Peggy Lee - Is That All There Is

As guest at Kraft Music Hall with host Johnny Cash
Aired Wednesday 9:00 PM Dec 10, 1969 on NBC
written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Thanks to JohnnyCashShow for his templates:

[jamesmcivor]

As the legend goes...Capitol Records didn't want Miss Peggy Lee to release the Leiber & Stoller song, let alone record it in the first place, as it was deemed uncommercial, too long and too out there. It was only through her persistence and the willingness of one executive that she entered United Studios, Hollywood, Jan. 24th, 1969 and recorded the track, with Leiber & Stoller producing (and a young Randy Newman doing the string arrangement).

Miss Peggy Lee knew what she had, but Capitol didn't. She continued her recording sessions over the next few months (which would be released on the next LP 'A Natural Woman') when Capitol then asked her to perform on a TV Show. It turns out they wanted to push a few rock bands onto the program that they had under contract, but the host would only agree if he could also have Miss Lee as well. She agreed to sing, but under the condition she would have song choice.

Within weeks, 'Is That All There Is' topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, peaked at 11 on Billboard's Hot 100 and was later nominated for Best Song at the Grammys. The song didn't win, but Miss Peggy Lee did, for best Female Vocal. Years later the recording would be inducted into their Hall of Fame.

So when you next break out the booze, for whatever reason, raise a glass to Miss Peggy Lee, one the greatest artists who ever lived, then take the time to discover her other magnificent recordings. There's over 1, 000 of them...

[adrianjohnson]

Holy cow! what a high -concept, low tech ahead-of-its-time video, done with good lighting and inspired editing!

[apex-dominion-official]

I remember seeing this as a child and how much it struck me. I was eight years old. Might’ve been the start of my lifelong love of melancholy.

[stevevitoff]

wiki: . . . . The song was inspired by the 1896 story "Disillusionment" by Thomas Mann. Jerry Leiber's wife Gaby Rodgers (née Gabrielle Rosenberg) was born in Germany and lived in the Netherlands. She escaped ahead of the Nazis, settling in Hollywood where she had a brief film career. Rodgers introduced Leiber to the works of Thomas Mann. The lines "Is that all there is to a fire?/Is that all there is/is that all there is?" and three of the events in the song (the fire, failed love, imagined death) are based on the narrator's words in Mann's story; the central idea of both the short story and the song are the same.

[Sincopare]

I want to go back to a time when there was a Johnny Cash show with Peggy Lee as a guest.

[marcycarson]

Life can be very frightening, hurtful, disappointing... every time you get emotionally attached to something, always, it eventually goes we could cry...we could blame, would it change lets have a good time, instead!

[kigormley]

This song is unique in the way it addresses the disillusionment of life.
It's a lyrical journey in philosophy.

[bbdc-sgdc]

What an impact this song made back then. You heard it everywhere ! She was always a class act ! Life can be so complicated. As we get older, this is a question we all seem to ponder. I just turned 79 last April. I've had such a wonderful ride. Losing the love of my life in 2017 after 40 years and becoming a widower was probably the most devastating thing that has happened to me. I've asked this question a lot since then. I believe that's NOT all there is. I believe I'll reunite with the one love of my life. So, I'll just keep then.

[kristee]

hauntingly beautiful..what a Queen! Thanks for the music Miss Lee..R.I.P

[CHAS]

A ghostly black and white electronic impression of Peggy Lee from a show aired in 1969, 50 years ago, and we see the fossil image sing. Perhaps one more line is due. "Is that all there is to immortality?"

[Peachy]

I remember when I was a little girl I heard this song on this very program. I was mesmerized by her. I would go in my room and sing this song over and over. Class act. RIP Peggy Lee❤

[silentstarr]

I appreciate that back in the day there were singers like Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Bassey who would perform without the aid of 10 backup dancers to to distract from the performer's lack of talent. Adele reminds me of their original impact. A sole singer on the stage who amazes with their talent.

[qzorn]

Such a cool lady. Let's keep dancing. 😎 Thank you.

[xaviergarcia]

I love the way this song was presented--what a unique concept for a unique song!

[pepelepeau]

One of my Grandma's favorite songs!

[toddinde]

Very uplifting song. When you’re down, just listen to that one.

[patrickhicks]

i love this with johnny cash these two people really knew about songs
i love both of them
i saw peggy lee live when i was 17 she only had a small band and she was quite old
but wow what a show

[createandbuildcorporation]

So untouchable. really touching moment and good music.

[belartful]

Beautiful song, brings back bitter sweet memories..powerful message..

[wendydee]

Her integrity looks like humility and patience to me.