Forever Yours: 35th anniversary

Thirty-five years ago, on December 13th, 1980, Luv's fourth album "Forever Yours" (released by CNR/Carrere Records) entered the Dutch charts. This opus is considered as the last legendary LP of the trio. It includes the hit singles "One More Little Kissie", "My Number One" and "Tingalingaling". This record featured a new group's member: Ria Thielsch who replaced Patty Brard. 

History

In July 1980, Patty Brard suddenly left Luv' as the ladies were promoting the "One More Little Kissie" single (see article posted on August 22nd, 2015). This defection had bad consequences as new material had already been written for a next album. A replacement was quickly found: Ria Thielsch, a photo model who already knew Marga Scheide and a singer/limbo dancer from the Ricardo & The Flames group (see article posted on August 24th, 2015). Ria was officially introduced to the public in September 1980 (see article posted on October 8th, 2015). She was rapidly accepted by the fans thanks to the success of "My Number One" (which reached the Single Top 5 in the Netherlands and Belgium - see article posted on November 17th, 2015). 

Shortly after the release of this single, CNR/Carrere Records put out the album "Forever Yours", an eclectic combination of Pop, Latin American music, Schlager and Exotica sounds. Its production was supervised by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, who had already been responsible for the trio's recordings since 1977. The songs "One More Little Kissie" and "I Win It" appeared already on the 1980 re-issue of the previous album "True Luv" (see article posted on December 21st, 2014).

Usually, the lyrics of Luv' songs didn't deal with personal issues. However, two tracks on the LP were exceptions to the rules. "The Show Must Go On" was related to Patty's departure from Luv'. "Mother of the Hearts" (featuring the emotional solo vocals of José Hoebee) was about a painful moment in Hans van Hemert's childhood. 

Back cover

Photography 

Claude Vanheye (who photographed the Who's who of Dutch pop and rock artists) took beautiful pictures of the girls for the cover of the album.

Commercial response and chart performance

As a manufactured pop group which targeted youngsters, Luv' were more successful on the singles chart than on the albums chart. Indeed, 7" singles were popular among teenagers in the early 1970s and early 1980s. Forever Yours entered the Dutch hit parade on December 13th, 1980. It later peaked at #13 on the LP Top 50 and #5 on the Nationale Hitparade Top 50 in the Netherlands.  

Tracklisting

A side:

• "My Number One" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:11
• "Billy the Kid" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:16
• "Never Wanted to Be..." (Janschen & Janschens) - 4:34
• "Mother of the Hearts" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:04
• "Tingalingaling" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:30
• "The Show Must Go On" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:21

B side:

• "Ooh, I Like It Too" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:06
• "I Win It" (Janschen & Janschens)- 3:05
• "Song of Love and Understanding" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:59
• "Some Call It Happiness" (Janschen & Janschens)- 3:09
• "Be My Lover Tonight" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:27
• "One More Little Kissie" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:50

Release

Forever Yours came out in various editions - all depending on which countries the release took place. CNR/Carrere Records licensed the rights for the record to several labels around the world. For example, it was distributed by WEA in Japan and by KIM in Turkey.

Click here to know the details.

Turkish edition - released by KIM

Japanese edition - released by WEA

CD re-issue (Completely In Luv' box set)

Forever Yours was remastered and reissued in 2006 as part of the Completely In Luv' box set with the same track listing and four bonus tracks:

• "You're the Greatest Lover '93" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:18
• "Megamix '93 (Long Version)" (Janschen & Janschens) – 4:04 (Medley of U.O.Me (Waldolala)/Trojan Horse/You're The Greatest Lover/Ooh, Yes I Do/Casanova)
• "Trojan Horse (2006 remix)" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:05
• "All You Need Is Luv' Jingle" (Janschen & Janschens) – 0:12

Album credits

Luv'

José Hoebee - vocals

Marga Scheide - vocals

Ria Thielsch - vocals

Patty Brard - vocals

Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest - strings

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer

Mastering: www.pat-sound.nl

Remix tracks 13 and 14 by Danceability

Remix track 15 by J.R Beltman and F.M Endenburg

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Myosotis
Art Direction: Clouds Studio

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

Bibliography:

Albumdossier 1969-1972 by Johan van Slooten, publ: Becht's Uitgevers