The song of the day for Saturday, November 2, 2024, is “La Vie En Rose.”
About Today
The Year of Tony Bennett wishes k.d. lang a very happy birthday. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 2, 1961. lang’s career started with country and western songs, with early albums including Angel with a Lariat and Absolute Torch and Twang in the 1980s. She also made several notable studio albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including Shadowland and Ingenue.
Her recording of “So In Love” for the 1990 Red Hot + Blue (a Cole Porter tribute album that raised money ACT UP) was significant to me–I knew then that she was a great singer of the American Songbook:
k.d. lang began her association with Tony Bennett in 1994 when she sang a duet of “Moonglow” with Bennett on MTV Unplugged. This was followed by the 2001 Playin’ With My Friends (“Keep The Faith, Baby”); 2002 A Wonderful World; 2006 Duets: An American Classic (“Because of You”); and the 2011 Duets II (“Blue Velvet”). Also note that CBS Sunday Morning invited her to sing “Because Of You” in their tribute to Tony Bennett after his death:
Happy Birthday to k.d. lang!
About This Song
“La Vie En Rose” was written in 1945 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy), with lyrics by Edith Piaf. English lyrics were written by Mack David. Initially, the song was thought to be weak compared to the rest of her repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.
About This Version
Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in March 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.
“La Vie En Rose,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.
Here’s a 1954 recording of Edith Piaf singing “La Vie En Rose.”