Harriet "Story of Your Life" CD Single (2023)

My signed copy of Harriet's "Story of Your Life" CD single, 2023. (Photo by Mark C. Taylor)

Harriet’s new album The Outcome will be released on May 12, 2023, and the third single “Story of Your Life” was released at the end of March. I’ve written about the other singles Harriet has recently released “Nothing Hurts Like You” and “Drop in the Ocean.” Like “Nothing Hurts Like You,” “Story of Your Life” has also been released as a physical CD single. (You can order the single from Harriet’s website here.) The CD single was very nicely designed, as it has a gatefold with Polaroids of Harriet, and a full-color booklet with lyrics included.  

“Story of Your Life” is an up-tempo pop song that starts with an insistent synth line. The lyrics deal with self-doubt and empowerment. In the second verse, Harriet wonders “And why do I run/from all the things I’ve done/when every adventure is part of the fun?” There are always times when we wonder if we’ve made the right decision or wonder why we’ve made certain decisions. Harriet sings on the catchy chorus: “No angels left to save you/just demons left to fight/it’s time to be the hero/in the story of your life.” That’s a message that most of us can probably relate to—to take charge and not be afraid to be the central character in our own narratives.  

Harriet’s backing vocals on “Story of Your Life” are fantastic, and you can really hear the wonderful tone of her vocals. “Story of Your Life” is another strong song from Harriet, and it just whets my appetite for hearing The Outcome when it’s released in May.  

The CD single also has two B-sides that won’t be on The Outcome album: “Some Die Young” and “I Lie.” “Some Die Young” is a cover of a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Laleh. Harriet does a fine version of the song, but the lyrics are quite depressing. I don’t like the thought that some people are fated to die young. “I Lie” is an original, co-written by Harriet, that first appeared in a live version on her 2020 CD Piano Sessions. The live version is just Harriet’s vocals and a piano, while the version on the CD single has a fuller arrangement. It’s a very nice song, and it catches the ear right away with the opening line, “Have I told you/I don’t love you.” It’s a lovely song, with a chorus that sticks in your head.