Dr. Alban (born August 26, 1957 as Alban Nwapa in Nigeria) grew up listening to Fela Kuti and James Brown. At age 23, he began studying dentistry. In order to be able to finance his university studies the music-loving medical student started making his own music. During this time Alban worked as a DJ in the well known Stockholm club 'Alphabet Street'. Very quickly his name became widely known, especially since Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable as a DJ. DJ René couldn't help but notice him and so the highly intelligent medical student was discovered. But first Alban finished his studies and even opened his own dentistry practice.
In 1990, he met Denniz PoP from the SweMix label. Alban laid aside his dentist's drill and realised his dream. Together with Denniz and Rap-Queen Leila K, his first record, Hello Africa - his declaration of love for his African home - broke all records. Alban Nwapa became Dr. Alban. His debut-album Hello Africa sold roughly 1 million copies world-wide.
One year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love. 1.6 million singles of the song It's My Life were sold.
The album immediately sold over 1.7 million units. Then followed the albums Look Who's Talking and Born In Africa. All in all, Dr. Alban can look back on world-wide sales of over 5 million albums and over 6 million singles, which resulted in 7 times Silver, 30 times Gold and 30 times Platinum. His hit No Coke was even used to illustrate an anti-drugs campaign in Sweden.
After a re-release of No Coke, Dr. Alban confirmed his Euro dance style with his hits Look Who's Talking and Let The Beat Go On.
He created his own record company 'dr.records', on which he released Born in Africa, the first CD recorded completely in his studios. He became the producer of many artists such as La Cream.
More recently, his voice was featured on Sash!'s single Colour The World.
In 2000, he released the album titled Prescription.
In 2002 Dr. Alban featured Yamboo to release a remix for Sing Hallelujah!.
In 2007 Dr. Alban released the album titled Back To Basics.
Official website: http://www.dralban.net/
Cest La Vie
Dr. Alban Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chez nous y'a pas caballero
Ici ça roule sans mis-per
Ça roule en dacia sandero
Ici ça braque pour la modique somme
De 60 euros
Les insomniaques pour changer la donne
Veulent se lever tôt
Galérer pour trouver du taff
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Charbonner pour ramener du cash
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Pourquoi je fais ça je sais pas
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Les parents vous inquiétez pas
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
Comme le disait mon grand frère
La route est longue mon amigo
Depuis petit je vis-ser
Les quartiers riches les parigots
Billet de 100 qu'on perquisitionne
Ça fera l'apéro
Devant la vie je me positionne
Marre de me lever tôt
Galérer pour trouver du taff
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Charbonner pour ramener du cash
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Pourquoi on fais ça je sais pas
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Les parents vous inquiétez pas
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
Le quartier nous fait du sale, nous met des soucis sur le dos
Et moi j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos
J'suis prêt à faire le taff si la daronne est au repos
Et moi j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos
Galérer pour trouver du taff
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Charbonné pour ramener du cash
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Pourquoi on fait ça je sais pas
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
Les parents vous inquiétez pas
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
The lyrics of DR. Alban's song "C'est La Vie" depict the realities and struggles of everyday life for many people. The first verse talks about the difficulties faced in their neighborhood, where brothers are involved in wrongdoing, and there are no heroes. However, despite their misfortunes, they continue to live their lives without any major setbacks. The mention of the Dacia Sandero car highlights the simplicity of their lifestyle.
In the second verse, the lyrics discuss the challenges of finding work and earning money. "Charbonner" is a colloquial term meaning to work hard, possibly in physically demanding jobs, in order to bring home cash. The songwriter expresses uncertainty about why they do it, but acknowledges that it is the life they all lead. The phrase "les parents vous inquiétez pas" reassures parents that their children have chosen this life willingly.
The mention of the grand frère (older brother) emphasizes the importance of family support. The lyrics suggest that the road to success may be long, but they are determined to persevere. The reference to the rich neighborhoods and the people of Paris showcases the contrast between their lives and those who are more affluent.
The lyrics in the third verse reflect the struggles faced in their neighborhood, as it brings them troubles and problems. The artist also mentions having back pain, which symbolizes the physical and emotional burden they carry. They are willing to take on any job if it gives their mother a break, further illustrating the sacrifices they are willing to make.
The chorus repeats the idea that struggling to find work and working hard to earn money is the life they all lead. The phrase "pourquoi on fait ça je sais pas" indicates their questioning of why they continue to face these challenges. However, the final line emphasizes that their parents should not worry, as this is the life they have chosen.
Overall, "C'est La Vie" portrays the realities of living in a disadvantaged neighborhood, the challenges of finding work, and the contradictions between different social classes. The lyrics highlight the determination to make the best out of their circumstances, even when faced with hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Chez nous les frères sont dus-per
In our neighborhood, the brothers are struggling
Chez nous y'a pas caballero
In our neighborhood, there are no fancy people
Ici ça roule sans mis-per
Here, things go smoothly
Ça roule en dacia sandero
We get by with a simple car
Ici ça braque pour la modique somme de 60 euros
Here, people resort to robbery for a small amount of money
Les insomniaques pour changer la donne veulent se lever tôt
Those who struggle with sleep want to change their situation by waking up early
Galérer pour trouver du taff
Struggling to find a job
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
That's the life we all lead
Charbonner pour ramener du cash
Working hard to earn money
Pourquoi je fais ça je sais pas
I don't know why I do it
Les parents vous inquiétez pas
Parents, don't worry
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
It's the life we have chosen
Comme le disait mon grand frère
As my older brother used to say
La route est longue mon amigo
The road is long, my friend
Depuis petit je vis-ser
Since I was little, I struggled
Les quartiers riches les parigots
The wealthy neighborhoods, the Parisians
Billet de 100 qu'on perquisitionne
Searching for 100 euro bills
Ça fera l'apéro
That will be for the drinks
Devant la vie je me positionne
I confront life head-on
Marre de me lever tôt
Tired of waking up early
Le quartier nous fait du sale, nous met des soucis sur le dos
The neighborhood gives us trouble, puts problems on our shoulders
Et moi j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos, j'ai mal au dos
And I have back pain, I have back pain, I have back pain
J'suis prêt à faire le taff si la daronne est au repos
I'm ready to do the work if the mother is resting
Galérer pour trouver du taff
Struggling to find a job
Charbonné pour ramener du cash
Working hard to earn money
Pourquoi on fait ça je sais pas
I don't know why we do it
Les parents vous inquiétez pas
Parents, don't worry
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
It's the life we have chosen
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
That's the life we all lead
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
That's the life we all lead
C'est la vie qu'on mène tous
That's the life we all lead
C'est la vie qu'on a choisi
It's the life we have chosen
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Invest4YO
Very nice song!!! By the way for those who don't know, Cheb khaled has Moroccan Nationality , and he goes to Morocco often and he passes his vacation in Moroccan all the time with his family :)
@gabrielamartinez2145
me gusta!!! 👌
@husseinqaissatar
Fantastic Music
@abdelkader9961
c'est trop jolie cette chanson continue comme ça . vrément bravo RED ONE et chawki
@chiminyang2000
I just love all his songs
@wafaamaktoub
Bravo ! C'est top
@melissanani8282
j'aime beaucoup cette chanson😍😊😅
@peterlarsson9423
Why is this version not on Spotify???
@soledadesaraiva9368
Chawki the best!clip clean , clip perfect! se qui fait la différence! <3
@ferdaousstevens6485
Amazing..... He's Amazing I love Him