"Life in Detail" is a song by the English vocalist Robert Palmer, which was released in 1990 as a promotional single from the soundtrack of the American romantic comedy film Pretty Woman.^[1] The song was written by Palmer and Allen Powell, and produced by Palmer.^[2] It reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks,^[3] and No. 34 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart.^[4]

"Life in Detail" had been written exclusively for the film.^[5] Powell had previously been the drummer in Vinegar Joe, which Palmer fronted, in the early 1970s. Following the band's split, Palmer and Powell continued their friendship and would write a number of songs together which Palmer recorded.^[6][7] According to Manchester Evening News, "Life in Detail" allowed him to buy a 40-foot sail boat to live on, which he had moored at Sausalito, California.^[8]

Critical reception

Upon release, the Nanaimo Daily News described the song as a "thumping jumper".^[5] The Clarion-Ledger noted: "The driving "Life in Detail" is only slightly less irresistible than Palmer's previous chartbusters".^[9] Paul Sinclair of Super Deluxe Edition described the song as a "relative obscurity from the soundtrack of the film Pretty Woman".^[10]

Track listing

CD single (promo only)

1. "Life in Detail" - 4:07

Chart performance

Personnel

• Robert Palmer - vocals, producer
• Humberto Gatica - mixing

References