She looked me in the eye - Poogy

The band Poogy was named after the nickname of its drummer. They participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with a song called 'Natati la khaiai' in Hebrew. Typically for the band, the lyrics are full of unusual imagery. With humour and irony, the song deals, at least in part, with the power of love and its failure, as in lines such as 'if she refused / there's no hope', and 'Someone says that his sky is ending / When there’s enough air for a nation or two'. It has been first suggested, and since confirmed by band member Danny Sanderson, that the song also contained a veiled political protest against then-prime minister Golda Meir, and in favour of the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The song ended up in seventh place. The band recorded the song in English as 'She looked me in the eye (I gave her my life)'. I ordered the single from a German seller, and it was delivered within a week!

My collection: 7" single no. 7514
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 December 2024
Tracks: 'She looked me in the eye (I gave her my life)' / 'Morris and his turtle'

Sevince - Nazar

'Sevince' ('When I'm in love') was the Turkish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1978 in Paris, performed by Nilüfer & Nazar in the country's first appearance since 1975. The song is an up-tempo number about the power of love and the song talks about love and how it is good when we are loved by someone.  

Nazar included Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz who went on to compose Turkey's Eurovision entries in 1982 and 1987 and San Marino's entries in 2016 and 2019. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7449
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sevince' / 'Darling'

Oui, oui, oui, oui - Jean-Paul Mauric

Jean Philippe represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959 with 'Oui, oui, oui, oui'. Such was the popularity of the song that many other artists recorded versions of the song. The most famous version was recorded by Sacha Distel.

But Jean-Paul Mauric also had a shot at the song. It appears on this EP, which also features three other songs. Mauric would get his own chance to represent his country two years later with 'Printemps (Avril carillonne)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7448
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Mon ange gardien', 'Ne m'oublie pas' / 'Oui oui oui oui', 'La marche des gosses'

Ik wil gelukkig zijn - Micha Marah

Micha Marah participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with the song 'Hey nana'. She never recorded the song, until last year. Unfortunately it wasn't released on a 7" single.

In 1986 she did record a Eurovision song: a cover version of 'Über die Brücke geh'n' in Dutch. In this version it is called 'Ik wil gelukkig zijn' ('I want to be happy'). 

My collection: 7" single no. 7447
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ik wil gelukkig zijn' / 'Iedere dans'

Sprattelgumma - Siw Malmkvist

The song 'Puppet on a string' by Sandie Shaw won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967, and what followed was a tsunami of cover versions in many different languages. It's quite interesting how many versions there are - and some of them have appeared on this blog already.

Siw Malmkvist's version is performed in Swedish, just like the other three tracks on this EP. It also features a version of 'Downtown', which was another big hit in 1967. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7446
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sprattelgumma', 'Nanting fanigt' / 'Arvid', 'Downtown'

Hou toch van mij - Maurice Hymans with the Westonians

As far as I know, the Belgian Eurovision entry from 1959 was only covered twice: once by Koen Crucke in 1996 (released on CD-single only) and this one by Maurice Hymans with the Westonians. They were considerably quicker to record the song: this single was released in 1959 already.

The group only released a few singles, all of them released in 1959.Not much is known about them. All I know is that it's nice to have a cover version of such an early Eurovision song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7445
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Hou toch van mij' / 'Monisima'

Posle tebe - Lola Novakovic

After Vicky Leandros won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972 with 'Après toi', several artists recorded cover versions of that song. None was more remarkable than the Yugoslavian cover, recorded by Lola Novakovic. 

Released on the state-run Radio-Televizija Beograd label, this EP features 'Posle tebe', a Serbian version of the song. I saw this single online quite a few times and even wanted to order it from somewhere, but I'm glad I didn't - I bought a copy for just a few euros at the record fair last week. Saves a lot of shipping costs!

My collection: 7" single no. 7444
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Znam Zašto Živim', 'Posle Tebe (Après Toi)' / 'Malo Tražim', 'Kao Ljubičice (Come Le Viole)'

Ja, ja, ja - Louis Neefs

Louis Neefs recorded a cover version of Jean Philippe's 'Oui, oui, oui, oui', the French Eurovision entry of 1959. He did so incorrectly, because he named his version 'Ja, ja, ja', omitting the last 'oui' from the title. Otherwise it's a great version, sung in that typical style of his.

This single came without a picture sleeve, unfortunately, and it was apparently a promotional copy, as the sticker is still on the label. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7443
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ja, ja, ja' / 'Zigeunerkind'

Walkin' in Lee Jeans - Claire Torry

In 1975 it was Ann Christy's turn to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest. She did this with the song 'Gelukkig zijn', written by Mary Bouduin. Ann also recorded the song in English, titled 'Could it be happiness'.

Those exact words also appear in the song 'Walkin' in Lee Jeans', a single that was also released in 1975 and a promotional vehicle for, you guessed it, Lee Jeans. Bouduin explained that she originally wrote the song for this commercial, and then wrote Dutch lyrics for Ann Christy. Since the Eurovision rules stipulate that songs need to be original in order to enter, one has to wonder if this entry was entirely in line with the regulations!

My collection: 7" single no. 7442
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Walkin' in Lee Jeans' / 'Mean jeans'

Nee, nee laat dat - The Strangers

In 1964 the Antwerp group The Strangers released this 4 track EP featuring a cover version of Gigliola Cinquetti's 'Non ho l'eta', the winning song of that year's Eurovision Song Contest. Titled 'Nee, nee laat dat', it was rewritten by Lex Colman in Antwerp dialect. 

As far as I can gather, this is the oldest Eurovision cover by the Strangers. The group started in 1952. Their first performance took place on 7 January 1953 in Hoboken. By 1965 they had already performed 1000 times. They owed their popularity mainly to the fact that everyone could hum along to the original melodies and their translations were more understandable to most Flemish people than the original languages ​​in which the hits were sung. Yet their songs were never literal translations, but always completely new lyrics about often completely different subjects.

My collection: 7" single no. 7441
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'De nieuwe tram', 'Nee, nee laat dat' / 'Reutenkenteut', 'Georgette'

Vaer som du var - Birthe Wilke

When Corry Brokken appeared on the Eurovision stage to perform 'Net als toen' in 1957, Danish singer Birthe Wilke was one of her fellow contestants. She sang 'Skibet skal sejle i nat' for Denmark. After returning to her home country, she recorded this EP, featuring a Danish version of 'Net als toen'. 

'Vaer som du var' was given Danish lyrics by Knud Pheiffer. The rest of the EP is interesting too: it presents a variety of styles, from ballads to poppy light music. Birthe went on, of course, to represent Denmark once again in 1959 with 'Uh jeg ville ønske jeg var dig'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7440
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Huset i Canada', 'Vaer som du var' / 'Hvide syrener', 'Chocolata'

Elle était si jolie - Rika Zaraï

Rika Zaraï was 25 years old when she recorded this EP. It features four tracks and it included a version of the French entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1963, 'Elle était si jolie'. 

The beautiful colour picture sleeve of this EP is intact, but unfortunately the disc comes with its flaws. Fortunately 'Elle était si jolie' can be played on this, otherwise I would have been very disappointed.

My collection: 7" single no. 7439
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Tournez manèges', 'Elle était si jolie' / 'Demain c'est dimanche', 'Pourquoi je t'aime'

Que bueno, que bueno - Los Sirex

Los Sírex is a Spanish rock band founded in 1959 in Barcelona and active until 1972. In 1977 they got together again and were active until 2012. It was initially formed by three members: Guillermo Rodríguez Holgado, Antonio Miers and Manuel Madruga (Manolo), then briefly joined by the vocalist Santi Carulla in 1960. By the end of 1960, the band consisted of Antoni Miquel Cerveró ("Leslie" or "L'Anxoveta") as lead vocalist, Lluís Gomis (Lluís Gomis de Prunera, 1944-2012) on the drums, Josep Fontseré Portolés (Pepe or Pep, Barcelona, 1945) on the rhythm guitar, Guillermo Rodríguez Holgado on the bass and Manolo Madruga on the lead guitar. They named the band after a component of eyeglasses: Guillermo worked at his father's glasses factory, where they used a filament called Sírex to adjust the lenses to the frames of the glasses.

In 1965 they recorded a version of that year's Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest: 'Que bueno, que bueno', originally performed by Conchita Bautista. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7438
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Que bueno, que bueno' / 'Chao chao (Downtown)'

Guarda tus besos para mi - Los Mismos

Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with 'Save your kisses for me'. Two guys and two girls was a success formula introduced by Abba in 1974 and it would continue to be a success in later years as well (just think of Bucks Fizz, for example). 

Los Mismos was a Spanish trio, featuring two guys and one girl. (Perhaps they couldn't find a second girl!) They recorded a cover version of 'Save your kisses for me' in Spanish: 'Guarda tus besos para mi'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7437
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Guarda tus besos para mi' / 'Tiene tu cuerpo tres amantes'

Dès qu'un enfant chante - Bruno Guillain

Betty Missiego represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with 'Su canción'. It was a big success: the song finished in second place, behind Israel's 'Hallelujah'. 

The French singer Bruno Guillain (born 9 January 1961) was born in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria).After a childhood in the Parisian suburbs, in Savigny-sur-Orge, he enrolled in 1977 at the Cours Cochet. In 1978, he landed a role in Michel Lang's film L'Hôtel de la plage. At the same time, he performed the songs 'Génération 78' and 'Ça me fait rêver' as a duet with Dalida. In 1979, he began a solo career with Dalida's authors and composers (Michel Jouveaux, Jeff Barnel, Tony Rallo, etc.) and the Petits chanteurs d'Asnières. 'Dès qu'un enfant chante' was his version of 'Su canción'. 

Struck by lung cancer, he succumbed to the consequences of his illness on 14 December 2011, aged 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 7436
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dès qu'un enfant chante' / 'Je leur dis'

Bara sexton år - Gitte

With 'Lille dukke' I thought I had the oldest Eurovision cover version by Gitte Haenning, but she was already active in 1961, at the age of fifteen. This EP features four tracks, and the last one is a version of 'Allons, allons, les enfants', the entry of Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest that year.

Gitte recorded the song with Swedish lyrics by Bo Eneby: 'Bara sexton år' ('Only sixteen years'). It's a charming piece of music, adding something that wasn't there in the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7435
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Varje stjärna i det blå', 'Borta bra, hemma bäst' / 'Gör vad du vill', 'Bara sexton år'

Lille dukke - Gitte Haenning

Throughout her career Gitte Haenning has been associated with the Eurovision Song Contest. She appeared on the Eurovision stage once, with 'Junger Tag', but she also recorded her share of covers of Eurovision songs. One of those cover versions appeared on this blog before: 'La, la, la' from 1968. 

This single predates that cover version by three years. 'Lille dukke' is a version of 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', with Danish lyrics by Thøger Olesen.

My collection: 7" single no. 7434
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Lille dukke' / 'Hvorfor tænke på i morgen'

Wenn ich dich verlier - Hoffman & Hoffmann

Alan Sorrenti represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with 'Non so che darei'. The song had a certain hit potential, and this was recognized by other artists as well. Some years before Hoffman & Hoffman would represent Germany at the same event, they recorded a cover version of the song in German.

'Wenn ich dich verlier' was given German lyrics by Bernd Meinunger and released as a single by the German duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 7433
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Wenn ich dich verlier' / 'Nimm den nächtsten Zug nach Wuppertal'

Non, à jamais sans toi - Patricia Carli

'Non, à jamais sans toi' was the Swiss entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. The song was performed by the Greek singer Yovanna, but the song was never released as a single. (It did appear on a 'greatest hits' album by Yovanna many years later.)

Rosetta Ardito (born 12 March 1938), known by her stage name Patricia Carli, is an Italian and Belgian origin French singer, songwriter, lyricist and composer. She grew up in Belgium, where her parents had emigrated for work. After studying music and singing, she began performing in public and in a few years she became well known in Belgium and in France.

In 1965 she recorded 'Non, à jamais sans toi', hoping to cash in on the success of the song on the Eurovision stage. During last week's record fair I actually scored two copies of the single. First I found a two track single in the offiical 'Bel Air' record company sleeve. After a walk through the record fair I returned to the same seller, and as it turned out, he also had a four track EP with a picture sleeve! Luckily, both singles weren't very expensive, so I decided to buy that one as well. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7409, no. 7432
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ce que tu es pour moi' / 'Non (a jamais sans toi' (no. 7409); 'Non (a jamais sans toi)', 'Ce que tu es pour moi' / 'Oublie que je t'aime', 'Pagliacci (Comme des pantins)' (no. 7432)

Nel blu dipinto di blu - Miguel Amador

The Argentinian singer Miguel Amador Pontón settled in France in the late Fifties. He released more than just a few EP's, featuring cover versions of songs that were wellknown at the time.

No song is more wellknown than de Italian entry of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958, 'Nel blu dipinto di blu', and it's the title track of this EP. Amador's version is sung in French, and is titled 'Dans le bleu du ciel bleu'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7431
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dans le bleu du ciel bleu', 'Hoy' /  'Diana', 'Bon voyage'