Is Copacabana Based On Lola Falana? The Truth Behind The Legend

The song “Copacabana” is a popular tune by Barry Manilow, and while it mentions a showgirl named Lola, there’s no direct link to Lola Falana. While Falana was a celebrated showgirl and performer in her time, the inspiration for the “Lola” in the song was likely a composite of different influences.

The song’s writers, Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, have said that the “Lola” in the song is an amalgamation of several showgirls they’d encountered in their careers. The song’s narrative, which tells the story of a tragic romance between a showgirl and a bartender at the Copacabana nightclub, was inspired by various stories and tales they had heard about the famous New York City venue.

It’s worth noting that the song’s lyrics, including the line “Her name is Lola / She was a showgirl,” are more a reflection of the era’s romanticized view of showgirls and the Copacabana nightclub itself. The song’s lyrics are meant to evoke a sense of glamour and excitement, rather than to be a biographical account of any specific individual.

The “Lola” in the song, therefore, is more of a fictional character than a real person. While Falana was a well-known showgirl who undoubtedly contributed to the image of showgirls in the public consciousness, it’s unlikely she was the sole inspiration for the song’s “Lola”.