Frank Sinatra - "That's Life": remembering the history of one 1960s hit
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"That's Life" - masterpiece composition 1960-х years! Then it was performed by the esteemed jazz singer Marion MontgomeryHowever... the real success came three years later, after his version had been recorded by Frank Sinatra! Then "That's Life" entered top 5 Billboard Hot 100! Exactly Sinatra has inspired many followers with their own interpretations, and had it not been for him, it is likely that "That's Life" And yes: it was in his performance that this song was played in the films "A Bronx Tale." и "Joker."as well as in the video game "Tony Hawk's Underground 2."! Where did it all start? And how "That's Life" got hold of Sinatra? Let me get this straight...
Background and prerequisites
"That's Life" - it's a very optimistic composition written Dean Kaye. - a successful music publisher, and Kelly Gordon - a producer... It was in the 1963 The song had many ups and downs in both his personal and professional life, and this song was a great demonstration of his spirit and resilience. The artist had many ups and downs in both his personal and professional life, and this song was a great demonstration of his spirit and resilience... The phrase "That's life." is often used to express disappointment, but here Sinatra sees only the good fruits of life... This song has an uplifting message: despite the ups and downs, one should never give up, and it is important to keep an optimistic outlook on life, because after every fall one climbs back up again! However, an early version of the hit song belongs to a completely different person, a woman named Marion Montgomery.
American jazz singer, Marion Montgomery recorded "That's Life" in 1963. She contracted with Capitol Records after attracting the attention of the notorious Peggy Lee. Her single saw the light of day that same year, but... never charted on any chart.
Frank Sinatra's version
Despite the optimism of the song, Sinatra sang it in a very sombre voice. For "That's Life" It was uncharacteristic, but that's exactly what the song demanded... Legend has it that Frank was inspired to sing "That's Life" by O. C. Smithwhose cover was playing on the radio in his car. Then, in the middle of 60-хversion Lee Smith's Axis was actively climbing the charts. Sinatra stopped the car, called his daughter. Nancy and told her:
"Get me a publisher for this song right away, I want to record it..."
https://youtu.be/SkER8fvpy9k
And she found it. So, for the first time. "That's Life" was executed Sinatra в 1966 of the year, arranged Nelson Riddle. But what was going on in the studio...? Let's hear from one of the composers, Dina Kea:
"We were in the studio with Frank and with producer Jimmy Bowen when we listened to the playback of the first take. Bowen then asked Sinatra to play the song again, which was obviously not to Frank's liking - he was used to recording perfect songs from the first take! He didn't want to do it all over again, but he did it... That's why there are notes of discontent in his performance, addressed to Jimmy, something like, "Well, how do you like it!? Do you like it?" I'm very grateful to fate! Frank recorded my song when I was 26 years old. I was and always will be grateful for his great recording, which changed my life forever..."
The composition was conducted Ernie Freemanwhile the producer was himself. Bowen. Remarkably, the trio (including, of course, himself Sinatra) has previously worked on "Strangers in the Night" - the song that won Frank a Grammy Award!
Graduation and success
"That's Life" has turned out to be Sinatra a colossal breakthrough to Olympus! The composition made its way to many top charts and later to the big screen... It is heard in films "The Bronx Story," "Driving Licence" and "The Joker."as well as in the video game "Tony Hawk's Underground 2."!
It was one of only two Sinatra songs (given the "Strangers in the Night"), which fittingly graced the already mentioned comedy Driving Licence....
Versions by other performers...
Later on. "That's Life" a huge number of covers... Among the performers of this marvellous composition - Aretha Franklin, Shirley Bassey, James Brown, David Lee Roth. And many others...
A version of the latter, by the way, brought this old hit back to the music top charts in the second half of the 1980-х years! It was also included on his debut solo album Eat 'Em and Smile.
