My personal trainer's happy!
Wheee! The weekend's almost here - and we need once again to get in the mood to party!
As it happens to be the 80th [gulp] birthday tomorrow of one Barry Alan Pincus, better known of course as Barry Manilow, what could be more appropriate than the great man's catchiest hit?
Thank Disco It's Friday!
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl At the copa Copacabana His name was Rico At the copa Copacabana Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl At the copa Copacabana
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?
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa.... they fell in love.
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 too 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?
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa... she lost her love
But that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show
Now it's a disco, but not for Lola
Still in the 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
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa... don't fall in love
Don't fall in love…
Have a good weekend, dear reader!
I know someone (I won't name names) who thought the lyrics were: “Her name was Lola. Lola Falana.”
ReplyDeleteWe adore Lola Falana (even if she is practically unknown in the UK)! Sadly, she's "got God" these days - but at least she's still with us, aged 80. Jx
DeleteI was so sad to read about Falana's Lambs of God Ministry! Blech!
DeleteThere's a few of them that went down that road, more's the pity - Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer [although both of them "repented" once they sniffed the possibility of a comeback, and realised the gayers they had criticised were holding the purse strings], Della Reese, Al Green... Jx
DeleteThat seems impossible - 80 years. The man is a damn treasure. Thanks for sharing this. "Faded feathers in her hair... and that same old underwear!"
ReplyDeleteOh. You know Lola, then?
DeleteJx
PS Mr Manilow's a very underrated talent. He's often written off by many as an example of middle-brow cheesiness - yet he's responsible for many an enduring "standard" we all know and love.
Is that John Jacobson the Jazz hands man? I own Manilow Greatest Hits The Platinum Collection 50p from the Sue Ryder shop, it's crap simply because Copacabana and Could It Be Magic are remixes and they go on a bit and he's the reason why I'm reluctant to get a facelift.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of "John Jacobson the Jazz hands man". I do admit, Bazza's face is a salutary lesson for all wannabee cosmetic-"tweak"-fans out there. Jx
DeleteJohn Jacobson whoever-he-is or not, he is adorably limp of wrists!
DeleteAre you implying he might perhaps be a homosexual? Heaven forfend... Jx
DeleteYou know I sang the lyrics (in my head) as I read them! Barry Manilow was at the Tony Awards and looked great! Have a fantastic weekend, sweetpea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows those lyrics and can sing along - it's part of our DNA 😍!
DeleteGlad to know he was looking good at the Tonys - last time I saw a photo of him he looked almost as scary as Lionel Ritchie... Jx
We went to Las Vegas and the key card for our room had a picture of Little Miss Manilow on it (I think he was tinkling ivories in their show.) I found it in my pocket when I got back to work so I propped it up on my desk. A guy I worked with came by and saw it and felt compelled to reveal his passion for the genius of Barry Manilow. I am so glad I escaped that place.
ReplyDeleteYou weren't tempted while in Vegas to catch his show, then? Personally, I wish I had a time machine to be able to go back and witness his stint in the bathhouses supporting Miss Midler! Jx
DeleteBarry is Fab
ReplyDeleteCopacabana the musical was fab too. Such a pity it died a death in the West-End.
Never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the paying audience. So many shows we liked (The Drowsy Chaperone and Betty Blue Eyes come to mind) closed too early, but at least Copacabana lasted two years in the West End, and then went on a UK tour... Jx
DeleteBless Bazza!! Yes, he has an interesting face, ahem.
ReplyDeleteSx
It is sculpted in a rather - ahem - interesting manner these days... Jx
DeleteWhere is the 17th June? Are you okay?
ReplyDeleteSx
Bless you for your concern. I didn't realise I was in "breach of contract"! Jx
DeletePS I actually did a blog post about the Birthday Honours, but was so busy cleaning the place before the Boys from Essex arrived for our gang's trip to Wiltons Music Hall [more of that later, no doubt] that I switched off the PC without realising I hadn't published it... It's there now.
I always thought Liza (with a Z) sang the best version : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ2elHworZI
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Anything Liza touches turns to gold. I do rather love Dame Shirley Bassey's version, however... Jx
Delete