Nevil's self-titled debut album in 1986 gave him a string of Hot 100 hits, although his subsequent albums were not as successful. He is best remembered for the song "C'est La Vie," a #1 dance hit that spent two weeks at #2 on the Hot 100 in early 1987.
Between 1986 and 1991, Robbie Nevil recorded three solo albums, the self-titled first being the most successful. It was produced by Alex Sadkin and recorded in England. Prior to this, he was involved in writing material for other Top 40 acts. Nevil also sang a duet with female vocalist Courtney Love at the funeral service for American pop artist Andy Warhol.
In recent years, Nevil has been more involved in producing and writing for other artists than in solo performance. He co-wrote three songs on the chart-topping High School Musical Soundtrack: "The Start of Something New", "We're All In This Together" and "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."
C'est la vie
Robbie Nevil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's okay
But they've got me workin' night and day
Punchin' in
Punchin' out
Is this really what life's all about?
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna feel?
What ya gonna feel, what ya gonna do?
Ooh, won't someone tell me?
What ya wanna say, what ya wanna do?
There's only one thing left to say
What ya wanna do, what ya wanna say? Woo
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
Oh yeah
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
Baby's gone, all alone (all alone)
Are you sad because you're on your own?
Get that girl, party down
There's so many good ones still around
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna feel?
I don't know
What ya gonna feel, what ya gonna do?
Ooh, won't someone tell me
What ya wanna say, what ya wanna do?
I guess there's just one thing to say
What ya wanna do, what ya wanna say? Woo-hoo
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
Oh yeah, ooh
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life), oh
Hey it's J.J. (hey it's J.J.)
What you been doin'?
You say your car broke down, the thing just isn't movin'
J.-j.j., don't you know?
When you're down there's just one way to go
Now sing it
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
Sometimes
C'est la vie, c'est la vie (ay, yeah)
That's just the way it goes
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
Mh-ay, ooh-yeah, mmh-yeah
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
Oh, that's just the way it goes (that's life)
You know it, ooh, yeah
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
(C'est la vie)
(That's life)
The first verse of Robbie Nevilโs โCโest La Vieโ is a reflection on the mundanity of everyday life. The singer has a job that they donโt seem to enjoy, and it takes up all their time. They punch in and punch out with no sense of fulfillment, leading them to question whether this is what life is all about. The second verse turns to matters of the heart, wondering what the singer is supposed to do in the face of a breakup. Should they feel sad about being alone or move on and find someone else? Once again, the singer is left with a feeling of not knowing what to do or how to feel.
The chorus of โCโest La Vieโ is a reminder that sometimes things donโt go our way and itโs just the way life is. The French phrase โCโest La Vieโ translates to โthatโs life,โ and itโs a common expression that emphasizes acceptance of the unexpected or inevitable. The song closes with a small interlude where a friend named J.J. is encouraged to keep going, and then the chorus repeats with an additional vocal flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a job
I have a job.
That's okay
It's fine.
But they've got me workin' night and day
But I'm working long hours.
Punchin' in
Clocking in.
Punchin' out
Clocking out.
Is this really what life's all about?
Is this what life is truly meant for?
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna feel?
What are you planning or feeling?
I don't know
I'm not aware.
What ya gonna feel, what ya gonna do?
What emotions are you going to express and what actions are you going to take?
Ooh, won't someone tell me?
Can someone advise me?
What ya wanna say, what ya wanna do?
What do you want to say or do?
There's only one thing left to say
There's only one thing that remains to be said.
What ya wanna do, what ya wanna say? Woo
What do you want to do or say? Woo-hoo!
C'est la vie, c'est la vie
That's life.
That's just the way it goes (that's life)
That's just the way things happen, that's life.
Oh yeah
Oh yes.
Baby's gone, all alone (all alone)
My baby has gone, and I'm all by myself.
Are you sad because you're on your own?
Are you feeling sad because you are alone?
Get that girl, party down
Get that girl and go party.
There's so many good ones still around
There are still many good options left.
Hey, it's J.J. (Hey, it's J.J.)
Hey, it's J.J. (Hey, it's J.J.).
What you been doin'?
What have you been up to?
You say your car broke down, the thing just isn't movin'
You say your car is broken and not functioning.
J.-j.j., don't you know?
J.-j.j., don't you know?
When you're down there's just one way to go
When you're down, there's only one way to go.
Now sing it
Now, sing it.
Sometimes
At times.
C'est la vie, c'est la vie (ay, yeah)
That's life.
That's just the way it goes
That's just the way things happen.
Mh-yh, ooh-yeah, mmh-yeah
Yes, indeed.
You know it, ooh yeah
You are aware, oh yeah.
(C'est la vie)
(That's life).
(That's life)
(That's life).
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Duncan Pain, Mark Holding, Robbie Nevil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derek.rodriguez2k18
They donโt make songs like this anymore!!! Miss the 80s!!!
@ElvarMasson
It's easy to make a song like this ๐
@carlbittner9691
Old boomer here, just turned 75 a few weeks ago. Was in my mid 30s when I first heard it and immediately adopted it as my go to if things got a little rough in life. Just dropped in to get the link to send to a friend. While here I decided to leave a comment and listen to it once again (4 times lol).
@lb9371
You go, Old boomer! I'm 49 and I just lost it as soon as I hit play! It came up as a suggestion. Soooo goood!
@katherts
Admit it. Four times for the chicks in video.
@steviebboy69
I was looking for another one I heard on the radio and it was Sonny & Cher Sing C'est La Vie, but I found this one as well. I remember it and I would have been in my teens.
@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
Ok, Boomer. Just had to do it...couldn't help myself.
@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
@@katherts Four times for the oil jacks and the dude on the forklift.
@LanaWalks
Us Gen Xโers had the best music in the 80โs. Lots of memories and good timesโฃ๏ธ
@Nopaants
Itโs called the decade of decadence for a reason. The pinnacle of of this society. Glad to have lived at the peak of this nation.