The best gifts are the ones you don't ask for and didn't even know you wanted, so I couldn't be happier to announce one that we're collectively about to receive: Rita Ora is remaking the song "Lady Marmalade." You know, that old chestnut from Moulin Rouge in 2001 that many have tried to imitate, and that you still break out every time you go to karaoke? Or, if you're from the generation before that, the Labelle song from 1975 that taught everyone the only line of French that they know: "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" Wasn't it fun when we were all middle schoolers running around saying that to each other?
But, regardless of how you first came in contact with the song, I hope the news that Ora is bringing it back for the first time in over a decade hits you right in your happy spot. Especially because she's already picked the women she'll be collaborating with on it, and they couldn't be more perfect. As I'm sure you recall from your frequent watchings of the "Lady Marmalade" Grammy performance, and the life-changing (mine, at least) video of all the ballsiest ladies of that era in their underoos, the 2001 version featured Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Mýa, and Lil' Kim, with Missy Elliott flitting in and out of the background. (And up until this moment, I never realized how much punctuation was in their names, collectively.)
And for the new version, Ora has spent a lot of time thinking about it, and she already has her heart set on some seriously impressive artists:
It’s always been my goal to recreate another 'Lady Marmalade'. I’m trying to round up the troops. I think it would be me, Miley [Cyrus], Charli XCX — she’d be fun — and Iggy [Azalea].
Girl. What are you trying to do to me? I couldn't improve on those selections even if I wanted to, and I can almost hear the music in my head. And I love it, so get moving on this project so it can come out when your next album does! Whenever that may be. Here's the 2001 version to hold you over until then.
