"Mexico's got love enough beneath each sombrero..."
Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page (Facebook)
Photo edited by Marco Rens
"Ann-Maria", Luv's tenth single, entered the Tipparade (the Dutch Bubbling Under Top 40 chart) precisely forty-five years ago, on February 16th, 1980. This ABBA-esque pop song later appeared on the main record charts in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In celebration of the song’s 45th anniversary, let’s take a look at the story behind "Ann-Maria".
Photo edited by Marco Rens
History
The Luv' girls reached their peak in 1978 and 1979 in a large part of Continental Europe and overseas (including Israel, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Argentina, and New Zealand). They scored several popular hit records on the charts: U.O.Me (February 1978), You're the Greatest Lover (July 1978), Trojan Horse (November 1978), Casanova (April 1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (August 1979), and Ooh, Yes I Do (November 1979). Their three albums (With Luv' (August 1978), Lots Of Luv' (May 1979) and True Luv' (December 1979) sold well.
On December 31, 1979, the group won the Conamus Export Prize for being the "best-selling Dutch recording act abroad". The award was presented to Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, and José Hoebee by the renowned Dutch violinist Theo Olof during a live broadcast of the TROS radio show "Open House", hosted by Tom Mulder. Luv's manager, Pim ter Linde, and arranger Piet Souer, who co-wrote the group's songs, were also present at the ceremony held at the Kompas restaurant in Loosdrecht, North Holland. In 1979, over 2 million records, including singles, LPs, and cassettes, were sold outside the Netherlands. This milestone generated positive publicity for the trio. The Conamus Foundation, which promoted Dutch artists abroad, even highlighted their achievement at MIDEM, the world's largest trade fair for the music industry, in Cannes, France.
Het Parool - December 20th, 1979: Luv' to receive an Export Award
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Algemeen Dagblad - December 21st, 1979: Luv' are the best
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TopPop magazine - December 22nd, 1979: Luv' celebrated
Trouw - January 2nd, 1980
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Limburgsch dagblad - January 2nd, 1980: Export Prize for Luv'
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Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - January 2nd, 1980
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Het vrije volk - January 2nd, 1980
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Algemeen Dagblad - January 2nd, 1980
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Luv' appeared on the cover of "Muziek & Beeld Info", the leading weekly magazine of the Dutch music industry, in January 1980. They proudly posed with their Conamus award.
Luv's Conamus Export Prize 1979
What a triumphant way to start a new year and a new decade!
Nieuwe Winterswijksche courant - January 2nd, 1980: Patty's resolution for 1980 (eat less candy) - Will Luv' still be popular in the 1980s?
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Pim ter Linde organised a New Year party with his artists, including Luv', Bonnie St. Claire and Lidy Sluyter, in his house in the Gooi area on January 2nd, 1980.
De Telegraaf - January 3rd, 1980: Party with Dutch stars (including Luv')
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Luv's first single, released in 1980, was "Ann-Maria". It followed their previous hit, "Ooh, Yes I Do," which reached the Top 5 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, as well as the Top 10 in France, the Top 20 in Austria, and the Top 30 in Germany. "Ann-Maria" was taken from the trio's third album, "True Luv'". Due to its Mexican and Latino orchestration, the song bore similarities to Boney M.'s "El Lute" and ABBA's "Chiquitita" and "Fernando". Written by Piet Souer and produced by Hans van Hemert, the track featured a children's choir, reminiscent of ABBA's hit "I Have A Dream".
Luv' in their Ann-Maria's outfit poster in the German teen publication Rocky magazin (1980)
On February 11th, 1980, "Ann-Maria" premiered on Mies Bouwman's TV show "Telebingo" on the Dutch TV channel AVRO. Mies introduced the trio as "Holland's best export product". Following their "Ann-Maria" performance, the famous TV host conducted a brief interview with the ladies. When asked about their touring schedule, Patty Brard mentioned they were on a promotional tour across Europe, with stops in cities like Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Wiesbaden, and Zurich. When Mies asked which country they enjoyed the most, Marga Scheide quickly responded, "The Netherlands!" Mies then inquired about how Luv's blonde singer viewed their success. She replied, "We work hard for it, but it remains a wonder". The girls wore dramatic white long-sleeved dresses adorned with ruffles and high slits, creating a bold and theatrical stage presence.
De waarheid - February 14th, 1980: Luv' on Telebingo
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Luv' with Andy Gibb and Ellen Foley, backstage at Mies Bouwman's TV show "Telebingo" in Arnhem, the Netherlands, February 1980. Photo by Aad Spanjaard for Hitkrant.
During the promotion of Ann-Maria, Marga had a discreet affair with Andy Gibb, the younger brother of the Bee Gees. Meanwhile, Patty, despite being married to Ron Brandsteder, was romantically involved with Swiss bandleader and musician Pepe Lienhard. Eventually, Patty and Marga met Andy in secrecy at the prestigious George V Hotel in Paris.
Luv' later sang "Ann-Maria" on other major European shows (including "Showbizzquiz" in Holland or "Musikladen" in Germany).
Luv' on Showbizzquiz
In addition to promoting their single, the Luv' ladies ventured into various fields beyond music. The February 20th, 1980 edition of De Telegraaf featured Richard Tijl from Dronten, who won the main prize of the weekly national Hittoto competition. Luv' presented him with a savings account of 2,500 guilders. Richard was the only participant to accurately predict the rise of several records on the national charts.
De Telegraaf - February 20th, 1980: Happy with Luv'
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A Spanish version of Ann-Maria was recorded by Luv' to conquer the Latin American markets. The legendary singer and producer Alfredo Garrido wrote the Spanish lyrics, having previously collaborated with Luv' on successful adaptations that resonated in Spain and Mexico. His translation of "You're the Greatest Lover", titled "Tú Eres Mi Mejor Amante", reached the #1 spot, and "Casanova" made it into the Top 20 in Spain. "Si, Que Si" (the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do") turned gold in Mexico.
Limburgsch dagblad - February 27th, 1980: Luv' to Mexico
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Ann-Maria (Spanish version, 1980)
Photo edited by Marco Rens
Commercial performance
Charts positions:
🇳🇱 #11 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands)
First chart date: February 23rd, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 8
🇳🇱 #4 on the Nationale Hitparade - Top 50 (Netherlands)
First chart date: March 1st, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 8
🇧🇪 #10 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)
First chart date: February 23rd, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 9
🇧🇪 #14 on the Ultratop Flanders - Top 30 (Belgium)
First chart date: March 1st, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 10
🇩🇪 #37 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Chart - Top 75 ( Germany)
First chart date: April 14th, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 8
🇨🇭 In Switzerland, "Ann-Maria" missed the main singles chart (Schweizer Hitparade) and instead peaked at #1 on the Warteliste (Bubbling Under Chart) Top 5. Its first chart date was April 1st, 1980, and it remained on this list for two weeks.
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 stunning photo of the ladies for the single's cover. The three Dutch pop stars look exceptionally glamorous.
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
Credits:
Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide & Patty Brard
Arranged by Piet Souer
Produced by Hans van Hemert
Management: Interlinde Management
Recorded at Wisseloord and DMC Studios
"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
Since September 5th, 2019, "Ann-Maria" has been available on major digital platforms (including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify & Deezer).
* 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
Photo edited by Marco Rens
Source: Luv' weblog archives, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, YouTube
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