Lola's Theme

"Lola's Theme" is the debut single by British house duo The Shapeshifters. It was released on 12 July 2004, as the lead single from their debut album, Sound Advice (2004). The song became the duo's biggest hit, peaking atop the UK Singles Chart and charting highly in Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. In Australia it was the most successful club hit of 2004.

"Lola's Theme"
Single by The Shapeshifters
from the album Sound Advice
Released12 July 2004
Recorded2004
GenreNu-disco
Length
  • 3:27 (radio edit)
  • 5:37 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Fulvio Perniola
  • Gianni Bini
  • Karen Poole
  • Max Reich
  • Patrick Moten
  • Simon Marlin[1]
Producer(s)The Shapeshifters
The Shapeshifters singles chronology
"Lola's Theme"
(2004)		 "Back to Basics"
(2005)

Background

The name "Lola's Theme" was originally a working title for this record; Lola is Simon Marlin's wife, and it was while listening to her record collection that the initial idea for the track was conceived. She appears handing out candy floss in the music video.[2]

"Lola's Theme" features a sample from the introduction of Johnnie Taylor's R&B hit of 1982, "What About My Love", and it was originally released at the end of 2003 on their own Nocturnal Groove label as a mostly instrumental track featuring a vocal sample taken from Anthony White's "Love Me Tonight".[3] Due to its immense popularity, "Lola's Theme" was licensed from Nocturnal Groove to Positiva Records.

At the same time, the sample of "What About My Love" was then completely replayed by Mark Summers at Scorccio Sample Replays, recreating all elements of the sample (strings, brass sections, piano, etc.). The duo then set about finding a vocalist. After a long search they met Cookie, a gospel singer from the London Community Gospel Choir,[4][5] who recorded the vocals for the full release.

Composition

The song is a dance-pop song, utilising elements of "What About My Love" by Johnnie Taylor and lyrics from "Love Me Tonight" by Anthony White. Lyrically, the song is written from the perspective of someone who for most of their life felt disillusioned and alienated. It is addressed to an unnamed other, presumably a love interest, who helped the singer to develop a more positive outlook on life.

Chart performance

"Lola's Theme" was released on 12 July 2004, and upon its release, went straight into the charts in the United Kingdom at number one.[6] "Lola's Theme" also topped the American Dance Charts, peaking at number one on the Hot Dance Airplay chart in October 2004. The duo went on to have a further two Top 20 hits in the United Kingdom ("Back To Basics" and "Incredible") and now have a recording contract with Defected Records.

"Lola's Theme" was nominated for "Best British Single" at the 2005 Brit Awards.[7] The song was featured on the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony, on the fictional in game station Vladivostok FM.

Music video

The music video for "Lola's Theme" was filmed at George Irvin's Funfair in Kingsbury, London; some of the video was filmed at the Irvin's Hellraiser (or Waltzer), the Top Buzz and other rides. The Shapeshifters and Cookie appear in the video, as does remixer Norman Jay.

Track listing

UK and European enhanced maxi-single[8]

  1. "Lola's Theme" (radio edit) – 3:25
  2. "Lola's Theme" (main mix) – 8:11
  3. "Lola's Theme" (extended vocal mix) – 6:54
  4. "Lola's Theme" (Eric Prydz Mix) – 8:02
  5. "Lola's Theme" (Calderone Vocal Mix) – 10:26
  6. "Lola's Theme" (enhanced video)

Charts and certifications

See also

References
  1. "Now Dance 2007 – Various Artists – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  2. "BBC – Radio 1 – Ibiza 2004, Tunes". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  3. Gordon-Brown, Nick (10 July 2020). "The Shapeshifters Let Loose". glitterboxibiza.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. Simpson, Dave (6 July 2004). "Shapeshifters". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
  5. "Lola's Theme". tourdates.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
  6. "Lola's Theme". All Business. 14 August 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
  7. Sullivan, Caroline (11 January 2005). "Franz Ferdinand head list as credibility comes to the fore in Brits nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  8. Lola's Theme (UK & European enhanced maxi-single liner notes). The Shapeshifters. Positiva Records, EMI Records, Nocturnal Groove. 2004. CDTIVS207, 7243 8 61267 0 2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. "Australian-charts.com – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  10. "The ARIA Report – ARIA Club Tracks – Week Commencing 19th July 2004" (PDF). ARIA. 19 July 2004. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  11. "Austriancharts.at – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  12. "Ultratop.be – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  13. "Ultratop.be – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  14. "Danishcharts.com – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". Tracklisten. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  15. "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 116 no. 31. 31 July 2004. p. 51. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  16. "The Shapeshifters: Lola's Theme" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  18. "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 29-8–4/9" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on 8 September 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2020. See Best Position column.
  19. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lola's Theme". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  20. "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 15 July 2004". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  21. "Italiancharts.com – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  22. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  23. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  24. "Charts.nz – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  25. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 36, saptamina 6.09 – 12.09, 2004" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 18 January 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  26. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  27. "Swedishcharts.com – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  28. "Swisscharts.com – The Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  30. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  31. "Shape UK Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  32. "Shape UK Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  33. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Club Chart 2004". ARIA. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  34. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2004". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  35. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  36. "British single certifications – Shapeshifters – Lola's Theme". British Phonographic Industry.
  37. Copsey, Rob (18 July 2019). "Official Charts Flashback 2004: Rachel Stevens' Some Girls vs. Lola's Theme". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
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