Lady Marmalade

"Lady Marmalade" is a song written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. The song is famous for its sexually suggestive chorus of "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?", which translates into English as "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?" The song was originally recorded in 1974 by the group Eleventh Hour. It first became a popular hit in 1975 when covered by the American girl group Labelle. Labelle held the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week, and also topped the Canadian RPM national singles chart.

The song has had many cover versions over the years. In 1998, girl group All Saints released a cover of the song that peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The 2001 version by singers Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink, and rapper Lil' Kim, recorded for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for 5 weeks. "Lady Marmalade" was the ninth song to reach number one by two different musical acts in America.[3]

Contents 1 Origin 2 Labelle version 2.1 Background and release 2.2 Reception 2.3 Personnel 2.4 Track listings and formats 2.5 Chart performance 2.6 Certifications 3 Sabrina version 3.1 Background and release 3.2 Track listings and formats 3.3 Chart performance 3.4 Credits 4 All Saints version 4.1 Background and release 4.2 Reception 4.3 Music video 4.4 Track listings and formats 4.5 Chart performance 4.6 Certifications 5 Moulin Rouge! version 5.1 Background and release 5.2 Reception 5.3 Critical response 5.4 Music video 5.5 Track listings 5.6 Chart performance 5.7 Year-end charts 5.8 Certifications 6 Other versions 7 References 8 External links

Origin
The song was written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, and was inspired by Crewe's experiences in New Orleans and the sex workers in the area. A sex worker named Lady Marmalade shows up to a man named Joe, flirts with him and takes him home. Joe drinks wine and he screams French words while she is in the [shower]. The song was first recorded by The Eleventh Hour, a disco group made up of studio musicians fronted by Nolan on vocals.[4] It was released in 1974 as a track on the Eleventh Hour's Greatest Hits LP which did not chart.[5][6] Crewe showed the song to Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, and Toussaint then decided to record the song with Labelle.[7]

Labelle version
Background and release

Labelle's version of "Lady Marmalade" was produced by Allen Toussaint and Vicki Wickham. It was released on August 3, 1974 as the first single from Nightbirds, their first album after signing with Epic Records.[8] Patti LaBelle sang lead vocals on "Lady Marmalade" with backing vocals being contributed by band mates Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. The song is best known for the French lyric "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" (English: "Would you like to sleep with me tonight?") in the refrain.[9] Although "Lady Marmalade" is about a prostitute, Patti LaBelle, the lead female vocal of the band,said: "I didn't know what it was about. Nobody, I swear this is God's truth, nobody told me what I'd just sung a song about."[10]

Reception

Steve Huey from AllMusic selected the song as one of the best tracks on Labelle's 1995 compilation Lady Marmalade: The Best of Patti and Labelle.[11] Critic Robert Christgau described it as "great synthetic French-quarter raunch."[12]

"Lady Marmalade" is billed as the song that made Labelle one of the "hottest girl groups" of the 1970s.[13] It was a number-one hit for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States during the early spring of 1975, and charted at number one for one week on the Billboard Top Soul Singles chart.[14] Along with the track, "What Can I Do for You?", "Lady Marmalade" peaked at number seven on the disco/dance charts.[15] The single also charted at number seventeen in the United Kingdom. "Lady Marmalade" replaced another Crewe/Nolan composition, Frankie Valli's "My Eyes Adored You", as the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a feat that made Crewe and Nolan the third songwriting team in Billboard history (after Lennon–McCartney and Holland–Dozier–Holland) to replace themselves at number-one.[3] Billboard ranked it as the No. 22 song for 1975.[16] Labelle performed "Lady Marmalade" on Soul Train on December 7, 1974.[17]

"Lady Marmalade" debuted at number 92 on the Canadian RPM singles chart on February 1, 1975.[18] It subsequently peaked atop the chart on March 29, 1975, after five weeks on the chart.[19] Labelle's version of "Lady Marmalade" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.[20] and was ranked number 479 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The Labelle version also appears in several films, including The Long Kiss Goodnight, Dick, and Jacob's Ladder. It was featured on the video game Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 as a version performed with Patti LaBelle.

Personnel Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash - Lead and Backing Vocals Allen Toussaint - Keyboards, Percussion, Arrangements Art Neville - Organ George Porter, Jr. - Bass Leo Nocentelli, Rev. Edward Levone Batts - Guitar Herman Ernest - Drums James "Budd" Ellison - Piano Earl Turbinton - Alto Saxophone Alvin Thomas - Tenor Saxophone Clyde Kerr, Jr. - Trumpet Lester Caliste - Trombone Carl Blouin - Baritone Saxophone Clarence Ford - Alto Saxophone

Track listings and formats US 7" single1."Lady Marmalade" – 3:14 2."Space Children" – 3:04 Europe 7" single1."Lady Marmalade" – 3:14 2."It Took a Long Time" – 4:04

Chart performance

Chart (1974–75)

Peak position

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 17

Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[22] 2

Canada (RPM)[19] 1

Italian Single Chart 5

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 1

Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 2

New Zealand (RIANZ)[25] 21

UK Singles Chart[26] 17

U.S. Billboard Hot 100[27] 1

U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[28] 1

U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play 7

Certifications

Region

Certification

Certified units/Sales

United States (RIAA)[29] Gold 1,000,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Sabrina version
"Voulez-Vous Coucher avec Moi? (Lady Marmalade)"

Single by Sabrina

from the album Sabrina

B-side "Megamix"

Released 1987

Format

Maxi · 7" · 12"

Recorded 1987

Genre Soul, Italo disco, funk

Length 3:56

Label Baby Records

Writer(s) Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan

Sabrina singles chronology

"Sexy Girl" (1986) "Lady Marmalade" (1987) "Boys (Summertime Love)" (1987)

Background and release

"Lady Marmalade" was covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? (Lady Marmalade)" and was released in 1988. Author James Arena named the cover among Sabrina's "relentlessly catchy" singles.[30]

Track listings and formats 7" maxi[31]1."Lady Marmalade" – 3:55 2."Boys, Hot Girl, Sexy Girl" (7" megamix) – 4:10 12" maxi[32]1."Lady Marmalade" (12" remix) – 5:57 2."Boys, Hot Girl, Sexy Girl" (12" megamix) – 6:04 CD maxi[33]1."Lady Marmalade" (12" remix) – 6:08 2."Boys, Hot Girl, Sexy Girl" (megamix) – 6:04 3."Lady Marmalade" – 3:55 Remixed by Peter Vriends, produced by Claudio Cecchetto

Chart performance

The song charted at number 36 on the Belgian Flanders Singles Chart, number 40 on the Dutch Single Top 100, and number 41 on the French Singles Chart.[34]

Credits

Credits for Sabrina's version are adapted from CD liner notes:[35] Written by Bob Crewe and Kelly Nolan Design – Bart Falkmann Producer – C. Cecchetto Remix – Peter Vriends

All Saints version
"Lady Marmalade"

Single by All Saints

from the album All Saints

B-side "No More Lies", "Get Bizzy"

Released January 27, 1998

Format CD single

Recorded 1997; Metropolis Studios

Genre Dance-pop, disco, R&B

Length 4:04

Label London

Producer(s) Johnny Douglas, Timbaland

All Saints singles chronology

"Never Ever" (1997) "Under the Bridge"/"Lady Marmalade" (1998) "Bootie Call" (1998)

Audio sample

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Background and release

In 1998, English girl group All Saints recorded a cover version of "Lady Marmalade" as part of the double A-sided single "Under the Bridge" / "Lady Marmalade". In Europe, only the "Lady Marmalade" single was released. The All Saints version contains different lyrics for its verses; the only lyrics retained from the original composition are the chorus. A version remixed by Timbaland appeared on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack.

Reception

"Lady Marmalade" was the third single taken from their self-titled debut studio album, it contained the "Marmalade" cover and a cover version of "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. The single reached number one on the official UK Top 40 chart, becoming the group's second number-one hit. A total of 424,799 singles have been sold in the UK, with proceeds from the single going to breast cancer charities.

Music video

The video shows the band members and other people having a party in one of the buildings in some large city, at night. British actress Kathryn Allerston appears in the music video.

Track listings and formats All Saints CD maxi single 1."Lady Marmalade" ('98 mix) – 4:02 2."Lady Marmalade" (Mark's Miami Madness mix) – 7:55 3."Lady Marmalade" (Sharp South Park vocal remix) – 8:09 4."Lady Marmalade" (Henry & Hayne's La Jam mix) – 6:47 All Saints CD 1 1."Under the Bridge" – 5:03 2."Lady Marmalade" – 4:04 3."No More Lies" – 4:08 4."Lady Marmalade" (Henry & Haynes La Jam mix) – 9:23 5."Under the Bridge" (promo video) – 5:00 All Saints CD 2 1."Lady Marmalade" (Mark!'s Miami Madness mix) – 7:56 2."Lady Marmalade" (Sharp South Park vocal remix) – 8:10 3."Under the Bridge" (Ignorance remix featuring Jean Paul e.s.q) – 4:55 4."Get Bizzy" – 3:45

Chart performance

Chart (1998)

Peak position

Australian ARIA Singles Chart 3 French Singles Chart 28 Swiss Singles Chart 45 UK Singles Chart 1

Certifications

Region

Certification

Certified units/Sales

Australia (ARIA)[36] Gold 35,000^

United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Gold 400,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone
 * sales figures based on certification alone

Preceded by "All That I Need" by Boyzone "Turn Back Time" by Aqua UK Singles Chart number-one single May 3, 1998 May 17, 1998 Succeeded by "Turn Back Time" by Aqua "Feel It" by The Tamperer featuring Maya

Moulin Rouge! version
"Lady Marmalade"

Single by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink

from the album Moulin Rouge! Soundtrack

Released March 27, 2001

Format 12" maxi single

Recorded January 2001

Genre Hip hop, R&B, hip hop soul[38]

Length 4:24

Label Interscope

Producer(s) Rockwilder, Missy Elliott

Christina Aguilera chronology

"Falsas Esperanzas (2001) "Lady Marmalade" (2001) "Dirrty" (2002)

Lil' Kim chronology

"How Many Licks?" (2000) "Lady Marmalade" (2001) "In the Air Tonite" (2001)

Mýa chronology

"Free" (2001) "Lady Marmalade" (2001) "My Love Is Like...Wo" (2003)

Pink chronology

"You Make Me Sick" (2000) "Lady Marmalade" (2001) "Get the Party Started" (2001)

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Music video

"Lady Marmalade" on YouTube

Background and release

In 2001, the song "Lady Marmalade" was featured as part of a medley in the film Moulin Rouge!. For the film's soundtrack album, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink recorded a cover version; it was released as the soundtrack's first single in spring 2001. Produced by Missy Elliott and writing partner Rockwilder, it features an intro and outro from Elliott. A lyric was changed from the original version, with the song's setting being transferred from New Orleans to the Paris nightclub Moulin Rouge.

Reception

The Sun Journal opined that the Moulin! Rouge version helped the song "find a new life."[39] The song became a number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the second time, reaching number one in its eighth week and spending five weeks at the top of the chart.[40] It was the third airplay-only song in Billboard chart history (after Aaliyah's 2000 single "Try Again" and Shaggy's 2001 single "Angel") to hit number one without being released in a major commercially available single format.[41]

The song also holds the record for the longest reigning number one on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart for an all female collaboration, topping the chart for nine consecutive weeks.[42] "Lady Marmalade" is the best-selling single for Lil' Kim and Mýa. Lil' Kim also held the record for having the longest number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 for a female rapper, with "Lady Marmalade" being on the top of the charts for 5 consecutive weeks, until Australian female rapper Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" held on to the number one position for seven weeks in 2014. The song was included on non-US versions of Aguilera's first greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits. Lady Marmalade was the top selling song of 2001 and has sold 5.2 million copies worldwide as of December 2001.[43]

Critical response

Allmusic's Brand Kohlenstein praised the song by highlighting it, adding that the ladies "teamed up for a surefire hit with their naughtier version of Patti Labelle's "Lady Marmalade.""[44] Slant Magazine editor praised the collaboration, too: "the track is simply an accolade to the performers' various distinctive styles, with Lil' Kim trashing it up and Aguilera caterwauling her way through the second half of the song."[45] However, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone called the cover "god-awful".[46]

Music video

The music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features all four performers in lingerie (rapper Missy Elliott makes a couple of small appearances.) and was filmed at the end of March 2001 on sets (Los Angeles) built to resemble the actual Moulin Rouge night club around the turn of the century (1890–1910). The video won the MTV Video Music Award for "Best Video of the Year" and "Best Video from a Film"; it was also nominated for "Best Dance Video", "Best Pop Video", "Best Choreography" (Tina Landon), and "Best Art Direction". The song won a 2002 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".

Track listings CD maxi[47]1.Lady Marmalade (Edit) – 4:24 2.Lady Marmalade (Thunderpuss Radio Mix) – 4:09 3.Lady Marmalade (Thunderpuss Club Mix) – 9:48 4.Lady Marmalade (Thunderpuss Mixshow Mix) – 6:21

Chart performance

Chart (2001)

Peak position

Australia (ARIA)[48] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[49] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[50] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[51] 3 Brazil (Brazil Top 20 Singles)[52] 1 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[53] 17 Denmark (Tracklisten)[54] 2 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[55] 2 France (SNEP)[56] 12 Germany (Official German Charts)[57] 1 Greece (IFPI)[58] 1 Italy (FIMI)[59] 6 Ireland (IRMA)[60] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[61] 2 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[62] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[63] 1 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[64] 1 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[65] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[66] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[67] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[68] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[69] 1 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[70] 25 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[71] 3 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[72] 43 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[73] 1 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[74] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)

Rank

Australia[75] 13 Austria[76] 11 France[77] 51 Germany[78] 11 Ireland[79] 10 Netherlands[80] 10 New Zealand[81] 20 Switzerland[82] 4 UK[83] 14 US[84] 24

Certifications

Region

Certification

Certified units/Sales

Australia (ARIA)[85] 2× Platinum 140,000^

Austria (IFPI Austria)[86] Gold 20,000*

Belgium (BEA)[87] Platinum 50,000*

Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[88] Platinum 10,000^

France (SNEP)[89] Silver 125,000*

Italy (FIMI)[90] Platinum 50,000*

Greece (IFPI Greece)[91] Gold 10,000^

New Zealand (RMNZ)[92] Platinum 0*

Norway (IFPI Norway)[93] Platinum 10,000*

Sweden (GLF)[94] Platinum 30,000^

Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[95] Gold 20,000^

United Kingdom (BPI)[96] Platinum 600,000[97]

^shipments figures based on certification alone
 * sales figures based on certification alone

Other versions
"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by singer Fantasia Barrino.[98]