Copacabana
Francis Bay 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
"Copacabana" by Francis Bay And His Orchestra tells the story of a showgirl named Lola who worked at the Copa Cabana club. Lola's beauty and talent did not go unnoticed. Tony, a bartender at the club, fell in love with her. Lola would dance and entertain the crowd while Tony watched from behind the bar. They were in love and happy until Rico, a powerful and wealthy man, came to the club. Rico became enamored with Lola and asked her to dance. Tony, jealous and protective of Lola, confronted Rico, and a fight broke out. Violence ensued, and in the end, someone was shot. The lyrics leave it unclear as to who did the shooting.
The second verse of the song fast forwards 30 years into the future. The Copa Cabana is no longer a show club but a disco. Lola is there, dressed in her showgirl costume, with faded feathers in her hair, and is drinking heavily. She has lost everything she had, including her love, Tony. Lola is now alone, trying to keep her memories alive, but her mind has become lost. The song ends with a warning to not fall in love at the Copacabana.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
Lola was a performer in a show
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
Lola wore elaborate costumes with exposed skin
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
Lola was a talented dancer who performed Latin dances
And while she tried to be a star
Lola had aspirations of becoming famous
Tony always tended bar
Tony worked as a bartender at the same venue where Lola performed
Across the crowded floor, they worked from 8 til 4
Lola and Tony both worked long hours at the nightclub
They were young and they had each other
Although they were not wealthy, Lola and Tony had their love for each other
Who could ask for more?
Lola felt content with the simple pleasure of being with Tony
At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The nightclub was named Copacabana and Lola and Tony worked there
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
Copacabana was the most popular nightclub in the area
Music and passion were always in fashion
The nightclub was known for its lively music and passionate atmosphere
At the copa they fell in love
Lola and Tony fell in love while working at Copacabana
His name was Rico
Rico was a wealthy man who visited the nightclub
He wore a diamond
Rico was flashy and displayed his wealth through jewelry
He was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancing there
Rico spotted Lola performing and was immediately drawn to her
And when she finished,he called her over
Rico invited Lola to his table after her performance
But Rico went a bit to far
Rico's advances towards Lola were inappropriate
Tony sailed across the bar
Tony angrily confronted Rico for harassing Lola
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
A fight broke out between Tony and Rico, causing destruction throughout the nightclub
There was blood and a single gun shot
The fight turned violent and resulted in one gunshot
But just who shot who?
It is unclear who fired the gunshot
At the copa she lost her love
Lola lost her relationship with Tony after the violent altercation at Copacabana
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
The fight between Tony and Rico happened many years in the past
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola,
The nightclub had changed its format to feature disco music, which Lola did not enjoy
Still in dress she used to wear,
Lola still wore her old showgirl costume to the nightclub
Faded feathers in her hair
Lola's feathers had lost their vibrant color from age
She sits there so refined,and drinks herself half-blind
Lola now spends her time drinking and trying to maintain her composure
She lost her youth and she lost her Tony
Lola lost not only her youthful spirit but also her love for Tony
Now she's lost her mind
Lola has become mentally unstable
At the copa don't fall in love
The end of the song is a warning to avoid being hurt like Lola and Tony were at Copacabana
Don't fall in love
The last line is a repetition of the warning to not fall in love at the nightclub
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Manilow, Bruce H. Sussman, Jack A. Feldman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind