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1999 studio album by Macy Gray
On How Life Is Released July 1, 1999 (1999-07-01 ) Studio
Genre
Length 44 :55 Label
Producer Andrew Slater
On How Life Is (1999)
The Id (2001)
On How Life Is is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray . It was released on July 1, 1999, by Epic Records and Clean Slate. Produced by Andrew Slater, it became Gray's best-selling album to date, selling 3.4 million copies in the United States and seven million copies worldwide.[ 1] [ 2]
The album's second single, "I Try ", became an international success, topping the charts in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand,[ 3] [ 4] while reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 .[ 5] The song also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001.[ 6]
Critical reception
On How Life Is was met with highly positive reviews from music critics upon its release, with many praising Gray's songwriting and vocal performance. Q rated the album four out of five stars, calling it a "confident, bluesy soul debut [...] with a lived-in sound – as if Rod Stewart were a girl."[ 14]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Macy Gray . All tracks are produced by Andrew Slater
Title Music 1. "Why Didn't You Call Me " Jeremy Ruzumna 3:14 2. "Do Something " 4:57 3. "Caligula" 4:38 4. "I Try " Gray Ruzumna Jinsoo Lim David Wilder 3:59 5. "Sex-o-matic Venus Freak" 3:57 6. "I Can't Wait to Meetchu" 5:18 7. "Still " 4:15 8. "I've Committed Murder" 4:59 9. "A Moment to Myself" 4:00 10. "The Letter" 5:38
Australian and Japanese edition bonus track[ 17] [ 18] Title Music 11. "Rather Hazy" Gray 3:10
Sample credits
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of On How Life Is .[ 19]
Musicians
Macy Gray – lead vocals, vocal arrangements (all tracks) ; backing vocals (tracks 1, 3–5, 10)
Dawn Beckman – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–9)
Musiic Galloway – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–10)
Jeremy Ruzumna – backing vocals (track 1) ; organ (tracks 1, 4–6, 8) ; piano (tracks 1, 7, 10) ; electric piano, Moog (track 2) ; Farfisa , clavinet (track 3) ; Rhodes (tracks 5, 6) ; Optigan , Chamberlin (track 10)
David Wilder – backing vocals (track 1) ; bass (tracks 1, 4)
Jinsoo Lim – guitar (tracks 1, 2)
Arik Marshall – guitar (tracks 1, 7–10)
Lenny Castro – percussion (tracks 1, 2, 7–9)
Matt Chamberlain – percussion (tracks 1, 3, 9, 10) ; drums (all tracks)
Darryl Swann – backing vocals, guitar (track 3) ; programming (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8–10) ; vocal arrangements (all tracks)
DJ Kiilu – turntables (tracks 2, 8, 9) ; programming (track 8)
Jon Brion – Chamberlin (tracks 2, 3, 8, 10) ; synths (tracks 3, 8) ; guitar (tracks 3–6, 8–10) ; piano (tracks 4, 10) ; orchestra bells (track 4) ; vibes (tracks 7, 8) ; marimba (track 8) ; Optigan (track 10)
Patrick Warren – vibes (track 2) ; Chamberlin (tracks 2–4, 7, 8) ; synths (track 3) ; Rhodes, Wurlitzer (track 9)
Dion Derek Murdock – bass (tracks 2, 6)
Sy Smith – backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 7)
Bendrix Williams – guitar (track 4)
Rami Jaffee – synths (track 5) ; piano, Optigan, Chamberlin (track 10)
Blackbyrd McKnight – guitar (track 5)
Gabriel Moses – guitar (track 5)
Steve Baxter – horn (track 6)
Charlie Green – horn (track 6)
Michael Harris – horn (track 6)
Miles Tackett – guitar (track 6)
Greg Richling – bass (tracks 6–10)
David Campbell – string arrangement (track 7)
Jay Joyce – guitar (track 7)
Ngozi Inyama – sax solo (track 8)
Technical
Andrew Slater – production
Dave Way – recording, mixing
Darryl "D-Style" Swann – additional engineering
Howard Willing – first assistant engineer
Dave Reed – second assistant engineer
Kevin Dean – second assistant engineer
Jeff Walch – second assistant engineer
Michelle Forbes – second assistant engineer
Sherry Sutcliff – production coordination
Artwork
Stéphane Sednaoui – photography
Hooshik – art direction, design
Frank Harkins – art direction
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
^ "Macy Gray – Biography" . VH1 . Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ a b Peters, Mitchell (August 13, 2013). "Macy Gray Signs with APA" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 25, 2019 .
^ "Macy Gray – I Try" . australian-charts.com . Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Search the charts" . The Irish Charts. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
^ "Macy Gray Chart History: Hot 100" . Billboard . Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
^ Skanse, Richard (February 22, 2001). "Steely Dan, U2 Top Grammys" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas . "On How Life Is – Macy Gray" . AllMusic . Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ DeRogatis, Jim (August 8, 1999). "Macy Gray, 'On How Life Is' (Epic)" . Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017 – via HighBeam Research .
^ Weingarten, Marc (August 2, 1999). "On How Life Is" . Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2016 .
^ Cox, Tom (July 9, 1999). "Irresistible sister". The Guardian . ISSN 0261-3077 .
^ Perry, Tim (July 3, 1999). "Album Reviews" . The Independent . Retrieved March 7, 2020 .
^ Nichols, Natalie (July 25, 1999). "Echoing '70s Soul, in a Voice That's All Her Own" . Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017 .
^ Braddock, Kevin (August 1999). "Macy Gray: On How Life Is (Epic)". Muzik . No. 51. p. 82. ISSN 1358-541X .
^ a b Harron, Sarah (August 1999). "Macy Gray: On How Life Is" . Q . No. 155. p. 105. ISSN 0955-4955 . Archived from the original on January 29, 2000. Retrieved September 2, 2018 .
^ Walters, Barry (August 19, 1999). "Macy Gray: On How Life Is" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2007 .
^ Randall, Mac (2004). "Macy Gray". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster . pp. 344–45 . ISBN 0-7432-0169-8 .
^ "Macy Gray On How Life Is + Bonus Track" . JB Hi-Fi . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ a b c オン・ハウ・ライフ・イズ/メイシー・グレイ [On How Life Is / Macy Gray] (in Japanese). Oricon . Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2009 .
^ On How Life Is (liner notes). Macy Gray . Epic Records . 1999. 494423 2.{{cite AV media notes }}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link )
^ "Australiancharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 12th February 2001" (PDF) . The ARIA Report (572): 18. February 12, 2001. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via National Library of Australia .
^ "Austriancharts.at – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Ultratop.be – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Ultratop.be – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9814" . RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved January 18, 2019.
^ "Macy Gray Chart History (Canadian Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF) . Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 18. April 29, 2000. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Hits of the World" . Billboard . Vol. 112, no. 16. April 15, 2000. p. 57. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books .
^ "Macy Gray: On How Life Is" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ "Lescharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts . Retrieved July 24, 2015.
^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF) . Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 49. December 4, 1999. p. 13. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "Italiancharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
^ "Charts.nz – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF) . Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 13. March 25, 2000. p. 13. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 24, 2015.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Hung Medien. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 24, 2015.
^ "Macy Gray Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ "Macy Gray Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ "Year in Focus – European Top 100 Albums 1999" (PDF) . Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 11. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999" . Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2000" . Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved September 13, 2011 .
^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2000" . austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Jaaroverzichten 2000 – Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved September 13, 2011 .
^ "Års Hitlister 2000" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark . Archived from the original on December 20, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2017 .
^ "Year in Focus – European Top 100 Albums 2000" (PDF) . Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 52. December 23, 2000. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ The first list is the list of best-selling domestic albums of 2000 in Finland and the second is that of the best-selling foreign albums:
^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2000" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Top Selling Albums of 2000" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved August 20, 2017 .
^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000" . swisscharts.com . Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2000" . Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year End 2000" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
^ "UK Year-End Charts 2001" (PDF) . UKChartsPlus . p. 6. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Decade End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums" . Billboard.biz . 2009. Archived from the original on March 8, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011 .
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums" (PDF) . Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved April 18, 2008 .
^ "Austrian album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). IFPI Austria. March 17, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2008 .
^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2000" . Ultratop . Hung Medien. April 21, 2000. Retrieved June 16, 2017 .
^ "Canadian album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Music Canada . October 22, 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ a b "Macy Gray" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved April 19, 2008 .
^ "French album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . July 6, 2000. Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Macy Gray; ' On How Life Is' )" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Dutch album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved December 1, 2018 . Enter On How Life Is in the "Artiest of titel" box.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Recorded Music NZ . July 9, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden . March 27, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (' On How Life Is' )" . IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "British album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . British Phonographic Industry . March 10, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015 . Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type On How Life Is in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
^ "American album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" . Recording Industry Association of America . September 8, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2008 .
^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2000" . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 24, 2015 .
^ "Macy Gray: On How Life Is" . Amazon (US). Retrieved December 1, 2018 .
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