"That Lucky Old Sun"

My Song of the Week, from the Great American Songbook

SONG OF THE WEEK: “That Lucky Old Sun”

The lyrics of "Lucky Old Sun" contrast the toil and hardship of the singer's life with the obliviousness of the natural world. Yet he sees a silver lining and God's deliverance behind it all.

The song was written in 1949 by big band musician Beasley Smith and prolific Tin Pan Alley lyricist Haven Gillespie—who also wrote "You Go To My Head" (another favorite of mine). They said “Ol’ Man River” inspired them to write the song, which gained more traction with me after I heard Brian Wilson's 2007 “lifestyle concept album” based around it.

In 2020 I added it to my set list for when I perform in assisted living homes. My arrangement blends the definitive Frankie Laine recording with the soul of Louis Armstrong's (in 1949 both artists released "competing versions").

I've grown fond of singing it and I added a gospel flair to it. Please listen (feedback welcome), and don’t work too hard out there.

#luckyoldsun #GreatAmericanSongbook #OlManRiver #BeasleySmith #HavenGillespie #BrianWilson #LouisArmstrong #FrankieLaine #gospel #work #river #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge