Copacabana
by Phil Johnson and Roadside Attraction
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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Copacabana, Designer Babies, Do You Believe In Tragic?, Kitties and Boobs, Dodged A Bullet, Kissing In The Rain (2022 Remaster), Happiest Place On Earth, I'm Not Really In The Christmas Mood This Year (feat. Dave Leon), and 39 more.
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about
A very out of character project for me. But it was super fun to work on. Yes, it's the Barry Manilow song.
I'm no Fanilow. Nor do I particularly like "Copacabana".
But two experiences led me to create this version:
- As a guest on the FuMPCast one evening, the host Devo Spice told me he mistook Barry Manilow's voice for mine on his wife's car stereo. Damn him.
- My friend Kristin Korb did a jazz version on her album and it allowed me to really hear the lyrics for the first time. It's a pretty dark story and that original version is just so bouncy.
So I decided that the song needed a darker, grittier version. I thought to myself "What would a Murder Ballads-period Nick Cave do with this song? And what if he collaborated with Type O Negative?"
And so you get my version of "Copacabana". A version that people who love the song will hate and people who hate the song might like a little better.
I'm no Fanilow. Nor do I particularly like "Copacabana".
But two experiences led me to create this version:
- As a guest on the FuMPCast one evening, the host Devo Spice told me he mistook Barry Manilow's voice for mine on his wife's car stereo. Damn him.
- My friend Kristin Korb did a jazz version on her album and it allowed me to really hear the lyrics for the first time. It's a pretty dark story and that original version is just so bouncy.
So I decided that the song needed a darker, grittier version. I thought to myself "What would a Murder Ballads-period Nick Cave do with this song? And what if he collaborated with Type O Negative?"
And so you get my version of "Copacabana". A version that people who love the song will hate and people who hate the song might like a little better.
lyrics
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?
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa they fell in love
Copa, 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?
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa, she lost her love
(Copa, Copacabana)
(Copacabana)
(Music and Passion)
(Always in fashion)
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
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa
(Copacabana)
(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 eight til four
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa they fell in love
Copa, 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?
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa, she lost her love
(Copa, Copacabana)
(Copacabana)
(Music and Passion)
(Always in fashion)
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
At the copa Copacabana
The hottest spot north of Havana
At the copa Copacabana
Music and passion were always in fashion
At the copa
(Copacabana)
(Copacabana)
credits
released April 5, 2024
Written by Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman, and Jack Feldman
This arrangement by Phil Johnson
Performed by Phil Johnson
Written by Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman, and Jack Feldman
This arrangement by Phil Johnson
Performed by Phil Johnson
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Phil Johnson and Roadside Attraction Milpitas
Phil Johnson is a man who gets mistaken for a woman, but only by those not paying attention. That revelation kicks off a battle for self-awareness where comedy and music are the weapons of choice. It’s a battle that has taken Phil to such esteemed festivals as the Edinburgh Fringe and Sundance Film Festivals and the Top 8 Finals of the World Series of Comedy. ... more
shows
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Apr 26Santa Rosa, CA
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May 3Clovis, CA
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May 7Fairfax, CA
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May 10Oakland, CA
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May 30Santa Cruz, CA
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Jun 14Lincoln City, OR
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Jun 15Lincoln City, OR
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Aug 30San Diego, CA
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Aug 31San Diego, CA
discography
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Apr 2024 -
Jun 2023 -
Jan 2023 -
May 2022
contact / help
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