La Vida Es Un Carnaval

"La Vida Es Un Carnaval" (; English: "Life Is a Carnival") is a song performed by Cuban recording artist Celia Cruz. The song was written by Victor Daniel, produced by Isidro Infante, arranged by Isidro Infante and released as the lead single from Cruz's studio album Mi Vida Es Cantar (1998). The song won the award for Tropical Song of the Year at the 2003 Lo Nuestro Awards.

It has become one of Cruz's most popular songs, leading to the song being covered by several artists, including salsa singers Victor Manuelle and La India among others.

This song was featured in the 2000 Mexican film, Amores perros, and also in the 2002 film Antwone Fisher.

Cover versions
It was covered by reggaetón singer Mikey Perfecto on his second studio album Evolución Arrestada in 2004. The song featured guest vocals performed by Joel Dando Tra. The song combines merengue and reggaetón music and has a duration of two minutes and fifty-three seconds. It contains a verse written by Perfecto himself. Perfecto chose to cover the song because he listed Cruz as one of his many musical influences on the preceding interlude track of the album. That same year, fellow reggaetón singer Nicky Jam also covered "La Vida Es Un Carnaval". Puerto Rican singer Víctor Manuelle performed a live version of the song which was included on the live album Victor Manuelle en Vivo: Desde el Carnegie Hall. This version peaked at number 14 on the Tropical Songs chart. Manuelle also sang an acapella version of the song at Cruz' funeral in 2003, the impromptu performance ended the service. Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury included a Portuguese version of the song in her 2009 album Canibália, called "A Vida é um Carnaval". American entertainer Jennifer Lopez performed the song live as part the tribute to Cruz during the American Music Awards of 2013. Angélique Kidjo recorded a cover version and music video of the song in 2019.

Charts

References

Category:1998 singles
Category:2005 singles
Category:Víctor Manuelle songs
Category:La India songs
Category:Ivy Queen songs
Category:Nicky Jam songs
Category:1998 songs
Category:Celia Cruz songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Sergio George
Category:Daniela Mercury songs