FRIDAYS ARE FOR FRANK: “The Good Life” (feat. Count Basie & His Orchestra)

“The Good Life” (originally “La Belle Vie“) is a popular song by Sacha Distel.

Best known from the 1963 Tony Bennett interpretation, Frank Sinatra and Count Basie took it for a spin on their seminal 1964 collaboration, It Might As Well Be Swing, arranged by Quincy Jones.

“Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal
Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
You won’t really fall in love for you can’t take the chance
So please be honest with yourself, don’t try to fake romance…”

It’s the swing version of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” sung by Frank at a time when his personal fame was at an apex, but his personal relationships were still severely strained.

“It’s the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye.”