Just as there is a drastic difference between the Louis Armstrong version of What a Wonderful World, and that of Hawaiian folk singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, yet both bring tears to one's eyes, both move straight to the heart, and both are timeless.

So, too, is La Vie en rose. For this analysis, though, it was easier to try to quantify some of the similarities and differences between recorded performances and then hone in on what makes the differing versions so uniquely special. By sticking to female singer with somewhat of a torch song tone, we can get more of a uniquely "french" flavor in the classic:

Artist

Genre' Version

Year

Comments

Piaf, Edith

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=b1fWC8-KJwM

French Folk, Torch

1946+ several versions

Classic french folk with pining voice, silky vowel sounds and sensuous chord changes

Francis, Connie

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=JJLPmSVnaPU

At the height of her popularity; less sultry, more in line with...
[ View Full Essay]