Your Life's A Cartoon

Album: released as a single (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Backed with "Underwater Rimes," "Your Life's A Cartoon" was the first Digital Underground single, and the song that earned them a recording contract.

    Group leader Shock G wrote the song in 1987 and recorded a demo at a studio provided by Chopmaster J, who became a member of Digital Underground as a drum programmer, promotion man and business coordinator. Shock planned to make copies of the song for his friends, but Chopmaster had bigger ambitions. He sent it to his friend at the local label TNT Records, which had them make a proper recording and released the single in 1988. This single got the attention of Tommy Boy Records, which signed the group and released their first album, Sex Packets, in 1990.
  • The song incorporates the Pink Panther theme along with various other cartoon elements (including a laugh track) to form the track. The lyrics, however, are not exactly whimsical. The song is about a guy who cheats on his wife, later to discover that she cheated on him in return. As his life falls apart, he is left to ponder his poor choices. His life is a cartoon because he didn't take it seriously.
  • This got some exposure on the San Francisco radio station KMEL on their new music showcase "Kiss It or Diss It." The listeners kissed it, which gave the song and the group a vote of confidence.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?