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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Copacabana_(song)
Copacabana (song) - Wikipedia
November 25, 2025 - Thirty years later, the club has been transformed into a discotheque, but a middle-aged Lola remains in her showgirl attire, now a customer at the bar who "drinks herself half blind" lamenting the loss of her youth, her sanity, and Tony. "Copacabana" debuted on Billboard magazine's Top 40 chart ...
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PopCrush
popcrush.com › lola-showgirl-copacabana-song-meaning
'...Lola, She Was a Showgirl': The Dark & Tragic Meaning Behind the 'Copacabana' Song
October 9, 2023 - Set in the 1940s or so, the first verse of the song chronicles the the glitz and glitter of Lola's job as a showgirl as well as her falling in love with Tony, the bartender at the club she works at:
People also ask

Is Lola based on a real person?
No specific person, but she embodies a type — the hopeful performer seduced and destroyed by showbiz, echoing many Hollywood cautionary tales.
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allmusicals.com
allmusicals.com › lyrics › copacabana › copacabanaatthecopa.htm
Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics — Copacabana (Musical)
Why does the song warn “don’t fall in love” at the end?
It’s a haunting reversal. What began as a romantic hotspot becomes a graveyard of dreams. The warning is hard-earned: love here comes with heartbreak and maybe worse.
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allmusicals.com
allmusicals.com › lyrics › copacabana › copacabanaatthecopa.htm
Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics — Copacabana (Musical)
How does this version differ from Barry Manilow’s original?
The cast version leans harder into the theatricality, emphasizing emotional arcs and character development. It transforms a disco hit into a Broadway narrative with higher dramatic stakes.
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allmusicals.com
allmusicals.com › lyrics › copacabana › copacabanaatthecopa.htm
Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics — Copacabana (Musical)
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American Songwriter
americansongwriter.com › home › the gloomy story behind lola the showgirl in barry manilow’s 1978 hit “copacabana”
The Gloomy Story Behind Lola the Showgirl in Barry Manilow's 1978 Hit "Copacabana"
“This story talks about love and passion and hatred and violence and murder and alcoholism and neurosis, all the fun things in life, don’t you think?” Manilow says in an introduction of the song.
Published   June 17, 2023
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Genius
genius.com › Barry-manilow-copacabana-lyrics
Barry Manilow – Copacabana Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
[Chorus] At the Copa, Copacabana (Copa, Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (Here) At the Copa, Copacabana (Copacabana) Music and passion were always the fashion At the Copa, she lost her love (Copa, Copacabana) [Bridge] (Copa, Copacabana) (Copacabana) (Music and passion) (Always in fashion) [Verse 3] 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 the dress she used to wear Faded feathers in her hair
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Songfacts
songfacts.com › lyrics › barry-manilow › copacabana-at-the-copa
Lyrics for Copacabana (At The Copa) by Barry Manilow - Songfacts
At the copa, Copacabana The hottest spot north of Havana At the copa, Copacabana Music and passion were always the fashion At the copa, she lost her love Two, three, four Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl But that was many 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 Music and passion were always in fashion At the copa, don't fall in love Oh, oh, oh, oh Writer/s: Barry Manilow, Bruce H.
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SongMeanings
songmeanings.com › b › barry manilow › copacabana (at the copa)
Barry Manilow - Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics & Meanings | SongMeanings
Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics & Meanings: / / Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl / With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to the...
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PETA
mvcurrent.com › 9983 › features › her-name-was-lola-a-copacabana-story
Her Name Was Lola: A Copacabana Story – The MV Current
The song weaves the tale of a showgirl named Lola who falls in love with the bartender across the club, Tony. At some point, a wealthy mobster, Rico, enters the bar and calls Lola over after she is finished with her show.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/music › here are lyrics to my favourite song, copacabana by barry manilow
r/Music on Reddit: Here are lyrics to my favourite song, CopaCabana by Barry Manilow
December 29, 2021 -

[Verse 1]

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 8 til 4 They were young and they had eachother, who could Ask For More

[Chorus]

At the Copa, Copa Cabana, The Hottest spot north of Havana, At the Copa, Copa Cabana, Music and passion were always the fashion at the Copaaaaaa,.. They Fell in Love

[Verse 2]

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 too 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

[Chorus]

At the Copa, Copa Cabana, The Hottest spot north of Havana, At the Copa, Copa Cabana, Music and passion were always the fashion at the Copaaaaaa,.. She Lost her Love

[Verse 3]

Her Name is Lola, She was a Showgirl, But that was 30 Years ago, When they used to have a show, Now it’s a Disco but not For Lola, Still in the 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

[Chorus]

At the Copa, Copa Cabana, The Hottest spot north of Havana, At the Copa, Copa Cabana, Music and passion were always the fashion at the Copaaaaaa,.. Don’t Fall in Love,. Don’t Fall in Love

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TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › her-name-was-lola-she-was-a-showgirl-explained
Her Name Was Lola She Was A Showgirl Explained | TikTok
1 month ago - Explore the meaning behind the iconic lyrics and unravel the story of love, loss, and despair. #copacabana #Lola #Tony #Rico #love #tragedy #heartbreak #showgirl. Copacabana song meaning, Lola song meaning, Copacabana lyrics, Lola lyrics meaning, showgirl, tragic love story, bartender Tony, Rico, heartbreak, love, loss, despair
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All Musicals
allmusicals.com › lyrics › copacabana › copacabanaatthecopa.htm
Copacabana (At the Copa) Lyrics — Copacabana (Musical)
The song opens with a nostalgic tone, introducing us to Lola, a showgirl adorned with yellow feathers and a daring dress. The use of "was" immediately signals that we're delving into a story recounted from the past. Lola's performances of the merengue and cha-cha, dances that gained popularity in the 1930s and 1950s, respectively, anchor the narrative's timeframe.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Copacabana 1978 Barry Alan Harold Pincus Manilow Night Club Hottest Spot North Havana New York City - YouTube
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 trie...
Published   December 9, 2011
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TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › her-name-was-lola-she-was-a-showgirl-lyrics
Her Name Was Lola She Was A Showgirl Lyrics | TikTok
6 days ago - Her Name Was Lola lyrics analysis, music song story, catchy song lyrics, nostalgic music hits, music interpretation, classic song meanings, lyric breakdown of Her Name Was Lola, famous song lyrics, uncover song meanings, audio lyrical exploration ... Replying to @3clipse28 Copacabana by Barry Manilow, years later and they still doing my girl Lola crazy 👯‍♀️🪩 #singer #cover #nostalgia Lola: The Timeless Showgirl in Copacabana Memories.
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LyricAdvisor
streetdirectory.com › lyricadvisor › song › eeppf › copacabana_at_the_copa
Copacabana (At The Copa) Lyrics by Barry Manilow
At the Copa, (Co) Copacabana (Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (here) At the Copa, (Co) Copacabana (Copacabana) Music and passion were always the fashion At the Copa (scream) she lost her love (Copa, Copacabana) Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl But that was thirty years ago, when they used to have a show Now it's the disco, but not for Lola Still in the 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!
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Lynnharaldson
lynnharaldson.com › 2022 › 08 › 18 › at-the-copa-lola-was-so-much-more-than-a-showgirl
At the Copa, Lola Was so Much More than a Showgirl – Lynn Haraldson, Author and Writing Mentor
September 29, 2022 - Think of Lola and how you would show up if she was your friend. Help her make different decisions. Help her be a star, even if by “star” it means she eats regularly, is allowed to talk about her Tony, feels heard and loved. Ask her to do the merengue or cha-cha. I really hope this blog exorcized the “Copacabana” earworm and I move on to a different song tonight.
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SongFacts
songfacts.com › facts › barry-manilow › copacabana-at-the-copa
Copacabana (At The Copa) by Barry Manilow - Songfacts
The story told in this song about ... first half of the song, but the story takes a tragic turn when Tony is shot and killed, and we find Lola 30 years later insane and despondent over her loss....
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Musixmatch
musixmatch.com › lyrics › The-Harvard-Din-Tonics › Copacabana
The Harvard Din & Tonics - Copacabana lyrics | Musixmatch
The song 'Copacabana' by The Harvard Din & Tonics tells the story of Lola, a showgirl who experiences love, loss, and tragedy at the Copacabana nightclub.
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Onstage Magazine
onstagemagazine.com › barry-manilow-copacabana
Barry Manilow "Copacabana" - Onstage Magazine.com
February 7, 2023 - The song opens with the line “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl,” establishing the central character and setting of the song. Throughout the verses, Manilow sings about Lola’s rise to fame and her life as a performer at the Copacabana.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Barry Manilow - Her name was Lola (Copacabana) (Lyrics) - YouTube
Her name was Lola - 0:14Barry Manilow - Copacabana (At the Copa)Stream "Copacabana".Follow Barry Manilow:https://www.instagram.com/BarryManilowOfficialhttps:...
Published   January 7, 2024
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TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › her-name-is-lola-she-was-a-showgirl-full-song
Her Name Is Lola She Was A Showgirl Full Song | TikTok
October 27, 2025 - Discover the full song 'Her Name Is Lola, She Was a Showgirl' and relive the memorable moments from Barry Manilow's iconic hit.See more videos about Her Name Was Lola Full Song, Her Name Was Lola Explained Full Song, Her Name Is Lola She Was A Showgirl Lyrics, Whats The Name of The Song Her Name Was Lola She Was A Showgirl, Her Name Was Lola She Was A Showgirl Lyrics, Her Name Is Lola She Was A Show Girl.
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Genius
genius.com › Barry-manilow-copacabana-at-the-copa-long-version-lyrics
BARRY MANILOW – Copacabana (At the Copa) [Long Version] Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
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 the 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!