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.

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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.

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