Oh, were they Dutch? Love, love, love that song!!! And dare I say, hear it today and I don't think it sounds dated. It's just a brilliant song, full stop. Love it, (again!) and despite my often heavy rock preferences these days, proud to announce so.

Yes - they were Dutch!! I remember getting the single & album for Christmas 1976 - so I must've been quite a fan!!

In fact the first pop groups I got into as a child were all from Europe - Pussycat, Abba & Boney M - from Holland, Sweden & Germany!!

Interesting. What's the album like if you recall? Pussycat seemed to be genuine '1 hit wonders' but are there any other songs worth checking out in your opinion?

Agreed! I particularly like History, a great single.

They did have a follow up Top 30 hit, Smile, but it didn't make the Top 20. I thought it was almost as good as Mississippi, which I agree again, is a great song.

In the 70s lead vocals seemed to be shared by the two women, but, after Super Trouper, it seems Agnetha took over completely (at least on the singles). Poor Frida, she was the star of the video for a change, but not the lead singer on Head Over Heels. For me, this was Abba's worst single, but little did we know at the time that their best was yet to come later in the year.

Cardiac Arrest is pretty dark for a Madness song.

"Holiday Rap" is a 1986 rap song recorded by Dutch duo MC Miker G & DJ Sven

https://youtu.be/yVR9JykPC-0

Absolute classic. There is no argument on this.


I still play it the night before we go on holiday

I love the Cry Boy Cry video, ridiculous though it is. And those lyrics as well: "This distraction turns me sideways".

Lots of stand outs IMO. The Visitors itself is both eerie and danceable (a strange combination), then you have Soldiers, I Let The Music Speak, and the slightly nerdy Two For The Price Of One.

All this Dutch love, but no mention of Shocking Blue?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2DBcbZc3ck

Watching Seven Tears on the late show, it's difficult to imagine that sort of song and performance having any impact whatsoever on the charts even 18 months later by the end of 1983.

Yes 'Smile' was their follow up in 1977 - I remember I was gutted because it dropped out the charts after they appeared on TOTP! ( Like I said - I must have been quite a fan!!)

Regarding their album - I still have it somewhere - but haven't played it for years. it was quite country & western sounding - not normally my thing - although yes there were a couple of good tracks on it I remember!

Oh wow - never knew they were Dutch! Great song - better than the Nana's version!

The Lion Sleeps Tonight for me! I always thought 'Seven Tears' sounded like a budget version of Boney M!!

It's hard to imagine it having an impact in 1982 as well!! - 1972 perhaps - but not 1982!!! I can't believe it made No1 - but then we have even worse to come at the end of the year!!

I noticed Brown Sauce seemed to hang around for a long time too for a novelty hit - just dropped out the Top 30 last week I think (- last week - as in 1982 time )!

The lyrics sound like something Duran Duran would come up with! - In fact - if you close your eyes, the song sounds like something Duran Duran could come up with too!

- The good ole days, when Eurovision was still genuinely funny & entertaining!

Not the same type of song exactly, but lets not forget The Flying Pickets a cappella version of "Only You" made no 1 at the end of 1983. There have always been novelty, or unusual acts/songs doing well in the charts. I don't believe 1983 marks a significant change to 1982, unless you are being very specific with your point.

Yes, Pussycat's "Mississippi", is a great example of the wonderful pop we were enjoying in 76. Although from week to week the charts weren't always inspiring, those fabulous type of pure pop songs had certainly faded by 1982. You could add the hits of ABBA to that list, too.

Do you ring dang a dong for a holiday when you play it

Such information is what makes this thread a joy to read
Last edited by Richupton : 22-07-2016 at 09:17

Not until the late version.