Ed Sheeran said he thought about recording an all-male version of “Lady Marmalade,” the ‘70s song best known for its lyric “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?”
In an interview with radio host Charlamagne Tha God, the British singer said his No. 6 Collaborations Project (out July 12) came about because of the song.
“This is such a silly idea. I had an idea of doing that,” he recalled. “Like you could get Bruno [Mars], [Justin] Bieber and me on a record. How fun would that be?”
“Lady Marmalade” has been a hit for three different all-female groups over the years. It was a No. 1 hit in March 1975 for Labelle; No. 1 in the UK for All Saints in 1998; and, in 2001, a No. 1 hit for Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink and Lil' Kim.
Alas, there is no "Lady Marmalade" on Sheeran's album – though he said he did a song with Mars.
Sheeran said No. 6 Collaborations Project is not a mixtape – it’s simply “a compilation album of artists that I am a fan of, that I’ve made music with.” He has already released "I Don't Care" with Bieber and "Cross Me" ft. Chance the Rapper and PnB Rock.
In the same interview, he shared the secret to success in the music business.
“You need personality and you need drive and hard work, and you need talent,” said Sheeran. “Without those things you will not have success.”
What did he have first? “Personality,” he replied. “Because what else can you do if you’re an unattractive ginger kid with glasses? You can just be funny and likeable.”