That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls around Heaven All Day)

Background

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

1949 recordings

The biggest hit version of the song was by Frankie Laine. 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.

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 the US) 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.

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.

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.

Bob and Alf Pearson in 1949

Phil Harris in 1949 on the Phil Harris Alice Faye Show, Sep 25, 1949 "Keeping Regular Office Hours"

Later recordings

Pat Boone on the album Howdy! 1957

The Buffalo Bills, a barbershop quartet, recorded it as a solo for their tenor, Vern Reed.

The rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker released a version of the song in 1955 as the "A" side of a release on Atlantic Records.

Jerry Lee Lewis recorded an unreleased solo version at Sun Studios in 1956 or 1957 and again in 1989 on the Great Balls of Fire soundtrack album.

A version by Sam Cooke appeared on his debut LP Sam Cooke (1958)

Bobby Darin on the album For Teenagers Only (1960)

The Velvets released their doo wop version on Monument records around 1960/61.

A version by Ray Charles appeared on his 1963 album Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul. It was also released as a single, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1964. (This recording is also included as a bonus track on post-1988 CD reissues of Charles' landmark 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.)

Aretha Franklin recorded the song for her album The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962).

Grant Green recorded an instrumental version for his album His Majesty King Funk in 1965.

Benzion Witler recorded a cover of the song that includes the lyrics sung in Yiddish

Tom Jones recorded the song on his album Tom Jones Live! At the Talk of the Town (1967).