40 years ago, in April 1979, Philips/Phonogram Records released a single entitled "Casanova" which rapidly entered the Dutch Top 40 and later became a smash hit in the neighbouring countries. Here's the story of this iconic pop track.
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?
Luv's success inspired other record producers to launch their own girl groups.
The popular Dutch singer, songwriter and producer Peter Koelewijn formed Babe, a female pop trio featuring Gemma van Eck as the lead singer.
Another trio named "Benelux & Nancy Dee" was set up at the same time.
None of these rivals could compete with Patty, Marga and José. Luv' sold more records than them, especially on the international marketplace.
After the huge success of the hit singles "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" in late 1978, Luv's record company had high expectations for the follow-up record.
The group's first release in 1979 was the 7" single "Casanova". It was a foretaste of the 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 earliest mention of Luv's new single in the media dated back to March 15th, 1979 in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"It's very difficult. After "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse", it's not only about finding a good song which will be successful in the Netherlands. The follow-up record has to be an international hit," Hans van Hemert said. "It's a huge weight on my shoulders. "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" reached the highest positions on the charts in many countries. In South America, they have just discovered "You're the Greatest Lover". People are very enthusiastic about it. Luv's songs have been released in 80 countries. It's important to have a good follow-up after two massive hits. There is a lot of tensions. That's why I wrote seven new Luv' songs which all have potential. It was confusing to choose the right track which would come out. Last week I was on skiing holidays with my wife to relax a bit. I had to focus on the right choice. From the seven songs I wrote, I only kept three of them. We are going to record them and we will have to select one which will be released as a single," Luv's Pygmalion explained. In the same article, Dutch journalist Henk van der Meyden wrote that Hans van Hemert and his three Luv' protégées might leave Phonogram. "I've received many interesting offers from the whole world. I've been at Phonogram for a long time. It's time to change. I will soon take a decision. There is a possibility that I sign a lucrative deal with a foreign label. The Luv' girls won't let me down and if I leave Phonogram they will follow me," Van Hemert told.
Casanova premiered on AVRO's TV show TopPop on April 12th, 1979. The group promoted the track on other famous TV programs (including "TROS Top 50/Rockplanet" and "Showbizzquiz" in the Netherlands and "Musikladen" in Germany). Once again, the girls got the public at their feet.
Luv's success inspired other record producers to launch their own girl groups.
The popular Dutch singer, songwriter and producer Peter Koelewijn formed Babe, a female pop trio featuring Gemma van Eck as the lead singer.
De Telegraaf - March 15th, 2019
De Telegraaf - April 6th, 1979
Limburgsch Dagblad - March 22nd, 1979
Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - April 7th, 1979
De Telegraaf - April 12th, 1979 (Nancy Dee & Benelux with Pieter van Vollenhoven (husband of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands).
Peter van Asten and Richard de Bois recruited six girls to form Dolly Dots.
De Telegraaf - May 22nd, 1979
After the huge success of the hit singles "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" in late 1978, Luv's record company had high expectations for the follow-up record.
The group's first release in 1979 was the 7" single "Casanova". It was a foretaste of the 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.
"It's very difficult. After "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse", it's not only about finding a good song which will be successful in the Netherlands. The follow-up record has to be an international hit," Hans van Hemert said. "It's a huge weight on my shoulders. "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" reached the highest positions on the charts in many countries. In South America, they have just discovered "You're the Greatest Lover". People are very enthusiastic about it. Luv's songs have been released in 80 countries. It's important to have a good follow-up after two massive hits. There is a lot of tensions. That's why I wrote seven new Luv' songs which all have potential. It was confusing to choose the right track which would come out. Last week I was on skiing holidays with my wife to relax a bit. I had to focus on the right choice. From the seven songs I wrote, I only kept three of them. We are going to record them and we will have to select one which will be released as a single," Luv's Pygmalion explained. In the same article, Dutch journalist Henk van der Meyden wrote that Hans van Hemert and his three Luv' protégées might leave Phonogram. "I've received many interesting offers from the whole world. I've been at Phonogram for a long time. It's time to change. I will soon take a decision. There is a possibility that I sign a lucrative deal with a foreign label. The Luv' girls won't let me down and if I leave Phonogram they will follow me," Van Hemert told.
Chart performance
The April 25th, 1979 edition of De Telegraaf mentioned Casanova's entrance to Dutch record charts in its "Hit Score" section:
Luv's single entered the TROS Top 50 and Avro's TopPop at #15, the Dutch Top 40 at #15 and the Nationale Hitparade at #28.
The April 25th, 1979 edition of De Telegraaf mentioned Casanova's entrance to Dutch record charts in its "Hit Score" section:
Luv's single entered the TROS Top 50 and Avro's TopPop at #15, the Dutch Top 40 at #15 and the Nationale Hitparade at #28.
"Casanova" later 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 and a Top 10 single in Germany (where it sold 300.000 copies). The Spanish version of "Casanova" climbed to #18 on Spain's Top 50 (published in the section entitled "Los Domingos de ABC - Musica Joven" of ABC newspaper).
The single reached #2 on the Europarade (a compilation of European charts).
Tracklisting & release
Casanova
7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in April 1979
- A side: Casanova (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:50
- B side: D.J. (Janschen & Janschens) 3:20
Credits:
José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Patty Brard - vocals
Recorded at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands
Hans van Hemert - producer
Piet Souer - arranger, conductor
Published by Banananas Music
Management – Interlinde Management
Casanova (Spanish version)
Japanese edition
South Africa - Zimbabwean/Rhodesian edition
Cover versions
Kirstin Lill: "Du bist ein Casanova" (Germany, 1979)
Orchester Kai Werner - Casanova (Germany, 1979)
Mona Carita: "Voi Mikä Casanova!" (Finland, 1979)
Max Greger: "Casanova" (Germany, 1979)
Ady Zehnpfennig: "Casanova" (Germany, 1979)
Guy Denys His Organ And His Orchestra: "Casanova" (France, 1979)
Frank Vlietinck: "Casanova" (Belgium, 1979)
Franz Lambert: "Casanova" (Germany, 1979)
Claudius Alzner Und Seine Solisten: "Casanova" (Switzerland, 1980)
Michael Schau Und Seine Wersi-Orgel: "Casanova" (Germany, 1980)
Klaus Beyer: "Casanova" (Germany, 2006)
Lindsay: "Casanova" (Belgium, 2009)
TV performances
* April 12th and April 19th, 1979: AVRO's TopPop (first taping), Netherlands
* April 14th and April 28th, 1979: TROS Top 50 / Rockplanet (first taping on TROS), Netherlands
* April 14th, 1979: Stuif es uit (AVRO/Nederland 1), Netherlands
* May 3rd and May 17th, 1979: AVRO's TopPop (second taping), Netherlands
* May 5th and May 12th, 1979: TROS Top 50 / Rockplanet (second taping on TROS), Netherlands
* May 12th, 1979: Showbizzquiz (TROS), Netherlands
* May 15th, 1979: Plattenküche (WDR), West Germany
* May 17th, 1979: Musikladen (Radio Bremen), West Germany
* Unknown broadcast date: Musik und Gäste (Schweizer Fernsehen), Switzerland
* May 22nd, 1979: Die Drehscheibe (ZDF), West Germany
* May 26th, 1979: Ren Je Rot (TROS), Netherlands
* June 12th, 1979: Dolle Dinsdag (BRT), Belgium
* Unknown broadcast date: Hist og Pist, Denmark
* August 2nd, 1979: rerun of Lots of Luv' on TROS, Netherlands
* September 15th, 1979: Aplauso (TVE), Spain
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, YouTube, Delpher.nl, Luv' blog archives...
Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, YouTube, Delpher.nl, Luv' blog archives...
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