When we saw this amazing sunset over the city of Paris (see photo below), we could have sung: “Je vois la vie en rose!” (or should we say: “Je vois Paris en rose!”).
Here are a little story and the lyrics of a song that has become some kind of an anthem for anything ‘French’ to the world.
Paris in Pink!
A photo we took while staying in Paris: a beautiful pink sunset above the Eiffel Tower:
About the song
“La Vie en rose” is arguably one of these French songs that have met international recognition. It was written in 1945 by French singer Édith Piaf (19 December 1915 – 11 October 1963). She released the first single in 1947.
The literal translation of the song’s title is “Life in Pink“. It also means “Life in Rosy Hues” or “Life through Rose-coloured glasses“. Although the lyrics are from Édith Piaf, the melody was composed by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi, aka Louiguy.
Édith Piaf had initially written “les choses en rose” (“Things in pink”) before Marianne Michel modified it to “la vie en rose”. The song’s success is mainly due to its lyrics. Indeed, in the aftermath of WW2, they talked directly to the heart of those who suffered from the war.
Many cover versions of “La Vie en rose” have been sung by show-biz celebrities: Andrea Bocelli, Audrey Hepburn, Bing Crosby, Carla Bruni, Céline Dion, Dalida, Dean Martin, Diana Krall, Grace Jones, Josephine Baker, Julio Iglesias, Katherine Jenkins, Liza Minelli, Louis Armstrong, Luciano Pavarotti, Madeleine Peyroux, Shirley Bassey, Tony Martin, Yves Montand…
The French lyrics of “La Vie en Rose”
Des yeux qui font baisser les miens
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche
Voilà le portrait sans retouche
De l’homme auquel j’appartiens
Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas
Je vois la vie en rose
Il me dit des mots d’amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ça me fait quelque chose
Il est entré dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause
C’est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie
Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie
Et dès que je l’aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat
Des nuits d’amour à plus finir
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place
Les ennuis, les chagrins s’effacent
Heureux, heureux à en mourir
Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas
Je vois la vie en rose
Il me dit des mots d’amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ça me fait quelque chose
Il est entré dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause
C’est toi pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie
Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie
Et dès que je l’aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat
The English Translation: “La Vie en Rose”
With eyes which make mine lower,
A smile which is lost on his lips,
That’s the unembellished portrait
Of the man to whom I belong.
When he takes me in his arms
He speaks to me in a low voice,
I see life as if it were rose-tinted.
He whispers words to declare to me his love
Words of the everyday
And that does something to me.
He has entered into my heart
A piece of happiness
the cause of which I know full well.
It’s him for me, me for him in life
He said that to me, swore to me “forever”.
And as soon as I see him
So I feel in me
My heart which beats
May the nights on which we make love never end,
A great joy which takes its place
The trouble, the grief are removed
Content, content to die of it
When he takes me in his arms
He speaks to me in a very low voice,
I see life as if it were rose-tinted.
He whispers words to declare to me his love
Words of the everyday
And that does something to me.
He has entered into my heart
A piece of happiness
the cause of which I recognise.
It’s him for me, me for him in life
He said that to me, swore to me forever.
And as soon as I see him
So do I feel in me
My heart which beats
English translation: find out more on lyricstranslate.
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I absolutely love how music transcends the differences between people of different regions. This song has been covered by people all over the world unfathomable number of times in several different languages. One version that particularly interests me is Walter Dobschinski and his Soloists' German version of this song, "Schau mich bitte nicht so an" as it was recorded in 1948, just 3 years after the end of WW2 and the release of original version. It is a proof of the powerful and unbreakable bond humans have with each other despite all the differences and hate instigated by filthy politics and propaganda.
I love this song. I have been singing ing it since the 40’s. It speaks to my heart. It lets me travel to France. Bravo. It somehow soothes me amid all the turmoil.