In Another Lifetime

Background

Released as the second single release from the Pages of Life album, "In Another Lifetime" gave the band another top 20 hit, although it was the band's third single since 1987 to miss the top 10 on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. The single peaked at number 13 on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for a total of 11 weeks. In Canada, the song peaked at number 18 on the RPM Country Singles Chart in mid-June 1990. The single lasted for a total of 13 weeks after debuting at number 99 in late April 1990.

The song was written by the band's frontman Chris Hillman and frequent collaborator Steve Hill. It was produced by both Paul Worley and Ed Seay who had produced all five of the band's albums, except for late 1991’s True Love, whilst only Worley produced the band's self-titled 1987 debut.

For the Page of Life album, Curb Records released a press release, which spoke of the song, quoting Hillman, who stated "...but then you take a song like "In Another Lifetime" and you've got John Jorgenson playing guitar like Eric Clapton."

In 2009, a MP3 only karaoke version of the song was created and released by Stingray Music, which included an instrumental version as well as a demonstration version which included lead vocals. This karaoke song featured on an album of three other Desert Rose Band tracks from the Page of Life album; "Story of Love", "Start All Over Again" and "Time Passes Me By". The version was re-released again in December 2011 and September 2012 under the artist name Done Again through Stingray Music.

Release

The single was released in America and Canada only, via Curb Records (under MCA), on 7" vinyl and cassette. The single featured the Pages of Life album track "Just a Memory" as the B-Side, which was written by Hillman and band's lead guitarist John Jorgenson. Aside from the main 7" vinyl release, a promotional 7" vinyl single was also released, featuring "In Another Lifetime" on both sides. The Cassette version featured both the a-side and b-side tracks on each side of the tape.

Although both 7" vinyl releases featured no artwork, the single was issued in a standard MCA Records coloured sleeve.

In release with the single, the song was also given a sheet music release.

Despite the song's commercial success, the song would not appear on the band's compilation A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits, released in 1991, or Sixteen Roses: Greatest Hits, released in 1995.

Promotion

A music video was created for the single, which was the album's only music video. The video was licensed under Curb Records and produced by ET/VideoLink, a division of Edwards Technology Video, located in Burbank, California. It was directed by Bill Pope, who also directed the "She Don't Love Nobody" video.

Since appearing on YouTube in August 2008, the video has gained approximately 31,500 views.

A big form of promotion was the band's live performances, where the band included the song in their set. Various unofficial audience recordings exist of the song live from circa 1990. For a live concert at the China Club in New York City, the set, including the song, was professionally filmed in July 1990, whilst audience recorded footage exists of the band performing the song at Redding, California in December 1990.

On March 1, 1990, the band performed the song live on Nashville Now - an American country music television talk show, presented by Ralph Emery. In July 2008, professional footage of the band performing the song live in 1990 surfaced on YouTube.

In 2010, the band regrouped for the first time since 1994, and have played various live shows since then. For Takamine's 50th Anniversary celebration at the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the band performed an acoustic live set which included the song.

Track listing

1. "In Another Lifetime" - 4:50
2. "Just a Memory" - 3:31

1. "In Another Lifetime" - 4:50
2. "In Another Lifetime" - 4:50

1. "In Another Lifetime" - 4:50
2. "Just a Memory" - 3:31

Critical reception

An Allmusic review of the Pages of Life album stated "This album contains "In Another Lifetime," "Time Passes Me By," "Start All Over Again," and other favorites."

Allmusic had highlighted "In Another Lifetime" as an album standout by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.

In the September 20, 1989, issue of the Los Angeles Times, a review of a live Desert Rose Band concert spoke of the song, stating "After an incandescent new song, "Another Lifetime," during the band's late show..."

In the September 30, 1990, issue of The Durant Daily Democrat, the song was spoken of in an article/interview with the band. The author Mike Weatherford stated "Traditional [country] the band may be, but its last single, Another Lifetime," could have been released by The Eagles in their heyday."

In the February 4, 1990, issue of the San Jose Mercury News, a review of the Pages of Life album spoke of the song, stating "And the rock edge of "In Another Lifetime" provides a provocative hint as to the range that country rock can achieve..."

In a May 2010 review/article of a live Desert Rose Band concert by author Randy Lewis for the Los Angeles Times, the review spoke of the song, stating "What made the group's approach such a treat a quarter-century ago was the way the players started with the impeccable instrumental and vocal chops common to bluegrass and infused them with a pronounced jolt of rock energy. It also brought the folk-rock singer-songwriter ethos to many of their songs. "In Another Lifetime," which Hillman wrote with frequent collaborator Steve Hill, puts forth the questions, "Have I lived through the best of times?/Have I hurt anyone?," weaving in a level of self-reflection that hasn't always been at the forefront of the Country genre. Hillman's soulfully keening tenor remains a thing of wonder, adding a degree of soulfulness that is still a rarity in country."

Personnel

Additional personnel