La Vie en Rose is Edith Piaf’s signature tune. It was written in 1945 with music by Louiguy and lyrics by Piaf, popularized in 1946 and released as a single in 1947 by Columbia, later appearing on the album Chansons Parisiennes (1950). The title translates to Life in rose-colored hues or Life seen through rose-colored glasses, and the lyrics celebrate the joy of finding true love after the hardships of World War II. The song made Piaf internationally famous and became one of her best-known tunes, alongside Milord and Non, Je ne regrette rien. English lyrics were added by Mack David, and several US versions charted in 1950, including those by Tony Martin, Bing Crosby, and Louis Armstrong. Grace Jones delivered a bold 1977 cover on the album Portfolio, turning it into a disco-bossa nova hit. La Vie en Rose has a Grammy Hall of Fame Award (1998) and remains a staple in films and media, from WALL-E to Piaf biopics.
