Glam Rock's Accidental Genius: The Making of "Ooh La La"

The iconic song "Ooh La La" by Goldfrapp was conceived as a tribute to glam rock, drawing heavily on influences like Marc Bolan. Despite its apparent complexity, the track is noted for its minimalist composition, featuring a prominent clap, bassline, vocal, and sparse synth and guitar stabs. The chorus lyric, "Ooh la la," was a spontaneous addition inspired by a trip to France.

Lyrical depth was achieved through personal reflections on relationships, visual metaphors drawn from a 1950s film depicting a broken heel, and the inclusion of Baudelaire's poetry. Portishead's Adrian Utley was invited to play guitar, a conscious decision to experiment beyond the duo's prior aversion to the instrument. The song's production embraced a lo-fi aesthetic, often created in rented holiday homes to foster isolation and creative freedom away from London.

The recording process embraced happy accidents, such as the accidental inclusion of keyboard clatter on the bassline track due to a live microphone. This lo-fi approach, combined with a simple, repetitive structure, allowed the song to sidestep typical songwriting complexities. The track's enduring appeal is attributed to its unique blend of synthetic and natural sounds, avoiding firm categorization into any single genre and maintaining relevance over time.

Reflecting on the song's impact, Goldfrapp noted its frequent use in intimate scenes, a usage they have sometimes declined. The band's early career featured meticulous music video production, with "Ooh La La" benefiting from ample time and budget. The song's distinctive sound, characterized by its simplicity and electronic elements, continues to resonate, distinguishing it from contemporary music trends.