It's My Party

Album: Q: Soul Bossa Nostra (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a track from Q: Soul Bossa Nostra, an album by the famed producer Quincy Jones. Recorded as a tribute to Jones by various artists, it features re-interpretations of songs associated with him. The record is Jones' first original album for 15 years, his previous release being 1995's Q's Jook Joint.
  • This song features the vocals of Amy Winehouse; it was her first new recording in four years. The song was produced by Mark Ronson, the man who helmed Winehouse's 2006 multi-Grammy winning album Back to Black.
  • "It's My Party" was originally a US #1 hit for Lesley Gore in 1963. Quincy Jones produced that track, which was his first real chart success.
  • Jones originally commissioned Winehouse to cover Gore's "You Don't Own Me." But after tiring of waiting for the singer to record the tune, Jones rescinded his offer to include her on the compilation. However, Winehouse eventually came up with the goods with this cover. Jones recalled to Billboard magazine: "We were doing a concert for Mandela's 90th birthday two years ago in London," Jones recalls of the genesis of the collaboration on the new version. "I was backstage and a man came over and said, 'would you mind meeting my daughter?' No problem. I had no idea who it was. She got on her knees and she kissed my hand and she says, 'I've known your music ever since you were my age, 24 years old, when you did The Swingin' Miss "D" with Dinah Washington.' I was absolutely shocked. It was Amy Winehouse!

    I had no idea that she was that astute; she was amazing. Reminded me of Naomi a little bit, my baby. Sweet as she could be. I told her, 'why are you treating your life like this?' I've got six daughters so I can't help but being Poppy. We bonded. Everybody back here said, 'there's no way you'll get Amy Winehouse on this record.' And we just let it go. Amy did it herself. At first she was going to do 'You Don't Own Me.' Then she changed her mind and wanted to do 'It's My Party,' which I did with Leslie Gore in 1963. That was a long time ago. Stuff just happened and I'm glad it happened to me. [laughs] It touched me very much."
  • The album title refers to Jones' 1962 song, Soul Bossa Nova.
  • Quincy Jones disavowed the Soul Bossa Nostra album in a 2018 interview with Vulture, saying, "I was not in favor of doing it, but the rappers wanted to record something as a tribute to me, where they'd do versions of songs that I'd done over my career. I said to them, 'Look, you got to make the music better than we did on the originals.' That didn't happen."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.