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