"That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)" is a 1949 popular song with music by Beasley Smith and words by Haven Gillespie.[3]

"That Lucky Old Sun"
Single by Frankie Laine
PublishedMarch 9, 1949 (1949-03-09) by Robbins Music Corporation, New York[1]
RecordedJune 14, 1949 (1949-06-14)[2]
GenrePopular music
Length2:58
LabelMercury 5316
Composer(s)Beasley Smith
Lyricist(s)Haven Gillespie
"That Lucky Old Sun"
Single by Ray Charles
from the album Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul
B-side"Ol' Man Time"
ReleasedNovember 1963
Recorded1963
GenreR&B
Length3:05
LabelABC Paramount
Composer(s)Beasley Smith
Lyricist(s)Haven Gillespie
Ray Charles singles chronology
"Making Believe"
(1963)
"That Lucky Old Sun"
(1963)
"My Heart Cries for You"
(1964)

Background

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Like "Ol' Man River", its lyrics contrast the toil and intense hardship of the singer's life with the obliviousness of the natural world.[4]

1949 recordings

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  • The biggest hit version of the song was by Frankie Laine.[5] This recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5316. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on August 19, 1949, and lasted 22 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 1.[6]
  • The recording by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-3531 (78 rpm) and 47-3018 (45 rpm) (in USA) and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 9836. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on September 16, 1949, and lasted 14 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 9.[6]
  • The recording by Louis Armstrong was released by Decca Records as catalog number 24752. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on October 14, 1949, and lasted three weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 24.[6]
  • Frank Sinatra released his competing version of the song on the Columbia label catalog number 38608. It reached the best sellers chart on October 29, 1949 and peaked at No. 16. Included on his The Best of The Columbia Years 1943–1952 album.
  • A recording by Herb Lance peaked at No. 6 on the Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records chart.[7]

Other covers

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References

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  1. ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1949). Catalog of Copyright Entries 1949 Published Music Jan-Dec 3D Ser Vol 3 Pt 5A. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
  2. ^ "MERCURY 78rpm numerical listing discography: 5000 - 5500". www.78discography.com. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Original versions of That Lucky Old Sun written by Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie". SecondHandSongs. May 16, 1949. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Bush, John, That Lucky Old Sun – Brian Wilson, AllMusic.
  5. ^ Gilliland, John. (197X). "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #23 – All Tracks UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940–1955. Record Research.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 339.
  8. ^ "www.allmusic.com". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "Vinyl Album: Bobby Darin - for Teenagers Only (1960)".
  10. ^ "Crossroads - Lucky Old Sun". YouTube. July 30, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.