Five Songs That Changed My Life: La Vie En Rose

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. La Vie En Rose is the second song in this series.

Learning to Be Brave in Front of Others

La Vie En Rose has always carried special meaning for me—it was a favorite of my late mother, and long before I ever played it, the song already felt like home. When I began learning ‘ukulele via YouTube, I came across Cynthia Lin’s arrangement, and it immediately drew me in. I chose to add a fingerpicked introduction which was a completely new style of playing for me, and the gentle jazz swing of the song felt both elegant and comfortable. It challenged me just enough to grow without feeling overwhelmed.

This song also holds a special place in my heart because it was the very first piece I ever played as a solo at an ‘ukulele jam. I still remember how nervous I was—sweaty hands, shaking fingers, and that moment of wondering if I could actually get through it. And I did. That experience taught me something important about myself: even with stage fright, I love playing in front of others. La Vie En Rose marked the moment when music stopped being something I practiced alone and became something I shared, and that shift was significant.