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Ain't That a Kick in the Head?
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Wikipedia article
"'Ain't That a Kick in the Head?'" is a pop song written in 1960 with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was first recorded that year on May 10 by Dean Martin in a swinging big band jazz arrangement conducted by Nelson Riddle. Martin performed the song in the 1960 heist film 'Ocean's 11' in an alternate arrangement featuring vibraphonist Red Norvo and his quartet.
The song was covered in 2004 by Irish boy band Westlife on their sixth studio album, '...Allow Us to Be Frank'. Despite not charting in Ireland and failing to appear on the UK Singles Chart, their cover of the song reached 4 on the UK Download Chart, peaked at No. 5 in Denmark, and charted within the top 50 in Flanders, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Background
Van Heusen and Cahn wrote the song specifically for the 1960 film 'Ocean's 11', though it was initially referred to press as "Ain't That a Kick in the Seat". Dean Martin's single was released before the film, which premiered
on August 10, 1960.
Reception
Despite being listed on the "Very Strong Sales Potential" list in 'Billboard's "Reviews of This Week's Singles", Dean Martin's initial release failed to chart.[https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1960 Billboard Archive Search, 1960] However, the song has become strongly associated with Martin anddespite never technically being a "hit" in terms of sales or radio playhas been released on many Dean Martin "greatest hits" albums, such as 'Dino: The Essential Dean Martin', 'Greatest Hits' (Capitol), and 'Greatest Hits' (EMI), as well as many swing and easy listening compilations. Contributing to this association is his performance of the song in 'Ocean's 11', which is considered the "quintessential" Rat Pack film.
The song also appears in the video games 'Fallout New Vegas' and 'Mafia II'.
Westlife cover version
Charts
References
Category:1960 singles
Category:1960 songs
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Dean Martin songs
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Mac
Category:Songs with lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Category:Songs with music by Jimmy Van Heusen
Category:Sony BMG singles
Category:Westlife songs
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