Written and released in 2004, Lola’s Theme by The Shapeshifters is a track that helped define the sound of the noughties. In a time when both Dance Music and sampling were both technically and culturally coming into their own, Lola’s Theme was a sensation that topped charts across the world.
But how did Lola’s Theme find its way to such international success? And what was the original inspiration behind the track?
Today we’ll be digging a little deeper into the story behind Lola’s Theme and how it came to dominate the sound of 2004.
Designing A Hit
When Simon Marlin and Max Reich started working on Lola’s Theme, they had no way of knowing the explosive success their track would see. All the same, as their first single, they were under a lot of pressure to get it right so when the perfect idea struck, they were more than ready to take it on.
It all started when Simon Marlin was listening to some records late one night with his then wife Lola – for whom the track is named. She played Jonnie Taylor’s “What About My Love” and, although Marlin had heard the track before, something about the opening bars spoke to him then as they never had before. In that moment, he knew he had a great idea for a track.
Finding A Vocalist
While Lola’s Theme is certainly iconic and memorable for its use of samples, the final track needed more than just instrumentals – at least that’s what most of the team thought.
Since then, Marlin himself has stated that he personally was never in favour of putting a vocal on the track and believed that the track would have been just as successful without one. All the same, the team felt that if they wanted radio play, they needed a good vocal line.
Enter Janet Ramus – perhaps better known by her stage name Cookie. A British soul singer with a powerful voice, Cookie’s vocals brought a new layer to the already catchy track. It’s impossible to know whether Marlin is right and the track would still have been a chart-topper without a vocal line but nobody can argue that Cookie’s style was anything less than the perfect match for the track.
The Legacy of Lola’s Theme
Lola’s Theme is one of those dance tracks that simply never seems to age. Two decades on from its initial release, the song is just as catchy and memorable as it was when it first released. While Marlin has admitted to being slightly fatigued with having to play the track over and over, he’s also made it clear that the track still means a lot to him and is a strong source of pride.
And, as it turns out, Lola’s Theme is the gift that just keeps on giving. This summer, British rapper ArrDee worked with Marlin to sample Lola’s Theme for single “Different”. For a track that made creative use of sampling a centrepiece of its sound, it’s incredible to see that, all these years later, Lola’s Theme is now breathing life into new creative works.
