The song was written by
Chrissie Hynde, the leader and singer of
the Pretenders, and included on that band's 1979 debut album
Pretenders. Later that year the track was covered by
Grace Jones on her fourth album
Warm Leatherette, recorded at the
Compass Point Studios in
the Bahamas with
Sly and Robbie contributing, among others. In the liner notes to Island Records' 1998 compilation
Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions, Hynde is quoted as saying: "Private Life" was released as the third single from the
Warm Leatherette album. However, it marked a new era in Jones' career as she left her disco persona behind her and adopted an entirely different image, exploring genres like reggae, rock and
new wave. It became Grace Jones' first ever chart entry in the UK, peaking at number 17. The single's B-side was a non-album track; "
She's Lost Control", originally recorded by
Joy Division. Both tracks were remixed and re-edited for the 7" single with the 4:38 version of "Private Life", now available on the Spectrum/
Universal Music for Girls Night Out compilation CD. In the Netherlands the B-side was the French language "Pars" from the
Warm Leatherette album. In Germany, "
La Vie en rose" from
Portfolio (1977) was re-issued as a follow-up single to "Private Life" whereas the UK and the Netherlands opted for "
The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game", which had already been the lead single from
Warm Leatherette for the American market. Following the release of the compilation
Island Life in 1985, the song was remixed and re-issued as a single in the UK, then with "
My Jamaican Guy" as the B-side, and charted again. ==Music video==