Alexandre “Sacha” Distel (1933-2004) best known for a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, started out in music as a professional jazz guitarist at the age of 16. He went on to become a household name across the world during a career which peaked with his cover version of “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”.Considered a heart-throb around the world, he also appeared in a number of French films and television programmes.

“La Belle Vie” was written for him by Jean Broussolle in 1962. It was released on his eponymous album Sacha Distel in 1964. It is best known in the English-speaking world via a 1963 recording by Tony Bennett with English lyrics by Jack Reardon.

Ô la belle vie
Sans amour
Sans soucis
Sans problème

Oh the good life
Without love
Without worries
Without problems

Hum la belle vie
On est seul
On est libre
Et l’on s’aime

Oh the good life
You’re alone
You’re free
And in love

On s’amuse à passer avec tous ses copains
Des nuits blanches [white night = being out all night]
Qui se penchent [to bend}
Sur les petits matins [on small mornings]

You enjoy spending time with all your friends
The late nights
Which last
Until dawn

Mais la belle vie
Sans amour
Sans soucis
Sans problème

But the good life
Without love
Without worries
Without problems

Oui la belle vie
On s’en lasse
On est triste
Et l’on traîne

Yes the good life
You get tired of it
You’re sad
And you hang around aimlessly

Alors pense que moi je t’aime
Et quand tu auras compris
Réveille-toi
Je serai là
Pour toi

Now think that I love you
And as soon as you will understand this
Wake yourself up
I’m going to be there
For you

 

Tony Benett Song

Oh, the good life, full of fun
Seems to be the ideal
Mm, the good life lets you hide
All the sadness you feel

You won’t really fall in love
For you can’t take the chance
So please be honest with yourself
Don’t try to fake romance

It’s the good life to be free
And explore the unknown
Like the heartaches when you learn
You must face them alone

Please remember, I still want you
And in case you wonder why
Well, just wake up
Kiss the good life, goodbye