Is That All There Is?

Woodstock gets all the attention for notable musical events 50 years ago this summer. The most remarkable achievement may have been “Is That All There Is?” Miss Peggy Lee’s masterful interpretation of the singular Lieber and Stoller collaboration put it on the charts and snagged her a Grammy.

“Is That All There Is” remains the rare hit popular song that alternates speaking with singing. Lyricist Mike Lieber found inspiration in “Disillusionment,” a Thomas Mann short story. It took 20 takes and a fair amount of cognac to find perfection. Then record label executives worried about Lee’s fading appeal refused to release the masterpiece. She introduced it on Joey Bishop’s faltering ABC late-night talk show and forced its released with a paltry initial pressing of 1,500 copies.

The ethereal Lee, long a favorite of disc jockeys, rescued her future as the song climbed the charts into the fall.