Ann-Maria: 40th anniversary

"Mexico's got love enough beneath each sombrero..."

Ann-Maria, Luv's tenth single, entered the Dutch Top 40 exactly 40 years ago, on February 23rd, 1980. This ABBA-esque pop song later appeared on the charts abroad.

History

The Luv' girls reached their peak in 1978 and 1979 in a large part of Continental Europe and overseas (including South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand). They scored several popular hit records on the charts: U.O.Me, You're the Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse, Casanova, Eeny Meeny Miny Moe and Ooh, Yes I Do. Their three albums (With Luv', Lots Of Luv' and True Luv') sold well. 

On December 31st, 1979, the group won the Conamus Export Prize for "best selling Dutch recording act abroad". The award was presented to Patty, Marga and José by the well known Dutch violinist Theo Olof during a live broadcast on TROS radio. More than 2.5 million records were sold outside the Netherlands in 1979. 

 

The press announced Luv's achievement in early January 1980. The Conamus foundation (which promoted Dutch artists abroad) even publicized it at the MIDEM (the world's largest trade fair for the music industry) in Cannes, France. 

What a triumphant way to start a new year and a new decade!

The first single that came out in 1980 was "Ann-Maria". It was the follow-up record to "Ooh, Yes I Do" and was taken from the trio's third album "True Luv". Due to its Mexican and Latino orchestration, this track had similarities with Boney M.'s El Lute and ABBA's Chiquitita and Fernando. This Piet Souer-penned song (produced by Hans van Hemert) featured a children's choir like ABBA's hit "I Have A Dream".

In Holland, "Ann-Maria" premiered on Mies Bouwman's TV show "Telebingo" on February 11th, 1980. Mies presented the trio as "Holland's best export product". The famous TV host had a short interview with the ladies just after their performance of "Ann-Maria". When asked how busy the group was, Patty Brard answered that they were on a promo tour through Europe (Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Wiesbaden, Zurich...). When asked which country was the best, Marga Scheide immediately replied "the Netherlands!". Then Mies asked Luv's blonde singer how she considered their success. "We work hard for it but it remains a wonder," she said. 

Then Luv' sang "Ann-Maria" on other major European shows (including "Showbizzquiz" in Holland or "Musikladen" in Germany). 

Luv' with Andy Gibb and Ellen Foley. Marga Scheide and Andy had an affair.

Luv' on Showbizzquiz

Moreover, a Spanish version of Ann-Maria was recorded by Luv' to conquer the Latin American markets. Indeed, the girl group had previously been successful with "Si, Que Si" (the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do") which turned gold in Mexico.

Chart performance

"Ann-Maria" peaked at #4 on the Nationale Hitparade and #11 on the Top 40 in the Netherlands, #10 on the BRT Top 30 and #14 on the Ultratop in Belgium and #37 on Musikmarkt/Media Control charts in Germany.

TV performances

* February 11th, 1980: performance and interview by Mies Bouwman on Telebingo (AVRO), Netherlands

* March 3rd, 1980: AVRO's TopPop (first taping), Netherlands

* March 8th, 1980: Showbizzquiz (TROS), Netherlands

* March 17th, 1980: AVRO's TopPop (second taping), Netherlands 

* March 28th, 1980: This is True Luv' (TV special) on NCRV, Netherlands

* April 10th, 1980: Musikladen (Radio Bremen), Germany

* April 20th, 1980: Chansons A La Carte (RTBF), Belgium

* May 3rd, 1980: Medley (Ooh, Yes I Do, Boys Goodnight, Ann-Maria, Rhythm 'n Shoes) on Stuif es uit (AVRO/Nederland 1), Netherlands

* May 17th, 1980: Die aktuelle Schaubude (NDR), West Germany)

* December 4th, 1981: rerun on "De TROS 15 Jaar Nederlands Amusement" (TROS), Netherlands

Photography

Claude Vanheye took a beautiful picture of the ladies for the cover of the single. The three Dutch pop stars look very posh.

Tracklisting & release

Ann-Maria

7" vinyl single (45 pm) - original release by CNR/Carrere Records in February 1980

A side: Ann-Maria (Piet Souer) - 4:40

B side: Flash (Hans van Hemert) - 3:51

"Ann-Maria" is part of the back catalogue of Hans van Hemert Productions B.V.

CNR/Carrere Records licensed the rights for the record to Discos Musart in Mexico.

Click here to see different editions of the record. 

Dutch front cover

German front cover

Mexican promo copy

Ann-Maria (Spanish version, lyrics by Alfred Garrido)

* 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: Luv' weblog archives, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, YouTube