1986 Robbie Nevil – C’est La Vie (US:#2 UK:#3)

“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 album Bodacious! (1984).

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 number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in January 1987 and remained in the top 40 for 16 weeks, becoming his highest-charting US hit. (It was kept from number one by two songs, “Shake You Down” by Gregory Abbott and “At This Moment” by Billy Vera and the Beaters.) Additionally, the song went to number one on the Hot Dance Club Play American dance chart for one week in February 1987 with an Arthur Baker remix. . Internationally, the song reached number three on the UK singles charts and number one in Canada and Switzerland. The song featured in the Black Mirror episode, “San Junipero”.

Album

Robbie Nevil is Robbie Nevil’s first album, released in 1986. It peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for 46 weeks. The album produced three Billboard Top 20 pop singles: “C’est La Vie” (#2), “Dominoes” (#14) and “Wot’s It to Ya” (#10). In the United Kingdom, the album was retitled C’est […]

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Musicians

Bass	Tommy Faragher
Guitar	Robbie Nevil
Keyboards	John van Tongeren
Keyboards	Tommy Faragher
Sax	Ian Ritchie
Cymbal	Mike Nocito
HiHAt	Boris Williams
Percussion	Frank Ricotti
Background Vocals	Carol Kenyon
Background Vocals	Chris Thompson
Background Vocals	Elaine Griffiths
Background Vocals	Fiona Griffiths
Background Vocals	Miriam Stockley
Background Vocals	Stevie Lange
Background Vocals	Tommy Faragher
Vocals	Robbie Nevil

Produced By

Alex Sadkin
Phil Thornalley

Songwriters

Duncan Pain
Robbie Nevil
Mark Holding

Charts

US:#2
UK:#3