La Vida Viene

Joe Dassin's song 'La Vida Viene' is a poetic reflection on the cyclical nature of life. The lyrics, sung in Spanish, emphasize the inevitability of life's ebb and flow, encapsulated in the recurring lines 'La vida viene, la vida va' (Life comes, life goes). This phrase sets the tone for the entire song, suggesting that life is a series of events that unfold as if preordained, with moments of both conflict and tranquility ('La vida es guerra, la vida es paz'). Dassin encourages a philosophy of living without malice and simply existing ('Sin mala sangre, vive y nada más')—a call to embrace life in its entirety, with all its ups and downs.

The song also delves into the human experience of understanding and misunderstanding the world. The line 'Muere un hombre sin comprender dónde está el dolor, dónde está el placer' (A man dies without understanding where the pain is, where the pleasure is) speaks to the existential quest for meaning that often remains unresolved. Dassin uses vivid imagery to illustrate the absurdities and wonders of life, such as a Zulu man in a top hat ordering Coca-Cola in perfect English, and the emergence of new cities while old ones sink beneath the sea. These images highlight the unpredictable and often surreal nature of existence.

In the latter part of the song, Dassin imagines a future where the sea has risen to cover Canada, a rock singer is crowned king in Japan, and oil is discovered on Pluto. These fantastical scenarios underscore the theme of constant change and the boundless possibilities of life. Yet, amidst these grand changes, the simple image of an old fisherman singing while he works ('Y allá un viejo pescador canta al trabajar') serves as a grounding reminder of the enduring human spirit. Through 'La Vida Viene,' Joe Dassin invites listeners to reflect on the transient yet beautiful nature of life and to find peace in its inevitable cycles.