Karen Biehl’s new single “C’est La Vie” is a thought-provoking piece. When we say “That’s life” or “That’s how it is”, or “C’est La Vie” in French, is that a negative statement? Is it a way to admit defeat, to surrender? The song has some insights that may give an answer to these questions. “C’est La Vie” is yet another jewel from Karen Biehl.
Karen Biehl has studied with former Metropolitan Opera star Thomas Hayward before completing her master’s degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is also classically trained in piano and violin. She is the creator of the “Journey to True Love“, “Journey to True Health” and “Journey to True Purpose” guided meditation series. For “Starlight Dreams” the readers and listeners here on Newagemusic.guide awarded Biehl the Best Solo Piano 2018 award. Karen has given us four singles recently; “Portal to Peace”, “As It Was, Ages Hence”, “Echoing Canyon” (which are available in two versions: I & II) – and, in time for Halloween last year, she released “The Castle”.
C’est La Vie
It is no secret that “C’est La Vie” initially might seem like a sad song. There’s a heavy melancholy here that connects with the listener’s soul almost instantly, reminiscent of rainy days or black & white movies. The gentle, somewhat muffled piano seems to confirm this impression.
There’s another way to interpret the piece that I find very interesting. “C’est La Vie” might mean “you can never tell”. Listening to the song once more, you’ll notice that there’s resilience right under the surface, something that’s driving the song forward – and the song ends on a high note.
I believe this interpretation is also to be found in the cover artwork. We see the child in the middle playing with the balloon, surrounded by the enormity of space and the long shadows. The child represents a youthful force, unwilling to be beaten by the circumstances. That is the very definition of both in the song, the artwork and – in this context – the “C’est La Vie” expression.
I love how Biehl manages to balance two conflicting emotions; the melancholy and the willingness to keep on going. The song has a comforting tone, supported by the rich and warm sounding piano. It drives away the sadness, making “C’est La Vie” into a deeply healing song – and yet another proof that Karen Biehl is one of the finest and most promising artists on the New Age music scene today.
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