I have been a big fan of Barry Manilow’s hit tune “Copacabana” for a solid year now. There’s just something about the tune and the melody that makes my hips swing with energy. But, I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves as one of the finest examples of literature in history. It truly is an exhilarating story of love, lust, and danger. People talk about the works of William Shakespeare, Homer, Walt Whitman, and R.L. Stine and how greatly they’ve impacted the world. But, I think it’s high time we add Barry Manilow to that list.
Let’s examine, shall we?
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
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 eight til four
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?
Okay, so right off the bat, we have a vivid picture of two individuals who have a very deep love and lust for one another. In eight lines, Manilow establishes the basis for a great story. Plus, you know something is rich in culture when it sounds fancy. Notice, Manilow saying “Tony always tended bar” instead of “Tony was a bartender”
“Tony was a bartender” is something I would say to someone at a gas station in passing. But, Manilow is ever the exquisite wordsmith, and uses the English language to create something proper.
At the copa (co) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (co) Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the copa they fell in love
Copa, Copacabana
Ah, the chorus. For one, I dare you not to sing along. For two, now you have the setting. It’s sort of the counter to traditional storytelling, where the setting is placed before we start introducing characters. But, it provides for an interesting turn of events. Now, we know where all the fuckin’ happens. It’s at the Copacabana.
His name was Rico
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 to 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?
So, now Manilow adds the element of conflict that makes every story great. At first, we think Rico is just another patron, wearing his diamond as every grown man should. But, Rico, who is likely caught up in all of the exotic fervor of the Copacabana, takes things too far. I don’t want to presume, but I’m guessing he pulled his dick out in the club.
But, again – Manilow, ever the wordsmith, doesn’t just say that Tony gets up and decks that motherfucker. No, Tony “sails” across the bar – almost like native dance. It’s elegant, graceful, and beautiful. Of course, the love Tony has for Lola is better conveyed in “sailing” anywhere than simply running. They fought, they bled, they broke furniture – my God, the horror. The FIRE within these people. I can feel a burning in my loins just writing this article.
Finally, we get an element of mystery in the story. Who shot who? Will we ever know? There’s only one place on Earth this could happen – and it’s the Copacabana. So, listen to the chorus again.
Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl
But that was thirty years ago, when they used to have a show
Now it’s a disco, but not for Lola
Still in 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
Wow – Manilow builds up this exciting place and creates this arousing dream in all of our minds only to break our hearts. 30 years later, and we find out that Tony was shot and Lola lost her innocence that night. Age has hardened her and faded the feathers in her hair (question though: why is she using the same feathers from 30 years ago? Could she not buy new ones?). She is sad at the disco – a sure sign that the fire that once burned at the Copacabana is nothing more than a pile of smoldering ashes within her soul. I like to think the Copacabana is like Asgard – it is wherever you make it. With that said, I think I carry a little bit of the Copacabana with me wherever I may roam.
For the last time, we hear the chorus. Though this time, it’s riddled with tears.
At the copa (co) Copacabana (Copacabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the copa (co) Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa don’t fall in love
Genius.
Folks, I have to say it. I feel like I’ve been on an adventure….and I definitely need to go change my underwear.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Buy our shirt. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube. Shop our store on Redbubble.
