That's Life

About

Written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon in 1963, That’s Life became one of Frank Sinatra’s most enduring hits after his 1966 recording reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Robbie Williams’ rendition, released as a B-side to Something Stupid, revisits the classic with warmth, humour and familial affection. Arranged by Steve Sidwell and mixed by Al Schmitt, it sees Williams perform alongside his father, Pete Conway, capturing their natural rapport in one of the most personal moments of his swing era.

Father and son first performed the song together on the televised Christmas special One Night with Robbie Williams in 1998, an appearance that foreshadowed the Swing When You’re Winning project. When Conway accidentally began with the wrong verse, Williams laughed it off, joking that he finally felt better about his own on-stage slip-ups. The duet revealed the roots of Williams’ love for swing and the shared showmanship that defined both men’s careers.

It’s the perfect song for me and Dad — about getting knocked down, getting back up again and still smiling through it.Robbie Williams

Williams later reprised the song with Conway during his 2019 Las Vegas residency, adding a line about “people on Twitter stomping on a dream” — a wry update that kept the standard current. Blending jazz swagger with genuine warmth, their version celebrates resilience and performance as a family tradition. That’s Life remains one of the most affectionate and authentic duets in Williams’ catalogue, linking his own story to the classic crooner lineage he grew up admiring.