Song of the Day #4,822: ‘Nightbird’ – Labelle

Five months ago, while writing about the latest additions to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, I confessed that I didn’t know ‘Lady Marmalade’ was a cover (I know the song through its inclusion in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge).

In fact, it was a hit R&B song by Labelle, a band fronted by Patti LaBelle.

Well, this week Labelle makes another appearance thanks to their 1974 album Nightbirds, on which ‘Lady Marmalade’ is the opening track.

Continue reading

Song of the Day #4,653: ‘Lady Marmalade’ – Labelle

Theme weeks like this one on the Library of Congress’ latest additions to the National Recording Registry always reveal holes in my musical education.

For example, I never knew the 2001 Moulin Rouge song ‘Lady Marmalade’ was a cover of a 1974 single by Labelle. And I didn’t know Patti LaBelle fronted a girl group called Labelle, a trio that started as Patte LaBelle and the Bluebelles before changing their name in the early 70s.

Continue reading