Luv' & other girl groups: comparative study (1977 - 1981)

Luv's rivals in 1981: Babe, Dolly Dots, Doris & The Pins and Maywood. This picture was taken after Luv's first break-up and used for the cover of the compilation "Ladies Night (We Love You)" released by WEA in the Netherlands and Belgium. Picture edited by Co Rnz

In the late 1970's, Europe was the "Promised Land" for girl groups. During their heyday, Luv' had to face competition with other female pop acts in their homeland but also abroad. They often outsold their rivals in Benelux and German speaking countries. Luv' was a trendsetter for other Dutch productions (Babe, Dolly Dots, Doris D & The Pins...). They shared the same charts with prestigious international groups (Sister Sledge, Baccara, Pointer Sisters, The Three Degrees, Clout...). The study below deals with chart performances in the Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade and the Dutch Top 40) and Germany (Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts). The peak positions on the Europarade are also analysed. This European list combined the weekly hit parades of ten countries: UK (BBC Radio 1 British Top 50), The Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade), West-Germany (Musik Informationen Aktuelle 50), Belgium (BRT Top 30), France (RTL Top 50) and Spain (Radio Madrid Superventas 30) as well as Denmark, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. This comparative research considers a specific period starting in May 1977 (release of Luv's debut single "My Man") and ending in August 1981 (after "Tingalingaling" came out). 

A) Dutch girl groups

Luv'

Formed in 1976

You're the Greatest Lover (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of #1 hits: 2

Number of Top 5 hits: 8

Number of Top 10 hits: 9

Number of Top 50 hits: 11

* Dutch Top 40 

Number of #1 hits: 2

Number of Top 5 hits: 5

Number of Top 10 hits: 7

Number of Top 40 hits: 11

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of #1 hits: 1

Number of Top 5 hits: 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 3

Number of Top 40 hits: 6

Number of Top 100 hits: 8

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 4

Number of Top 10 hits: 5

Number of Top 30 hits: 7

Internationals

Formed in 1976

Young and in Love (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade:

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hit: 1

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 1

Snoopy

Formed in 1978

No Time For Tango (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hit : 1

Number of Top 50 hits : 3

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hit : 1

Number of Top 40 hits : 3

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Number of Top 100 hits: 1

Girlie
Formed in 1978

Andy (For Love It Takes Two) - 1978

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

*Nationale Hitparade:
Number of Top 50 hits: 1

*Dutch Top 40:
Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK): 
Number of Top 30 hits: 1

Benelux and Nancy Dee

Formed in 1979

Origin: Belgium and Netherlands

Switch (1979)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Babe

Formed in 1979

The Kiss (1980)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 50 hits: 9

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 40 hits: 8

Dolly Dots

Formed in 1979

Hela-di-ladi-lo (1980)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Numbers of Top 10 hits: 5

Number of Top 50 hits: 8

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hits: 5

Number of Top 40 hits: 8

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Number of Top 100 hits: 3

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 30 hits: 3

Maywood

Formed in 1979

Late At Night (1980)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of #1 hit: 1

Number of Top 5 hits: 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 4

Number of Top 50 hits: 6

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Number One Hits: 1

Number of Top 5 hits: 3

Number of Top 10 hits: 3

Number of Top 40 hits : 6

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 4

Number of Top 100 hits: 4

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 30 hits: 3

Doris D. & The Pins

Formed in 1980

Origin: UK/Holland

Shine Up (1980)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 5 hits: 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of #1 hit : 1

Number of Top 5 hits: 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Number of Top 100 hits: 2

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

B) International girl groups

The Three Degrees

Formed in 1963

Origin: USA

Giving Up, Giving In (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 3

The Emotions

Formed in 1968

Origin: USA

The Best of My Love (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 50 hits: 3

* Dutch Top 40

number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 40 hits: 3

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts
Number of Top 40 hits: 1
Number of Top 100 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

Pointer Sisters 

Formed in 1969

Origin: USA

Fire (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of #1 hits: 1

Number of Top 50 hits: 4

* Dutch Top 40

Number of #1 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 4

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Number of Top 100 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

First Choice

Formed in 1971

Origin: USA

Doctor Love (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 50 hits: 1

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Sister Sledge

Formed in 1972

Origin: USA

We Are Family (1979)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 6

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 5

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Number of Top 100 hits: 2

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

Nolan Sisters

Formed in 1974

Origin: Ireland/UK

I'm in the mood for dancing (1980)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 100 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe: 

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

Silver Convention

Formed in 1974

Origin: Germany

Telegram (1977)

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Number of Top 100 hits: 1

The Ritchie Family

Formed in 1975

Origin: USA

American Generation (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Number of Top 100 hits: 1

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 30 hits: 1

Stargard
Formed in 1976
Origin: USA

Which Way Is Up (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade:
Number of Top 50 hits: 1

*Dutch Top 40:
Number of Top 40 hits: 1

Baccara

Formed in 1977

Origin: Spain / Produced in Germany

Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of #1 hits: 2

Number of Top 5 and Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 5

* Dutch Top 40

Number of #1 hits: 2

Number of Top 5 and Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 4

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/musikmarkt Charts

Number of #1 hits : 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 4

Number of Top 40 hits: 7

Number of Top 100 hits: 7

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of #1 hits: 1

Number Top 5 hits: 2

Number of Top 10 hits: 4

Number of Top 30 hits: 6

Belle Epoque

Formed in 1977

Origin: France

Black Is Black (1977)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 50 hits: 2

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 40 hits: 2

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 3

Number of Top 100 hits: 3

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 30 hits: 2

Arabesque

Formed in 1977

Origin: Germany

Marigot Bay (1980)

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 10 hits: 1

Number of Top 40 hits: 3

Number of Top 100 hits: 3

Clout
Formed in 1977
Origin: South Africa

Substitute (1978)

Chart performance in the Netherlands:

* Nationale Hitparade:

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 50 hits: 4

*Dutch Top 40:

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 4

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of #1 hits: 1
Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 40 hits: 5

Number of Top 100 hits: 7

Chart performance in Europe:

Europarade (UK, F, NL, B, D, A, CH, I, ESP, DK)

Number of Top 5 hits: 1

Number of Top 10 hits: 2

Number of Top 30 hits: 3

Frantique

Formed in 1979

Country of origin: USA

Strut Your Funky Stuff (1979)

Chart performance in the Netherlands

* Nationale Hitparade

Number of Top 50 hits: 1

* Dutch Top 40

Number of Top 40 hits: 1

A la Carte

Formed in 1979

Origin: UK (produced in Germany)

Do Wah Diddy (1980)

Chart performance in Germany:

Media Control/Musikmarkt Charts

Number of Top 40 hits: 3

Number of Top 100 hits: 6

Source: 

• Nationale Hitparade (http://dutchcharts.nl/)
• Dutch Top 40 (http://www.top40.nl/)
• Media Control Charts (http://www.charts.de/) 
• Europarade (http://www.hitnoteringen.nl/start/284-2/tros-europarade/)