Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme

In the early 2000s, UK dance music was in flux—UK garage had faded, electroclash was on the rise, and underground house and techno were thriving. Amidst this, Simon Marlin, a London DJ and A&R man, met Swedish producer Max Reich, forming The Shapeshifters.

Their breakout moment came from a chance encounter with Johnnie Taylor’s 1982 track What About My Love, which Marlin’s wife Lola played at home. Inspired by its opening bars, he pitched up the sample, called Max, and hit the studio. Adding a vocal snippet from Anthony White’s Love Me Tonight, they crafted Lola’s Theme, named after Lola’s role in its discovery.

Released as a white label in late 2003, demand exploded. By Miami WMC 2004, the track was everywhere. Though initially turned down by Defected, Positiva Records signed it, adding a vocal by Cookie from the London Community Gospel Choir. Lola’s Theme became a UK No.1 hit, led to Top of the Pops performances, a BRIT nomination, and a career-defining legacy for The Shapeshifters.

Original Instagram Post

The Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme (Official Video)

Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme (Top Of The Pops Live From Gateshead)

Music Sample

Johnnie Taylor (1934–2000) was an American soul, blues, and gospel singer known for his smooth vocals and versatility across multiple genres. Often called the “Philosopher of Soul,” he gained fame with hits like Who’s Making Love (1968), which became a No. 1 R&B hit and crossed over to the pop charts.

His biggest hit came in 1976 with Disco Lady, which became the first single to be certified platinum by the RIAA. He continued recording and performing until his death in 2000. His 1982 song What About My Love was famously sampled in Lola’s Theme by The Shapeshifters.