That Lucky Old Sun

Album: That Lucky Old Sun (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track takes its name from a song written in 1949. Among the many versions recorded were ones by Frankie Laine, (which topped the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart), Vaughn Monroe, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra. This is Brian Wilson's interpretation and it was the song's lyrics that inspired him to write the rest of the album. The former Beach Boy explained to The Sun June 19, 2008: "It all spawned from that. I never knew the song but I wanted to hear it. I went and bought Louis Armstrong's version. I played it and learned it and changed the chords round a little bit."
  • The album was written with band member Scott Bennett and his previous collaborator Van Dyke Parks, who Wilson described to The Sun as one of the "great lyricists."
  • Brian Wilson said to Mojo magazine November 2008: "I'm fascinated with the lyrics of that song, about this negro slave who has a hell of a time working in the sun. I think it's a very spiritual song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.