Unheard Peggy Lee Recording of 'La Vie en Rose' Unveiled

Intimate 1952 performance of the French classic released for the first time.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Peggy Lee Associates has announced the release of a previously unheard recording of Peggy Lee performing the beloved French song 'La Vie en Rose' in 1952. The intimate, one-take performance was captured on Lee's personal reel-to-reel tape recorder and is now being made public for the first time as part of a new singles series showcasing unreleased recordings from the Peggy Lee Archive.

Why it matters

As a lifelong admirer of Édith Piaf, Peggy Lee frequently performed 'La Vie en Rose' throughout her career, but she never commercially recorded the song. This newly unearthed private recording offers a rare glimpse into Lee's creative process and personal musical life outside the spotlight.

The details

The recording was captured around 1952 during an informal gathering with Lee singing alongside a jazz trio of piano, string bass, and drums. While the musicians have not yet been identified, the sound quality has been restored to bring out the warmth and intimacy of the original performance. This is the first release in a new 'From the Peggy Lee Archive' singles series that will showcase previously unheard recordings from the trove of personal reel-to-reel tapes Lee kept throughout her life.

  • The recording was captured around 1952.
  • The digital single is being released on February 10, 2026.

The players

Peggy Lee

An acclaimed American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, and actress who was a prominent figure in the music industry from the 1940s through the 1990s.

Peggy Lee Associates

The organization that manages Peggy Lee's legacy and is overseeing the release of this previously unheard recording.

Holly Foster Wells

Peggy Lee's granddaughter and the President of Peggy Lee Associates.

Michael Graves

A multi-GRAMMY® Award–winning mastering engineer who restored the audio for this release.

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What they’re saying

“As I've had my grandmother's reel-to-reel and cassette tapes digitized, it has felt like being a fly on the wall, traveling back in time. Hearing her in so many different settings has allowed me to keep getting to know her in new ways. Even with their imperfections, so much of the music on these tapes is stunning. There is something especially moving about hearing her sing just for herself.”

— Holly Foster Wells, President of Peggy Lee Associates and Lee's granddaughter (newsdakota.com)

What’s next

Peggy Lee Associates plans to continue releasing previously unheard recordings from the Peggy Lee Archive as part of the new singles series.

The takeaway

This rare, intimate recording of Peggy Lee performing the French classic 'La Vie en Rose' provides a unique window into the legendary singer's creative life and personal musical passions beyond her commercial recordings and public performances.