_JPG.jpg)
Just a few days ago (4/8/23), we highlighted "Get Dancin" by Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes...a bawdy little disco song from 1974, written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan.
Today, we're looking at ANOTHER bawdy little disco song by Crewe and Nolan: "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle.
The group was fronted by one of the great divas of the genre: Patti Labelle...along with the uber talented Sara Dash and Nona Hendrix.
When Bob Crewe originally pitched the song to Patti, she had no idea what French lyric "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" actually meant. ("Do you want to sleep with me tonight?").
When she found out--after they had recorded it--was she upset? Nope. She embraced it!
Of course, they already knew "Lady Marmalade" was about a prostitute from the French Quarter of New Orleans, so why not turn it into a party song--something that would fit right in with any wild Mardi Gras celebration--or any party in general!
Patti, Sara and Nona went all out on the vocals, and got some extra help on piano from co-producer Allen Toussant.
To some, the song was taboo. Several radio stations wouldn't play it, and those that did, got some complaints. But in the clubs, the song was a floor filler of epic proportions!
In the end, "Lady Marmalade turned out to be a worldwide hit--regardless of the complaints.
In the US alone, the song went to #1 on the Hot 100 and the Rhythm & Blues Chart, as well as 7 on the Dance Chart. It also topped the charts in Canada and The Netherlands... and charted in 7 other countries!
In 2001, "Lady Marmalade" was used in the film Moulin Rouge!. The gritty soundtrack version was recorded by a literal all-star team of female artists: Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink! When it was released as a single, it danced straight to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, where it stayed for 5 weeks! (Note: The lyrics were altered to move the song's location from New Orleans to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.)
I guess the only thing left to say is this: "Lady Marmalade" etait une grande chanson de 1974 et 75! (Et 2001)
Moulin Rouge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQa7SvVCdZk
Tomorrow: Julian Lennon inspires his dad.
Comments