My Number One: 35th anniversary

Luv's last Top 5 single

Luv' anno 1980: Ria Thielsch, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee

Thirty five years ago, on November 15th, 1980, "My Number One" (Luv's twelfth single released by CNR/Carrere Records) entered the Dutch Top 40. It was the last Top 5 hit of the trio and it was recorded without Patty Brard. The track appeared on Luv's fourth album "Forever Yours".

History

The summer of 1980 was crucial in Luv's career. After Patty Brard's sudden departure from the group in July, a replacement had to be found rapidly because of legal obligations (see article posted on August 22nd, 2015). Photo model Ria Thielsch was chosen (see article posted on August 24th, 2015). At first, she was supposed to be a temporary member. When it became clear that Patty would not come back, she became a permanent singer of Luv'. After a succession of hit records with Patty ("You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova"...), Luv's challenge was to prove that they were still popular. Would Ria be accepted by the fans? The answer was "yes". 

The viewers discovered the new Luv' girl when she performed "One More Little Kissy" with her colleagues on "Boemerang", a Flemish TV program which aired in late September 1980 on BRT channel. The next step was the release of the single "My Number One" in October. 

"My Number One" used elements from the military march and is Luv's best single according to record producer Hans van Hemert. The ladies performed the song on several TV shows in Holland (AVRO's TopPop, Ted Show, Rockplanet, Veronica Awards, Flip Fluitketel Show) and Germany (Musikladen). This media exposure pays off as "My Number One" became a Top 5 hit in Holland and Belgium. Luv' seemed to be back for good. 

Luv' on TopPop

Luv' on De Flip Fluitketel Show

Though the group was still successful with a new line-up on the surface, the magic between the ladies disappeared. Patty, Marga and José were not only colleagues. They were friends. Ria was considered as an intruder by the other girls although she was appreciated by the fans. In mid December, as the single was still high on the charts, an incident occured and brought Luv' to a standstill. But that's another story.....

YouTube videos

AVRO's TopPop (broadcast date: October 31st 1980)

Ted Show (broadcast date: November 8th, 1980)

Musikladen (broadcast date: November 11th 1980)

Veronica Awards (broadcast date: November 19th, 1980)

De Flip Fluitketel Show (broadcast date: December 1st, 1980)

Chart performance

This pop song was a smash hit. It peaked at #15 on the Europarade (a compilation of European charts). It reached #4 on the Nationale Hitparade and #5 on the Dutch Top 40 in the Netherlands as well as #5 on the BRT Top 30 in Belgium. The single was a minor hit in Germany (#60 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts). It could have been a bigger success but a bad event stopped the progression of the record in the hit parade. I will mention this sad story in another article.....

Tracklisting & release

My Number One
7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by CNR/Carrere Records in October 1980

A side: My Number One (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:11
B side: The Show Must Go On (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:21

Original Dutch cover

German cover

Press clippings

Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, De Telegraaf, YouTube, Dutchcharts.nl, ANP Historisch Archief...

Bibliography: 

Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech
The Story of Luv' by Peter Boonstra