It’s My Birthday

Story of Song

“Live everyday as if it’s your birthday” is Will.i.am’s philosophy about life. When talking to Jimmy Fallon in a Tonight Show web exclusive, he said: “You get a license to do whatever you want on your birthday. I try to live in that celebrative, who-gives-a-f*** perspective and celebrate every day as if it was my birthday.” The song is heavily based on the Tamil song “Urvasi Urvasi”, from the 1995 Tamil film Kadhalan, composed by the Indian composer A. R. Rahman. ‘It’s My Birthday ‘was originally titled ‘Birthday’ but it was changed to avoid confusion with the Katy Perry’s ‘Birthday’.

Release date

Released on May 27, 2014

Songwriter/s

William Adams – A. R. Rahman – Keith Harris – Cody Wise.

Label

Interscope

Chart Rankings

US – 2

UK – 1

GERMANY  – 41

This single topped the UK Singles and R&B charts. It also reached number two in Scotland, number four in Australia, and number 16 in New Zealand. ‘It’s My Birthday’ didn’t make it to the US charts and peaked at number 41 in Germany. The British Phonographic Industry certified it gold for sales over 400.000 copies. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified it platinum.

Artist’s age on release date

39 (Will.i.am) 18 (Wise)

Cover Versions

Amateur artists covered this song on YouTube.

Video