Author: chimesfreedom

Editor-in-chief, New York.

Frank Sinatra: “That’s Life”

That's Life

Frank Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, NJ. I wish he were still around entertaining us, but of course, as he sang, that’s life.

Below, Sinatra recorded the song “That’s Life,” which was released in 1966. Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon wrote “That’s Life,” which was first recorded by Marion Montgomery and released in 1963.

Over the years, a number of artists have recorded the song. More recently, you may have heard a version in a television commercial for Jariance prescription diabetes medicine.

Sinatra, who passed away in 1998, first heard “That’s Life” in a version by singer O.C. Smith.  Smith may be most known for his popular version of the song “Little Green Apples.” Smith, who was born June 21 in 1932, passed away in 2001.

And here is Smith singing “That’s Life” and “Little Green Apples” as part of a medley with Frank’s pal Dean Martin on The Dean Martin Show in December 1972.

One can hear how Smith’s own excellent version would have attracted Sinatra to the song. Sinatra’s version, which would become the most recognizable version of “That’s Life,” appeared on his 1966 album That’s Life.

Happy birthday Frank, wherever you are.

What is your favorite Frank Sinatra song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    The Killers Christmas: “Dirt Sledding”

    Killers Christmas

    Christmas season can only mean one thing, that it is time for the Killers to release their annual Christmas song. Since 2006, the Killers have given us a new Christmas song every year, with all proceeds going to benefit AIDS charities through the Product RED campaign. This year’s song is “Dirt Sledding,” featuring Ryan Pardey and Richard Dreyfuss.

    “Dirt Sledding” begins with an atmospheric sound, picking up into a 1950s Elvis Presley rock sound at around the 1:23 mark. You may detect some Big Bopper and Queen influences too.

    Pardey has portrayed Santa in several of the Christmas Killers songs, and he does it again here. Actor Richard Dreyfuss is on board to lend his voice at around the 3:13 mark. Check it out.

    Every year since the band’s first annual holiday song, the wonderful “A Great Big Sled,” the Killers give us a worthy Christmas song. Last year, the Killers presented us with what should become a Christmas classic, “Joel the Lump of Coal.” While this year’s contribution may not rise to the level of a classic, it is a cool-sounding song for a cool cause.

    If you are interested in other Killers Christmas songs, The Guardian and NerdGlow have tried to rank the past songs.

    What do you think of “Dirt Sledding”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Song of the Day: Lee Ann Womack “Chances Are”

    While listening to an Oxford American CD that came with the magazine’s Texas music issue, my ear caught “Chances Are,” a song that sounded like a country classic that has been around forever, or at least since the days of Tammy Wynette. So I was surprised to learn that it is a much more recent song, Lee Ann Womack‘s 2014 cover of a song written by singer-songwriter Hayes Carll.

    Womack Chances Are “Chances Are” originally appeared on the 2011 album KMAG YOYO (& other American stories) of Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. Womack apparently recognized the song as an immediate classic and included it on her 2014 album The Way I’m Livin’.

    One of the reasons the song sounds like an old country classic is that the lyrics capture a common country theme. Someone is in a bar wondering why they are so alone, looking to heal a scarred heart. Then the person sees someone, and for a moment at least, is able to hope for love and happiness.

    And it seems I spent my whole life,
    Wishin’ on the same unlucky star;
    And as I watched you ‘cross the bar room,
    I wonder what my chances are.

    We do not know what happens to the singer. The singer and the stranger begin a dance, as the singer seeks healing and love. Maybe it will work out, or maybe it won’t. But for that moment, the singer does something we all have done, wondering what our chances are.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Happy Birthday Little Richard!

    Little Richard France

    On December 5, 1932, Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia with a father who was a church deacon who owned a nightclub. When Richard was a child, family members nicknamed the small skinny kid, “Lil’ Richard.” He would grow up to shake up the rock and roll world as Little Richard.

    Little Richard first break came after Sister Rosetta Tharpe heard the 14-year-old singing and invited him onstage with her at a concert. His first big hit, “Tutti Frutti,” came in 1955, and it would be followed by other classics like “Long Tall Sally,” “Lucille,” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.”

    In 1966, Little Richard performed a show in France. Fortunately, much of the show was recorded, so you may watch part of the performance below to celebrate his birthday. [Update: Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.]

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    Trailer for Hank Williams Biopic “I Saw the Light”

    Hank Williams Movie

    Earlier this year, we saw a short preview of actor Tom Hiddleston as country music legend Hank Williams in the upcoming movie I Saw the Light. Now, we get a longer look at the Hank Williams biopic in a new trailer.

    Hiddleston did all of his own singing in the film, so in the two-minute trailer, we hear Hiddleston singing Williams’s 1951 song “Hey Good Lookin’.” The clip also illustrates that the movie explores Williams’s turbulent love life and problems with alcoholism.

    I Saw the Light hits theaters in general release on March 25, 2016.

    What do you think of the trailer for the Hank Williams movie? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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