Studio Album · No. 2
My Life Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Sean Combs, Chucky Thompson, Herb Middleton · Engineered by Prince Charles Alexander
Holds writing credit on 14 of 17 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 17 documented
Scored across the 17 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 17 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
My Life is Blige's strongest early authorship statement: she co-wrote nearly every song with Chucky Thompson and Sean Combs, putting her own life directly into the lyrics. The album leans hard on soul and funk samples, so writers like Roy Ayers and Curtis Mayfield appear in the credits, and the Rose Royce cover 'I'm Goin' Down' is the clearest outside song on a record otherwise built from her own experience.
My Life is the second studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in November 1994 and widely regarded as her masterpiece. Working closely with Sean Combs and producer Chucky Thompson, Blige poured her depression, addiction, and heartbreak into the songs, making it her most personal record and one of the most confessional R&B albums ever made. She co-wrote nearly every track, drawing on soul and funk samples from Roy Ayers, Curtis Mayfield, and others, while covering Rose Royce's 'I'm Goin' Down.' The album went triple platinum and grew in stature over the years, later inspiring an acclaimed documentary. It cemented her reputation as a singer who turned pain into deeply relatable music.
Track Listing & Credits 17 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Intro
|
Mary J. Blige | Mary Jane Blige | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Mary Jane (All Night Long)
|
Rick JamesMary J. Blige | James Ambrose Johnson Jr.Mary Jane Blige | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
You Bring Me Joy
|
Mary J. BligeJoJo Hailey | Mary Jane BligeJoel Hailey | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Marvin Interlude
|
Mary J. Blige | Mary Jane Blige | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
I'm the Only Woman
|
Mary J. Blige | Mary Jane Blige | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
K. Murray Interlude
|
Keith MurrayChucky ThompsonSean CombsNashiem Myrick | Keith Omar MurrayCarl ThompsonSean John CombsNashiem Myrick | Nashiem MyrickChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Keith Murray (Featured Artist) |
| 7 |
My Life
|
Mary J. BligeArlene DelValleChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeArlene DelValleCarl ThompsonSean John Combs | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
You Gotta Believe
|
Mary J. BligeBig BubFaith EvansK-Ci HaileyChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeRobert Lee SpencerFaith Renée EvansCedric Renard HaileyCarl ThompsonSean John Combs | Herb MiddletonChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
I Never Wanna Live Without You
|
Mary J. BligeBig BubFaith EvansChucky ThompsonSean CombsHerb Middleton | Mary Jane BligeRobert Lee SpencerFaith Renée EvansCarl ThompsonSean John CombsHerb Middleton | Herb MiddletonChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
I'm Goin' Down
#13
|
Norman Whitfield | Norman Jesse Whitfield | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
My Life Interlude
|
Mary J. BligeBig BubChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeRobert Lee SpencerCarl ThompsonSean John Combs | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Be with You
|
Mary J. BligeChucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeCarl ThompsonSean John Combs | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Mary's Joint
|
Mary J. BligeSean CombsChucky Thompson | Mary Jane BligeSean John CombsCarl Thompson | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Don't Go
|
Mary J. BligeBig BubFaith EvansSean CombsChucky Thompson | Mary Jane BligeRobert Lee SpencerFaith Renée EvansSean John CombsCarl Thompson | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
I Love You
|
Mary J. BligeSean Combs | Mary Jane BligeSean John Combs | Chucky ThompsonSean Combs | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 16 |
No One Else
|
K-Ci Hailey | Cedric Renard Hailey | Mr. Dalvin | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 17 |
Be Happy
#29
|
Mary J. BligeArlene DelValleSean CombsJean-Claude Olivier | Mary Jane BligeArlene DelValleSean John CombsJean-Claude Olivier | Sean CombsPoke | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |