The chorus of a song often holds the key to its soul, embedding itself in our minds with catchy lines and unforgettable melodies. When those lines are in a different language, like French, curiosity piques. Patti LaBelle and her group Labelle learned this firsthand with their 1975 hit, “Lady Marmalade.” However, the true meaning of the song’s famous French lyrics remained a mystery to them, until an unexpected confrontation with an angry nun revealed all.
The Sultry Soul Hit’s Origins: New Orleans and “Ladies of the Evening”
Penned by the songwriting duo Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, “Lady Marmalade” drew its inspiration from the vibrant and often risque atmosphere of New Orleans, specifically the city’s historic French Quarter. The songwriters were captivated by the “ladies of the evening” who populated this lively district. Initially intended for Nolan’s own disco group, the song found its way to Labelle through producer Allen Toussaint. It’s undeniable that Patti LaBelle’s powerful vocals elevated the song to a new level. While Labelle’s rendition became an instant classic, its journey to hit status wasn’t without its bumps, primarily due to the suggestive nature of its lyrics.
“Lady Marmalade” presents itself as an intriguing musical puzzle. A blend of English and French lyrics, punctuated by playful gibberish, it might seem an unlikely candidate for mainstream success.
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya da-da
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here
Mocca chocolata ya-ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
However, it was the scandalous French phrase embedded in the chorus that truly ignited the song’s fame and sparked controversy. The now-iconic line, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”, translates directly to “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?”
Labelle delivered these lyrics with confidence and flair, recognizing the song’s hit potential. Yet, the explicit meaning of the French phrase escaped them initially, remaining veiled until the public’s reaction began to surface.
Listener Reactions and the Nun’s Revelation: Controversy Arises
The reception to this undeniably sexy and thematically provocative soul anthem was mixed. While many embraced its boldness, some segments of the audience, particularly religious leaders, expressed concern over the song’s subject matter, deeming it vulgar. In a memorable anecdote, a group of nuns, initially unaware of the song’s bilingual nature and suggestive lyrics, confronted the group, labeling them “bad people” for releasing such a song.
Patti LaBelle recounted her shock upon learning the true meaning in an interview with The Guardian. The nuns’ direct explanation floored her and her bandmates.
“[The other members of Labelle and I] really didn’t know [what it meant] at first,” LaBelle confessed. “We thought it was a woman just walking down the street – it didn’t register that it might be about something else. We were very innocent, and I had no clue. I was very naive.”
“Then we had some controversy about a nun being upset about the song, and we found out,” LaBelle continued. “I felt stupid … no, not stupid but naive. I didn’t know we were singing about a lady of the evening. Young girls today are so well versed because of the internet, so they’d never not realize, but it was different then. Thank God we did the song, anyway!”
Patti LaBelle’s Acceptance: Embracing the Song’s Taboo
Despite her initial mortification, LaBelle eventually came to terms with and even embrace the song’s controversial meaning. Her perspective shifted as she reflected on her own life and relationships. She realized that having friends who were sex workers didn’t diminish their value as individuals or friends.
In a 1986 interview with NME, LaBelle articulated her evolving viewpoint: “That song was taboo. I mean, why sing about a hooker? Why not? I had a good friend who was a hooker, and she died. She never took the mike out of my mouth, and I never took the mattress from under her. She was a friend, doing her thing. It’d be like discriminating because you’re white and I’m black, or you’re gay and someone’s straight. I don’t believe in separating people. If your job is as a hooker, more power to you.”
“Lady Marmalade” Gets a Moulin Rouge Makeover: A New Generation Embraces the Anthem
The enduring appeal of “Lady Marmalade” led to its revival in the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film, Moulin Rouge!. This pop-infused remake assembled a powerhouse of female artists including Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and Pink.
Mya, who had grown up singing the original Labelle version, admitted that she, too, had been unaware of the French chorus’s meaning during her childhood, even with a mother fluent in French.
The Moulin Rouge rendition and its accompanying music video catapulted “Lady Marmalade” to even greater heights of fame. Patti LaBelle herself lauded the remake and joined the new lineup for a performance at the 2002 Grammy Awards. This updated version earned a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals and achieved RIAA Certified Gold status, solidifying the song’s place in music history for a new generation.
