Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (US 12") (1986)

“C’est la Vie” is a song by American singer-songwriter Robbie Nevil from his self-titled debut album in 1986. The song was first recorded by gospel singer Beau Williams for his 1985 album Bodacious!.

Written by Nevil with Duncan Pain and Mark Holding, Nevil recorded the song for his eponymous debut album, and it was released as the first single. Nevil’s single spent two weeks at #2 on the U.S. singles chart in January 1987 and remained in the top 40 for 16 weeks, becoming his highest-charting U.S. hit. (It was kept from #1 by two songs, “Shake You Down” by Gregory Abbott and “At This Moment” by Billy Vera and the Beaters). Additionally, the song went to #1 on the American dance chart for one week in February 1987. Internationally, the song reached #3 on the United Kingdom charts. The song went to #1 almost exactly 20 years after Frank Sinatra’s song “That’s Life” (which is the English translation of the song title) did the same.

Nevil performed the song on the May 30, 1987 broadcast of Soul Train.

Tracks:

SIDE A:
C’est La Vie (Extended Version) 7:06
C’est La Vie (Single Version) 3:25

SIDE B:
C’est La Vie (Dub Mix) 7:15
Time Waits For No One 5:22