La Vie en Rose
| PROFILE | |
| Composers | Marguerite Monnot, Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy) |
| Lyricist (French) | Edith Piaf |
| Lyricist (English) | Mack David |
| Year Written | 1945 |
| About La Vie en Rose | |
| While now considered one of Edith Piaf’s most identifiable songs (taking second place only to Non, je ne regrette rein), this song had a slow and somewhat troubled beginning. The lyric came to Miss Piaf in 1944. She worked with Louiguy for the melody. At the time the song was written, only Louiguy, as neither Piaf or Monnot were qualified to copyright their work under the auspices of Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique, the official French association. Initially, the song was though to be weak as compared to the rest of repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose. | |
Lyrics
Hold me close
And hold me fast
This magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me
Heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me
To your heart
I’m in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Everyday words
Turn into love songs
Give your heart
And soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Everyday words
Turn into love songs
Give your heart
And soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose
Session / Album Information
2002
“La Vie en Rose,” a duet with k.d. lang, was recorded in March 2002 and released that same year on Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.
This recording released on:
- 2002: RPM/Columbia CD: CK 86734 — Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World
- 2003: Globo/Columbia CD: 0030 2 — All The Best [Brazil]
- 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
- 2011: Disc #68 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK66) Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World
- 2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett