User:Xwomanizerx/Sandbox4

"Xwomanizerx/Sandbox4"
Song
B-side	"It Took a Long Time"

."Lady Marmalade" is a 1974 song made famous by the girl group Labelle. Produced by Allen Toussaint, "Lady Marmalade" became a number-one hit the next year. The song is most famous for its sexually suggestive chorus of "voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?" The song held the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States for one week and topped the Canadian RPM national singles chart on the same date. Labelle's version of "Lady Marmalade" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.

"Lady Marmalade" was written by Bob Crewe (who co-wrote many of the hits recorded by The Four Seasons) and Kenny Nolan. The songwriting pair had previously collaborated on the hit Frankie Valli song "My Eyes Adored You". The song came about after Crewe made first-hand observations in New Orleans. First recorded by Nolan's group Eleventh Hour in 1974 on Eleventh Hour's Greatest Hits LP, Labelle's producer Allen Toussaint decided to record it as the main track for the album Nightbirds. The record was produced by Toussaint, with instrumental backing from The Meters.

The song has received many cover versions over the years. In 1998 the girl group All Saints took the track to the top of the UK Singles Chart for the first time. The 2001 version by singers Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink was a single for the Moulin Rouge! film's soundtrack. Missy Elliott produced the version, with instrumental help from producer Rockwilder. The song was mixed by audio engineer Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado. Their version was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. for 5 weeks, from May 27 to June 30, 2001. The Moulin Rouge! version of "Lady Marmalade" was also a number-one hit in Australia, introducing the song to a new generation of American music listeners, and brought the song's infamous catchphrase back into mainstream American culture. The 2001 version won Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya, and Pink each a Grammy.

In 2004, LaBelle's original version of "Lady Marmalade" was ranked #479 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In the United Kingdom, the song has been sung on several talent shows, including The X Factor by Leona Lewis, and on Eurovision: Your Country Needs You by Jade Ewen, where in both instances, the lyric "voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?" was changed to "voulez-vous chanter avec moi (ce soir)?" (do you want to sing with me (tonight)?).

Background

In 1991, Labelle revealed that she did not know that "Lady Marmalade" was about a prostitute when she recorded it, and felt wrong when she found out due to her strong Baptist beliefs. She explained:

"... Nobody, I swear this is God's truth, nobody told me what I'd just sung a song about. [...] Suddenly, I felt all alone, that I'd done something wrong to the church, that I'd turned into some kind of bad girl. It took corage and faith to go back [to the church]. But, when I walked in there. I got a few looks. And, then I got the smiles and the hugs and the love. Hey, hookers are people too. Love is what it's all about, honey. Love is gospel and gospel is love."

Recorded with lead singer Patti LaBelle and accompanied with backing from bandmates Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, it tells the story of a Creole woman known only as "Lady Marmalade", who seduces a man she met on the street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although the man has moved on from the experience, his memories of their tryst remain vivid when he tries to sleep. The song's chorus, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?", means "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?" in French, an unsubtle invitation to sexual intercourse. The same line appeared previously in the play A Streetcar Named Desire, coming from the promiscuous Blanche DuBois.

"Lady Marmalade" 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. Along with the track, "What Can I Do For You?", "Lady Marmalade" peaked at number seven on the disco/dance charts. 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. This made Crewe and Nolan the third songwriting team in Billboard history (after Lennon-McCartney and Holland-Dozier-Holland) to replace themselves at number-one.

Also in 1975, Nanette Workman recorded a French version that became very popular in Canada (Quebec).

The song was first covered by Sheila E. on her 1991 album Sex Cymbal in a jazz-oriented rendition, with horns as the centerpiece. In 1995 disco cover band Boogie Knights covered "Lady Marmalade", fronted by singer Jeff Scott Soto. In 1999, the song was covered by the techno act Lords Of Acid as a bonus track on their remix album Expand Your Head. The song is not part of the official track listing on the CD itself, however. Luck Mervil made a second French version of the song.

More recently, the track has featured in the TV series Angel, performed by actor Andy Hallett, and was released on the soundtrack in 2005.

The Labelle version appears in several films, including The Long Kiss Goodnight, Dick, and Jacob's Ladder. In March 2008, Comcast began to use the song and its "more, more, more" refrain to promote its "On Demand" service -- the ad also features the "voulez-vous" line as the ad ends.

Improbably, the lyrics of "Lady Marmalade" were sung to the tune of the Toreador Song from Carmen by Tim Brooke-Taylor on the radio comedy panel-game show, "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" as part of a round called "One Song to the Tune of Another".

It was featured on the video game Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 as a version performed with Patti LaBelle.

"Lady Marmalade" was also performed at the Daughters of Soul Tour (2004), which featured Hendryx, Lalah Hathaway, Indira Kahn, Simone, Joyce Kennedy and Sandra St. Victor. It was the last song of the setlist, and the only one in which all the vocalists performed together. St. Victor opened the number by chanting, "Soul Sisters! Soul Sisters! Where's all my Soul Sisters?", calling the other singers to the stage. They launched together into the refrain and started the song. Hendryx, Kahn and Kennedy traded off the verses. Hathaway provided percussive accent with a cowbell and executed back-up singer moves with Simone and Hendryx. Carol J. Greenhouse called the performance "a rancous and funky way to conclude the show." She also added, "the performance was focused on playful teasing; indeed, a whole lot of 'shaking it' was going on as the Daughters of Soul strolled and strutted their way [...] Khan slid onto her knees like an old-style soul man, clasped the microphone, and leaned forward to sing about Creole Lady Marmalade."

Greenhouse called it "a celebration that neither erases nor apologizes for a black woman's sexuality, a confrontational move in the contemporary context" and "also a statement and enactment of (soul) sisterhood as women exuberantly sing together, prasing another woman".

LaBelle track listing

• Labelle 7" single #1

1. "Lady Marmalade" – 3:14
2. "It Took a Long Time" — 4:04

• Labelle 7" single #2

1. "Lady Marmalade" – 3:14
2. "Space Children" — 3:04

Labelle Charts

Chart (1974/1975)	Peak position
Austrian Singles Chart	17
Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart	1
Dutch Singles Chart	2
Italian Single Chart	5
New Zealand RIANZ Chart	21
UK Singles Chart	17
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	1

Sabrina cover

"Xwomanizerx/Sandbox4"
Song
B-side	"Megamix"

"Lady Marmalade" was also 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.

Sabrina track listings

7" maxi

1. "Lady Marmalade" – 3:55
2. "Boys, Hot Girl, Sexy Girl" (7" megamix) – 4:10

12" maxi

1. "Lady Marmalade" (12" remix) – 5:57
2. "Boys, Hot Girl, Sexy Girl" (12" megamix) – 6:04

CD maxi

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

Sabrina charts

Chart (1988)	Peak position
Dutch Mega Top 100	40
French SNEP Singles Chart	41

All Saints cover

"Xwomanizerx/Sandbox4"
Song
B-side	"No More Lies", "Get Bizzy"

In 1998, the English female pop group All Saints covered Marmalade as part of the double A-sided single "Under the Bridge"/"Lady Marmalade". The third single from their self-titled debut album, it contained the "Marmalade" cover and a cover of "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers; it reached number one on the official UK Top 40, becoming their second number one hit. In Europe, a "Lady Marmalade" only single was released.

A total of 424,799 singles have been sold in the UK, with proceeds from the single going to breast cancer charities.

The All Saints' version contains different lyrics for its verses; the only lyrics retained from the original composition are those for the chorus.

A version remixed by Timbaland appeared on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack.

All Saints track listings

• 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

All Saints charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	3
French Singles Chart	28
Swiss Singles Chart	45
UK Singles Chart	1

Moulin Rouge! cover

"Xwomanizerx/Sandbox4"
Song

In 2001, "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 (see 2001 in music). 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.

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. It was the second song in Billboard chart history (after Aaliyah's 2000 single "Try Again") to hit number one without being released in a major commercially available single format such as a CD or CD maxi single. "Marmalade" was Aguilera's fourth U.S. number-one single and first time number-ones for Kim, Pink and Mya in the U.S. It remained in the U.S. top forty for seventeen weeks and topped the charts in fifteen different countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia. The single was the best selling single for all the artists except for Christina Aguilera and Pink.

The song was included on non-US versions of Christina Aguilera's first greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits.

Critical reception

"Lady Marmalade" won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 44th Grammy Awards.

Chart performance

The song was also one of the most played radio songs of the year in the United States. Stayed in the top forty for nine weeks, top the Hot 100 for five weeks, and Hot 100 Airplay for six weeks.

Moulin Rouge! music video

thumb|From left to right: Lil' Kim, Pink, Mýa and Christina Aguilera in the music video for "Lady Marmalade". The music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features all four performers in lingerie 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". It ranks #30 on MuchMusic's 100 Best Videos.

The video topped the TRL chart during three weeks.

Legacy

Stacy-Deanne noted that the song and its video left more of a lasting impression than Moulin Rouge! did.

"Lady Marmalade" also signified a change of image for Mýa.

Moulin Rouge! track listing

1. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Radio Mix) – 4:09
2. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Mixshow Mix) – 6:21
3. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Club Mix) – 9:35
4. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Dub) – 8:21
5. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Drums) – 3:42
6. "Lady Marmalade" (Thunderpuss Tribe-A-Pella) – 7.42

Awards

Year	Ceremony	Award	Result
2001	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Song of the Summer	Won
	MTV Video Music Award	Video of The Year	Won
		Best Video from a Film	Won
		Best Pop Video	Nominated
		Best Dance Video	Nominated
		Best Choreography in a Video	Nominated
		Best Art Direction in a Video	Nominated
	TMF Award	Best Video of the Year	Won
	Radio Music Awards	Song of the Year	Won
	MTV Europe Music Award	Best Song	Nominated
2002	ASCAP Pop Music Awards	Best Video	Won
	Billboard Music Award	Best Direction for a Video	Won
	MTV Asia Awards	Favorite Video	Nominated
	BMI Awards	Best Song	Won
	Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards	Popular Duo/Group Video	Won
	Grammy Awards	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Won
	MTV Japan Video Music Award	Best Video from a Film	Won
	MVPA Video Award	Best Styling in a Video	Won

Moulin Rouge! charts

Chart (2001)	Peak position
Argentina Singles Chart	1
Australian Singles Chart	1
Austrian Singles Chart	3
Brasil Singles Chart	1
Belgium Singles Chart	2
Canadian Singles Chart	18
Danish Singles Chart	2
Dutch Singles Chart	2
Finland Singles Chart	2
French Singles Chart	12
German Singles Chart	1
Irish Singles Chart	1
Italian Singles Chart	6
New Zealand Singles Chart	1
Norwegian Singles Chart	1
Sweden Singles Chart	1
Swiss Singles Chart	1
UK Singles Chart	1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	43
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	3

Certifications

Country (Provider)	Certifications
Australia (ARIA)	2xPlatinum
Austria (IFPI)	Gold
Belgium (IFPI)	Platinum
France (SNEP)	Silver
Germany (IFPI)	Platinum
Netherlands (NVPI)	Platinum
New Zealand (RIANZ)	Platinum
Norway (IFPI)	Platinum
Sweden (IFPI)	Platinum
Switzerland (IFPI)	Platinum
United Kingdom (BPI)	Gold

Other covers

• The song was covered in 1930s style by Max Raabe und der Palast Orchester (2001)
• An extremely fast eurodance cover by Nancy And The Boys on Dancemania Speed 8 (2002)
• A cover by Carol Duboc and Minae Noji featured in the film Be Cool (2005)
• The song was covered in 2007 by girl-group Sugababes and Patti LaBelle. They did the song as a duet at Swarovski Fashion Rocks
• A cover by Beyoncé Knowles at the Academy Awards Ceremony (2009)
• An arrangement by The Lost Fingers featuring Nanette Workman (2009)
• A brief appearance in the episode redefinition in the second series of Angel, it was sung by Andy Hallet
• Power metal band Manowar played the song live in France, having the fans sing the majority of the lyrics.

References

• Hughes, Mark (2008). Buzzmarketing: Get People to Talk About Your Stuff. Penguin Group. ISBN 9781591842132.
• Smith, Sean (2005). Britney: The Biography. Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 9780283070334.
• Blandford, James R. (2002). Britney. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780711994195.