"C'est la Vie (Always 21)" is the first new single released from Ace of Base's first greatest hits album, Singles of the 90s. It was produced by Jimmy James Ekgren, Sonny Peterson and Sigurd Rosnes of JPR Productions. It was released in Europe on 25 October 1999. A planned UK release with additional remixes for 6 December was cancelled, but the remixes were finally released commercially in 2020 as part of the boxset All That She Wants: The Classic Collection. A music video was produced to promote the single. The video was directed by Patric Ullaeus and charted #1 in Spain.
Critical reception AllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as "young-at-heart" in his review of the band's Greatest Hits album. Swedish newspaper Expressen wrote that it "sounds as if Ace Of Base has gone into childhood again". They added that "the group's charm comes out best" on a song like "C'est la Vie (Always 21)"."ACE OF BASE: C'est la vie (always 21)". Expressen. 30 October 1999.
Track listing Scandinavia/Germany maxi single Radio Version - 3:26 Megamix (Short Version) - 3:24 Cecilia (Ole Evenrude Version) - 4:35 Megamix (Long Version) - 7:19 Discomatic Remix - 3:56
UK maxi single (unreleased) Radio Edit - 3:29 Megamix (Long Version) - 7:19 All That She Wants (12" Version) - 6:46
Official versions/remixes Album Version Discomatic Remix (also simply titled "Remix" on some releases) Shaft Radio Edit Shaft Club Mix Skeewiff's Full Bitter Sleaze Sisters Anthem Tuff Twins Mix
Release history Region Date Label Germany 25 October 1999 Polydor Sweden 8 November 1999 Mega Spain 10 January 2000 Polydor
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "C'est la Vie (Always 21)"Chart (1999–2000)Peakposition
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for "C'est la Vie (Always 21)"Chart (2000)RankEurope Border Breakers (Music & Media)78
References