Copacabana
Carlos Otero with Vicente Alvarez and his Orchestra Lyrics
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With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
And while she tried to be a star
Tony always tended bar
Across the crowded floor, they worked from 8 til 4
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?
At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (CO!) Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa they fell in love
His name was Rico
He wore a diamond
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancing there
And when she finished,he called her over
But Rico went a bit to far
Tony sailed across the bar
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
There was blood and a single gun shot
But just who shot who?
At the copa she lost her love
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl,
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola,
Still in dress she used to wear,
Faded feathers in her hair
She sits there so refined,and drinks herself half-blind
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Now she's lost her mind
At the copa don't fall in love
Don't fall in love
The song “Copacabana” by Vicente Alvarez and his Orchestra tells the story of a young showgirl named Lola who works at a nightclub called Copacabana. She meets and falls in love with a bartender named Tony, but their love story is cut short when a patron named Rico takes an interest in Lola. Rico, displaying his wealth with a diamond, calls Lola over to his table, but Tony sees this and a fight ensues. During the brawl, a gun is fired and it’s unclear who, if anyone, was shot. In the end, Lola has lost both her love, Tony, and her mind.
The lyrics beautifully convey the passing of time and how things change, but memories remain. Lola, once a young and vibrant showgirl, is now seen sitting at the same club she used to dance at, drinking herself half-blind. The disco era has replaced the previous era of entertainment, but Lola remains stuck in her past, wearing her faded feathers and mourning her lost youth and love. The repetition of the phrase “don’t fall in love” at the end of the song is a warning to anyone who might dare to fall for the fleeting enthusiasm of life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
Introducing Lola, a showgirl
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
Lola had yellow feathers in her hair and wore a revealing dress
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
Lola's signature dance moves were merengue and cha-cha
And while she tried to be a star
Despite trying to make it big,
Tony always tended bar
Lola's love interest, Tony, worked as a bartender
Across the crowded floor, they worked from 8 til 4
Lola and Tony worked long hours at the club from 8 pm to 4 am
They were young and they had each other
Lola and Tony were young and in love with each other
Who could ask for more?
They were content with what they had
At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The setting is the Copacabana club
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
The club was the most popular spot in town
At the copa (CO!) Copacabana
The chorus repeats the club's name
Music and passion were always in fashion
The club was known for its lively music and romantic atmosphere
At the copa they fell in love
Lola and Tony fell in love at the club
His name was Rico
Introducing Rico, a man at the club
He wore a diamond
Rico wore expensive jewelry
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancing there
Rico was seated and noticed Lola dancing
And when she finished,he called her over
Rico called Lola over once she finished dancing
But Rico went a bit to far
Rico overstepped his bounds
Tony sailed across the bar
Tony attacked Rico
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
A brawl broke out and furniture was destroyed
There was blood and a single gun shot
The fight turned violent and someone was shot
But just who shot who?
The song poses a question about the shooter's identity
At the copa she lost her love
Lola lost Tony and her love for him
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl,
The song again introduces Lola
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
The club used to feature shows, but that was a long time ago
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola,
The club has become a disco, but Lola feels out of place there
Still in dress she used to wear,
Lola still wears her old showgirl dress
Faded feathers in her hair
The feathers in her hair are now faded
She sits there so refined,and drinks herself half-blind
Lola now drinks heavily
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Lola lost both her youth and Tony
Now she's lost her mind
The song implies that Lola has become mentally unstable
At the copa don't fall in love
The song ends with advice not to fall in love at the club
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Manilow, Bruce H. Sussman, Jack A. Feldman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind