"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. Billboard called it a "funky beat swinger with a potent lyric line." Cash Box said that the "lyrics are of utmost importance." Record World said "With the funkiest introduction, premier underground act will greatly add to their legion of fans." 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. Horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint; horn players uncredited.

Chart performance