All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Zoals Vrienden Doen: Cover Versions of Bonnie & José's Pop Classic

This article is written in memory of Will Hoebee and Benny Neyman. Good music is timeless.

In 1985, Zoals Vrienden Doen, a duet by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee reached the Top 40 in the Netherlands (see article posted on August 3rd, 2020). This song inspired other Dutch artists (including Anny Schilder, Janneke de Roo and Amira, winner of Holland's Got Talent 2013) who covered this beautiful ballad.

The original song by ABBA

Zoals Vrienden Doen was a Dutch cover version of The Way Old Friends Do originally performed live by ABBA at the Wembley Arena in London in November 1979. The Super Trouper album (released by the Swedish Fab Four in late 1980) closed with this song. On June 6th, 2016, the members of ABBA took the world by surprise when they appeared together at a private party at Berns Salonger in Stockholm, which was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus's first meeting. On this special occasion, Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyngstad performed The Way Old Friends Do live before they were joined on stage by Andersson and Ulvaeus.

The Way Old Friends Do - 1979

The Way Old Friends Do - 2016

Zoals Vrienden Doen by Bonnie & José

Zoals Vrienden Doen (released in June 1985 by RCA Records) is considered the signature song of the Bonnie & José duo. The Dutch lyrics of Zoals Vrienden Doen were written by the legendary singer Benny Neyman. The record was produced by José's husband, Will Hoebee (a sought-after producer at the time) and arranged by the Eurovision Song Contest conductor Harry van Hoof.

Bonnie & José on July 11th, 1985 on Nederland Muziekland (Veronica TV channel)

Zoals Vrienden Doen was the foretaste of Bonnie & José's LP entitled "Herinnering" (including Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs) that came out in September 1985. Recently, Bonnie & José's album was reissued on CD/DVD by the independent label CD-licious thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign initiated by Franklin van Liempt (see news posted on November 20th, 2020).

Zoals Vrienden Doen: The Cover Versions

Even though it was initially an ABBA song, Zoals Vrienden Doen became a classic of Dutch-speaking pop music. Several artists covered it over the years.

In 1985, Dutch trumpeter Marty performed the song for his album entitled "Carpentras".

In 1986, Flemish chanteuse Dana Winner sang it live on stage:

In 2001, the Flemish singers Eric Flanders & Margriet Hermans recorded their version of the track. This duet was included on Eric's album entitled "Genoegens". It was reissued as a CD single in 2008.

In 2007, Annie Schilder and Anja Steur's version of the song appeared on the album "Anny en Ik". Two years later, Anny and José formed a duo and recorded the Phil Spector classic "Be My Baby" (originally performed by The Ronettes in 1963).

In 2009, Dutch singer Janneke de Roo recorded her own version of Bonnie & José's song that was included on her album entitled "Hallo hallo de wereld is van jou". She performed the track with her sister Anita and the pirate choir De Stormvogels.

In 2015, José Hoebee's matinee with Dutch Show Company (fronted by Anton van Stekelenborg) took place at Musis Sacrum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The songstress and the party band performed several tracks from her back catalogue including Zoals Vrienden Doen (see news posted on October 13th, 2015).

In 2018, Dutch soprano singer Amira Willighagen (winner of Holland's Got Talent 2013) covered Zoals Vrienden Doen for her album "With All My Heart" released in South Africa.