On How Life Is

On How Life Is
Studio album by Macy Gray
Released July 1, 1999 (1999-07-01)
Recorded 1998-1999
Studio A&M Studios, Paramount Studios, Sunset Sound Recorders
(Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length 44:55
Label Epic
Producer Andrew Slater
Macy Gray chronology
On How Life Is
(1999)		 The Id
(2001)
Singles from On How Life Is
  1. "Do Something"
    Released: June 24, 1999
  2. "I Try"
    Released: September 27, 1999
  3. "Still"
    Released: February 21, 2000
  4. "Why Didn't You Call Me"
    Released: July 24, 2000

On How Life Is is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray, released on July 1, 1999 by Epic Records. Produced by Andrew Slater, it became Gray's best-selling album to date, selling 3.2 million copies in the United States and seven million copies worldwide.[1][2]

The album's second single, "I Try", became an international hit, 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Christgau's Consumer Guide[8]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB[10]
Muzik[11]
Q[12]
Rolling Stone[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[14]

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."[12]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Macy Gray. 

No. TitleMusic Length
1. "Why Didn't You Call Me"  Jeremy Ruzumna 3:14
2. "Do Something"  
 4:57
3. "Caligula"  
  • Gray
  • Swann
  • Ruzumna
 4:38
4. "I Try"  
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Jinsoo Lim
  • David Wilder
 3:59
5. "Sex-o-matic Venus Freak"  
  • Ruzumna
  • Murdock
 3:57
6. "I Can't Wait to Meetchu"  
 5:18
7. "Still"  
  • Ruzumna
  • Bill Esses
 4:15
8. "I've Committed Murder"  
 4:59
9. "A Moment to Myself"  
 4:00
10. "The Letter"  
 5:38
Sampling credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of On How Life Is.[17]

  • Macy Gray – lead vocals, vocal arrangements (all tracks); backing vocals (tracks 1, 3–5, 10)
  • Steve Baxter – horn (track 6)
  • Dawn Beckman – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–9)
  • Jon Brion – Chamberlin (tracks 2, 3, 8, 10); guitar (tracks 3–6, 8–10); synthesizer (tracks 3, 8); orchestra bells (track 4); piano (tracks 4, 10); vibraphone (tracks 7, 8); marimba (track 8); Optigan (track 10)
  • David Campbell – string arrangement (track 7)
  • Lenny Castro – percussion (tracks 1, 2, 7–9)
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums (all tracks); percussion (tracks 1, 3, 9, 10)
  • Kevin Dean – second assistant engineer
  • DJ Kiilu – turntables (tracks 2, 8, 9); programming (track 8)
  • James Dowdall – A&R
  • Michelle Forbes – second assistant engineer
  • Musiic Galloway – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–10)
  • Charlie Green – horn (track 6)
  • Frank Harkins – art direction
  • Michael Harris – horn (track 6)
  • Hooshik – art direction, design
  • Ngozi Inyama – sax solo (track 8)
  • Rami Jaffee – synthesizer (track 5); Chamberlin, Optigan, piano (track 10)
  • Jay Joyce – guitar (track 7)
  • Jinsoo Lim – guitar (tracks 1, 2)
  • Arik Marshall – guitar (tracks 1, 7–10)
  • Blackbyrd McKnight – guitar (track 5)
  • Gabriel Moses – guitar (track 5)
  • Dion Derek Murdock – bass (tracks 2, 6)
  • Rose Noone – A&R
  • Dave Reed – second assistant engineer
  • Greg Richling – bass (tracks 6–10)
  • Jeremy Ruzumna – backing vocals (track 1); organ (tracks 1, 4–6, 8); piano (tracks 1, 7, 10); electric piano, Moog (track 2); clavinet, Farfisa (track 3); Rhodes (tracks 5, 6); Chamberlin, Optigan (track 10)
  • Stéphane Sednaoui – photography
  • Sy Smith – backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 7)
  • Andrew Slater – production
  • Sherry Sutcliff – production coordinator
  • Darryl Swann – vocal arrangements (all tracks); programming (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8–10); backing vocals, guitar (track 3)
  • Miles Tackett – guitar (track 6)
  • Jeff Walch – second assistant engineer
  • Patrick Warren – vibraphone (track 2); Chamberlin (tracks 2–4, 7, 8); synthesizer (track 3); Rhodes, Wurlitzer (track 9)
  • Dave Way – mixing, recording
  • David Wilder – backing vocals (track 1); bass (tracks 1, 4)
  • Bendrix Williams – guitar (track 4)
  • Howard Willing – first assistant engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999–2000) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[18] 1
Australian Urban Albums Chart[19] 1
Austrian Albums Chart[20] 3
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[21] 9
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[22] 44
Canadian Albums Chart[23] 2
Danish Albums Chart[24] 1
Dutch Albums Chart[25] 28
European Top 100 Albums[26] 5
Finnish Albums Chart[27] 16
French Albums Chart[28] 24
German Albums Chart[29] 19
Irish Albums Chart[30] 4
Italian Albums Chart[31] 29
Japanese Albums Chart[16] 61
New Zealand Albums Chart[32] 1
Norwegian Albums Chart[33] 2
Scottish Albums Chart[34] 4
Swedish Albums Chart[35] 5
Swiss Albums Chart[36] 6
UK Albums Chart[37] 3
UK R&B Albums Chart[38] 1
US Billboard 200[39] 4
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[40] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (1999) Position
UK Albums Chart[41] 10
Chart (2000) Position
Australian Albums Chart[42] 7
Austrian Albums Chart[43] 22
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[44] 47
Danish Albums Chart[45] 5
Finnish Albums Chart[46] 254
German Albums Chart[47] 59
New Zealand Albums Chart[48] 5
Swiss Albums Chart[49] 25
UK Albums Chart[50] 28
US Billboard 200[51] 21
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[52] 32
Chart (2001) Position
UK Albums Chart[53] 192

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–09) Position
US Billboard 200[54] 129

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] 4× Platinum 280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[57] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[58] Gold 20,496[58]
France (SNEP)[59] Gold 169,900[60]
Germany (BVMI)[61] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[62] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] 4× Platinum 60,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[64] Platinum 50,000*
Sweden (GLF)[65] Gold 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[66] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] 3× Platinum 900,000^
United States (RIAA)[68] 3× Platinum 3,200,000[2]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[69] 2× Platinum 2,000,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Label Ref.
Japan July 1, 1999 Sony [16]
United States July 27, 1999 Epic [70]

References

  1. ↑ "Macy Gray – Biography". VH1. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Martens, Todd (September 27, 2001). "Jay-Z's 'Blueprint' Enters Second Week At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Macy Gray – I Try". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Search the charts". The Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Macy Gray – Chart history: The Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ Skanse, Richard (February 22, 2001). "Steely Dan, U2 Top Grammys". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "On How Life Is – Macy Gray". AllMusic. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Macy Gray: On How Life Is". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  9. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-857-12595-8.
  10. ↑ Weingarten, Marc (August 2, 1999). "On How Life Is". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Macy Gray: On How Life Is". Muzik (51): 82. August 1999.
  12. 1 2 "Macy Gray: On How Life Is". Q (155): 105. August 1999.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian, eds. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. pp. 344–45. ISBN 0-743-20169-8.
  15. ↑ "Macy Gray On How Life Is + Bonus Track". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 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.
  17. ↑ On How Life Is (CD liner notes). Macy Gray. Epic Records. 1999. EK 69490.
  18. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  19. ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 12th February 2001" (PDF). ARIA Charts. Pandora Archive. p. 18. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Macy Gray – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Macy Gray / On How Life Is". TOP20.dk. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  25. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. 112 (16): 57. April 15, 2000. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in French). lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Discography Macy Gray". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". italiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. January 30 – February 5, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Macy Gray – On How Life Is". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  37. ↑ "Macy Gray" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. September 26 – October 2, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Macy Gray – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Macy Gray – Chart history: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  41. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  42. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  43. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2000" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2000 – Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Chart of the Year 2000". TOP20.dk. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  46. ↑ 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:
  47. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2000" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Annual Top 50 Albums Chart 2000". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  49. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  50. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2000". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year End 2000". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  52. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2000". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  53. ↑ "The Official UK Albums Chart: 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 6. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Decade End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Archived from the original on March 8, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  55. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  56. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is" (in German). IFPI Austria. March 17, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2008. Enter Macy Gray in the field Interpret. Enter On How Life Is in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  57. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is". Music Canada. October 22, 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  58. 1 2 "Macy Gray" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  59. ↑ "Certifications Albums Or – année 2000" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. July 6, 2000. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Les Albums Or" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  61. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Macy Gray; 'On How Life Is')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Goud/Platina" (in Dutch). NVPI. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  63. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is". Recorded Music NZ. July 9, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Trofeer" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  65. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. March 27, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  66. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Macy Gray; 'On How Life Is')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  67. ↑ "British album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is". British Phonographic Industry. March 10, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2015. Enter On How Life Is in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  68. ↑ "American album certifications – Macy Gray – On How Life Is". Recording Industry Association of America. September 8, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2008. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  69. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2000". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  70. ↑ "Macy Gray: On How Life Is". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
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