Born to Be Alive (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
B-side"I Give You Rendez-Vous" (UK)
"Born to Be Alive (Instrumental)" (various European countries)
"It Comes So Easy" (Japan)
"Too Many People" (elsewhere)
"Born to Be Alive (Instrumental)" (various European countries)
"It Comes So Easy" (Japan)
"Too Many People" (elsewhere)
ReleasedNovember 1978
Recorded1978[1]
| "Born to Be Alive" | |
|---|---|
 French 12-inch vinyl single | |
| Single by Patrick Hernandez | |
| from the album Born to Be Alive | |
| B-side | "I Give You Rendez-Vous" (UK) "Born to Be Alive (Instrumental)" (various European countries) "It Comes So Easy" (Japan) "Too Many People" (elsewhere) |
| Released | November 1978 |
| Recorded | 1978[1] |
| Genre | Disco[1] |
| Length | 3:05 (European single version) 3:23 (single version) 5:55 (album version) 7:28 (extended version) |
| Label | Aquarius (most European countries) Gem (UK) Philips (Japan) Columbia/CBS (elsewhere) |
| Songwriter | Patrick Hernandez |
| Producer | Jean Vanloo |
| Music video | |
| "Born to Be Alive" (single version) on YouTube | |
| Audio | |
| "Born to Be Alive" (album version) on YouTube | |
"Born to Be Alive" is a song written by French singer Patrick Hernandez. It became a worldwide hit and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard National Disco Action chart in early 1979. The song achieved gold status in the United States, Brazil, Germany and Italy, platinum in Australia and Canada, and silver in the United Kingdom.
Weekly charts
Original version
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[3] | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] | 2 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[5] | 10 |
| Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[6] | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] | 1 |
| Denmark (IFPI)[8] | 1 |
| Finland[9] | 5 |
| France (IFOP)[10] | 1 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 21 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[12] | 1 |
| Mexico[13] | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] | 12 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] | 1 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[17] | 1 |
| Portugal[18] | 1 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio)[19] | 6 |
| Spain (AFE)[20] | 1 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[23] | 10 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[24] | 16 |
| US Billboard National Disco Action[24] | 1 |
| US Cash Box[25] | 17 |
| US Record World[26] | 19 |
| West Germany (GfK)[27] | 1 |
Born to Be Alive (re-mix '88)
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] | 21 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] | 20 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1979) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[30] | 5 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] | 4 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[33] | 29 |
| France (IFOP)[34] | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] | 18 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] | 33 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[37] | 70 |
| US Top Audience Response Singles/LPs[38] | 7 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[39] | 2 |
Certifications and sales
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[40] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[41] | Gold | 200,000[41] |
| Canada (Music Canada)[42] | Platinum | 150,000^ |
| France | — | 1,400,000[43] |
| Germany (BVMI)[44] | Gold | 950,000[45] |
| Italy | — | 300,000[46] |
| Italy (FIMI)[47] sales since 2009 |
Gold | 50,000‡ |
| Netherlands | — | 100,000[48] |
| Spain (Promusicae)[49] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[50] | Silver | 250,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[51] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
