"Is This the Life" (also written "Is This the Life?") is a song by English rock band

Cardiacs Cardiacs are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Kingston upon Thames by Tim Smith (Cardiacs), Tim Smith (guitar and lead vocals) and his brother Jim Smith (bassist), Jim (bass, backing vocals) in 1977 under the name Cardiac Arrest. One ...

from their debut studio album ''

A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, and others worldwide. Its name in English is '' a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes''. It is similar in shape to the Ancient ...

'' (1988). The song was released on vinyl by the Alphabet Business Concern and Torso as the only single from the album. The song was previously recorded for the demo albums ''

Toy World ''Toy World'' is the second demo album by the English rock band Cardiacs (including '' The Obvious Identity'', released on cassette the previous year under the band name "Cardiac Arrest"). The cassette is a mixture of older songs by the earli ...

'' (1981) and '' The Seaside'' (1984). It also briefly attained chart success (peaking at number 80) after being played on various Radio 1 shows thanks to DJ

Liz Kershaw Elizabeth Marguerita Mary Kershaw (born 30 July 1958) is an English radio broadcaster. She is one of the longest serving female national radio DJs in the UK, celebrating 30 years on national BBC Radio in 2017. Career After graduating from the ...

. The Torso version of the 7" is exactly the same as the Alphabet release although it comes in a paper sleeve instead of a cardboard one. Only the Torso 12" differs in both track listing and cover design.

Track listing

* Seven-inch single # "Is This the Life" – 5:36 # "I'm Eating in Bed" – 5:06 * Twelve-inch single # "Is This the Life" – 5:36 # "Goosegash" – 1:56 # "I'm Eating in Bed" – 5:06

Personnel

Credits adapted from the 12" single liner notes. Studio locations * Recorded at The Workhouse ( Old Kent Rd, London) * "Goosegash" was recorded at the Slaughterhouse (

Driffield Driffield, also known as Great Driffield (neighbouring Little Driffield), is a market town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The civil parish is formed by the town of Driffield and the village of Little Driffield. By ...

, Yorkshire) Cardiacs *

Tim Quy Timothy Graham Quy ( ; 14 August 19612 February 2023) was a British musician, best known as the percussionist for the rock band Cardiacs from 1981 to 1990. Initially the band's sound engineer, Quy first gigged as reserve bass player in 1980 and j ...

– percussion, marimba, synthesiser * Tim Smith – loud singing, guitar * Jim Smith – bass guitar, voice * Sarah Smith – saxes, clarinets, voice * William D. Drake – keyboards, voice * Dominic Luckman – drum set Also: * Elain Herman – violins Technical * Pete Hammond – engineering, executive producer * Stuart Barry – engineering * Graham Simmonds – engineering, final mixing (Side Two) * Roger Tebbutt – final mixing (Side One) * Tim Smith – producer Artwork * David Oliver – photography

Charts

Notes

References

External links

* * {{authority control Cardiacs songs 1988 singles 1981 songs Songs written by Tim Smith (Cardiacs)