'Lady Marmalade' French Lyrics Meaning Shocked Patti LaBelle: 'Had No Clue'

Patti LaBelle shared her reaction after learning the meaning of Labelle's "Lady Marmalade" French lyrics.

Before Labelle's official disbandment in 1976, the girl band released several chart-topping albums and songs. One of its tracks, "Lady Marmalade," has a French lyric, and LaBelle did not initially know its meaning.

Patti LaBelle Shares Meaning of "Lady Marmalade" French Lyric

LaBelle sat down for an interview with "Sherri" during which she spoke about the girl band's song. She revealed that she already knew that the 1974 track would be a hit, but she had no clue about its French lyric's meaning.

The lyric in question goes: "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?"

"I had no clue it meant, 'Will you sleep with me tonight?'" she said. "I didn't know French. I didn't know no French. I knew it was a hit!"

Despite the meaning, "Lady Marmalade" ultimately scored the spotlight that it ranked first on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. Several artists also made a cover of the song, including Mya, Christina Aguilera, and Pink.

Mya created a version of the song for the 2001 film, "Moulin Rouge!" Aside from topping the charts again, it also earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals in 2002.

The following year, Labelle's original version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Patti LaBelle's Previous Show Halted Due to Bomb Threat

LaBelle held a Christmas concert at the Riverside Theater in December but left the stage after she and the audience were told to evacuate the venue due to a bomb threat.

Milwaukee Police responded to the area to conduct an investigation and check the place, with K9 units were sent to the area to find any no explosive devices.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee Police Capt. Warren E. Allen Jr. said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that it began a probe into the incident and assured that all patrons were safely evacuated.

LaBelle will resume her show on May 20. According to the Pabst Theater Group, all the tickets purchased in December will still be honored.

Fans who want to acquire more can purchase additional tickets for $55 to $125 through Pabst Theater's website and Pabst Theater's box office.