C'est La Vie

Album: single release (1955)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Everyone's in love with someone else, but somehow the right people never get together in this jazz standard written by Tin Pan Alley composer Edward White and Mack Wolfson. Backed by the Hugo Peretti Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan was one of the first artists to record the track in 1955 and was the most successful, staying on the pop charts for 15 weeks and peaking at #11.
  • The French expression "c'est la vie" translates to "that's life." In the song, Vaughan responds to her mixed-up loved life with the phrase after another woman steals her man:

    There goes happy Jane
    Here's the reason why
    She just found a sweetheart
    But no one's gonna cry
    Though she stole his love from me
    C'est la vie, c'est la vie
  • Two other versions charted in 1955: Pop singer Sunny Gale hit #85 and the vocal duo the DeJohn Sisters landed at #97.
  • Wolfson and White were regular collaborators throughout the '50s, penning hits from Frank Sinatra ("Flowers Mean Forgiveness,") Tony Bennett ("Happiness Street (Corner Sunshine Square)"), and Patti Page ("Father, Father").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.