| "Street Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 UK single cover | ||||
| Single byThe Crusaders | ||||
| from the albumStreet Life | ||||
| B-side | "The Hustler" | |||
| Released |
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| Genre | Jazz-funk | |||
| Length |
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| Label | MCA | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| The Crusaders singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Street Life” onYouTube | ||||
"Street Life" is a song by American jazz bandthe Crusaders, released in 1979 byMCA Records as a single from thealbum of the same name. The lead vocals were performed byRandy Crawford.[1] The song was a hit in the US, reaching number 36 on theBillboard Hot 100,[2] and in Europe, where it peaked at number 5 on theUK Singles Chart.[3] A modified version of the song was featured in the filmsSharky's Machine andJackie Brown, while the original appeared in the television programBetter Call Saul and in the enhanced versions of the 2013 gameGrand Theft Auto V on the in-game radio station, WorldWide FM.
The inspiration from the song came from the beginner's ski slope atMammoth Mountain inCalifornia.Joe Sample said he "'saw people falling, running into each other... it was absolute chaos. It looked like a boulevard of madness.' And I said, 'That's what street life is.'"[4] Sample teamed up with lyricistWill Jennings, who said that "the lyric, all that came right off ofHollywood Boulevard".[5]
Sample first met Crawford when he played on her debut albumEverything Must Change in 1976.[4] After having good reviews about her song, but not being commercially successful, Crawford was then asked by Sample to sing the vocals for the song. As a result of this, the Crusaders produced her fourth albumNow We May Begin, which became very successful.[6]
Jazz reviewerScott Yanow wrote "Although the Crusaders could not have known it at the time, their recording of 'Street Life'... was a last hurrah for the 20-year old group. Their recordings of the next few years would decline in interest until the band gradually faded away in the ’80s." Whereas, for Crawford, this song brought her recognition and effectively marked the beginning of her career.[1]
7"
12"
12" US promo
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 79 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] | 25 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 14 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 13 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 20 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[12] | 6 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 8 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 5 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[2] | 36 |
| USDance Club Songs (Billboard)[14] | 75 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] | 17 |
