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Nathan Smith

Doctor Cassel

ENG 1201

20 February 2022

Analyzing “Lady Marmalade”

“Lady Marmalade” is a popular song for it’s sexually suggestive french chorus of

"Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?", which translates into English as "Do you want to sleep with

me?". In the first version by Labelle, the meaning of the words were not translated, and the group

Labell while singing the song, was under the impression that its lyrics’ purpose was to empower

women strutting down the street. As described in its French tongue, the words in the song have

much more meaning than that. The second version displays a clear understanding in the lyrics,

and adds an additional modern twist through lyricism and sexual freedom. Though the two

versions are similar in nature, the groups singing and the videos illustrated show something

different.

“Lady Marmalade”, was sung originally by Labelle, made November 5th, 1974 and was

later remastered by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, and Missy Elliot, made in 2001. The

two versions illustrate the difference between old school women enjoying a song, with no

intention of learning what the lyrics mean, versus new school women knowing all of the lyrics

and understanding them.

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The first version displays the true meaning of not understanding what you're saying, and

the second version knows and goes more in-depth about what they mean. In the original video,

the group Labelle is singing the song "Lady Marmalade". Their singing in the video appears to

portray three strong women strutting down the street, as happy black women with silky smooth

skin. Their background is basic, like a "show", like possibly some sort of comedy show, which

appeals to comedy/emotion.

They're dressed classy, yet, conservatively. They're wearing disco space outfits, and it

seems like they're enjoying themselves. They look like they represent the P-Funk era. The

women appear to look like they are trying to attract positive attention. Their body movements are

prissy and feminine. As they sing the song, their shoulders stand tall while they sing about

women loving themselves. Their voices are soulful. The video seems to appeal to women and

encourages them to embrace essentially being women. Despite their perception of what they

were singing when the song came out in 1974, the women later in life came to realize that the

song was not really about being proud, strong women. Labelle stated that she and her fellow

ladies of Labella had some controversy with a nun and found out they were singing about, “a

lady of the evening.” Labelle even stated that she “was rather happy they released the song,

because it became very popular during the time.” In watching the video, one would believe the

producers used ethos to appeal to the audience of old school, classy, women.

The remastered video; however, seems to “it up a few notches”. The video starts with an

introduction welcoming you inside of the "Moulin Rouge". The four singers, Mya, Lil Kim,

Pink, and Christina Aguilera, each take turns singing lyrics that are meant to serenade men. The

setting of the "Moulin Rouge" is sexually provocative, as are the women, while they are wearing
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lingerie, and makeup. Their dancing is explicit, provocative and enticing. Their voices are

aggressively seductive. They also sing about “trading services” for money.

A rhyme delivered by Lil Kim:

“We come through with the money and the garter belts

Let him know we 'bout that cake straight out the gate (uh)

We independent women, some mistake us for whores

I'm sayin', "Why spend mine when I can spend yours?”,

as well as a verse by Christina Aguilera:

“made the savage beast inside roar until he cried…”,

clearly supports the hook by boasting on the idea behind "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?".

Regarding the empowerment of women, the lyrics encourage you to “let out your inner Lady

Marmalade".

Resembling the original, the remastered version of “Lady Marmalade” as well as it’s

video, became top 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The second music video uses ethos and clearly

appeals more to young women and men, as well as anyone else who is interested in expressing or

exploring sexual freedom.

As a reflection, the original of “Lady Marmalade”, and the remastered version, represent

two different meanings. One because of the misunderstanding of a language that the singers

didn’t register to translate, and the second, explaining and understanding every word of the song

and it’s meaning. Both songs did want for women to embrace themselves, but in different ways,

and with different meanings. Although there was a misunderstanding in the first version, both

songs were amazing hits.

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Works Cited

Aguilera, Christina. “Lady Marmalade.” YouTube,

2001, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink - Lady Marmalade (Official Music Video)

Labelle. “Lady Marmalade.” YouTube,

1995, (Patti) LaBelle - Lady Marmalade (1975) HD 0815007

Trzcinski, Matthew. “What Patti Labelle Incorrectly Thought ‘Lady Marmalade’ Was About”

Showbiz Cheat Sheet, https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/what-patti-labelle-incorrectly-

thought-lady-marmalade-was-about.html/