Jack Reardon (1934-2013)

Songwriter Jack Reardon, who wrote the lyrics to The Good Life in 1962 (music by Sacha Distel), died Dec. 3. He was 79.

Jack wrote the lyrics to dozens of great songs, but The Good Life stands out. It was one of those songs that any artist in any music genre could pick up and knock out of the park. From time to time I'd get to chat with Jack whenever I'd call my dear friend and former record-industry executive Stan Cooper. Originally recorded as La Belle Vie in French, Jack wrote the English lyrics, and the song was used in the film Seven Capital Sins. [Pictured above, Sacha Distel]

Rather than go on, let me play you 10 of my favorite versions of The Good Life:

Here's Tony Bennett, with one of Jack and Stan's favorite versions...



Nancy Wilson...



Ray Charles...



Steve Lawrence (with a knockout Nelson Riddle arrangement)...



Frank Sinatra...



Hank Mobley...



Dinah Washington...