Born Joan Drost in Buffalo, New York, as a child growing up Sommers would often sing to herself as a way of dealing with her difficult upbringing. Though having not received any musical training, Sommers began her career as a jazz singer in Los Angeles, California. In 1960, she recorded a demo with composer/arranger Tommy Oliver, earning her a recording contract with Warner Bros. Sommers. Her debut single, "One Boy" from the musical Bye Bye Birdie, reached #54 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Throughout the 60s, she also maintained a byline as a singer of jingles for Pepsi-Cola (specifically, "It's Pepsi, for Those Who Think Young" and "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation"), earning her the nickname of "The Pepsi Girl." Years later, she also recorded a jingle for Diet Pepsi, though her work was uncredited. Fittingly, two of her albums -- For Those Who Think Young and Come Alive! -- were named after her classic jingles.
Despite being a hit single,"One Boy" was passed over for inclusion on her debut album, Positively the Most!, whose cover touted the teenaged Sommers as "the greatest discovery in singing talent in the last fifteen years." This marked the beginning of a continuing trend for Sommers: alternating between commercial pop singles and more artistically challenging and varied albums, more often than not keeping the two completely disparate.
In 1962, "Johnny Get Angry" (co-written by legendary songwriter and lyricist Hal David) became Sommers' biggest hit, driven by an anachronistic dark bass line and unusual instrumentation such as kazoos. However, the song drew noted criticism aimed at its lyrical content, perceived by some as having sexist or masochistic overtones. The follow-up single was "When the Boys Get Together", which reached #94 on the charts, becoming her final Hot 100 single, though she would later have two songs on the Adult Contemporary charts.
In 1970, Sommers temporarily retired as a singer to focus on raising a family, making only one recording during the following decade, a soundtrack single for scrapped animation film The Peppermint Choo Choo. She resumed her career at the turn of the decade, recording the album Dream in 1980. She has maintained a sporadic career of recording and performing ever since, continuing to experiment with a variety of musical styles.
A Lot of Livin' to Do
Joanie Sommers Lyrics
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And I mean to kiss me a few!
Oh, those guys don't know what they're missin'
I've got a lot of livin' to do!
And there's wine all ready for tastin'
And there's cadillacs all shiny and new!
Got to move, 'cause time is a wastein'
There's music to play, places to go, people to see!
Everything for you and me!
Life's a ball, if only you know it!
And it's all just waiting for you!
You're alive, so go on and show it!
There's such a lot of livin' to do!
Such a lot of livin' to do!
What a lot of livin' to do!
The song “A Lot of Livin' to Do” is an exuberant celebration of life and living it to the fullest. The lyrics highlight the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way. The singer urges herself to take advantage of the pleasures of life like kissing, drinking wine, driving a Cadillac, and exploring new places. She believes that life is a ball, and if you know how to enjoy it, there’s an abundance of things waiting for you, and there’s always a lot of livin' to do.
At the heart of the song is the idea that life is short, and we should cherish every moment of it. Instead of getting bogged down by the worries and problems, we should embrace the good things in life and make each day count. The song encourages people to live in the present moment and enjoy the beauty and joys of life, rather than worrying about the future or regretting the past.
Overall “A Lot of Livin' to Do” is a call to action, urging people to take advantage of the opportunities life presents and make the most out of every moment. It is a reminder to live life to the fullest, and not let the everyday stresses and worries get in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
There are guys just ripe for some kissin'
There are men out there who are perfect for some romantic intimacy.
And I mean to kiss me a few!
I plan on taking advantage of the opportunity and giving them a smooch or two.
Oh, those guys don't know what they're missin'
Those men are not aware of what they are missing out on by not pursuing me.
I've got a lot of livin' to do!
I have much to live for, and I refuse to let life pass me by without experiencing it fully.
And there's wine all ready for tastin'
There are various wines out there that are ready to be sampled and enjoyed.
And there's cadillacs all shiny and new!
Brand new Cadillacs await to be driven around and shown off.
Got to move, 'cause time is a wastein'
There is no time to waste, and action is required to experience all that life has to offer.
There's such a lot of livin' to do!
There is an abundance of experiences, opportunities, and adventures waiting to be had.
There's music to play, places to go, people to see!
There is a plethora of options for entertainment, travel, and social interaction.
Everything for you and me!
There is something out there for everyone to enjoy.
Life's a ball, if only you know it!
Life can be enjoyable and fulfilling if you have the right attitude and make the most of it.
And it's all just waiting for you!
All of these experiences and opportunities are available and waiting for anyone willing to take advantage of them.
You're alive, so go on and show it!
Being alive is a gift, and it is important to show appreciation for it by living life to the fullest.
Such a lot of livin' to do!
There are so many experiences, opportunities, and adventures waiting to be had.
What a lot of livin' to do!
It is astounding how much life has to offer, and it is exciting to think about what experiences and opportunities await.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Iricom US Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind