Their debut single Blurry Eyes released in 1994 was used as the opening theme for the animated TV show DNA². In late 1996, L'Arc~en~Ciel gained worldwide attention for the first time after the release of their fourth album, True. This album includes the single the Fourth Avenue Cafe, which was used as an ending theme for the popular animated TV show Rurouni Kenshin. However, drummer sakura was arrested for drug possession and consequently all L'Arc~en~Ciel merchandise was removed from store shelves. The release of their single the Fourth Avenue Cafe was canceled and the song was immediately removed from the TV series.
sakura left the band in 1997, and former DIE IN CRIES drummer yukihiro replaced him for the REINCARNATION tour that year, subsequently serving as a support member for their first single after the incident, 虹 (Niji). Eventually, yukihiro officially joined the band and released the album HEART in 1998.
After the release of their eighth album REAL in 2000, L'Arc~en~Ciel went on a hiatus, releasing only compilation albums aside from their 2001 single, Spirit dreams inside -another dream-, the theme for the CG-animated Final Fantasy movie. During this time, each member engaged in solo projects: yukihiro with the band acid android, ken and former L'Arc~en~Ciel drummer sakura with SONS OF ALL PUSSYS, HYDE as a solo artist, and tetsu as TETSU69. On March 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel released SMILE, their first album in four years.
On July 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel performed their first concert in the United States at Otakon, a Japanese animation convention. They performed for an audience of more than 12,000 in Baltimore, Maryland.
They are best known outside of Japan for the song READY STEADY GO, which served as the second opening theme for the animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, and Link for the show's respective theatrical film. These songs earned them substantial Western popularity and attention to their album, SMILE, which was released in the United States by American label Tofu Records.
After more than a year since SMILE, the band released AWAKE on June 22nd, 2005, which was accompanied by ASIALIVE, L'Arc~en~Ciel's first tour to take them to South Korea and China, as well as the Japanese AWAKE tour.
The year 2006 marked the band's 15th anniversary since their debut. It was celebrated with the release of a box set of books titled L'Arc~en~Ciel BOX, re-releases of their first 15 singles along with the albums ark and ray, and the L'Anniversary live concerts held on November 25th and 26th. They also finally released the Fourth Avenue Cafe, the single canceled nearly 10 years prior, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations.
The year 2007 saw increased activity for the band, with the release of four new singles, four DVD releases, the new album KISS, and the beginning of two back-to-back tours. The first was TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS in Japan, followed by L'7 ～trans ASIA via PARIS～. The latter tour took them through Shanghai, Taiwan, Paris, Seoul, Hong Kong, and a return to Japan for shows in Tokyo and Osaka. At the end of this tour it was announced that the band would not tour again until their 20th anniversary in 2011. The band, however, says they're not on hiatus.
2008 saw the release of two new single from the band, DRINK IT DOWN released in April, and the double A-side NEXUS 4 / SHINE in August. Since then, HYDE has begun a new solo project with former OBLIVION DUST guitarist K.A.Z as VAMPS, with the release of a self-titled album and successful tours in Japan and the United States. With the legacy of 11 albums and 35 singles, L'Arc~en~Ciel continue to gather more and more fans throughout the world who eagerly await their return to renewed band activities.
c'est la vie
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
気ままに揺らめいて
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
想いは焦がれる
誰か待ってるような気分に心うかれて
通りは華やかな装い行きかう幸福
指先は寂しくあなたを探して
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
遠くの歌声をたどって行けばもうあたりは黄昏
This time やさしい声が
This night 街に降りて
This time 今宵かぎりの
This night 時を忘れる
心なしか苦い煙草はため息まじり
微笑む人波に揺れては消えてゆく
どうやら配役はうつろな通行人のきざし
それならひっそり彩り添えるよ
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
気ままに揺らめいて
時にはこんな日もいいかもしれない
地図にない所へやさしく漂えば
知らずに口ずさむ時間を忘れて
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
気ままに揺らめいて
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
想いは焦がれる
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
The song "C'est La Vie" by L'Arc~en~Ciel talks about the joys and sorrows of life. The chorus "Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie" translates to "yes, that's life" and acknowledges that life can be unpredictable and full of ups and downs. The verses describe the singer's feelings in different situations - feeling like someone is waiting for them, enjoying the festive atmosphere of a holiday, looking for someone special, and feeling bittersweet about the passing of time. The lyrics encourage us to embrace the fleeting moments of life and savor them while they last.
The lyrics also talk about the power of music to transport us to another world. The lines "This time yasashii koe ga, This night machi ni orite" mean "This time, a gentle voice, This night, comes to the town." The singer feels like they can forget time and escape to a magical world, just by listening to music. They also talk about the beauty of exploring new places and getting lost in the moment. The line "Chizu ni nai tokoro e yasashiku tadayoeba" means "If you gently drift to a place where there is no map," implying that sometimes, the best experiences are the ones we stumble upon by chance.
Overall, "C'est La Vie" is a reminder to appreciate the present moment and find joy in the unpredictability of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life, whimsically flickering
Oui c'est la vie, oui c'est la vie
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life, the feelings are burning
Feeling like somebody is waiting, my heart is captivated
Feeling as if somebody is waiting for me, my heart is captivated
If you go through the holiday door, it's especially radiant
If you go through the holiday door, it’s even more radiant than usual
The people passing by are decorated in happiness
The people passing by are adorned with happiness
Lonely fingertips search for you
Lonely fingertips search for you
If you follow the distant singing, the surroundings are already twilight
If you follow the distant singing, the surroundings are already dusk
This time, a gentle voice descends upon the town
This time, a gentle voice descends upon the town
This night, we forget about the time just for this evening
Tonight, we forget about the time just for this evening
For some reason, the extras are like transient passersby
For some reason, the extras are like transient passersby
Then quietly add embellishment
Then quietly add embellishment
Sometimes days like this are nice too
Sometimes it's nice to have days like this
If you drift gently to a place without a map
If you drift gently to a place without a map
Forgetting to hum the time unknowingly
Unknowingly forgetting to hum the time
Whimsically flickering
Whimsically flickering
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life, the feelings are burning
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life, the feelings are burning
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life
Yes, it's life, yes, it's life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hyde, Tetsu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind