The backstories of “Life” are as engaging as the song itself. Two are particularly interesting. First, suffering through laryngitis and not feeling well, Katy Tiz had to be urged by her brother to continue the recording session of the song with Ed Drewett. That was four years ago. The brother, George, had the musical awareness to recognize that the usual purity of her vocals was not as fitting for “Life” as was her laryngitis-touched voice. After lyrically setting the “scene” during the first 90 seconds, both Tiz and Drewett dial-up the anguish in their voices. The sense of anguish is enhanced by the slight throatiness of Tiz’s voice, which doesn’t affect her ability to introduce vibrato slightly later in the song.
The other interesting backstory involves the meaning behind the lyrics. “Life” was co-written by Katy Tiz and Ed Drewett. They explain, “Everyone has felt that heart-wrenching moment when you break up with someone or lose something amazing and you feel like you will have that painful feeling for life.” That explanation provides poignancy to the lines “You get away looking pretty; and I get life.” Tiz notes:
“The verses are reminiscent of an outlaw love, like Bonnie and Clyde. I haven’t actually stolen all my dad's money, run away, and been locked up in jail (yet), but the hook is something we can all relate to.”
The instrumental support behind the vocals is minimalist. There are the sounds of a mandolin, handclaps, and “low-rent” percussion. Yet, it was ingenious to add strings, which are first heard at 1:30. The mixing keeps the strings in the background. Still, both texturing and emotion are heightened by their presence.
Katy Tiz is from England. Her career brings her to Los Angeles on a regular basis. Her label is 5Towns Records. But it is Sarah at Liberty Music PR who we thank, first for bringing “Life” to our attention and then for her patience in providing a link for the below Soundcloud stream.
“Life” (feat. Ed Drewett) by Katy Tiz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyTizMusic
Stream “Life”: http://smarturl.it/KatyTizLife
Lyrics of “Life” (feat. Ed Drewett) by Katy Tiz
I think I met him in September
About a year ago
I took some money from my daddy
And we hit the road
I have to say if I’d a known what I shoulda known
I’d a still let him steal everything I own
We made a living off a taking from the rich folk
Spend the money on cigarettes and chemicals
I can’t deny that the live was incredible
Oh, I seen my dreams up close
‘Til I got caught
Girl got me high
Took my ride
Out in the night
Left without saying goodbye
Girl stole my heart
And I end up inside for the crime
Oh she get away looking pretty
And I get life
Left together for the weather on the West Coast
Now I believed him when he said we were untouchable
Oh the way she walked so goddamn hot
I was under the illusion
I was so damn safe
Or so I thought
But I was short on my excuses
And that’s when
The boy got me high
And took my ride
Out in the night
Left without saying goodbye
Boy stole my heart
And I end up inside for the crime
He get away looking pretty
And I get life
Oh the way looked so goddamn hot
I was under the illusion
I was so damn safe
Or so I thought
But I was short on my excuses
And that’s when
Girl got me high
And took my ride
Out in the night
You left without saying goodbye
You got me high
And took my ride
Out in the night
You left without saying goodbye
You stole my heart
And I end up inside for the crime
Oh you get away looking pretty
And I get life
You get away looking pretty
And I get life
[Faded:]
You get away looking pretty
And I get life
You get away looking pretty
And I get life
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