C est La Vie-The Wren(Cover)

Sat, 23 May 2026 23:59:31 +0000

Meaning of “C’est la vie” (and “C’est la wren”)
The phrase “c’est la vie” is a classic French expression that literally means “that’s life” or “such is life” FrenchLearner.com+1. It’s used when someone accepts a situation — often disappointing or unfortunate — as simply the way things are, with a tone of resignation or mild acceptance. In English, it can be translated as “that’s how it is,” “that’s how things go,” or “it is what it is”
The group began in 1950 with neighborhood friends Waldo Champen (“Champ Rollow”), Francis “Frenchie” Concepcion (tenor/baritone lead), Archangel “Archie” Oropeza (baritone), and Raoul McLeod (bass) Wikipedia. By 1952, Concepcion recruited George Magnezid (tenor) and James “Archie” Archer (bass), and in 1953 added Bobby Mansfield (tenor) to form a quartet. They sang at P.S. 99 community center before winning a local talent contest in 1954, which brought them to the attention of arranger/pianist Freddy Johnson, who became their manager Wikipedia+1.

George Goldner of Rama Records arranged a session on November 21, 1954, producing four tracks: Love’s Something That’s Made for Two, Beggin’ For Love, Come Back My Love, and Eleven Roses. The Wrens were known for smooth, elegant harmony singing with a mature ballad and jump‑number style, influenced by groups like the Moonglows doo-wop-groups. Their first released single was Love’s Something That’s Made for Two / Beggin’ For Love (Rama 53), followed by Come Back My Love / Beggin’ For Love (Rama 65), which gained local popularity.