Florida (UF) located in Gainesville, Central Florida, one of the oldest American universities. And, as we just pretend to sound like cowboys being modern urban guys in fact, we call ourselves "dudes", in other words, such stylish show-offs who wear cowboy hats only on the stage or in the Country Clubs. Well, back to our band. I organized it about 30 years ago when I just started working at the UF. Its cast often changes as our students graduate, some teachers find better jobs and so on. However, one of our guitar players has been with us for about 20 years. He is a professor of computer science at the UF, or IT as you say now. So, there are 4 guys in our band. I play a guitar, a keyboard and a piano, other guys play guitars and drumms. There are also 2 girls who help us sing when we need female voices.

As to this song, I do like it. It meets my feelings. But I didn't want to sing it in public as its author is so very famous! But once, my guys heard me singing it just for myself and made me sing this song together with them and have it recorded. They are like wild untamed horses! Too young and too reckless! We have two records of this song, but I can't upload the better one as it is more than 7 Mb. So, here is what I can upload

MyLife%20%28Billy%20Joel%20cover%29.mp3

It is for you to decide either to listen to it or to turn off at once.

Here is the script. I hope, you will sing together with me!

Got a call from an old friend
We used to be real close
Said he couldn't go on the American way
Closed the shop, sold the house
Bought a ticket to the West Coast
Now he gives them a stand-up routine in L.A.

I don't need you to worry for me cause I'm alright
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone

I never said you had to offer me a second chance
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
I still belong, don't get me wrong
And you can speak you mind
But not on my time

They will tell you you can't sleep alone
In a strange place
Then they'll tell you you can't sleep
With somebody else
Ah, but sooner or later you sleep
In your own space
Either way it's okay
You wake up with yourself

I never said you had to offer me a second chance
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
I still belong, don't get me wrong
And you can speak you mind
But not on my time
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone

Keep it to yourself, it’s my life

I think I have to add an original song. Here it is:

Billy%20Joel%20-%20Greatest%20Hits%20-%20My%20Life.mp3

Here is the link to karaoke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruFJxgJAMos

Dear friends! First of all, for you all not to be surprised or confused I have to say the truth or nothing, agree? The truth is that being a child an…

Dear Ann! Thank you very much for your great comment! As to my band we rarely sing rock. I don't like hard rock, either although I can judge if it is good or not. As for me, I like Scorpions lyric and sing a few of their songs, in particular, "Obsession" and "Eye to Eye", but not in public as my voice is not good enough for those songs. We mostly sing country music or honky tonk piano (Someone like you). As to " My Life", it is not rock, it is pop. This famous song has been covered so many times!! Mine was recorded about 7 years ago. I wanted to make my arrangemet like most of artists do. It is more rhythmic and modern, but the idea of this song will always be the same. I always wanted to sing it to my parents while I lived with them. Don't stick your nose into my business! It is not about you, dear! It is about others who did it! We are masters of our fates and nobody can tell us what to do or how to live!

Replies

Danny Clark May 14, 2018 11:28

Thanks, Roman! You may know all artists (and teachers!) are greedy for compliments and applause! LOL!

Of course, my arrangement for this famous song is different from original. I tried to make it sound more modern and rythmic. And any time I sing a song or play some music composed by others (not classic, of course!) I try to invest some part of my soul and my feelings, my personal personal perception in my arrangement. I can say the same about my arranged piano composition for "Hallelujah".

Thanks for liking!
Roman May 12, 2018 23:52

Hi Danny!

You both are great singers, although your songs have some differences.

Thank you very much for sharing!

I could never imagine that one day I will meet such a good teacher of English language with an amazing sense of humor, cool voice and a talent to sing!

Thank you for showing your records to me!
Danny Clark September 17, 2015 18:03

I will post it for you on the weekend, OK?
ann September 16, 2015 17:04

Dear Danny, today I turned on my tracks list in my phone to here the song "She 's always a woman". I like this song but don't have any idea about the artist. By chance I saw that is Billy Joey. Oh, this is the artist you mentioned. Now I know :), and I just want to write that I like his song "She 's always a woman".
Danny Clark September 12, 2015 12:56

Dear Elen! Haven't heard from you for so long! Thanks for your great compliment! I think my cover sounds more modern and rhythmic as the original was recorded very many years ago and so much has changed since! Even Elvis Presley, the idol of my generation, sounds old-fashioned now.

As to the idea of my being a professional singer< I have already explained my mind in that connection. I'll be thankful if you read my comment here:

http://www.myenglishclub.com/forum/topics/david-nail-someone-like-y...

And thank you so very much for your good attitude! It is my pleasure to sing for all ladies!

Adel. Someone Like You - My cover

Dear friends! First of all, for you all not to be surprised or confused I have to say the truth or nothing, agree? The truth is that being a child an…
- Elen > Danny Clark September 15, 2015 13:44
  
  Danny, i read the comments and i see. However we all admire your voice that's why we suggested you to see it more serious. But in the end i agree with you. To have singing as hobby is more relaxing than have it as job. And yes, these days i am not so active in EC. It is because i am little more busy but i try to come here as much as i can.
- Danny Clark > Elen September 17, 2015 18:02
  
  Thanks for your understanding. Music as a hobby is much better! Always glad to hear from you, dear!
Elen September 12, 2015 12:36

I like it very much! I like better how you are singing it, it sounds more happy! You should be a singer by the way :))
Danny Clark September 8, 2015 8:09

Dear Ann! Thank you very much for your great comment! As to my band we rarely sing rock. I don't like hard rock, either although I can judge if it is good or not. As for me, I like Scorpions lyric and sing a few of their songs, in particular, "Obsession" and "Eye to Eye", but not in public as my voice is not good enough for those songs. We mostly sing country music or honky tonk piano (Someone like you). As to " My Life", it is not rock, it is pop. This famous song has been covered so many times!! Mine was recorded about 7 years ago. I wanted to make my arrangemet like most of artists do. It is more rhythmic and modern, but the idea of this song will always be the same. I always wanted to sing it to my parents while I lived with them. Don't stick your nose into my business! It is not about you, dear! It is about others who did it! We are masters of our fates and nobody can tell us what to do or how to live!
- ann > Danny Clark September 9, 2015 7:31
  
  Dear Danny, my husband like Scorpions too. Five years ago he sent me the song "You and I" by email (before he told me his love). I heard the song and understood some sentences. I must turn on my computer to search for the whole lyric :D. I think I must be happy that time. But he didn't mention any word in his email. Some day later he sent me message. I still saved it in my notebook now. Than he asked me again directly...
  I believe you know that song right? For me I had no ideal about Scorpions until my husband sent me a song of them.

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