“This Is Your Life” by Banderas

Angele, a fellow student in the Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach Training Program, recently asked me to describe a song that inspires me during a practice coaching session. After thinking for a few seconds, I gave her the song title by a favorite artist that is meaningful to me.

The next day, “This Is Your Life” by Banderas came up on my playlist while I was walking, and I considered how the lyrics act as an aural North Star whenever I hear the song.

“Where is the purpose in your life
Where is the truth
Do you remember your hopes? Your dreams?
They are no longer your own”

The song, the first single from their debut album Ripe, was released in March 1991 and proved to be a Top 20 hit in the U.K. and a Top 40 hit throughout Europe. Although released in the U.S., the song only managed to make an impression on the U.S. Dance chart.

“This day is for living your own life
Don’t let this world capture your heart
Your passion lost to a thousand themes
Surrendered to the screen”

Banderas was a British female duo comprised of Scottish vocalist Caroline Buckley and English keyboardist and violinist Sally Herbert. They first came to the public’s notice as part of The Communard’s band, fronted by Jimmy Somerville, formerly of Bronski Beat. They recorded primarily mid-tempo music with Buckley’s deep, rich voice over electronic beats. Stephen Hague, previously responsible for hits for Climie Fisher, Communards, Electronic, Erasure, Holly Johnson, Jane Wiedlin, Jimmy Somerville, Marc Almond, New Order, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Pet Shop Boys, Siouxsie & the Banshees, to name a few, produced Ripe for Banderas. The album feats Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths, and Benard Sumner of New Order on guitar and backing vocals. Jimmy Somerville also provided backing vocals on “This Is Your Life.”

“This is not a story
This is not a book, this is your life
And this is not a play some TV show you’ve seen
This is real life”

Unfortunately, “This Is Your Life” would be the peak of Banderas’ success. The follow-up singles—”She Sells” only reached #41 in the U.K. Singles Chart, and “May This Be Your Last Sorrow”—didn’t chart. Ripe just made the Top 40 on the U.K. albums chart. It’s a shame because I picked up a promo CD of Ripe at Half Price Books soon after its release, and it has its moments. “Why Aren’t You in Love with Me?” was released as a promo single in the U.S. and captures the resignation of unrequited love with the lyric “But it’s no good now, my heart can tell.”

“You act like a child playing games now
Play and pretend the art of disguise
Alone and lost in all your lies
This is not a story”

When “This Is Your Life” was released in the U.S., the record company filmed a new music video that was more obvious than the original; however, the randomness of the first video seems to connect with me more.

“There is no rehearsal
No second chance
No false start, no better circumstances”

Every time I hear “This Is Your Life,” it gives me pause. I listen to the lyrics and ask myself, Am I living my life for me or someone else? Have I misplaced my dreams? Have I forgotten myself? Am I able to look up and see my North Star? If not, it’s a reminder that I need to backtrack. Even at 23, I recognized how easy it is to stray from the purpose that pulls one forward along one’s path.  

So, tell me, is this your life?