| abstract
| - %22C'est si bon%22 is a French popular song, also known by English translation of the title, %22It's So Good%22. The music was composed in 1947 by Henri Betti. The French lyrics were written by André Hornez, the English lyrics by Jerry Seelen.It is looking at the window of a lingerie shop under the arcades of the avenue Jean Médecin in Nice in July 1947 as the first nine notes of the song come to mind of the composer Henri Betti. He writes the notes in a notebook to be able to play on the piano. Once back home, he composed the melody in less than ten minutes. He then made an appointment with lyricist André Hornez at the Hotel Powers in Paris to find a title for the song. André Hornez said that the title should be three syllables, the first three notes of the song. The next day he showed Henri Betti a list of ten titles, each of three syllables, the last of which was C'est si Bon. Henri Betti told André Hornez he liked it, but hesitated because there was a current Charles Trenet song called C'est Bon. Henri Betti told him that si made all the difference. The song was registered with the SACEM on 16 August 1947 and was published by Paul Beuscher.Before finding a professional singer for the song, Henri Betti sang it himself at the restaurant La Réserve in Nice. Yves Montand then turned the song down. The music publisher arranged to have it recorded by Jacques Hélian and his Orchestra for the radio on 18 January 1948, vocal by Jean Marco (French Columbia DF 3232). Then the publisher offered the song to the Sœurs Étienne with Raymond Legrand and his Orchestra, which became a hit. Yves Montand, now seeing a good thing, recorded the song on 11 May 1948 with Bob Castella and his Orchestra. Paul Beuscher then introduced the song to Suzy Delair who agreed to perform it in the first Nice Jazz Festival on 25 February 1948.Louis Armstrong attended the festival, and asked the publisher if he could make a recording of the song in America. The publisher agreed and the song's lyrics were adapted into English by Jerry Seelen. The first American recording of the song was performed by Johnny Desmond May 11, 1949 with Tony Mottola and his Orchestra. Then, Louis Armstrong made his performance June 26, 1950 with Sy Oliver and his Orchestra. The recording became a worldwide hit and the song will then be sung by leading international singers.
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