The ‘e’ at the end of the name was added later. His younger brother John Joseph (Johnny) was born nearly fifteen months later on March 25, 1934. The Burnette Brothers grew up in a public housing project in the Lauderdale Courts area of Memphis, which from 1948 until 1954, was also the home of Gladys and Vernon Presley and their son, Elvis.
In November 1957, the brothers were approached by songwriter John Marascalco, who had written Ready Teddy and Rip It Up for Little Richard, as well as Good Night My Love and other hits. He was looking for a singer to help him with a new song called Bertha Lou. Dorsey and Johnny went into the Master Recorders Studio in Hollywood and backed by Odell Hull (lead guitar), Danny Flores (piano) and H B Barnum (drums) cut two tracks, Bertha Lou and ‘Till The Law Says Stop. It was originally planned that Johnny should sing the lead vocals, but when he recalled that he was still under contract to Coral Records, Dorsey suggested that nobody would care if he sang the song. The vocal duties were switched, with Johnny singing some of the backing vocals. The two sides were released as a single (Surf SR5019-45) under Dorsey’s name. Contrary to expectations, however, Coral threatened to sue and so label owner, Kenny Babcock withdrew the record. Not wishing for the session to be completely wasted, however, Babcock had Dorsey’s voice overdubbed with that of one of his own singers, Johnny Faire (also known as John Faircloth). Surf SR5019-45 was subsequently re-released as by Johnny Faire. Johnny Faire was later to change his name and find fame as Donnie Brooks.
That Lucky Old Sun
Dorsey Burnette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river
Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Up in the mornin' out on the job,
Work like the devil for my pay
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin'
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river
Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
“That Lucky Old Sun” by Dorsey Burnette is a song about the monotony of everyday life juxtaposed against the carefree nature of the sun. Burnette describes the difficult tasks he must perform in order to provide for his family, all the while the sun rolls about in the sky, seemingly without a care or responsibility. The lyrics relate to the desire to escape the daily grind and enter a state of peace and contentment, much like the freedom the sun possesses. He longs for relief from his struggles and begs for an escape from his laborious life. The chorus emphasizes his desire for a better life through repetition, truly portraying the monotonous cycle of work that seems never-ending.
The character appeals to a higher power for help, but their plea goes unnoticed. The chorus references the heavens and the desire for the release that death offers, however, hope still lingers as Burnette asks to be taken “across” and for his troubles to be “washed away”. Although the song has a somber tone, its overall message is one of hope and longing, as Burnette’s character reflects upon the troubles he faces in his life but ultimately seeks a way to escape them.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like the devil for my pay
I wake up early and go to work, put in a lot of effort for the money I earn.
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do / But roll around heaven all day
The sun doesn't have any responsibilities and just spends its day rolling around in the sky.
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids / Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
I work hard to take care of my family and it's taking a toll on me physically.
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do / But roll around heaven all day
Meanwhile, the sun continues to have no responsibilities and just rolls around in the sky all day.
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' / Tears all in my eyes
I am deeply unhappy and it shows in my emotions.
Send down that cloud with a silver linin' / Lift me to paradise
I wish something good would happen to me and make me happy.
Show me that river / Take me across and wash all my troubles away
I want to escape from my troubles and have a fresh start.
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do / But roll around heaven all day
I wish I could have no responsibilities like the sun and just enjoy my life without any worries or stress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SummerRkl
A very good rendition by Dorsey!
NYDutch1968
While I think Frankie Laine's rendition is the definitive version, Dorsey Burnette's version is very credible. Thanks for posting.
Mark Gallagher
Sinatra even charted with the song comming in at # 16 in 1949. Which was a long way from Frankie's # 1 or Monroe's #6. even Sarah Vaughan had a recording of it that charted #14 and Louis Armstrong at #19 that year.
Daniel McKee
Good song. Never had heard this version.
Mark Gallagher
Yes, Al Martino was a great singer and he was at his best in the Goodfather movies. I have a couple of his sixties LP's. I haven't put anything of his on YT because all his great stuff is already on there.
Mark Gallagher
No Dorsey would never set the world on fire with his singing, but he had a unique sound to his voice he used to great effect when he was with era records. I loved his "River And The Mountain" which few ever heard. But later he went Country and I don't think he was that good at it. Now the best of Lucky Old Sun" was by Frankie Laine and Vaughn Monroe had a good version too in 1949. I never heard Jerry Lee Lewis's version and Don't think I would like it as I didn't like much from Sun Records.
jjkoekemoer
Great tune, thankyou
Berna Humphrey
Good good!
teed lassen
Always a winner
teed lassen
Will I guess you could say that David...just a smidge; we did do alot together when i lived nearby