C'est La Vie

Album: Keep the Village Alive (2015)
Charted: 73
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The opening track of Keep the Village Alive, this was released as the album's lead single on May 12, 2015. Vocalist Kelly Jones told the story of the tune to The Daily Telegraph: "The song came about within about 45 minutes in the studio. That song was so spontaneous. It was like 10 o'clock at night and we recorded it. We didn't even listen to it for like six months and then we put it on again and just fell in love with it."
  • "C'est la vie" is a French expression that translates into English as "it is the life." It can also mean "that's life" or "so it goes." Other artists that have recorded songs with the same title include Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Robbie Nevil and Protest The Hero.
  • The song's music clip was directed by Kelly Jones, it was the vocalist's sixth successive video direction for the band. The visual stars Antonia Thomas, best known for her role of Alisha Daniels in the E4 comedy-drama series Misfits, Aneurin Barnard, who played Robert "Bobby" Willis Jr. in Cilla and King Richard III in The White Queen. and Mathew Aubrey, who was Brian in the movie Made In Dagenham.

Comments: 1

  • Rudie Giuli-hair-dye from Idahoda, NjThis is perhaps the best Stereophonics track since One Thousand Trees. Sounds akin to The Killers at times, on this whole album. Brilliant stuff. Keep it up Kelly!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

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.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.