Ooh La La

The Faces' song 'Ooh La La' is a poignant reflection on the wisdom that comes with age and the often harsh lessons learned through the passage of time. The lyrics are delivered from the perspective of an older man, possibly a grandfather, who looks back on his younger years with a sense of regret and a wish that he had known then what he knows now. This sentiment is encapsulated in the recurring line, 'I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger,' which serves as the song's central theme.

The song delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly the deceptive nature of romantic entanglements. The grandfather's advice about women, 'They trap you, then they use you, before you even know,' speaks to the disillusionment that can come with love. The metaphor of the 'can-can' show, which appears glamorous and enticing on the surface but reveals a much grayer reality backstage, further underscores the idea that appearances can be deceiving. This duality between expectation and reality is a recurring motif in the song.

'Ooh La La' also touches on the inevitability of learning life's lessons the hard way. The grandfather acknowledges that despite his advice, his grandson will have to go through the same experiences to truly understand them. This generational cycle of learning and growing, often through mistakes and heartache, is a universal theme that resonates deeply. The song's wistful tone and reflective lyrics make it a timeless piece that speaks to the human condition and the bittersweet nature of gaining wisdom through experience.