This Is The Life

Album: This Is The Life (2007)
Charted: 28
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about how great it is to be a musician. Amy McDonald explained on her website how she came to write this song: "I saw Pete Doherty's first gig in Glasgow after he left Libertines. It was a great night - he did a little acoustic thing at the aftershow party too, and we got into that. Then me and my pals went back to someone's house and just sat, passing the guitar round, singing songs. It was a brilliant night. The next morning I wrote 'This Is The Life' about it, cause I realized, this is the life."
  • On January 13 2008, over 5 months after its release, the This Is The Life album reached the top of the UK album charts.
  • Despite only reaching #28 in her native UK, this song topped the charts in a number of European countries, including Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
  • "This Is The Life" featured in a 2010 Fiat 500 TwinAir advert that was broadcast across Europe. The song was also used in a Norwegian commercial in early 2011, which triggered a resurgence on the Norwegian charts, where it re-entered at #1.
  • The song became popular in Saudi Arabia in the mid-2020s thanks to its use on TikTok and in social media videos featuring football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Comments: 3

  • Anonymous from HampshireDoes anyone have the tab for tin whistle for this song please.
  • Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumI have the cd and I love this song very much.
  • Thomas from Mont De Marsan, Francetrès belle chanson, sur un air de Country, elle nous procure de la joie et de la bonne humeur!c'est ça la vie!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.