"My Life"

When I think about the song "My Life," by Billy Joel, I remember driving to Meijer's Thrifty Acres in Traverse City, Mich., to find the album. The store had a couple of Billy Joel albums, but the one I was looking for was 52nd Street.

I can't even remember what I liked about the song, but it enjoyed it. Every time it came on the radio (WLDR 102.5 FM) I thought it was a great song. At the time, "Hot Blooded" was also a popular tune. Anyway, we bought the vinyl version of 52nd Street at Thrifty Acres and took it to my Aunt and Uncle's house in TC.

I played the entire album on my cousin Dick's turntable. Turns out, the album was pretty good, even beyond "My Life." However, after the initial listen, it was probably five years before I ever listened to anything but side one of the album. I still can recite the tracks: "Big Shot," "Honesty," "My Life," and "Zanzibar." I don't think I left anything out! What a treat that album still is today.

Last fall, Billy put out a compilation set, My Lives. Interestingly, there are no versions of "My Life" on the five CD/one DVD set. I would love a live version of "My Life" -- beyond the millennium live album's version. It's a great song and totally turned me on to another form of rock 'n' roll -- way back in '78.

Wow! I just realized that that was almost 30 years ago! It doesn't seem that long ago, really. Thirty years ... a lot has happened in those 30 years! Billy's still on the scene, but he's not recorded a new album in almost 15 years! Cousin Dick lives in Anchorage, Alaska and has since '82. Uncle and Aunt left TC, then moved back, and now live in Grand Rapids. Life goes on, long after the thrill of livin' is gone ... (That brings us to another possible post: The first time I heard "Jack & Diane.")

Thanks again for taking the time to read!