In 1961, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash of the Del Capris joined Patricia Holt and Sandra Tucker as replacement singers for Holt's singing group, The Ordettes. When Tucker's parents made her leave the group, she was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Patricia Holt had her name changed to Patti LaBelle after the group became The Bluebelles. Though the first single was "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" (released as the Bluebelles), LaBelle relays in her memoir (Don't Block The Blessings) that the group didn't actually perform on the original track. As she tells it, the song's producer had recorded it with Starlets and renamed them the Bluebelles, but the group left upon the single's release. He quickly recruited the Ordettes to perform and promote the single using the Bluebells' moniker, and "I Sold My Heart To The Junkman" was later recut by the new group. The song was a hit, as was the new Bluebelle's 1963 follow-ups "Down the Aisle", "You'll Never Walk Alone" (1964; Rodgers & Hammerstein) and "Danny Boy" (a traditional Irish folk song). They signed with Atlantic Records in 1965, releasing "Over the Rainbow" and "Groovy Kind of Love" (later a hit for the Mindbenders and Phil Collins) with only mild success. They also contributed background vocals to Tony Kosinec's "Simple Emotion" and Wilson Pickett's hit "634-5789" in 1966. Along the line, they had extended their name to Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles.
In 1967, the group became a trio after Cindy Birdsong left to join the Supremes, replacing Florence Ballard. Three years later, the group lost their contract and hired Vicki Wickham, a British TV producer, to remake their image. She changed the name to Labelle and pushed the group to a more contemporary sound, incorporated glam influences, particularly in the spectacular spacey stage costumes that included large amounts of glitter, feathers and other acoutrements. In the early 70s, Labelle opened for the Who and lent their unmistakably powerful vocals to Laura Nyro's Gonna Take a Miracle album in 1971 (now considered a classic). Two songs from this album ("Desiree" and "Gonna Take a Miracle") were used in the 2004 Colin Farrell film A Home at the End of the World to great dramatic effect -- especially "Gonna Take a Miracle," at the end of the film. Labelle also contributed to Nikki Giovanni's "Peace Be Still".
The group released Labelle in 1971 on Warner Brothers Records. It included covers of songs by the Rolling Stones, Kenny Rogers, Carole King and Laura Nyro. The following album, Moonshadow (1972), even though it included covers of famous songs ("MoonShadow" by Cat Stevens and the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again"), gave Hendryx more freedom to write material for Labelle. The album flopped commercially, as did the third Labelle album, Pressure Cookin, (1973), released on RCA Records. By this time and until Labelle's break-up, Hendryx wrote most of Labelle's material, taking the songs in a highly experimental direction that was a far cry from the sound that the Bluebelle's (and most other "girl groups" of the era) had performed. Although the album wasn't commercially successful, Pressure Cookin' allowed her to hone her talents as a songwriter, clearly demonstrated by the moving "(Can I Speak to You Before You Go to) Hollywood," which was based on the way the ladies felt when people who had "made it" in the business no longer were interested in keeping in contact with Patti, Sarah, or Nona.
After Pressure Cookin', Labelle signed with Epic Records and recorded an album, Nightbirds, with Allen Toussaint, a famous record producer. "Lady Marmalade", a sexy, funky disco song about a New Orleans prostitute(with a come-hither French chorus, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?") became a massive hit in 1975 and one of the first mainstream disco hits (Jones and Kantonen, 1999). The success of the single also pushed the album to the top of the charts. It would be covered by numerous artists including Madchester-era indie The Happy Mondays (spliced into "Kinky Afro") and most notably Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and P!nk for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.
Labelle's commercial momentum after Nightbirds and "Lady Marmalade" decreased, in spite of several hits and the critically acclaimed experimental albums Phoenix (1975) and Chameleon (1976). When the group split up in 1976, Hendryx and LaBelle managed successful solo careers, while Sarah Dash had a few notable dance hits: "Sinner Man" (1978, which gained her much public attention), and "Lucky Tonight" (1984), with Sylvester singing background vocals. Dash also acted on television for the PBS series "Watch Your Mouth," (1978), and has performed on Broadway. Her career picked up again om the 90s when she was asked to sing with The Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels album, and even more so when she became one of Keith Richards' "X-pensive Winos," and was given solo and duet opportunities with his band (namely the (duet) ballad, "Make No Mistake," and solo "Time Is on My Side," which Richards said in his autobiography is "the best version he has ever heard").
LaBelle, Hendryx, and Dash have reunited several times including a famed 1991 reunion at the Apollo Theater 30 years after the group first stole the audience's hearts at the same venue. The concert was recorded as a live album. A brief reunion came in the form of the huge dance succes "Turn It Out," from the To Wong Foo soundtrack. They reunited again in 2001 to honor Patti on BET's "Walk of Fame," where the performed an explosive version of "What Can I Do for You," as well as "Lady Marmalade" The most recentl reunion was in 2005 during a tribute to Patti's 45th anniversary in show business. In January 2006, Labelle again reunited to record "Dear Rosa," a tribute to the late civil rights champion Rosa Parks. The release date of the single has not been set at this time. There are also plans for an entire reunion album and tour, most likely to happen in 2007. In addition, Labelle will contribute songs for the soundtrack for the upcoming film, "Preaching to the Choir."
There are other artists with the same name:
2) LaBelle (aka LaBelle Rocks) is a rock band from Madrid, Spain with strong influence from 1950s music and appearance. Their current lineup consists of Alicia Montesquiu, Pedro Herrero, Mey Alean and Carlos Mirat.
Cinema is his first album produced by filmmaker Juanma Bajo Ulloa with a first celebrated single FIRE! and the musical production by Fernando Montesinos and David Kano. His second album Accidents a very personal and enveloping work, again with the musical talent of Fernando Montesinos in production for Noisy Sound and Paco Ortega for Musigrama in one of the songs.
3) Labelle (Jérémy Labelle,Maloya-Electronic Composer from Reunion Island. Founder member of Eumolpe.)
"...Resolutely syncretic, the universe of Labelle unites Maloya (from Réunion traditional music) and electronics, colored with Indian and African touches..."
Turn It Out
Labelle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another place
A little Maybeline
To spread on my face, well
This underwear
A jubinaire
Make up my eyes
Shine up my pumps
And I'll put on some hose
Dress up my clothes
Yeah, I'll need two of those, hmmm
It makes me feel
So mighty real
Run in my stockings
Hey, it ain't no big deal
You've to turn it out
You've got to work it out
You've to turn it out
You've got to work it out
Dress up my nails
And I'll take a detail
Put on my lips
Maybe take out my hips, well
I'm looking lovely, baby
Catch my affect
Give me attention
Give me lots of respect, yeah
Shine up the runway
While I powder my nose
Turn on the spotlight
Gonna strike up a pose, well
A dramp affair
Nor derrier
I'll give you attitude
And nothing compares
Why don't ya
Why don't ya
Mama's gonna perculate
You've got to move to stimulate ya
Why don't ya
Yeah
Lookin' like a luminary
Extra ordinary
Sing it!
Tight'n up the runway
While I powder my nose
Turn on the spotlight
Gonna strike up a pose
It makes me feel
So mighty real
I'll turn you out
When I turn on my heel, yeah
Show 'em what you know, baby
Do it now
Do it hard
Do it dirty
You've got
You turn it out
We'll give you flatter, baby
Without a doubt
Whew
Hey
We're gonna show you
Just what fashions about
Hey!
Why don't you?
Mama's gonna perculate
You've got to move to stimulate ya
Yeah
Walk, talk, stop, stop, real, real, sex appeal
Why don't you?
My girls are gonna educate ya
Got to go so see ya later
Lookin' like a luminary
Extra-ordinary
The lyrics to Labelle's song "Turn It Out" describe the transformation of the singer into a confident and empowered performer. The first stanza reflects the process of getting ready for a performance, with the singer describing putting on makeup and dressing up. The second stanza is about the power that comes with getting ready, and the confidence it brings. The chorus is a call to action, telling the listener that they need to "turn it out" and "work it out" in order to feel confident and empowered like the singer. The third stanza reflects the performer's attitude towards their performance, with lyrics that demonstrate their self-assuredness and willingness to take risks. The final stanza is a call to action and encouragement to follow the performer's example, with lyrics that empower the listener to embrace their own power and beauty.
The lyrics of "Turn It Out" reflect themes of empowerment, confidence, and self-expression. The song encourages listeners to embrace their own power, and to express themselves freely and confidently. It reflects the spirit of empowerment and self-love that emerged during the 1970s, as more women began to embrace their own style and individuality. The song has become an anthem for people who want to be themselves and to express themselves confidently and freely.
Line by Line Meaning
Another town
I am in a new place
Another place
I have not been here before
A little Maybeline
I am applying Maybeline to my face
To spread on my face, well
I am adding makeup to my face
This underwear
I am wearing fancy undergarments
A jubinaire
My undergarments are luxurious
Make up my eyes
I am adding makeup to my eyes
And I'll tease out my hair, yeah
I'll style my hair in a fancy way
Shine up my pumps
I am shining my high-heeled shoes
And I'll put on some hose
I am wearing stockings
Dress up my clothes
I am putting on fancy clothing
Yeah, I'll need two of those, hmmm
I need two items of clothing
It makes me feel
I feel
So mighty real
Confident and empowered
Run in my stockings
I have stockings on that are getting ruined from running
Hey, it ain't no big deal
It is not a significant issue
You've to turn it out
One must present oneself well
You've got to work it out
You must make an effort to present oneself well
Dress up my nails
I am painting my nails
And I'll take a detail
I am taking time to perfect my appearance
Put on my lips
I am applying lipstick
Maybe take out my hips, well
I might wear something that slims my hips
I'm looking lovely, baby
I look good
Catch my affect
Take notice of my appearance
Give me attention
I want people to notice me
Give me lots of respect, yeah
I want people to treat me well
Shine up the runway
I am shining the catwalk
While I powder my nose
I am applying makeup to my face
Turn on the spotlight
I am turning on a light to draw attention to me
Gonna strike up a pose, well
I am going to assume a flattering position
A dramp affair
I am suggesting that my appearance and demeanor is sophisticated
Nor derrier
I am indicating that I do not have a big butt
I'll give you attitude
I am capable of charming everyone around me
And nothing compares
Nobody can match my sense of style or confidence
Mama's gonna perculate
I am going to inspire and excite everyone
You've got to move to stimulate ya
Act a certain way, to become stimulating to others
Lookin' like a luminary
I am looking like a star or someone important
Extra-ordinary
I am standing out and making an impact
Tight'n up the runway
I'm making sure the catwalk is at its best
I'll turn you out
I'll impress you and get you to pay attention to me
When I turn on my heel, yeah
I will draw attention to my appearance as I leave
Show 'em what you know, baby
Show the world what you're capable of
Do it now
Take action immediately
Do it hard
Put in maximum effort
Do it dirty
Be a bit scandalous or daring
We'll give you flatter, baby
We'll give you praise or compliments
Without a doubt
No questions or doubts
Hey
Hey
We're gonna show you
We'll prove it to you
Just what fashions about
We'll demonstrate what fashion is really all about
My girls are gonna educate ya
I and my friends will teach you
Got to go so see ya later
I have to leave, goodbye!
Walk, talk, stop, stop, real, real, sex appeal
These are commands to present oneself in a certain way, to possess a sexual appeal
Lookin' like a luminary
I am looking like a star or someone important
Extra-ordinary
I am standing out and making an impact
Contributed by Harper Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.