He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.
La vie en rose
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
I'm in a world apartA world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Everyday words seems
To turn into love song
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be la vie en rose
In Bert Kaempfert's song "La vie en rose," the singer expresses the overwhelming, enchanting feeling of being in love. The opening lyrics, "Hold me close and hold me fast, the magic spell you cast" refer to the way in which being in the presence of someone can have an almost hypnotic effect. When this person kisses the singer, they experience a sensation akin to heaven, as if an angelic chorus is sighing with awe. The phrase "la vie en rose" translates to "life in pink" and is often used to describe a feeling of happiness in love, which is reflected in the refrain: "I see la vie en rose."
As the song progresses, the singer describes being transported to a different world, where they are surrounded by blooming roses, and everyday words become love songs. The feeling of being wrapped up in this love is so all-encompassing that it feels like being in a world apart. The final lyrics encourage the person the singer is addressing to give their heart and soul, promising that this feeling will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me close and hold me fast
Embrace me tightly and firmly
The magic spell you cast
The enchantment you evoke in me
This is la vie en rose
This is life in pink, a state of romantic bliss
When you kiss me heaven sighs
When we kiss, the heavens let out a sigh of contentment
And though I close my eyes
Even with my eyes closed
I see la vie en rose
I still see life in pink, a symbol of the love between us
When you press me to your heart
When you hold me tight against your chest
I'm in a world apart
I feel like I'm in a separate world, one filled with love and happiness
A world where roses bloom
A place where flowers are in full bloom, reflecting the beauty and love we share
And when you speak
And when you talk to me
Angels sing from above
The angels in heaven start singing in celebration and joy
Everyday words seem to turn into love song
Even ordinary words take on a romantic tone and become a symphony of love
Give your heart and soul to me
Offer me your complete and undivided love
And life will always be la vie en rose
And our lives will forever be filled with love and happiness
Contributed by Alice P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.