"Life is a Carnival" is the opening track of the Band's fourth album, Cahoots. Written by Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Robbie Robertson, the song features horn arrangements by New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint. The song is the only track from the Cahoots album included on the original releases of Rock of Ages and The Last Waltz. The song was featured in the Bill Murray movie Larger Than Life.
| "Life is a Carnival" | |
|---|---|
 Dutch cover | |
| Single by the Band | |
| from the album Cahoots | |
| B-side | "The Moon Struck One" |
| Released | 1971 |
| Recorded | Early 1971 |
| Genre | Roots rock, Americana |
| Length | 3:50 |
| Label | Capitol Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko |
| Producer(s) | The Band |
Billboard called it a "funky beat swinger with a potent lyric line."[1] Cash Box said that the "lyrics are of utmost importance."[2] Record World said "With the funkiest introduction, premier underground act will greatly add to their legion of fans."[3]
Musical notation for this song is printed on a wall behind Levon Helm's grave in Woodstock, New York.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of A Musical History.[4]
- Robbie Robertson – electric and acoustic guitars
- Garth Hudson – Lowrey organ
- Richard Manuel – Hohner Pianet electric piano, backing vocals
- Rick Danko – bass guitar, co-lead vocals
- Levon Helm – drums, co-lead vocals
Horn players uncredited; horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint.
Chart performance
| Chart (1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Singles Chart[5] | 25 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 72 |