C'est La Vie - Robbie Nevil (1987) 8/28/23

Roughly translated, the French phrase "C'est la Vie" means "That's Life!"

Or as Robbie Nevil put it in his "Great Song of 1987: "That's just the way it goes."

Robbie, Mark Holding and Duncan Pain wrote the song with Kool & the Gang in mind, adding sort of a "funky bounce" to it.

Instead of Kool & The Gang however, Gospel singer Beau Williams first recorded the song in 1984, and did a pretty good job with it! (Click the link below).

Robbie then recorded it for his self-titled debut album, but was against releasing it as the first single. His producer Steve Reed told him it would be a hit, and he'd be a fool if he didn't release it. Still, Robbie waffled...but then his 96-year-old grandmother told him it was the right choice, so it was decided!

Steve & Grandma were onto something!

All in all, "C'est La Vie" was: a Top 10 hit in 13 countries, reaching #1 in Canada, Finland and Switzerland. In the US, it topped Billboard's Dance Chart, and climbed to #2 on the Hot 100.

Note: The song was used on TV's "Everybody Hates Chris,"and on the silver screen in Mike Meyers' "The Love Guru."

"C'est La Vie" by Robbie Nevil: a Great Debut with a Great Song of 1987! That's Life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGtf9QfITQw

Beau Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ0NVbLU9vA

Tomorrow: Eric's Hungry...