That's Life
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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That's life (that's life), that's what all the 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 (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 (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), 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 this here July




I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
My, my

Overall Meaning

In Frank Sinatra's "That's Life," the lyrical content revolves around the ups and downs of life. The song is an ode to the resilience of the human spirit when saddled with adversity. The first lines of the song encapsulate the theme of the song; "That's life, that's what all the people say. You're riding high in April, shot down in May." These lines capture the fleeting nature of life and how events can change without warning. However, Sinatra does not succumb to the negative aspects of life but instead expresses a firm resolve in the face of adversity, saying, "But I know I'm gonna change that tune when I'm back on top, back on top in June."


The second verse of the song makes it clear that there will always be people who will try to put down your dreams. Sinatra sings, "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." Here, Sinatra emphasizes the importance of not giving up on one's dreams no matter how many times one falls.


In the final verse of the song, Sinatra sums up his life experiences, stating that he has been a "puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king." These descriptions are representative of the many personas that he has adopted throughout his life. Sinatra then emphasizes that no matter how many times he has fallen, he has always picked himself up and gotten back into the race. He concludes by stating, "That's life, and I can't deny it. Many times I thought of cuttin' out, but my heart won't buy it."


Line by Line Meaning

That's life (that's life), that's what all the people say
Life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs, as everyone knows.


You're riding high in April
Sometimes everything seems to be going well in life.


Shot down in May
But things can change quickly and unexpectedly, leaving you feeling defeated.


But I know I'm gonna change that tune
Nevertheless, I am determined to turn things around for the better.


When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I am confident that, with perseverance, I will overcome my setbacks and regain success.


Some people get their kicks
Unfortunately, some individuals enjoy tearing others down and crushing their dreams.


Stompin' on a dream
These people take pleasure in stripping hope and happiness from others.


But I don't let it, let it get me down
Despite encountering such people, I refuse to let their negativity and cruelty get the best of me.


'Cause this fine old world it keeps spinnin' around
Life goes on, regardless of any hardship or challenges encountered.


I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate
Throughout my life, I have experienced numerous highs and lows, and have played many different roles.


A poet, a pawn and a king
I have tried my hand at various endeavors, some of which were successful while others were not.


I've been up and down and over and out
I have faced many obstacles in life, but have managed to overcome them all through determination and hard work.


And I know one thing
Through my life experiences, I have gained knowledge and understanding about the nature of life.


Each time I find myself flat on my face
Despite enduring setbacks, I do not give up or lose hope.


I pick myself up and get back in the race
Instead, I persevere and work towards success once again.


That's life (that's life), I tell ya, I can't deny it
Again, life is filled with highs and lows, but I cannot deny that it is worth living.


I thought of quitting, baby
There have been times when I have considered giving up, but ultimately chose to keep going.


But my heart just ain't gonna buy it
My inner drive and motivation refuse to let me give up on living.


And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
If I truly believed that living was not worth the effort, I would not even attempt it.


I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly
In this hypothetical scenario, I would rather take my own life than give up on living.


But if there's nothing shakin' come this here July
Even though I am motivated to live, if my efforts yield no positive results, I may begin to question my resolve.


I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
In this situation, I may feel so defeated and hopeless that I would rather die than continue to try and fail.


My, my
An expression of surprise or disbelief.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dean Kay, Kelly L. Gordon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mike


on The Lady Is A Champ

eight

She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She can't eat late and stay up all night, because unlike society types, she has to get up in the morning.

She likes the theatre and never comes late
She cares more about seeing the play than being seen making an entrance.

She never bothers with people she'd hate
Her friends are friends, not social trophies.

Doesn't like crap games with barons or earls
While barrns and earls probably don't play craps, she associates with friends, not people to be seen with.

Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
She doesn't "slum", the practice of the rich in the 30's, when the song was written, of touring poor neighborhoods dressed in rich clothes to "tut, tut" about the deplorable conditions, and congratulate each other for "caring about the poor"

Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
Doesn't trade gossip for acceptance among an in-crowd


She likes the free, fresh wind in her hair
She cares more about how her hair feels than conforming with current hair fashions

Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
Since most of California is noticeably warmer and / or drier than New York, where the play the song was written for is set, this is probably a facetious excuse to like what she likes.


And she won't go to Harlem in Lincoln's or Ford's
Another reference to slumming, but facetious, since Lincolns and Fords were middle-class, not luxury brands when the lyric was written

Anonymous


on Try a Little Tenderness

Here are the correct lyrics

Try A Little Tenderness - Frank Sinatra - Lyrics

Oh she may be weary
Women do get wearied
Wearing that same old shabby dress
And when she’s weary
You try a little tenderness

You know she’s waiting
Just anticipating things she’ll may never possess
While she is without them
Try just a little bit of tenderness

It’s not just sentimental
She has her grieve and her care
And the words that soft and gentle
Makes it easier to bear
You wont regret it
Women don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness
And it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Musical Interlude

And, it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Daniel


on The Way You Look Tonight

I met Frank Jr. in Las Vegas, a real gentleman. RIP you both.

Giorgi Khutashvili


on Theme from New York, New York

)))

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