At age 16, Distel became a professional jazz guitarist. Over his career he worked alongside Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in the late 1950s after establishing himself as a French crooner.
Sacha Distel had a much publicized relationship with actress Brigitte Bardot but in 1963 he married skier Francine Bréaud. He reputedly broke off the relationship with Bardot after discovering her with another man.
In the 1960s, he composed 'La Belle Vie', a tune that made its way across the Atlantic as 'The Good Life', and most famously performed by Tony Bennett. French lyrics were added in the 1970s and it became Distel's signature tune. During the 1960s, he had his own variety show on French television.
During the 1970s, he became popular outside France, and once hosted the Miss World contest in London. In this decade, he spent more time in the UK than in France. Considered a Gallic heart throb in Britain he was a regular on British TV
Distel remained reasonably popular in France in the 1980s and 1990s, including a new show named after his song 'La Belle Vie'.
In 2001, Distel had a part as lawyer Billy Flynn in the London production of the musical Chicago. He did have an ambition to make a musical about the life of Maurice Chevalier, but this remained unfulfilled at the time of his death.
Sacha Distel died on 22 July 2004 near St Tropez,after a long battle with cancer.
His name was used in Peter Sarstedt's song "Where Do You Go To My Lovely".
The Good Life
Sacha Distel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance
So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance
It's the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
The lyrics to "Good Life" by Sacha Distel feat. Dionne Warwick seem to be a commentary on the idea of a "good life" and how it can often be a façade for underlying sadness and a fear of vulnerability. The opening lines, "Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal/Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel" imply that the singer sees through the illusion of the "good life" and recognizes that it is largely a cover-up for deeper emotional pain.
The chorus further underscores this theme by suggesting that the pursuit of the "good life" often involves avoiding genuine emotional connections with others. The line, "You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance/So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance" suggests that the singer sees love as something that requires vulnerability and risk, which are antithetical to the surface-level pleasures of the "good life".
The final verse takes on a more personal tone, with the singer indirectly challenging the person they're addressing to recognize the emptiness of their pursuits and consider a more meaningful connection. The lines, "Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why/Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye" suggest that there is something deeper and more rewarding to be found beyond the superficial trappings of the "good life".
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal
The life that is carefree and enjoyable appears to be perfect and the best choice.
Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
The good life allows you to conceal any pain or sorrow you may be experiencing.
You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance
You will not truly fall in love because you are afraid of the risks and uncertainty that come with it.
So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance
It is important to be truthful with yourself and avoid pretending or forcing love.
It's the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Living a life of liberty and curiosity is wonderful.
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
However, it is possible that discovering some truths while pursuing freedom can be painful and difficult to handle on your own.
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
I want you to know that I am still interested in you, and in case you are unsure about it, let me clarify.
Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye
However, it is time to face reality and abandon the idea that living a perfect, stress-free life is possible.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Reardon, Sacha Distel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maulana Kwartanto
congratulations, this version arrangement is so current and beautifully sung by the original composer Sacha Distel and our one and only legendary singer Dionne Warwick, thank you for the lovely duet.
Sacha Distel Officiel
Thank you!
Maybe you know this other duet with Dionne and Sacha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSgipJ9C5Es
All the best,
Maulana Kwartanto
@Sacha Distel Officiel hi...so appreciate it 👍
Grazia Iacono
Stupenda performance bravo ❤
Grazia Iacono
Stupenda performance bravo
Jérôme
Superbe chanson
Tere Fañanas
Maravillosa😊
aurelia zouzou
J'adore ...trop!!! Merci Sacha , paix à ton âme .
Jérôme
Magnifique
Classic Video Lover
Amazing how superb Dionne's head-voice is after more than 50 years of singing/touring live all over the world. Sweet!