35th anniversary of "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do"

Photo edited by Marco Rens

35 years ago exactly, on August 27th, 1983, "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" (a single by José Hoebee) entered the Tipparade (a list of songs that didn't chart on the main Dutch Top 40). It was not a triumph like her previous hits "I Will Follow Him" and "Secret Love". However, this record has achieved a cult status among the fans. Let's celebrate the 35th anniversary of this 80s dance-pop track.

History

José proved that she could be very successful as a solo artist after Luv's first break-up in 1981. In the summer of 1982, her cover version of Peggy March's pop classic "I Will Follow Him" was a chart-topper in the Netherlands and Belgium (see article posted on July 3rd, 2017). The follow-up single "Secret Love" (a cover version of a Doris Day's song) was also popular on the singles charts:  #11 on the Dutch Top 40 and #3 on the Flemish BRT Top 30 (see article posted on September 18th, 2017). 

Her next step was to release her first solo album. This LP was produced by Pim Koopman (member of the legendary pop-rock band Kayak and producer of the sister duo Maywood) and was named after the song "The Good Times" (penned by Piet Souer and released as a single - see article posted on December 4th, 2017). 

In February 1983, CNR/Carrere Records put out another single entitled "I Can Hear Music" (taken from José's album). Once again it was a cover version. This track was made famous by The Beach Boys in 1969. José's version peaked at #11 on the Tipparade in Holland. It failed to break into the Dutch Top 40 but it reached #48 on the Nationale Hitparade (currently Single Top 100). Moreover, the single peaked at #13 on the BRT Top 30 and #15 on the Ultratop in Flanders (Belgium). See article posted on March 5th, 2018. 

Photo montage by Marco Rens

On August 17th, 1983, "Hey Now Watcha Gonna Do" (written and produced by Pim Koopman) came out. Though this uptempo dance-pop song was catchy, it was not popular. It was included on José's CD compilation "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks" in 2005. 

Photography 

Renowned photographer Govert de Roos took a beautiful picture of the singer for the front cover of the single. 

Commercial performance

"Hey Now Watcha Gonna Do" entered the Tipparade at #27 on August 27th, 1983 and later peaked at #6. It stayed 5 weeks in this list of songs that didn't chart on the main hit parade. Info: https://www.top40.nl/jose/hey-now-whatcha-gonna-do-15089

Tracklisting

• A side: Hey Now, Whatcha Gonna Do - 3:09
• B side: Hey Now, Whatcha Gonna Do (Instrumental Version) - 3:09

Credits:

Written, produced and arranged by Pim Koopman for Purple Eye Productions B.V.

Design: Myosotis

Management: Interlinde Management

Photography By Govert de Roos

Styling: In Wear

Makeup: Frans Sam

TV performances

José performed the song twice on television:

Zomerhits 1983 on TROS - broadcast date: September 1st, 1983

Nederland Muziekland on Veronica - broadcast date: September 4th, 1983

Cover version

A Norwegian singer named Kate covered the song in her language in 1984. Her version was entitled "Hjelp meg" and was released by Arco Records. 

Source: Pimkoopman.nl, Top40.nl, Beeld en Geluid, Marco Rens, Jos Theuns