Peak
16
Weeks
4
Score
759
Chart Year
1955
Everyone's in love with someone else, but somehow the right people never get together in this jazz standard written by Tin Pan Alley composer Edward White and Mack Wolfson. Backed by the Hugo Peretti Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan was one of the first artists to record the track in 1955 and was the most successful, staying on the pop charts for 15 weeks and peaking at #11. The French expression "c'est la vie" translates to "that's life." In the song, Vaughan responds to her mixed-up loved life with the phrase after another woman steals her man: There goes happy Jane Here's the reason why She just found a sweetheart But no one's gonna cry Though she stole his love from me C'est la vie, c'est la vie Two other versions charted in 1955: Pop singer Sunny Gale hit #85 and the vocal duo the DeJohn Sisters landed at #97. Wolfson and White were regular collaborators throughout the '50s, penning hits from Frank Sinatra ("Flowers Mean Forgiveness,") Tony Bennett ("Happiness Street (Corner Sunshine Square)"), and Patti Page ("Father, Father").
Johns in love with Joan Joans in love with Jim Jims in love with someone Whos not in love with him What was meant to be, must be Cest la vie, cest la vie Lifes a funny thing When it comes to love You dont always conquer The one youre dreaming of As they say in old Paree Cest la vie, cest la vie Those who fall in love agree Its the unsolved mystery If your big romance cannot be Youll find someone new, cherie There goes happy Joe What a lucky guy He just found a sweetheart But no ones gonna cry Tho he stole her love from me
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 19, 1955 | 18 | 108 |
| 2 | Nov 26, 1955 | 18 | 108 |
| 3 | Dec 3, 1955 | 18 | 108 |
| 4 | Dec 10, 1955 | 16 | 110 |