Frank Sinatra - That's Life
Frank Sinatra - That's Life


Frank Sinatra - That's Life Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: That's Life
Released: 1966

That's Life Lyrics


That's Life, that's what people say
You're riding high in April,
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I said, that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks,
Stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down,
'Cause this fine old world it keeps spinnin' around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life, I tell ya, I can't deny it,
I thought of quitting, baby
But my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try,
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself layin' flat on my face,
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life, that's life
And I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cuttin' out but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shakin' come here this July
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
My, my

Writer/s: GRAMMER, BILLY/BEAM, DENNIS/ROSE, BOB
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

That's Life
  • The "scowl" in Sinatra's voice was a result of producer Jimmy Bowen telling Sinatra, after the recording session, to get out of his car and back in the studio to re-record the vocal. This made Frank VERY angry, which is evident in the song. That was the exact "feel" that Bowen wanted.
  • This very optimistic song was written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon. Kay became a successful music publisher, and Gordon made a mark as a producer. Sinatra had a lot of ups and downs in his personal and professional life, and this song was a great showcase for his spirit and resilience. The phrase "That's Life" is often used to convey disappointment, but here Sinatra sees all the good things that life brings.
  • This was one of two Sinatra songs - the other being "Strangers in the Night" - prominently featured in the '80s comedy License to Drive. Les (Corey Haim) takes his crush (Heather Graham) out for a wild night in his grandpa's Cadillac, which has a Sinatra cassette stuck in the tape player. This song plays when Les and his friends frantically chase a drunk who steals the car for a joyride (and sings along to Sinatra's tune).