C'est la vie (Khaled song)

"C'est la vie"
Single by Khaled
from the album C'est la vie
Released2 July 2012
Genre
Length3:50
LabelUniversal Music Division AZ
Songwriter(s)Khaled, RedOne, Alex Papaconstantinou, Bilal Hajji, Björn Djupström[1]
Producer(s)RedOne
Khaled singles chronology
"Même pas fatigué !!!"
(2009) 		"C'est la vie"
(2012) 		"Hiya Hiya"
(2012)
Music video
"C'est la vie" on YouTube

"C'est la vie" is a song by Algerian raï singer Khaled. It was produced by Moroccan-Swedish producer RedOne and released on Universal Music Division AZ becoming a summer hit for Khaled in France in 2012.

Content

The song is bilingual, with the main verses in Algerian Arabic and the chorus in French. The chorus repeats the phrase:

On va s'aimer
On va danser
Oui c'est la vie
Lala, lalala...
We shall love each other
We shall dance
Yes, this is life
Lala, lalala...

Charts

The song is considered to be a comeback for Khaled in France after a three-year absence in the charts. Released in July 2012, the song entered the official French Singles Chart at number 30 and later peaked at number 4. In addition to its success in France, it became very popular throughout Belgium and Slovakia, where it reached the top 10. In 2013, the single was certified platinum by the Belgian Entertainment Association.[2] The song also charted in the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, and Switzerland and received radio airplay in Canada. "C’est La Vie" sold over one million copies in the European market, 1.8 million copies in the Middle East and North Africa, and over 4 million copies worldwide.[3][4] The album reached number 5 on SNEP, the official French Albums Chart.[5]

Chart performance

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[2] Platinum 30,000*
Italy (FIMI)[18] Gold 50,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Marc Anthony version

"Vivir Mi Vida"
Single by Marc Anthony
from the album 3.0
Released26 April 2013
Recorded2013
StudioHit Factory Criteria (Miami)
GenreSalsa
Length4:11
LabelSony Music Latin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Sergio George
Marc Anthony singles chronology
"¿Por Qué Les Mientes?"
(2012) 		"Vivir Mi Vida"
(2013) 		"Cambio de Piel"
(2013)
Music video
"Vivir Mi Vida" on YouTube
"Vivir Mi Vida" redirects here. Not to be confused with Viva la Vida.
"Vivir Mi Vida"
Sample from the Marc Anthony's cover
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In 2013, American singer Marc Anthony covered the Khaled song as a salsa tune titled "Vivir Mi Vida" ("Live My Life") for his studio album 3.0.[19] This version was produced by Sergio George and recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida.[20] Anthony performed it live at the 2013 Latin Billboard Music Awards.[21] The music video, directed by Carlos Perez of Elastic People, was released on September 10, 2013. "Vivir Mi Vida" won a Latin Grammy Award in 2013 for Record of the Year and holds the record for the second-longest run inside the top-five in the Billboard Latin Songs, with 51 weeks.[22] A "Pop" version was also produced using the instrumental of the original Khaled version and is included on the album.[23]

In 2017, Anthony's former wife Jennifer Lopez covered the song in her "Spotify Session" as a tribute to his late mother and her former mother-in-law. As of May 2021, the music video for Anthony's version of the song has received over 1 billion views on YouTube.[24]

Track listing

Digital download[25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Vivir Mi Vida"
Sergio George4:11

Chart performance

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[42] Platinum 50,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[43] 2× Diamond+Gold 630,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] 4× Platinum 240,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[45]
Remix version 		3× Platinum 180,000‡
United States (RIAA)[46] 16× Platinum (Latin) 960,000‡
Streaming
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[47] Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Hashem Melech

"Hashem Melech"
Single by Gad Elbaz and Beni Elbaz
ReleasedJanuary 2013
Music video
"Hachem Melech" by Gad and Beni Elbaz (in Hebrew and French on YouTube

Israeli singer Gad Elbaz created a new version of the song calling it "Hashem Melech" (in Hebrew ה' מלך) as a sort of contemporary Jewish worship song based on and adapted from "C'est la vie".[48]

The Israeli version released in January 2013 as a duet between Gad Elbaz and his singer father Beni Elbaz contains Hebrew and French lyrics, though the Hebrew lyrics are not related to Khaled's all-French original lyrics and more geared to religious content.[49] The chorus repeats the phrases (translation in parentheses and italics)

Hashem Melech (The Lord is King)
Hashem Malach (The Lord was King)
Hashem Yimloch (The Lord will be King)
Le'olam Va'ed (Forever and ever)

Elbaz also released an all-Hebrew version of the song.[50] "Hashem Melech" was a minor hit in Israel and in Orthodox Jewish circles worldwide.

The Hebrew lyrics in the refrain are the same as those of a famous song also titled "Hashem Melech" by the well-known Jewish singer Yosef Karduner.

In September 2015, Elbaz released another limited version featuring additional vocals by the young Israeli child singer Yosef Chaim.[51][52]

Hashem Melech 2.0

"Hashem Melech 2.0"
Single by Gad Elbaz featuring Nissim
Released2016
Producer(s)Daniel Finkelman
Music video
"Hashem Melech 2.0" by Gad Elbaz feat. Nissim (in Hebrew and English on YouTube

In 2016, Elbaz teamed with Hasidic rapper Nissim (full name Nissim Baruch Black, born Damian Jamohl Black and a convert from Islam to Christianity and eventually to Judaism) to create a rap-infused version of the song now titled "Hashem Melech 2.0" to distinguish it from the original Elbaz version. The rap by Nissim is primarily English language, and is said to dominate the song, wrapping around and throughout the elements of the original "1.0" song.[53]

Still a bilingual song, "Hashem Melech" now featured Hebrew and English lyrics instead. Elbaz' original French lyrics were dropped in favor of English in the new version, but his Hebrew lyrics were retained for the new version. Nissim's rap segments were all in English. The popularity of the second version far exceeded that of the first.

Daniel Finkelman created a sophisticated, exuberant, multiracial dance video of the new version, set against the New York City skyline and streetscape. The New-York themed music video features Elbaz and Nissim dancing and delivering their religious message dancing joyously through the New York city streets and on skyscraper rooftops, amidst a changing New York skyline, encouraging listeners to believe in a better tomorrow.

Ali B version

"Voy a Bailar"
Single by Ali B featuring Boef, Rolf Sanchez and RedOne
Released28 July 2017
Recorded2017
Length2:38
LabelWarner
Producer(s)RedOne, Jordan Wayne
Ali B singles chronology
"Money voor mij"
(2017) 		"Voy a Bailar"
(2017) 		"Obesitas"
(2017)
Boef singles chronology
"Come Again"
(2017) 		"Voy a Bailar"
(2017) 		"Antwoord"
(2018)
Rolf Sanchez singles chronology
"Paso a Paso"
(2017) 		"Voy a Bailar"
(2017) 		"Te Va a Doler"
(2017)
RedOne singles chronology
"Don't You Need Somebody"
(2017) 		"Voy a Bailar"
(2017) 		"Boom Boom"
(2017)
Music video
"Voy a bailar" on YouTube

In 2017, the Dutch rapper Ali B released the single "Voy a Bailar", largely an adaptation of the Khaled song but with adaptations from the Latin "Vivir Mi Vida" cover from Marc Anthony. Ali B added rap lyrics in Dutch. The release featured additional vocals by Boef, Rolf Sanchez and RedOne.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[54] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[55] 13

Year-end charts

Chart (2017) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[56] 55
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[57] 85

The song became popular in Indonesia, a majority-Muslim country. A political campaign there in early 2017 developed a theme song called "Kobarkan Semangat Jakarta".[58] Based on "C'est la vie" and "Hashem Malach", it created controversy as no attribution was given to either work. This sent the Khaled French version and surprisingly the Elbaz Hebrew version "Hashem Melech" to trend on Indonesian Twitter.[59]

The Spanish version “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony was played on August 12, 2023 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario prior to the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Chicago Cubs during the Level of Excellence induction ceremony for Blue Jays great José Bautista; the song was played when Bautista’s family was introduced onto the field by the event’s MC, Hazel Mae of Canadian sports channel Sportsnet.[60]

See also

References

  1. ^ Swedish Charts.com Khaled - "C'est la vie" song page
  2. ^ a b "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2013". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  3. ^ Steve Sullivan (17 May 2017). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 693. ISBN 978-1-4422-5449-7.
  4. ^ Andrew Hammond (22 May 2017). Pop Culture in North Africa and the Middle East: Entertainment and Society around the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-4408-3384-7.
  5. ^ emiratesvoice. "Cheb Khaled tops best French song list". emiratesvoice.
  6. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  7. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  8. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 29. týden 2013 in the date selector.
  9. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie" (in French). Les classement single.
  10. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201312 into search.
  12. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie". Singles Top 100.
  13. ^ "Khaled – C'est la vie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  14. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2013". Ultratop. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Italian single certifications – Khaled – C'est la vie" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Marc Anthony to Launch First Single". Indiatimes. The Times of India Group. 2013-04-23.
  20. ^ "Univision estrena en exclusiva 'Vivir Mi Vida', el nuevo tema de Marc Anthony". Univision (in Spanish). Univision Communication. 2013-04-26. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  21. ^ "Marc Anthony presentará el sencillo "Vivir mi vida"". El Informador (in Spanish). 2013-04-21. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  22. ^ "El día en imágenes" (in Spanish). Yahoo!. 5 June 2013.
  23. ^ Marc Anthony - Topic (2014-11-06), Vivir Mi Vida (Versión Pop), retrieved 2018-09-25
  24. ^ Marc Anthony (September 10, 2013). Marc Anthony - Vivir Mi Vida (Official Video) (YouTube) (in Spanish). Video on YouTube. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  25. ^ "Vivir Mi Vida- Single by Marc Anthony". iTunes US. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  26. ^ "National Report - Top Nacional" (in Spanish). National Report. 2013-08-18. Archived from the original on 2013-07-02.
  27. ^ "Marc Anthony - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  28. ^ "Marc Anthony – Vivir Mi Vida" Canciones Top 50.
  29. ^ "Marc Anthony Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  30. ^ "Marc Anthony Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard.
  31. ^ "Marc Anthony Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  32. ^ "Marc Anthony Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  33. ^ "Marc Anthony Chart History (Tropical Airplay)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Top 50 Canciones Anual 2013". Promuiscae.es. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  35. ^ "Hot Latin Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  36. ^ "Tropical Airplay Songs Year-End Charts (2013)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  37. ^ "Top 50 Songs Annual 2014". elportaldemusica.es. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  38. ^ "Hot Latin Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  39. ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Navas-Cantor, Judy (4 October 2018). "The 20 Top Tropical Songs of All Time: Don Omar, Romeo Santos, Daddy Yankee & More". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  41. ^ "Greatest Of All Time Hot Latin Songs Chart". Billboard. 2021. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  42. ^ "Italian single certifications – Marc Anthony – Vivir Mi Vida" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  43. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 23 January 2024. Type Marc Anthony in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Vivir Mi Vida in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  44. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Marc Anthony – Vivir Mi Vida". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Marc Anthony – Vivir Mi Vida - Yo Fred Remix". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  46. ^ "American single certifications – Marc Anthony – Vivir Mi Vida". Recording Industry Association of America.
  47. ^ "Spanish single streaming certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 7 July 2014. Select Streaming under "Categoría", select 2014 under "Año". Select 26 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  48. ^ "Musical Cultural Diffusion And Halacha - Yeshiva World News". Yeshiva World News. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  49. ^ Gad Elbaz & Beni Elbaz - "Hashem Melech" - in Hebrew and French
  50. ^ Gad Elbaz & Beni Elbaz - "Hashem Melech" - in Hebrew only
  51. ^ Dixie Yid: Awesome "Hashem Melech" Song - From Uman this Year - Gad Elbaz Video
  52. ^ Gad Elbaz & Yosef Chaim - "Hashem Melech" - in Hebrew and French
  53. ^ "The Rap on Jewish Rap: Israeli Singer Gad Elbaz Has Teamed up With Rapper Nissim Black". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  54. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 2017" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Ali B feat. Boef, Rolf Sanchez & RedOne – Voy A Bailar" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  56. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2017". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  58. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  59. ^ Netralnews.Com. "Netralnews.com - Heboh, Diduga Lagu Kampanye Anies-Sandi Jiplak Lagu Yahudi" [Heboh, Suspected Campaign Songs Anies-Sandi Jiplak Lagu Juda]. netralnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  60. ^ FULL Jose Bautista Level Of Excellence Ceremony, 12 August 2023, retrieved 2023-12-04