Song Lyric Sunday: “It’s All In The Game”

The minute I saw this week’s prompt, “game”, the only song that immediately played in my head was the old pop standard “It’s All In The Game”. Although recorded by many over the years, Tommy Edwards’ 1958 doo-wop recording is the definitive version, peaking at #1 on the Billboard charts. His earlier 1951 waltz-time recording is notable primarily in contrast to the 1958 hit. That Carl Sigman wrote the lyrics in 1951 set to music written 40 years earlier isn’t the most interesting fact related to this song. That honor belongs to the composer, Charles Gates Dawes, who was the Comptroller of the Currency in the U.S. Treasury Department when he wrote the music. Even that pales when compared with Mr. Dawes’ other claims to fame. He was Vice-President to Calvin Coolidge, making him the only V.P. with #1 hit. Impressive? But wait, there’s more. He was a Nobel laureate, having won the Peace Prize in 1925. He followed his V.P. stint with an ambassadorship to the United Kingdom. Learning about Dawes’ accomplishments bowled me over. My American Studies degree may make me just a little biased, but his pedigree blew my mind. Not only was his father a Civil War general under Ulysses S. Grant, but one of his great-great grandfathers, William Dawes, rode with Paul Revere that April night in 1775, rousing the militia to defend against the British. Whew! Even the 1958 “All In The Game” seems almost anti-climactic now.

“It’s All In The Game”

Many a tear has to fall but it’s all in the game
All in the wonderful game that we know as love
You have words with him and your future’s looking dim
But these things your hearts can rise above

Once in a while he won’t call but it’s all in the game
Soon he’ll be there at your side with a sweet bouquet
And he’ll kiss your lips and caress your waiting fingertips
And your hearts will fly away

(Soon he’ll be there at your side) with a sweet bouquet
Then he’ll kiss your lips and caress your waiting fingertips
And your hearts will fly away

Writer/s: CARL SIGMAN, CHARLES GATES DAWES
Publisher: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION,
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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