Henri Betti composed the melody for “C’Est Si Bon” in 1947. Betti was a pianist and composer for the legendary entertainer Maurice Chevalier. Reportedly, Betti’s inspiration for the melody occurred when strolling past a display window of a Scandale lingerie shop in Nice. Andre Hornez, who wrote for Ray Ventura and Les Collegiens as well as for Chevalier, contributed lyrics and the song’s three-word title.
Eventually, “C’Est Si Bon” was recorded by many international singers including Yves Montand in 1948 and again in 1964. Louis Armstrong heard the song at the Nice Jazz Festival in 1948. The 1948 Nice festival is generally regarded as the first jazz festival of international significance. Armstrong liked it so much that he and Decca released an English version in 1950 with lyrics by Jerry Seleen that became a worldwide sensation. Armstrong’s two-sided disc had “C’Est Si Bon” on one side and “La Vie en Rose” on the other side and was Satchmo’s biggest hit to date. It has been recorded since by many artists and in many languages.
Eventually, “C’Est Si Bon” was recorded by many international singers including Yves Montand in 1948 and again in 1964. Louis Armstrong heard the song at the Nice Jazz Festival in 1948. The 1948 Nice festival is generally regarded as the first jazz festival of international significance. Armstrong liked it so much that he and Decca released an English version in 1950 with lyrics by Jerry Seleen that became a worldwide sensation. Armstrong’s two-sided disc had “C’Est Si Bon” on one side and “La Vie en Rose” on the other side and was Satchmo’s biggest hit to date. It has been recorded since by many artists and in many languages.
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C'est si bon, de partir n'importe où
Bras dessus bras dessous, en chantant des chansons C'est si bon, de se dire des mots doux Des petits rien du tout, mais qui en disent long. En voyant notre mine ravie Les passants dans la rue nous envient. C'est si bon, de guetter dans ses yeux Un espoir merveilleux, qui me donne le frisson C'est si bon, ces petites sensations Sa vaut plus qu'un million Tellement tellement c'est bon! Vous devinez quel bonheur est le notre Et si je l'aime vous comprenez pourquoi Elle m’enivre et je n’en veut pas d’autres Car elle est toutes les femmes à la fois Elle me fait "o" Elle me fait "a" C'est si bon, de pouvoir l'embrasser Et puis de recommencer, à la moindre occasion C'est si bon, de jouer du piano Tout le long se son dos, pendant que nous dansons C'est inouï, ce qu'elle a pour seduire Sans parler de c'que je n'peux pas dire! C'est si bon, quand j'la tiens dans mes bras De me dire que tout ca, c'est a moi pour de bon C'est si bon, et si nous nous aimons, Cherchez pas la raison-- C'est parc'que c'est si bon! C'est parce que c'est si bon! C'est parce que c'est si bon! |
It’s so good, to go out no matter where,
Arm under, arm over, while singing songs. It’s so good, to share sweet words, Little nothings-at-all, but which say a lot. Seeing our delighted demeanor, The passers-by in the street envy us. It’s so good to search in her eyes A marvelous hope that gives me a thrill. It’s so good, these little feelings, Worth more than a million It’s so, so good! You can guess, the happiness that is ours And if I love her, you understand why She intoxicates me and I don’t want others For she is all women at once She makes me go, “Oh!” She makes me go, “Ah!” It’s so good, to be able to hold her, And then start again, at the smallest excuse. It’s so good, to play the piano All the length of her back, while we dance. It’s unheard-of, what she has for seducing, Not to mention what I can’t mention! It’s so good, when I hold her in my arms, To tell myself that all this, it’s mine for good. It’s so good, and if we are in love, Don’t look for the reason-- It’s because it’s so good! It’s because it’s so good! It’s because it’s so good! |
NB:
- “qui en dissent long:” means “which say a lot,” “which speak volumes”
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