You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie) (Live at Oakland Coliseum Arena, October 31, 1992)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a young couple, Pierre and his mademoiselle, embarking on married life. It starts with a "teenage wedding" where "old folks wished them well," establishing a sense of youthful union met with the elders' cautious blessing. The narrative quickly moves to their "furnished apartment" and Pierre finding work, showing the practicalities of their new life. The repeated phrase "C'est la vie" from the old folks acts as a refrain, a shrug of acceptance for the unpredictable nature of life. The central tension lies in the contrast between the young couple's seemingly straightforward progression through married life and the underlying wisdom of the "old folks." While Pierre and his wife enjoy their "souped-up jitney" and blast "rock, rhythm and jazz" on their hi-fi, the elders' repeated "you never can tell" suggests an awareness of life's inherent uncertainties. This phrase, delivered with a sigh, hints that despite the outward appearance of happiness and stability, the future remains unwritten and potentially surprising. The most striking element is the cyclical nature of the narrative and the recurring refrain. The lyrics revisit the "teenage wedding" and the "chapel bell" in Verse 5, almost as if to emphasize that this is the core image, the starting point from which all subsequent events unfold. The phrase "C'est la vie" isn't just a statement; it's a philosophical stance, a recognition that life doesn't always follow a predictable path, regardless of how well things seem to be going at any given moment. This lyrical approach is effective because it grounds the abstract idea of life's unpredictability in concrete, relatable details of a young couple's experience. The specific images—the "two room Roebuck sale" apartment, the "cherry red '53" car, the "seven hundred little records"—make the couple's life tangible. The elders' resigned "C'est la vie" serves as a constant, gentle reminder that even in the midst of apparent contentment, the only certainty is that "you never can tell."