C'est La Vie
Lake & Palmer Lyrics
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Have your leaves all turned to brown
Will you scatter them around you
C'est la vie
Do you love
And then how am I to know
If you dont let your love show for me
C'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Who knows, who cares, for me
C'est la vie
In the night
Do you light a lover's fire
Do the ashes of desire for you remain
Like the sea
There's a love to deep to show
Took a storm before my love
Flowed for you
C'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Who knows, who cares, for me
C'est la vie
Like a song
Out of tune and out of time
All I needed was a rhyme for you
C'est la vie
Do you give
Do you live from day to day
Is there no song I can play for you
C'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Oh c'est la vie
Who knows, who cares, for me
C'est la vie
The lyrics of Lake & Palmer's song C'est La Vie seem to reflect on the unpredictability and transient nature of life and love. The chorus, "C'est la vie," French for "that's life," serves as a reminder that sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, and we must accept them and move on.
The first verse asks if the leaves have turned brown, indicating the passing of time and change. The line "will you scatter them around you" can be interpreted as asking if the person is willing to let go and move on from things that have ended. The second line asks if the person loves, but the following line questions how the singer is supposed to know if the love is not expressed or shown. This reflects on the difficulty of knowing how someone truly feels, especially if they do not communicate it clearly.
In the second verse, the imagery shifts to that of fire and the sea. The line "there's a love too deep to show" suggests that some emotions may be too intense or private to express. It takes a "storm" or significant event to reveal these emotions. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the acceptance of life's uncertainties and the idea that no one truly knows or cares about the singer.
Overall, the song seems to be about the up and downs of love and life, and the acceptance of things as they are.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est la vie
Such is life, things happen that are beyond our control
Have your leaves all turned to brown
Have things started to change or come to an end?
Will you scatter them around you
What will you do now that things have changed?
Do you love
Do you have love in your life?
And then how am I to know
How can I know if you don't show or express your love for me?
If you dont let your love show for me
If you don't express your love for me, how can I know if it's real?
Oh c'est la vie
This is life, there's nothing we can do about it
Who knows, who cares, for me
No one knows or cares about my feelings or thoughts
In the night
During moments of darkness or loneliness
Do you light a lover's fire
Do you ignite passion and love in your romantic relationships?
Do the ashes of desire for you remain
Do you still feel the same longing or passion for your partner even after the flame has died?
Like the sea
Endless and vast, love can be deep and mysterious like the ocean
There's a love too deep to show
There are some emotions or feelings that are too intense or personal to express
Took a storm before my love flowed for you
It took a difficult or trying situation before I realized that I loved you
Like a song
Similar to a musical piece or a melody
Out of tune and out of time
Feeling disconnected or not in sync with someone or something
All I needed was a rhyme for you
All I needed was a connection or a reason to love you
Do you give
Are you willing to give love and affection to others?
Do you live from day to day
Do you live each day as it comes or do you have plans for the future?
Is there no song I can play for you
Is there nothing I can do or say to make you feel loved or appreciated?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWARD R WHITE, MAXWELL A WOLFSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vincetomanelli2172
In 1977, I was lucky enough to have met the members of E.L.P.
(Emerson, Lake And Palmer) KEITH EMERSON, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer. Back then I was 12 years old and a few friends and I were playing baseball outside the Saint Michel Arena in Montreal Canada. Little did we know that E.L.P. had rented the arena to practice for their upcoming show at the Olympic Stadium (Montreal) on 26 August 1977, just a few days after ELVIS PRESLEY passed away.
We heard music being played inside the arena, but we didn't think anything of it. About an hour into us playing baseball, three people approached us (E.L.P.) and asked us if they can play baseball with us. We still had no idea who they were and we said...sure why not, the more the merrier. After playing for about another hour with Keith, Greg and Carl, they invited us in the arena to watch them practice. We accepted and watched them play for about an hour or so. We were amazed at how professional and kind these people were to us. After their practice was over, they thanked us for having played baseball with them and gave us each a **memento** (an object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event) I remember getting a Tambourine. To this day I have no idea where I put it.
On march 11, 2016, we lost KEITH EMERSON. Just a few days ago on December 7, 2016, we lost Greg Lake.
E.L.P. Were known for being one of the greatest progressive rock band ever.
Rest in peace Greg Lake and KEITH EMERSON. Thank you for the music and the memories. I will cherish them for the rest of my life.
@ConstantinCatalin
This must be one of the most beautiful song in history of all music...you can listen 1000 times and still has same magic effect... totally masterpiece.
@robertbos5484
Absolutely true.
@kurtwicklund8901
Subdued and uncomplicated and great.
@Barbara-jd5lb
Hail fellows well met ...Emerson and Palmer...from The Wrong Number Montreal...'76, Canada 🇨🇦
@debikami1
I know, right!😍
@rogeralmanzora5397
Magnífica, impresionante. Con letra de Pete Sinfield.
@raymondsenecal8943
August 1977 Montreal Olympique Stadium, i was theyre fantastic show, mark for life.❤
@RD-ut2fy
I was there......Omg.....full orchestra....what a fantastic band. I get goosebumps whenever I hear this song. Amazing!!!!!
@ConstantinCatalin
Sooo fortunately
@Notalwaysrightbutmostly
Remember listening to this album , it was brilliant.Greg Lake has a wonderful voice .Like so many musicians from this era a true artist. 70’s and 80’s were special