The song “C’est la vie” blends childhood memories with a burst of nostalgia and a deep reflection on the cyclicality and rotations of life. The lyrics describe an emotional scene in which the singer remembers himself as a little boy, listening to his mother singing to him. The song conveys the experience of the voices and melodies that influenced him and became an integral part of his consciousness. Each chorus begins with a descriptive sense of constant fluctuations of ups and downs that mimic the timing of life, which also swings between joy and sorrow.

In addition to the memories, the song also describes the universal experience of life itself, blending feelings of love and sorrow. The song offers insight into the fact that life is not just black or white, but a whirlwind of moments and feelings. The repetition in the song emphasizes the lightness and simplicity with which one can approach the human journey, thereby indicating the way we can choose to experience life based on the perspective we decide to adopt.

The song was written by the singer himself along with Arno Krabman who is responsible for the song “De Diepte” (translated as: “The Depth”) that represented the Netherlands in 2022 and reached 11th place in the grand final. In addition to these creators, the creators Joren van der Voort and Léon Palmen are involved in the writing and production of the song. Apart from Krabman, this is the first song by the other creators in the Eurovision competition. The song is performed in English and French.