PEGGY LEE

IS THAT ALL THERE IS?
Peggy Lee

SPOKEN:
I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire.
I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up
in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement.
I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames.
And when it was all over I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a fire"

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

SPOKEN:
And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears.
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle.
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "is that all there is to a circus?

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

SPOKEN:
Then I fell in love, head over heels in love, with the most wonderful boy in the world.
We would take long walks by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes.
We were so very much in love.
Then one day he went away and I thought I'd die, but I didn't,
and when I didn't I said to myself, "is that all there is to love?"

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing

SPOKEN:
I know what you must be saying to yourselves,
if that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all?
Oh, no, not me. I'm in no hurry for that final disappointment,
for I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you,
when that final moment comes and I'm breathing my lst breath, I'll be saying to myself

SUNG:
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

I will always remember my grandmother's affection for this song. Any time she was in a different state of mind other than the ho-hum of a normal day, she would put this on the turntable and it was something that moved her. If she was in a good place, she put on disco records. I loved that this grey haired lady loved the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and Alicia Bridges', I LOVE THE NIGHT LIFE. I had the hippest grandmother in town! But if she was feeling down, tired or nostalgic, it was 100% Peggy Lee. And what a great song IS THAT ALL THERE IS is.



It got me to thinking about how when my mother tied one on, she would put on Neil Diamond, my father, big band music or maybe some Ink Spots.

There seems to be that special music that is precious enough to listen to only when we are in an altered state of mind, whether it be a glass of wine....or 4, a creative state or simply feelin' a lil' blue.

I have adopted the taste of my various family members and play a little of all of the above on occasion when I am feeling just a little off. Nick Drake is a favorite, too. I discovered his complete collection of music here later in life but it seems to suit me just as well as the current day David Gray to push me through a blue or "off" mood or even enhance a creative mood. Or I can go for a lil' Amy Winehouse or Scissor Sisters when I am feeling a lil' sassy. When I am in a regular old state of mind, it's KCRW public radio for me. Give me Morning Become's Eclectic or Chocolate City or give me death!