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When sexual innuendos dominate the modern-day music industry, it is almost unusual to think that songs from the past were seen as provocative. One song that was widely controversial during its time was the LaBelle’s version of Lady Marmalade in 1974. "Lady Marmalade" Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Go Sister Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Go SisterHe met Marmalade down in old New Orleans Struttin' her stuff on the street She said 'Hello, Hey Joe, you wanna give it a go? Mmm, mmmItchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya Creole Lady MarmaladeVoulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up The boy drank all her magnolia-wine On the black satin sheets where oh I swear he started to freakItchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya Creole Lady Marmalade Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Hey, hey, hey Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth The colour of cafe au lait Made the savage beast inside Roar until it cried, more, more, more Now he's back home doing 9 to 5 Living his grey flannel life But when he turns off to sleep Old memories creep, more, more, more Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya Creole Lady Marmalade Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir? Creole Lady Marmalade Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here Mocha-choca-lata Ya Ya Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here Bob Crewe, a producer who worked on countless songs during the ‘60s, including hits by The Four Seasons, co-wrote Lady Marmalade with singer-songwriter, Kenny Nolan. The song was atypical from Crewe’s other works, but it became the leading (and last) hit during his career. It was also the biggest hit for Crewe and Nolan as a team. The composers became the third songwriting group to succeed themselves at number one, when Lady Marmalade replaced the 1975 hit song “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vqR2u9lLAq8c&featureyoutu.be "My Eyes Adored You" My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on you My eyes adored you like a million miles away from me You couldn't see how I adored you So close, so close and yet so far Carried your books from school Playin' make believe you're married to me You were fifth grade, I was sixth when we came to be Walkin' home ev'ry day over Bonnicut Bridge and Bay Till we grew into the me and you who went our separate ways My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on you My eyes adored you like a million miles away from me You couldn't see how I adored you So close, so close and yet so far Headed for city lights, climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame I worked my fingers to the bone made myself a name Funny I seemed to find that no matter how the years unwind Still I reminisce 'bout the girl I miss and the love I left behind My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on you My eyes adored you like a million miles away from me You couldn't see how I adored you So close, so close and yet so far All my life I will remember how warm and tender we were way back then Whoa baby Oh the feeling, sad regrets I know I won't ever forget you My childhood friend My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on you My eyes adored you like a million miles away from me You couldn't see how I adored you So close, so close and yet so far The hit song was initially recorded by The Eleventh Hour, a disco group which included Kenny Nolan, himself. In an interview with Billboard for The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Nolan explained his method to writing the provocative chorus: “The song was written in pieces. I had one part of the song here and one part there, and it still needed something. Bob and I came up with the idea of ‘Voulez-vous couchez avec moi (ce soir).’ It was like a puzzle that finally fit together.” https://youtu.be/SeWMdoetN6Y?listPLtkvBD-xJZJbhugXKWQ8EF9A6wOg0-sTE Lady Marmalade was written in New Orleans and was inspired by the city’s red-light district. Allen Toussaint, the LaBelle’s producer, was also from The Big Easy and introduced the all-female group to the song to record as the main track for their album, Nightbirds. It was released in December of 1974, and became the #1 hit song the following year. However, the LaBelle’s were not apart of the New Orleans trend. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash were originally from Philadelphia, where the group was created in 1962, along with New Jersey native Cindy Birdsong. When the song was released as the first single from Nightbirds, “Lady Marmalade” swept through disco’s around the nation before making its radio debut. On January 4, 1975, the song entered the Hot 100 and grabbed the #1 spot 12 weeks later. Even amidst its fame in dance clubs and on the radio, “Lady Marmalade’s” risque lyrics were banned from television. The chorus of the song, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)” which translates to “Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)” was prohibited from tv due to broadcast standards. The group ultimately changed the lyric to “Voulez-vous danser avec moi ce soir,” which translates to “Do you want to dance with me (tonight).” https://youtu.be/RQa7SvVCdZk In an 1986 interview with NME, Patti LaBelle explained her thoughts on the songs apparent glamorization of prostitution: “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 my friend, doing her thing. I don’t believe in separating people. If your job is as a hooker, more power to you.” Although the song is the only hit credited to LaBelle, the group took a seemingly harmless melody and transformed it into the ultimate party anthem for decades to come. Who sang your favorite version of this sultry song? Share in the comment section below! (Sources: NME & Wikipedia) RELATED STORIES: Scents Of Manliness, Remembering Drive-In Movies