Is That All There Is?
Peggy Lee
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I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up In his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement And I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames And when it was all over I said to myself, is that all there is to a fire? Is that all there is, is that all there is If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing Let's break out the booze and have a ball If that's all there is And when I was twelve years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads And as I sat there watching I had the feeling that something was missing I don't know what, but when it was over I said to myself, "is that all there is to the circus? Is that all there is, is that all there is If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing Let's break out the booze and have a ball If that's all there is And then I fell in love with the most wonderful boy in the world We'd take take long walks down by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes We were so very much in love And then one day he went away and I thought I'd die, but I didn't And when I didn't I said to myself, is that all there is to love? Is that all there is, is that all there is If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep I know what you must be saying to yourselves If that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all? Oh, no, not me I'm not ready for that final disappointment 'Cause I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you When that final moment comes and I'm breathing my last breath, I'll be saying to myself Is that all there is, is that all there is If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing Let's break out the booze and have a ball If that's all there is
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Creation"Is That All There Is?" was written by renowned songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Famous for their work with artists such as Elvis Presley, this track provided a distinct departure from their usual style.
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Unique GenreUnlike conventional pop songs, "Is That All There Is?" has been described as a "chanson", due to its narrative-driven lyrics and dramatic, almost theatrical presentation.
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Music ChartsUpon its release in 1969, "Is That All There Is?" climbed to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1970.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by Thomas Mann's short story "Disillusionment". The lyrics echo the tale's exploration of existential disappointment and disillusionment.
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Banned from AirplayInitially, some radio stations in the United States banned the song due to its perceived negative and depressive message. However, the ban was dismissed as the song gained popularity and acclaim.
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Covers and InterpretationsMany artists have covered "Is That All There Is?", including musicians like Chaka Khan, PJ Harvey, and Cristina Monet-Palaci. Each artist brings a unique interpretation to the song, further highlighting its timeless appeal.
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Career RevivalPeggy Lee's career had begun to wane by the time "Is That All There Is?" was released. The success of the song revitalized her career, and Lee is now often most associated with this recording.
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Pop CultureThe song was notably used in the Martin Scorsese film "After Hours" in 1985 and was also featured in the television show "Mad Men".
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Re-release"Is That All There Is?" was remastered and re-released in 2003 as part of the album "Peggy Lee Sings Leiber and Stoller".
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ControversyIn her later years, Peggy Lee was involved in a lawsuit with Disney over royalty rights for songs from the film "The Lady and the Tramp", which she worked on. She chose to sing "Is That All There Is?" in court during her testimony, a moment that further cemented the song as an emblem of disillusionment and disappointment.
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