Is This Is My Life a good place to start with Shirley Bassey?

Yes, This Is My Life is recommended as a starting point for new Shirley Bassey listeners. Eloquent orchestration and powerful vocals create a dramatic landscape of love, longing, and self-exploration. Released in 1968, This Is My Life marked Shirley Bassey's transition into a more introspective phase following her successful string of hits in the early 1960s. At this point, she was solidifying her status as a leading pop vocalist after achieving international acclaim with songs like 'Goldfinger' and 'Diamonds Are Forever'. This album showcases Bassey's ability to convey deep emotion through her dynamic vocal performances.

Who is This Is My Life for?

This Is My Life works well if you're into short, impactful listening sessions, emotional vocal storytelling and intimate and reflective moments.

How many songs are on This Is My Life?

This Is My Life has 12 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

This Is My Life

Shirley Bassey · 1968

31 min · 12 tracks · pop music

Eloquent orchestration and powerful vocals create a dramatic landscape of love, longing, and self-exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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This Is My Life (La vita) — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of self-discovery and resilience, delivering Bassey's signature dramatic flair and emotional depth.
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Now You Want to Be Loved Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its rich orchestration and Bassey's commanding vocals that convey both vulnerability and strength.
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Softly as I Leave You — The poignant delivery in this ballad highlights Bassey's ability to evoke deep emotion, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Goin’ Out of My Head / You Go to My Head — Bassey's interpretation of these classics showcases her versatility and the seamless blending of traditional pop with emotional storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Bassey's powerful vocals and orchestration create a strong emotional landscape, though some tracks feel less impactful.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that support Bassey's powerful vocal delivery, particularly on the title track.
Several tracks, like 'Goin’ Out of My Head / You Go to My Head', blend different song structures, creating a medley effect.
The pacing shifts notably with the title track positioned at the center, which serves as a climactic moment before returning to more subdued pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short, impactful listening sessions
emotional vocal storytelling
intimate and reflective moments
classic nostalgic vibes
heartfelt lyrical expressions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Marks a significant artistic transition and showcases Bassey's introspective phase.
Themes: personal empowerment· orchestral balladry
Career context: Released in 1968, This Is My Life marked Shirley Bassey's transition into a more introspective phase following her successful string of hits in the early 1960s. At this point, she was solidifying her status as a leading pop vocalist after achieving international acclaim with songs like 'Goldfinger' and 'Diamonds Are Forever'. This album showcases Bassey's ability to convey deep emotion through her dynamic vocal performances.
Stylistic neighbors: Liza Minnelli· Barbra Streisand· Adele