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Song Meaning

Sylvie Vartan's "it is what it is!" isn't just a goodbye; it's a manifesto of perpetual motion, a celebration of wanderlust deeply embedded in the artist's soul. The lyrics, primarily in French, speak to a journey without a fixed destination, a life lived on the road. It’s the inherent human drive for exploration, the insatiable curiosity that pushes us beyond our comfort zones. Vartan isn't just singing about travel; she's articulating a core tenet of existence – the necessity of forward movement, of embracing the unknown to truly understand oneself and the world. The repeated refrain, "Bye bye, bye bye, bye bye bye / Mais ce n'est qu'un aurevoir" (But it's only goodbye), tempers the sadness of departure with the optimistic promise of eventual return, suggesting a cyclical relationship with home and the wider world. The recurring theme of a home existing "dans le monde entier" (in the whole world) and songs without borders suggests a rejection of limiting definitions and a embrace of global interconnectedness. It speaks to a sense of belonging not tied to a specific place, but rather to a shared human experience. Vartan positions herself not merely as a traveler, but as a citizen of the world, her art transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. This resonates with a post-war generation that increasingly viewed the world as a single, interconnected entity. The act of leaving is normalized, even celebrated, as a necessary component of growth and discovery, and each return is marked by gifts, experiences that enriches the singer and presumably her audience. Ultimately, "it is what it is!" is a song about embracing the transient nature of life. The repeated calls to board "l'avion / Le train ou bien le bateau" (the plane / The train or the boat) emphasize the continuous movement, a relentless pursuit of new experiences. The inclusion of "merci beaucoup" (thank you very much) and "Vous avez été formidables ce soir" (You were great tonight) towards the end of the song provides a live performance context, strengthening the farewell message, as Sylvie addresses her audience. The song becomes a shared understanding, a call for the audience to embrace the unknown, much like the artist herself.