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'

Jennifer Jennings - Louis Neefs

Not so long ago, I acquired the French version of 'Jennifer Jennings' by Louis Neefs. Only two more versions to go, I wrote back then, and I was lucky enough to find the German version recently - and for a low price too! Obviously I had to order a couple more singles to make the postage worthwhile, but this was a very good catch. Certainly when it was described as 'very good', which on a scale towards 'very good +', 'near mint' and 'mint' is not something to write home about. Imagine my surprise when I actually received this one: it is nearly flawless! Okay, so there's a name and address written on the back of the sleeve, but it's the front of the sleeve that counts - and obviously the disc itself which is in a very good state, as you shall hear. 

Only one more version to go! Oh, those Italians... I hope there will be a generous one out there.

My collection: 7" single no. 6820
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Jennifer Jennings (deutsch gesungen)' / 'I love you'

Jennifer Jennings - Louis Neefs

Why would I buy yet another copy of Louis Neefs' 1969 Eurovision song 'Jennifer Jennings'? As I pointed out recently, he recorded his song in several languages. I already own the Spanish version, and although the sleeve of this single does not explicitly state it, here is the French version of the song. The B-side, 'Au risque de te perdre' is also a beautiful song, worth listening to. 

There's only the German and Italian versions of this song to go, and I am pretty sure that I will get those if I am patient enough. After all, this is one of Belgium's better entries of the Sixties. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6797
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 November 2022
Tracks: 'Jennifer Jennings' / 'Au risque de te perdre'

Jennifer Jennings - Louis Neefs

I was reading an article about Louis Neefs a little while ago, and I found out that he recorded his song 'Jennifer Jennings' in several languages, including Spanish. I remembered that I had bought a Spanish pressing of this song last year, but I never gave it a second thought. As it turns out, that single actually contains the Spanish version of 'Jennifer Jennings'!

Perhaps I should have known, because the B-side is called 'Te quiero (I love you)', whereas the B-side of the original single of 'Jennifer Jennings' is called 'Vanessa (I love you)'. Anyway, finding out that I owned something I didn't know about was a pleasant surprise.

My collection: 7" single no. 6430
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 August 2021
Cost: £3.99
Tracks: 'Jennifer Jennings' / 'Te quiero (I love you)'

Claudia (Uno per tutte) - Louis Neefs

Belgian singer Louis Neefs is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest: he represented Belgium in 1967 with 'Ik heb zorgen' and in 1969 with 'Jennifer Jennings'. But there's more... In 1963 he recorded a cover version of the Italian Eurovision entry 'Uno per tutte'. Retitled 'Claudia', the song was rewritten in the Dutch language by Belgian songwriter, producer, publisher and label owner Louis Van Rymenant. 

Louis Neefs died on 25 December 1980 after a car accident. It was a tragic ending to a very successful career.

My collection: 7" single no. 6504
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 12 November 2021
Cost: €1,5
Tracks: 'Claudia (Uno per tutte)' / 'Wat zou de wereld zonder liefde zijn'

Jennifer Jennings - Louis Neefs

Two years after Louis Neefs represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Ik heb zorgen', he returned with the song 'Jennifer Jennings' in 1969. Although the song was dedicated to a fictional girl, it turned out that there was an actual real-life Jennifer Jennings living in England. She contacted Louis Neefs and he invited her over to a concert, after which they kept in touch.

At the close of voting, 'Jennifer Jennings' received 10 points, and ended up in seventh place in a field of 16 competitors. This single was made in Italy, and considering its age it is in fine condition!

My collection: 7" single no. 6127
Found: Discogs.com, received June 21, 2019
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Jennifer Jennings' / 'Vanessa (I love you)'

Ik heb zorgen - Louis Neefs

It ain't easy to find a copy of Louis Neefs' first Eurovision entry, so it is only appropriate that I should find one in Belgium. After all, Belgium was the country he represented when he performed 'Ik heb zorgen' in Vienna in 1967.

His participation was quite successful, since he finished in seventh place in a field of 17 competitors. Neefs recorded the song in English ('I got troubles') and German ('Ich habe Sorgen'). He would return to the Eurovision stage in 1969, with the song 'Jennifer Jennings'. I am still looking for that single...

My collection: 7" single no. 6079
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, May 24, 2019
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Ik heb zorgen' / 'Alleen met z'n twee'