It’s My Life — a young voice pushing gently against fame, expectation, and the right to choose one’s own way
When Shaun Cassidy released “It’s My Life” in 1977, it sounded at first like another confident pop single from a young star riding an unstoppable wave. But listen closely — especially with the distance of years — and the song reveals something far more personal. Beneath its bright tempo and radio-friendly polish lies a quiet declaration of independence, a young man’s insistence on defining himself beyond the images placed upon him.
Important context first:
“It’s My Life” was released as a single from Shaun Cassidy’s 1977 album Born Late. The song is a cover of the earlier hit made famous by The Animals in 1965, written by Carl D’Errico and Roger Atkins. Shaun Cassidy’s version reached the upper tier of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking just outside the Top 10 — a strong showing that confirmed his continued popularity during the height of his late-1970s fame.
Yet chart positions only tell part of the story.
By the time “It’s My Life” arrived, Shaun Cassidy was already a cultural phenomenon. With consecutive No. 1 hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “That’s Rock ’n’ Roll,” he had become one of the most recognizable faces and voices of the decade. Teen magazines adored him, radio embraced him, and television soon followed. But success came with expectations — to look a certain way, sound a certain way, and remain forever frozen in youth.
That is where “It’s My Life” takes on deeper meaning.
Originally, The Animals’ version carried a sharp edge — defiant, almost confrontational. Shaun Cassidy softened that edge, not by weakening it, but by reframing it. His delivery is smoother, more melodic, yet the message remains unmistakable: I will live by my own choices. In his voice, the song becomes less of a rebellion shouted at the world and more of a boundary quietly, firmly drawn.
This subtle shift matters. Cassidy was still young when he recorded the song, but already aware of the tension between who the public wanted him to be and who he was becoming. “It’s My Life” felt like a moment of self-assertion — not dramatic, not angry, but resolute. A reminder that even those who appear to have everything must still fight for ownership of their own story.
For listeners then — and especially now — the song carries a powerful resonance. With age, we understand how rare it is to live entirely on our own terms. Responsibilities accumulate, expectations solidify, and choices narrow. Hearing Cassidy sing “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want” no longer sounds youthful or impulsive; it sounds necessary. Almost philosophical.
The album Born Late itself hinted at Cassidy’s growing desire to be taken seriously as an artist, not merely an idol. While the production remained polished and accessible, the emotional undertones were shifting. “It’s My Life” stands as one of the clearest signals of that transition — a song borrowed from an earlier generation, reshaped to reflect a personal crossroads.
In hindsight, the track feels prophetic. Shaun Cassidy would later step away from the spotlight, reinventing himself as a writer and producer, choosing a quieter but creatively fulfilling path. That future choice echoes backward into this song, as if the seeds were already planted in its lyrics.
Today, “It’s My Life” invites reflection rather than nostalgia alone. It reminds us of the moment we first realized that adulthood is not about pleasing others, but about learning when — and how — to say no. It carries the sound of youth, yes, but also the wisdom that follows it.