The song of the day for Thursday, September 30, 2015 is “Is That All There Is?”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Is That All There Is?,” was written in 1968 by songwriting team of Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber. Most people are familiar with Peggy Lee’s recording of this song, who recorded the song in January 1969. The lyrics for this song were inspired by a story by Thomas Mann, Disillusionment. Leiber’s wife Gaby, who escaped the Nazis from the Netherlands prior to the war, introduced her husband to the story and assisted with the lyrics. In fact, most of the words in the chorus are taken verbatim from the Mann story.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Is That All There Is?” on October 7, 1969 for the album Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today, which was released the following year. The album was arranged and conducted by Peter Matz. Nothing will be said here about the illustration on the cover of this album.

” Is That All There Is?,” as well as Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today, is available from iTunes.