Litfiba is an Italian rock band formed in Florence in 1980 and still active… Read Full Bio ↴Litfiba is an Italian rock band formed in Florence in 1980 and still active.
The meeting of 5 punk (though it was then on the decline), new wave and simply rock music fans with then no musical background gave birth to Litfiba.

The band was born in Florence in 1980. The name Litfiba is the mixing of several words: Località ("place"), ITalia (Italy), FIrenze ("Florence") and via dei BArdi ("Bardi street" where the band was based). The original band was composed of four members: Federico Renzulli (nicknamed Ghigo) on guitars, Gianni Maroccolo on bass, Sandro Dotta on solo guitar (who left the band after a few weeks) and Francesco Calamai on drums. Vocals were then performed by Renzulli. Antonio Aiazzi on keyboards and Piero Pelù on vocals joined the band shortly after.

From the early 1980s until now, the band evolved from a British influenced new wave pop-rock to a more personal and inspired rock music, always with Italian singing. Litfiba is often considered Italy's most important and influential rock band.

Piero Pelù left the band July 11th, 1999 pursuing a solo career.

Ghigo then decided to follow on immediately with a renewed and rejuvenated band. New singer Gianluigi Cabo Cavallo, bass and drums player Gianluca Venier e Ugo Nativi from the funk-rock band Malfunk join Litfiba.
The new group deprived of its historical frontman releases 4 albums (Elettromacumba, Insidia, LiveOnLine, Essere o sembrare)

In the beginning of November 2006 Cabo decided to leave Litfiba.

C'est La Vie
Litfiba Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

C'est la vie
Sorriso suadente,
Un vero vincente sicuro di se
Aspetto elegante,
Promessa importante,
Che non manterrà
C'est la vie, mon ami, c'est la vie
Venderai, come sai, venderai

E lo show sarà sempre così
E non cambieranno mai
Sai se ti cloni ce la fai
In televisione,
Se accetti il copione,
Diventi una star
C'est la vie, mon ami, c'est la vie
Duetti e terzetti,
A volte falsetti, e via la tournée
C'est la vie, mon ami, c'est la vie
Venderai, come sai, venderai
E lo show sarà sempre così
E non cambieranno mai
Sai se ti cloni ce la fai
Sai che non cambieranno mai
Sai se ti cloni ce la fai
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
C'est la vie, mon ami
C'est la vie mon ami
C'est la vie, c'esta la vie
Mon ami, mon ami

C'est la vie, c'est la vie
Mon ami, mon ami

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Litfiba's song C'est La Vie depict the entertainment industry as a shallow and superficial industry where success is predicated on one's ability to sell an image rather than one's actual talent. The opening lines paint a picture of a charming and confident individual with an elegant appearance who promises great things but fails to deliver. The chorus "C'est La Vie, mon ami, c'est la vie" highlights the acceptance of this way of life, acknowledging that success is possible through superficial means, and this is just the way it is. The lyrics suggest that success is attainable for those who follow a particular script, a blueprint that involves cloning oneself, performing in duets and trios, and selling oneself entirely for the show. The lyrics conclude with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the overall message of resignation to the expectations of the entertainment industry.

The song is a criticism of the music and entertainment industry, highlighting the consequences of conforming to the industry's superficial standards, and how this can lead to an unnatural and unfulfilling life. While it is a cynical portrayal of the entertainment industry, it sheds light on the industry's darker aspects, where the pressure to succeed can lead to a loss of artistic individuality.

Line by Line Meaning

C'est la vie
That's life

Sorriso suadente, Un vero vincente sicuro di se
Confident winner with a persuasive smile

Aspetto elegante, Promessa importante, Che non manterrà
Elegant appearance, important promise, but won't keep it

Venderai, come sai, venderai
You'll sell, as you know, you'll sell

E lo show sarà sempre così, E non cambieranno mai
The show will always be like this, they'll never change

Sai se ti cloni ce la fai
You know if you clone yourself, you'll make it

In televisione, Se accetti il copione, Diventi una star
On television, if you accept the script, you become a star

Duetti e terzetti, A volte falsetti, e via la tournée
Duets and trios, sometimes falsetto, and off on tour

Sai che non cambieranno mai, Sai se ti cloni ce la fai
You know they'll never change, you know if you clone yourself, you'll make it

C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's life, that's life

C'est la vie, mon ami
That's life, my friend