Lady Marmalade
The Hit Crew Lyrics
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Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
He met marmalade down in old new orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said "hello,
Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more
Now he's back home doing nine to five
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
The Hit Crew's song Lady Marmalade is an ode to a seductive and alluring woman from New Orleans. The song begins with a call for the "soul sister" to come out and strut her stuff on the streets. The lyrics then introduce Marmalade, whom the singer meets in New Orleans. She invites him to engage in a primarily physical relationship by asking if he wants to "give it a go."
The chorus of the song comprises nonsensical phrases such as "Itchi gitchi ya ya da da" and "Mocha-choca-lata ya ya." Regardless of their lack of meaning, the phrases sound whimsical and highly appealing. The chorus also proposes a question most listeners can recognize - "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" which means "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" in French.
The second verse describes the singer's encounter with Marmalade in her boudoir. He drinks all her magnolia wine and tries to keep up with Marmalade's seductive advances. The chorus returns with the untranslatable phrases and the French question, leading to the end of the song.
Overall, the lyrics of Lady Marmalade celebrate the sensual pleasures and physical attraction. It is unclear whether Marmalade has any agency or power in the relationship depicted in the lyrics. The song's playful tune contrasts with the sexually charged lyrics, rendering it an eternal dance classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
Encouraging the sisters to dance and enjoy themselves
He met marmalade down in old new orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said "hello,
Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
He met Lady Marmalade in New Orleans, seeing her strut her stuff on the street. She greeted him, asking if he would be interested in getting intimate.
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
A nonsensical phrase that Lady Marmalade repeats which represents her Creole roots and exotic nature.
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Asking if he wants to sleep with her in French for added passion.
He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak
He sat in her private room while she freshened up, drinking all her wine. His behavior became unpredictable on her black satin sheets.
Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more
He was aroused by the touch of her smooth, tan skin. It made him feel like a savage, wanting more and more.
Now he's back home doing nine to five
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more
Now back to his regular life, he works nine to five and wears boring clothes. However, when he tries to sleep, he can only remember Lady Marmalade and wants more.
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Lady Marmalade repeats her nonsensical phrase, highlighting her unique personality and leaving a lasting impression.
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Creole lady marmalade
The French phrase is repeated, with Lady Marmalade being the seductive Creole woman at the heart of it all.
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
The phrase is repeated multiple times, showing the powerful impact Lady Marmalade has on the artist and the song's overall theme of seduction and desire.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenny Nolan, Robert Crewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind