On How Life Is by Macy Gray

On How Life Is

by Macy Gray

Released: July 01, 1999

Soul

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

01

The Album

"On How Life Is" is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray, released on July 1, 1999, by Epic Records and Clean Slate. The album's second single, "I Try," became a breakout hit for Macy Gray. The song's emotional depth and Gray's soulful delivery resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a defining track of her career.

02

Inside the Recording

Here are some key details about the album: The album was produced by Andrew Slater and marked Macy Gray's introduction to the music scene.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

"On How Life Is" remains a pivotal albumโ€ฆ

"On How Life Is" remains a pivotal album in Macy Gray's discography, showcasing her unique blend of soul, R&B, and pop influences.

It set the stage for her subsequent albumsโ€ฆ

It set the stage for her subsequent albums and cemented her reputation as a versatile and emotive singer-songwriter.

Then

Reception

It was released to critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing Gray as a distinctive voice in contemporary soul and R&B. This commercial success underscored Gray's appeal and the album's widespread popularity. It achieved international success by topping the charts in countries such as Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"On How Life Is" is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray, released on July 1, 1999, by Epic Records and Clean Slate. Here are some key details about the album:

The album was produced by Andrew Slater and marked Macy Gray's introduction to the music scene. It was released to critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing Gray as a distinctive voice in contemporary soul and R&B.

"On How Life Is" became Macy Gray's best-selling album, achieving significant sales figures both in the United States and worldwide. It sold 3.4 million copies in the US alone and reached a total of seven million copies sold globally. This commercial success underscored Gray's appeal and the album's widespread popularity.

The album's second single, "I Try," became a breakout hit for Macy Gray. It achieved international success by topping the charts in countries such as Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. In the United States, "I Try" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's emotional depth and Gray's soulful delivery resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a defining track of her career.

"I Try" also earned Macy Gray a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001, further solidifying its impact and Gray's talent as a vocalist.

"On How Life Is" remains a pivotal album in Macy Gray's discography, showcasing her unique blend of soul, R&B, and pop influences. It set the stage for her subsequent albums and cemented her reputation as a versatile and emotive singer-songwriter.

Overall, "On How Life Is" stands as a testament to Macy Gray's artistry and the album's enduring appeal, highlighted by its commercial success, critical acclaim, and the timeless quality of its standout single, "I Try."

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