W♥M049: Lio

Okay, so I’m in love with Lio, and it’s somewhat frustrating to find out that she’s not at all recognized/remembered in America. Today’s W♥M Radio #49 episode will be about the Belgium lolita known simply as “Lio”, named after a brown-haired teenage girl from the French comic book-turned-movie Barbarella.

Lio – Banana Split Lio – Les Brunes Comptent Pas Pour Des Prunes

The first song that I heard from her is “Amoureux Solitaires”, which translate to something like “Alone in Love”. I loved it so much, I had to find more from Lio, and quickly discovered the faster-paced and ultimately superior song “Le Banana Split”. The music video to this song was ridiculous, it features a 17-year-old Lio prancing and dancing super imposed on a gigantic banana split with two mound of ice cream (READ: phallic).

My favorite song “Les brunes comptent pas pour les prunes”, which literally translates to “The brown ones are not plums”. The correct meaning actually was translated and sung in English by Lio called “Brunettes Are No Puppets”, which was released as a single to the English-speaking countries circa 1986.

Well, I wish I can un-hear “Brunettes Are No Puppets”, as I think I prefered it when I didn’t know what Lio was singing about. But that’s just the way it goes.

If you are thinking of getting an album from Lio, since most of her records was sold in France and possibly are out of print, the second-hand market can be very expensive. Some quick check and here’s some examples: the rarely seen nude cover Wandatta for $42 and her only English album Suite Sixtine priced at $39… So yes, quite expensive. I did find a “Greatest Hits” Best of Lio, album for $19, that should get you started.