Do you know the definition of la vie en rose? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word la vie en rose, including its definition, usage, and more!
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Kevin
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June 16, 2021
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What does the term la vie en rose mean?
According to French Moments, the term la vie en rose means “life in pink” or “life in rosy hues” in French. This is the title of one of the most famous French songs of all time. It was written in 1945 by French singer Édith Piaf and released in 1947. The melody was composed by Louis Guglielmi (Louiguy) and Marguerite Monnot. Piaf had originally named the song les choses en rose, or “things in pink,” but Marianne Michel modifies it ro take on a more universal appeal. This song was very successful in the aftermath of World War II, and talked directly to those who had suffered. This song has been covered many times by a plethora of different celebrities in both English and French. A list of these celebrities is below:
- Josephine Baker
- Liza Minelli
- Luciano Pavarotti
- Yves Montand
- Grace Jones
- Tony Martin
- Andrea Bocelli
- Bing Crosby
- Shirley Bassey
- Carla Bruni
- Dalida
- Katherine Jenkins
- Julio Iglesias
- Madeleine Peyroux
- Audrey Hepburn
- Céline Dion
- Louis Armstrong
- Diana Krall
- Dean Martin
According to Britannica and Discover Walks, Edith Piaf wrote and recorded many more songs than just La Vie en Rose, though this is her most famous. A list of a selection of their other songs is below. Try listening to Edith’s discography so you can get a sense of her romantic, passionate singing.
- Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
- Milord
- Padam, Padam
- Hymne à L’Amour
- La Goualante du Pauvre
- Mon légionnaire
- Les Trois Cloches
- La Foule
- Mon Dieu
What are the lyrics and translation of the song La Vie en Rose?
There are many different versions of the song La Vie en Rose, from the Louis Armstrong to the Edith Piaf versions. Below is a list of the song’s lyrics and translation, from Song Meanings and Korea Learning.
Edith Piaf Version – French:
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 cœur,
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 cœur 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 cœur,
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 cœur qui bat.
Edith Piaf – English Translation:
Eyes that gaze into mine,
A smile that is lost on his lips—
That is the unretouched portrait
Of the man to whom I belong.
When he takes me in his arms
And speaks softly to me,
I see life in rosy hues.
He tells me words of love,
Words of every day,
And in them I become something.
He has entered my heart,
A part of happiness
Whereof I understand the reason.
It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life,
He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life.
And from the things that I sense,
Now I can feel within me
My heart that beats.
In endless nights of love,
A great delight that comes about,
The pains and bothers are banished,
Happy, happy to die of love.
When he takes me in his arms
And speaks softly to me,
I see life in rosy hues.
He tells me words of love,
Words of every day,
And in them I become something.
He has entered my heart,
A part of happiness
Whereof I understand the reason.
It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life,
He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life.
And from the things that I sense,
Now I can feel within me
My heart that beats.
Louis Armstrong – English Version:
Hold me close and hold me fast
The 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
And in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Every day words
Seems to turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose
Overall, La Vie en Rose is the name of one of the most famous French songs of all time. This song was written and performed by Edith Piaf in 1945, but has been covered by a plethora of different celebrities. The title of the song directly translates to life in pink, or life in rosy hues. The lyrics of the song describe someone feeling like they are seeing the world through rose-colored glasses because they are in love.
Sources:
- https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/119826/
- https://frenchmoments.eu/je-vois-la-vie-en-rose-the-story-of-the-song/
- https://korealearning.blogspot.com/2009/05/la-vie-en-rose-edith-piaf-french-lyrics.html
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Piaf
- https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/paris/top-10-most-popular-edith-piaf-songs/
