All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Luv' biography

1979: Heyday

In the second half of 1978, Luv' became Holland's best export act thanks to the million-sellers "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse". These songs were successful in Benelux, German-speaking countries, Denmark, South Africa and New Zealand and to a lesser extent in Finland, France, Spain, Canada and Australia. 1979 would also be great.

Ad published by Phonogram Records in Billboard Benelux Magazine in 1979 to celebrate the 1 Million sales of "You're the Greatest Lover"

In Germany, their "biggest market", Luv' was a household name. They were chauffeured in limousines to luxury hotels, graced magazines covers and often performed on TV shows such as Starparade, Disco and Musikladen next to super acts like ABBA, Blondie, Boney M. or Village People. The Greatest Lover (which sold 650.000 units in Goethe's country and went gold) was included in the soundtrack of the Derrick TV series. The same song was also used over the credits of a Teutonic comedy film "Sunnyboy and Sugarbaby". Another proof of Luv's glory in the Federal Republic was their cameo role in the movie "Cola, Candy, Chocolate" (a.k.a Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen) in which they performed "Trojan Horse". Last but not least: in a list of the "most popular bands between 1970 and 2000 in FRG", the ladies were ranked #65. In another list of "the greatest acts of the 1970s in FRG", they were ranked #52. (Source: Die Ultimative Charts Show on RTL, Data compiled by Musikmarkt/Mediacontrol).

Luv performing "All You Need Is Luv" medley on Musikladen (March 23. 1979)

Luv' with gold and platinum records

Luv' in German movie "Cola, Candy, Chocolate" (a.k.a Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen")

Luv' singing "Casanova" on AVRO's TopPop

April 1979 saw the release of the single "Casanova", a fresh and catchy track incorporating Spanish guitars. Once again, José, Patty and Marga got the public at their feet. The record became a smash hit and peaked at #2 on the Europarade (a compilation of European charts). It reached the Top 5 in Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and Belgium, the Top 10 in the Netherlands and Germany as well as the Top 20 in Spain. Casanova was a foretaste of the ladies second LP ("Lots of LUV") that came out a few weeks later. The release party of the album took place at the Lido in Amsterdam and coincided with great news: during the event, Actor Rijk de Gooyer gave the three Luv' singers platinum awards to celebrate the good sales of Trojan Horse.

Luv' success in 1979

Luv' on TROS Top 50

Luv' performing Casanova on Musikladen (Original broadcast date: May 17th 1979)

Luv' on TopPop - broadcast date: April 21st 1979

Luv' on Flemish TV show "Dolle Dinsdag"

Musik Jahrmarkt 1979

Luv's producers and songwriters Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer had high expectations for the second opus. They achieved a real tour de force with this big selling record. Their winning formula: ABBA-esque arrangements (Money honey), melodies influenced by Boney M. (Eeny meeny miny moe), Disco music (Saint Tropez, Shoes off), Spanish/Latin American arrangements (Casanova, Marcellino), Europop (I.M.U.R, In the night of love), Neo bubblegum pop (I like sugar candy kisses) and sounds inspired by the 1960s (Dandy). Lots of Luv' peaked at #7 and went platinum in the Netherlands (where it sold 100.000 copies). It reached #6 in Belgium, #8 in Denmark (silver status - 25.000 copies), #11 in Switzerland, #13 in Austria and #39 in Germany.

As Luv' dominated the hit parade, they often made the headlines of the Dutch and German tabloid press. In July, Patty married TV host Ron Brandsteder. Their wedding was big news. The media also focused on the love lives of José and Marga. José and her husband Maarten Andreoli divorced. The dark-haired Luv' singer started to date record producer Will Hoebee whereas Marga was happy with her boyfriend Peter.

But the princesses of Dutch pop had no time to lose with gossips and had a hectic schedule. They founded a limited company called "Interluv'" with their manager Pim ter Linde, Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer to control every aspect of their career. One of the first projects of the newly created organization was the "Lots of Luv" TV special aired by TROS on July 13th. The show was taped at the Ponypark in Slagharen, NL. It was produced by John de Mol (founder of Endemol who later became Marga's lover) in association with Interluv' and Variety Productions.

Interluv' (from left to right): Hans van Hemert, Pim ter Linde, Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, Piet Souer and José Hoebee

Luv' on Lots of Luv' TROS TV special (originally aired on July 13th, 1979)

Soon after, the next single "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" came out. Though it didn't have the potential of previous hits, it reached the Top 10 in Belgium and Denmark, the Top 20 in Holland and Switzerland as well as the Top 40 in Germany. Around the time of its release, Luv' had to face the competition with other girl groups (especially Babe and Dolly Dots) in their homeland. Moreover, the trio was in trouble with Phonogram/Philips. They considered that the record company didn't do its best to promote their music abroad. Finally, they left the label and signed a 750.000 guilder deal with CNR/Carrere. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf called it the "show business transfer of the year".

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe on Musikladen (original broadcast date: August 30th 1979, Live from IFA Berlin)

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe on AVRO's TopPop

In November, Carrere put out "Ooh, Yes I Do", a pop song which used a melody inspired by the flute theme of ABBA's Gimme! Gimme! Gimme (A Man After Midnight). The single was popular in a large part of Continental Europe (#10 on the Europarade, #2 on the Danish IFPI/BT Hitlisten, #5 on the Dutch Top 40, #5 on the Belgian BRT Top 30, #27 on the German Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts, #10 on the French SNEP chart and #13 on the Austrian Ö3-Hitparade). A Spanish version (entitled "Si, Que Si") was recorded for the South American market and eventually reached the Gold status in Mexico. "Ooh, Yes I Do" was taken from Luv's third LP "True Luv" which sold 50.000 copies in Holland and was certified gold.

Ooh, Yes I Do on Musikladen (broadcast on December 13th 1979)

Phonogram/Philips decided to strike back by releasing the compilation "Greatest Hits" (#21 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 in the Netherlands) and the single "Who Do You Wanna Be" (which originally appeared on their first album "With Luv"). 1979 came to an end and turned out to be the peak of Luv's career. 1980 would be full of surprises.

To be continued...
Click here to read the next chapter.

Ooh, Yes I Do on Disco (February 25th, 1980)

Singles charts (peak positions)

Casanova: #2 on the Europarade, #2 on the Nationale Hitparade and #6 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands), #2 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40, #2 on the IFPI/BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #5 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #4 on the Swiss singles chart, #6 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany) and #18 on Single Top 50 ("Los Domingos de ABC - Musica Joven" of ABC newspaper in Spain)

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe: #11 on the Dutch Top 40 and #6 on the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands), #9 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #8 on the IFPI/BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #17 on the Swiss singles chart, #36 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany)

Ooh, Yes I Do: #1 in Mexico, #2 on the BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #10 on the Europarade, #4 on the Nationale Hitparade and #5 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands), #5 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #27 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany), #10 on the SNEP chart (France), #13 on the Ö3-Hitparade (Austria)

Albums charts (peak positions):

Lots Of Luv': #7 on the LP Top 50 and #4 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 (Netherlands), #6 on the Belgian chart (Billboard Benelux), #13 on the Alben Top 25 (Austria), #11 on the Musikmarkt/Schweizer Hitparade (Switzerland), #39 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany), #8 on the IFPI/BT Hitlisten (Denmark)

True Luv': #13 on the LP Top 50 and #7 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 (Netherlands)

Greatest Hits: #21 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 (Holland)

Records releases

7" Vinyl Singles

1. Casanova

Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in April 1979

A side: Casanova (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:48
B side: DJ (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:20

Dutch cover

Casanova (Spanish version)

Casanova (Japanese cover)

2. Eeny Meeny Miny Moe
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in August 1979

A side: Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:46
B side: I.M.U.R (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:35

Original Dutch cover

German cover

Turkish release

Philips/Phonogram France released I.M.U.R as A side and Eeny Meeny Miny Moe as B side

3. Ooh, Yes I Do
Original release by CNR/Carrere Records in November 1979

A side: Ooh, Yes I Do (Hans van Hemert) - 2:57
B side: My Guy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:49

Dutch cover

German cover

Italian cover

Spanish cover

Mexican version (Si, que si)

African pressing

Carrere France released My Guy as the A side and Ooh, Yes I Do the B side

4. Who Do You Wanna Be
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in November 1979

A side: Who Do You Wanna Be (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:43
B: side: I.M.U.R (Janschen & Janchens) - 3:35

Albums

1. Lots Of Luv'
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in May 1979

Front cover

A side:

1. Casanova - 3:48
2. Eeny Meeny Miny Moe - 2:46
3. DJ - 3:20
4. Shoes Off (Boots On) - 3:07
5. Marcellino - 3:14
6. Dandy - 2:46

B side:

1. The Night Of Love - 3:22
2. Money, Honey - 3:16
3. I.M.U.R - 3:35
4. I Like Sugar Candy Kisses - 3:34
5. If You Love Me - 2:34
6. Saint Tropez - 3:04

Credits:

All tracks written by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer as "Janschen & Janschens"

Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide & Patty Brard

Strings: Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest

Publisher: Banananas Music

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Jan H. Van Uden

Artwork: Clouds studio

Management: Interlinde Management

Japanese cover

2. True Luv'

Original release by CNR/Carrere in November 1979

Front cover

back cover

A side:

1. Ooh, Yes I Do (Hans van Hemert)- 2:57
2. Ann-Maria (Piet Souer) - 4:40
3. Rhythm 'n Shoes (Hans van Hemert) - 3:07
4. Flash (Hans van Hemert) - 3:51
5. Boys Goodnight (Piet Souer) - 2:40
6. Daddy, What A Life (Piet Souer) - 3:08

B side:

1. Cloud Nr. 9 (Hans van Hemert) - 3:25
2. Wine, Women And Song (Hans van Hemert) - 3:45
3. Getaway (Piet Souer) - 3:03
4. Stop Me (Piet Souer) - 3:09
5. My Guy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:49
6. Let There Be Love (Janchen & Janschens) - 2:39

Credits:

Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Patty Brard
Strings: Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest
Producer: Hans van Hemert
Arranger/Conductor: Piet Souer
Publisher: Roba/Baierle Musik
Recorded at Wisseloord and DMC Studios
Recording engineers: Pieter Boer and John Sonneveld
Photography: Claude Vanheye
Design: Myosotis
Artwork: Clouds studio

Mexican version

3. Greatest Hits
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in November 1979

Front cover

Back cover

A side:

1. You're the Greatest Lover - 2:50
2. Shoes Off (Boots On) - 3:06
3. Louis, je t'adore - 3:40
4. Casanova - 3:50
5. DJ - 3:20
6. If You Love Me - 2:34
7. I Like Sugar Candy Kisses - 3:36
8. Don't Let Me Down - 2:35

B side:

1. Trojan Horse
2. Marcellino
3. I.M.U.R
4. My Man
5. Sugar Babe
6. Who Do You Wanna Be
7. U.O.Me
8. Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

All tracks written by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer as "Janschen & Janschens"
Produced by Hans van Hemert