Lolita (Leah LaBelle song)

Updated on Nov 23, 2023

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Format Digital download Length 2:49		Genre Funk pop
Released May 7, 2013 (2013-05-07) Label Epic Records So So Def Recordings I Am Other Writer(s) Pharrell Williams Kelly Sheehan

"Lolita" is a song by American singer Leah LaBelle released on May 7, 2013. It was written by American songwriter Kelly Sheehan in collaboration with record producer Pharrell Williams. Labelle recorded the track as a part of a joint record deal with Epic Records, So So Def Recordings, and I Am Other. Backed by synthesizers and a bass guitar, it is a funk and pop song with disco and Latin influences. Some suggested the song was inspired by Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita, but music commentators noted that the lyrics greatly diverged from the source material.

"Lolita" was positively received, with music critics praising its chorus, Williams' production, and LaBelle's vocal performance. The single only ranked number 7 on the Dance Club Songs Billboard chart in the United States. Internationally, it peaked at number 264 on the official Tophit airplay chart. To promote "Lolita", LaBelle sang an acoustic version for Rap-Up, and performed the original version at various venues, such as New York Fashion Week and the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

In the song's accompanying music video, directed by Diane Martel, LaBelle plays the part of Lolita as she seduces boys from her neighborhood. The music video received a mixed response because of its treatment of sexuality. Welsh singer-songwriter Charlotte Church strongly criticized Martel's creation of sexually-explicit music videos, with the "Lolita" video highlighted as inappropriate and crass. The carwash scene was selected by Idolator as one of the video's "sexy situations." Despite the criticism, LaBelle's performance in the video garnered some positive responses.

Background and release

Initially rising to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, Leah LaBelle released covers of songs through her YouTube account, and found minor success. American record producer Pharrell Williams, discovered LaBelle through her videos, and called So So Def Recording's founder and CEO Jermaine Dupri for his opinion of her. In 2011, LaBelle was signed to a joint record deal with L.A. Reid's company Epic Records, Dupri's So So Def Recordings, and Williams' label I Am Other. She said that Williams and Dupri were drawn to her style of performing. "Lolita" was written by American songwriter Kelly Sheehan in collaboration with record producer Pharrell Williams. It was recorded by Andrew Coleman and Mike Larson, and was edited by Andrew Coleman. Additional and assistant engineering was carried out by Matthew Desremeaux, PJ McGinnis, and Tony Olivera. The song was mixed by Leslie Brathwaite.

On March 26, 2013, Epic Records released a digital EP ten electro house remixes and instrumentals of "Lolita" by DJs Sidney Samson, Sick Individuals, and Chris Cox. The single was released as a digital download in select parts of the world through Epic Records on May 7, 2013, before being made available internationally on July 5. The single's cover features LaBelle in a revealing outfit that showcases her cleavage and legs.

Composition and lyrical interpretation

"Lolita" is a funk and pop song that lasts two minutes and forty-nine seconds. The song is composed in the key of E minor and has a moderate dance tempo of 120 beats per minute. It features "a deep-bass disco vibe with a layer of grime" and Latin influences. Its instrumentation is provided by synthesizers, a bass guitar, and it has a "stomp". Bradley Stern of MuuMuse described the song as a "blend of funk and ferocity" and "disco-tinged strut".

In the single, LaBelle teases the listener with the lyrics: "Am I the aim of your fascination? / Am I the eye of your storm?". During the chorus, LaBelle is described as crooning the following lyrics: "Baby, I was born to make you do something you've never done / You'll be forever young / I'm your Lolita." LaBelle continues to seduce the listener by singing: "Leave your pinstripes and your 9 to 5 in my Lolita eyes tonight / Come on, let's dirty up your mind." Singersroom described LaBelle as sounding "ready to pleasure her man" over the course of the song.

Centric's Justin Joseph suggested that the song was inspired by Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita and called LaBelle's "musical take on the taboo tale ... one that is borderline side-eye worthy." Soulbounce.com also noted that LaBelle's age differentiated her from the Nabokov character, but described the singer as "embod[ying] the alluring essence of the literary temptress." According to Complex, the lyrics diverge dramatically from the character Lolita in Nabokov's novel, and MTV's Jenna Hally Rubenstein agreed that it was a loose adaptation of Nabokov. LaBelle clarified that the single was not directly about Lolita or attraction to youth. She suggested instead that it was about being someone's desire or fantasy.

Reception

"Lolita" has received mostly positive reviews from music critics, with MTV's Brad Stern including it in his list of 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week for January 22, 2013. Stern called the single "a fresh, obsessively repeat-friendly cut" and a "slice of strut-friendly goodness." Idolator's Sam Lansky praised the song as "slinky good fun", and felt that the single was "radio candy" that should have received more attention from mainstream media. "Lolita" was described "funky" by David Drake of Complex, and Singersroom found that it was a good fit for the radio. It was considered an excellent example of Williams' capability as a producer by MTV's Jenna Hally Rubenstein, who appreciate the song's adaptation of the Nabokov story. Soulhead.com commended LaBelle's vocal performance, with the single being noted for its "clearly articulated lyrics that are sung with passion." The website continued by saying that the song added to the anticipation of the release of LaBelle's debut album. Bradley Stern found "Lolita" to be an improvement over "Sexify", and wrote that it was the type of music that American singer Justin Timberlake should have released on his album The 20/20 Experience when he returned to music.

Following its release, "Lolita" was a minor success in the United States. In the week of March 22, 2013, the single was listed as one of the "breakout tracks" for the Dance Club Songs Billboard chart, which meant that it was expected to debut on the chart within several weeks. It reached the top 20 of the chart the week of May 5, 2013, before reaching a peak position of number 7 at the end of the month. Internationally, "Lolita" ranked on the official Tophit airplay chart at number 264 in June, 2013.

Music video and promotion

A lyric video was uploaded to LaBelle's Vevo account on February 11, 2013. It was filmed by director Diane Martel in Los Angeles, and was released on May 8, 2013. BET aired the video, and included it on its signature countdown show 106 & Park.

In the video, LaBelle plays the part of Lolita, defined as a "badass baby girl", and seduces boys in her neighborhood. The video reverses the imagery of the heart-shaped glasses from Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film Lolita, by having the shirtless men wear them as they pursue LaBelle. She is shown watering flowers while wearing a skirt, dancing in the streets, and counting money while sitting on a lemonade stand. The men serve as LaBelle's "heart eyed entourage" and "her own personal secret service"; they are seen washing a toy car in a carwash and presenting the singer with a life-sized teddy bear.

There was a mixed critical response to the music video because of its use of sexuality. Baffuor Gyamfi of Mass Appeal praised LaBelle's presence in the video, writing that the singer's "sex appeal dominates the video, no matter how weird things get." LaBelle sex appeal was noted by Centric's Justin Joseph and Rap-Up. Welsh singer-songwriter Charlotte Church criticized Diane Martel for her creation of sexually-explicit music videos, and referenced the "Lolita" video as "an objectionable little number"; Church also disapproved of the single's title. Idolator's Sam Lansky called the video "crazy-sexy-cool", saying of the carwash scene – "[Y]ikes!".

LaBelle first performed "Lolita" as a part of a set for BET's Music Matters, which was held on the weekend of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. In the same year, she also performed the song for the Boy Meets Girl runway during New York Fashion Week on February 20 and during the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend in April, 2013 along with her debut single "Sexify". She sang an acoustic version of the single as a part of a Rap-Up session.