CASANOVA: 35TH ANNIVERSARY

1978 was a great year for LUV'. The ladies enjoyed a wonderful breakthrough not only in Benelux but also abroad. In a short time, they scored three hit singles ("U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse") and an album ("With LUV") on the European pop charts. All of these records were certified gold and platinum. Due to the uncertainty of the music business, would the trio's success story go on in 1979? The answer was YES!!! 

35 years ago exactly, on April 28th, 1979, a single entitled "Casanova" entered the Dutch Top 40 and rapidly became a smash hit in the Netherlands and the neighbouring countries. 

* History 

Since 1977, producers and songwriters Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer had teamed up to compose catchy pop songs for LUV'. So why change a winning formula? The group's first release in 1979 through Philips/Phonogram records was the 7" single "Casanova". It was a foretaste of the ladies second LP ("Lots of LUV") that came out a few weeks later. The lyrics of the song dealt with an unfaithful man who couldn't help seducing women. The arrangements were inspired by Flamenco and Latin American music as well as 1970s Europop. The group promoted the track on the most famous TV shows (like "TopPop" in Holland or "Musikladen" in Germany). Once again, the girls got the public at their feet. 

* Chart performance 

"Casanova" peaked at #6 on the Top 40 and at #6 on the Nationale Hitparade (currently Single Top 100) in the Netherlands. It was a Top 5 hit in Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and Belgium, Top 10 single in Germany and Top 20 in Spain. The single reached #2 on the Europarade (a compilation of European charts).

* YouTube videos

TROS Top 50 / Rockplanet (April 14th, 1979, TROS)

AVRO's TopPop, April 12th 1979

Musikladen, Radio Bremen, Germany, May 17th 1979

Dolle Dinsdag, BRT, Belgium, June 12th 1979

German TV

Musik Jahrmarkt 1979, German TV

Jetzt Geht Die Party Richtig Los!, ZDF, Germany, December 31st, 1979

Tracklisting & release

Casanova

7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in April 1979

A side: "Casanova" - 3:48
B side: "DJ" - 3:20

Original Dutch cover

Spanish version 

Japanese edition

Cover versions

• Kirstin Lill: "Du bist ein Casanova" (Germany, 1979)
• Mona Carita: "Voi Mikä Casanova!" (Finland, 1979)
• Claudius Alzner Und Seine Solisten: "Casanova" (Switzerland, 1980)
• Lindsay: "Casanova" (Belgium, 2009)

* Bibliography: 

· Hit-Lexikon des Rock und Pop Vol. 1 by Frank Laufenberg, publ: Verlag Ullstein 

· Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer 

Bech 

Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl...