You're the Greatest Lover

Last updated
"You're the Greatest Lover"
Yourethegreatestlover.webp
Single by Luv'
from the album With Luv'
B-side "Everybody's Shakin' Hands on Broadway"
ReleasedJuly 1978
Recorded1978
Genre Pop
Length2:50
Label
  • Philips/Phonogram (Benelux, France, Spain, Scandinavia, Japan, Israel, South Africa)
  • Carrere (German speaking countries, UK, Italy)
  • Tonpress (Poland)
  • West (Turkey)
  • Mercury (Canada)
Songwriter(s) Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer (as Janschen & Janschens)
Producer(s) Hans van Hemert
Luv' singles chronology
"U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)"
(1978)		"You're the Greatest Lover"
(1978)		"Trojan Horse"
(1978)

"You're the Greatest Lover" is a single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in July 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album With Luv' . The song is the group's international breakthrough as it was successful in a large part of Continental Europe, Israel and South Africa. Luv' reached its peak with this million-seller. "You're the Greatest Lover" is often considered the signature song of the female pop act.

Contents

A decade later, Philips' German subsidiary reissued the track as a CD single. In 1993, the Dutch Top 40 hit "Megamix '93" was backed with a Eurodance remix of "The Greatest Lover".

Background

In the spring of 1978, manager Han Meijer filed a lawsuit against Patty Brard, José Hoebee and Marga Scheide who were not satisfied by the way he developed their career. Meijer considered the name of the formation as his ownership and took the three singers to court about the use of it. [1] Finally, in early June 1978, the ladies won the legal action and were officially allowed to be named Luv'. [2] [3] Pim ter Linde became their new manager. They were ready to concentrate on their main goal: to have an international career.
After the success of "U.O.Me" in Benelux, Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, the group's songwriters, noticed that the light pop/disco and Latin American arrangements were more appropriate than a more serious repertoire (like the trio's first singles). They composed "You're the Greatest Lover", which featured Spanish guitars. It became a big selling record as it entered the charts in a dozen countries. This track was the first of a string of international hit singles. It reached the first position in some countries in Continental Europe. [4] It was entitled "Sing Me, Sing Me a Chanson" to adapt the French market and succeeded in reaching the Top 20 in South Africa. A Spanish version (entitled "Eres Mi Mejor Amante") was recorded, which permitted Luv' to have a hit in Spain.

Because Luv' performed "You're the Greatest Lover" on two famous German TV music shows ( Disco and Musikladen ), the female pop trio became a household group in German-speaking countries. The song, which sold 650.000 units in Germany, was part of the soundtrack of the fifty-fourth episode (entitled "Anschlag auf Bruno") of Derrick . [5]

The track was also used over the credits of a 1979 German sex comedy film called Sunnyboy und Sugarbaby, which received significant late-night airplay in the early days of HBO under its English-language title, She's 19 and Ready . The song was also popular behind the Iron Curtain, especially in East Germany, Poland and Hungary as it was frequently aired on communist radio stations. However, records distribution was limited in the Eastern Bloc. Sales were hard to evaluate in this part of the world.

Commercial performance

"You're the Greatest Lover" was a #1 hit single in the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), Germany, and Switzerland. The Spanish version of the song "Tu Eres Mi Mejor Amante" also hit the number-one spot in Spain.

The single was also successful in Austria and to a lesser extent in France, Finland, Israel and South Africa. Because of the good performance in the above-mentioned territories, the record reached the 5th position of the Europarade (currently the European Hot 100 Singles), which combined the weekly charts of various European countries into a single countdown.

According to a special issue of Billboard about the German recording industry published on December 8, 1979, the single sold 650.000 copies in the Federal Republic of Germany (where it turned gold). [6] It also sold 80.000 copies in France [7] and 150.000 copies in the Netherlands (platinum certification). More than one million units of the record were sold worldwide.

1989 reissue, appearance on compilations and 1993 remix

"You're the Greatest Lover"
The Greatest Lover Duitsland mini cd front.jpg
Single by Luv'
Released1989
Recorded1978
Genre
Label Philips Germany
Songwriter(s) Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer (a.k.a. Janschen & Janschens)
Producer(s) Hans van Hemert
Luv' singles chronology
"4 Gouden Hits"
(1989)		"You're the Greatest Lover"
(1989)		"Luv' Hitpack"
(1989)

In 1989, Luv' was reformed by original member Marga Scheide and two other vocalists to promote new recordings released by Dureco Records. At the same time, Luv's first record company, Philips, decided to repackage the old repertoire of the pop act. That's why a mini CD single came out in Germany only, which included three songs from the original group's back catalogue: the 1978 number one hits "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" as well as the disco track "Everybody's Shakin' Hands on Broadway". In 1993, a dance remix was included on the single "Megamix '93". Moreover, due to its popularity, "The Greatest Lover" was part of the track listings of Luv's main compilations ( Greatest Hits , Luv' Gold , 25 Jaar Na Waldolala and Completely in Luv' ).

Formats and track listings

Philips/Phonogram licensed the rights for Luv's records to various labels around the world. [8]

1978 original release: 7-inch vinyl

  1. "You're the Greatest Lover" – 2:50
  2. "Everybody's Shaking Hands on Broadway" – 3:27
CountriesYearLabelCatalog number
Netherlands/Belgium/Spain/New Zealand/Norway 1978 Philips/Phonogram Records 6012828
France 1978 Philips/Phonogram Records 6173627
Germany 1978 Carrere Records 2044122
Italy 1978 Carrere Records CAR OO1
UK 1978 Carrere Records/EMI EMI 2888
Poland 1978Tonpress735
Canada 1978 Mercury Records M-76005
South Africa 1978 Philips/Phonogram Records TOS 1192
Japan 1978 Carrere Records SFL 2374
Turkey 1978WestW 29
Brazil 1979 Philips/Phonogram Records 6012898

1989 reissue: mini CD single

  1. "You're the Greatest Lover"
  2. "Everybody's Shaking Hands on Broadway"
  3. "Trojan Horse"
CountryYearLabel
Germany 1989 Philips Records

Cover versions

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "You're the Greatest Lover"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [38] Gold500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI) [39] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loona (singer)</span> Dutch pop singer

Loona is a Dutch pop singer and dancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luv'</span> Dutch girl group

Luv' were a Dutch girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as Israel, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original members were Patty Brard, José Hoebee and Marga Scheide. In 1979, Luv' was 'Holland's best export act' and thus received the Conamus Export Prize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hans van Hemert</span> Musical artist

Hans van Hemert is a Dutch ASCAP award-winning record producer and songwriter. Mouth & MacNeal and Luv' are among the pop acts he produced. He also composed three songs for the Eurovision Song Contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)</span> 1978 single by Luv

U.O.Me is the third single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in early 1978 by Philips Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and is considered as Luv's real breakthrough in Benelux. This record is also credited as U.O.Me , U.O.Me or U.O.Me .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trojan Horse (song)</span> 1978 song by Luv

"Trojan Horse" is the fifth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in autumn 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This million-seller appears on some editions of the group's debut album, With Luv' (1978), and was a successful hit record in a large part of continental Europe, Israel, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Argentina and New Zealand. It was a minor hit in Australia and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casanova (Luv' song)</span> 1979 single by Luv

"Casanova" is the sixth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in the spring of 1979 by Philips Records. This song appears on the formation's second album, Lots Of Luv', and was a Top 10 single in a large part of Continental Europe, maintaining Luv's position as the best Dutch export act of 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (Luv' song)</span> 1979 single by Luv

"Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" is the seventh single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in the summer of 1979 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This song appears on the formation's second album Lots Of Luv' and entered the record charts in Benelux, German-speaking countries and Denmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Do You Wanna Be</span> 1979 single by Luv

"Who Do You Wanna Be" is the eighth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1979 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This song appears on the formation's debut album With Luv' and their first compilation "Greatest Hits". It was the trio's closing release under their contract with Philips/Phonogram just before they joined CNR/Carrere Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann-Maria (song)</span> 1980 single by Luv

"Ann-Maria" is the tenth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in early 1980 by Carrere Records. This song appears on the formation's third studio album True Luv'. This downtempo composition entered the record charts in Benelux and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tingalingaling</span> 1981 single by Luv

"Tingalingaling" is the thirteenth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in the summer of 1981 by CNR/Carrere Records. The song appears on the Forever Yours album and the Goodbye Luv' compilation. It was meant to be Luv's farewell to their public. The members of the female pop act didn't know at this time they would make several reunions in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4 Gouden Hits</span> 1989 single by Luv

4 Gouden Hits is the fifteenth single by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1989 by Philips Records. This maxi CD single includes four hit songs that were successful in 1978 and 1979—"You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova" and "U.O.Me ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit-Medley</span> 1990 single by Luv

"Hit-Medley" is the twentieth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1990 by the labels Dureco/High Fashion Music in the Benelux and RCA Records/BMG in Germany. It appears on their 1989 EP For You. This medley is composed from parts of Luv's greatest hits re-recorded by a new formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megamix '93</span> 1993 single by Luv

"Megamix '93" is the twenty sixth single by Dutch girl group Luv' released in 1993 by Arcade Records. This Megamix is the comeback record of the original group since their 1980 single One More Little Kissie. It appears on the compilation Luv' Gold. The long version of this medley is included as a bonus track on the Box set Completely In Luv'.

<i>With Luv</i> 1978 studio album by Luv

With Luv' is the first album by the Dutch girl group Luv', released in August 1978 by Phonogram/Philips Records. It includes the hit singles "My Man", "U.O.Me" and the million-seller "You're the Greatest Lover. Some pressings of this album includes "Trojan Horse", a successful European chart topper. In 2006, this LP was reissued in digitally remastered form by Universal Music Netherlands as part of the Completely in Luv' box set.

<i>Lots of Luv</i> 1979 studio album by Luv

Lots of Luv' is the second album by Dutch girl group Luv', released in May 1979 by Philips Records/Phonogram. It features the hit singles Casanova and Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, which maintained Luv's position as the best Dutch export act of 1979. In 2006, this LP was reissued in digitally remastered form by Universal Music Netherlands as part of the Completely in Luv' box set and featured the popular chart topper "Trojan Horse".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luv' Dance-Medley</span> 1993 single by Luv

"LUV Dance-Medley" is the twenty seventh single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1993 by the labels Ultrapop/Edel Music in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This remixed version of the 1989 Hit-medley is composed from parts of the group's greatest hits recorded by Luv' members different from the original formation: Marga Scheide, Michelle Gold and Diana van Berlo.

<i>Luv Gold</i> 1993 greatest hits album by Luv

Luv' Gold is a 1993 greatest hits album by Dutch girl group Luv' which features hit singles like "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova", "Ooh, Yes I Do" and some album tracks from the formation's heyday (1977–1981).

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (1979 Luv album) 1979 greatest hits album by Luv

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Dutch girl group Luv' by Philips/Phonogram Records. It was rush-released in 1979 a few weeks after the formation had left Philips to sign a record deal with the labels CNR/Carrere Records. It features hit singles scored in the charts between 1977 and 1979: "My Man", "U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova" and "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe". These songs were originally released in their first and second studio albums, With Luv' (1978) and Lots of Luv' (1979). The Philips/Phonogram years were the group's most successful ones in terms of chart performance.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (1990 Luv album) Album by Luv

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Dutch girl group Luv' released by Mercury Records/Phonogram Records. It is the CD version of their 1979 Greatest Hits album which came out ten years earlier, including a bonus track: "Luv' Hitpack". It features hit singles scored in the charts between 1977 and 1979: "My Man", "U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova" and "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe". These songs originate from their first and second studio albums, With Luv' (1978) and Lots of Luv' (1979). The Phonogram years were the group's most successful ones in terms of chart performance as Luv' reached the Top 10 in a dozen of countries in the late 1970s.

<i>Youre the Greatest LUVer</i> 1998 greatest hits album by Luv

You're the Greatest LUVer is a German 1998 compilation album by Dutch girl group Luv' which features hit singles and album tracks from the formation's heyday (1977–1981).

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-manager Luv' in kort geding: naam Luv' niet meer gebruiken - NDC|VBK - De Krant van Toen". Archiefleeuwardercourant.nl. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  2. ↑ [ permanent dead link ] article from De Telegraaf newspaper published on June 2nd 1978 about Luv's victory over Manager Han Meijer. (Dutch) Accessed: February 3, 2011
  3. ↑ "Popgroep Luv' mag naam blijven gebruiken j - NDC|VBK - De Krant van Toen". Archiefleeuwardercourant.nl. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  4. ↑ "NDC|VBK - De Krant van Toen". Archiefleeuwardercourant.nl. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  5. ↑ "Derrick Fanclub". Derrick-fanclub.de. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  6. ↑ "West Germany: The Year In Reciew" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  7. ↑ "TOP 45 Tours - 1978". SNEP. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  8. ↑ "Luv' - You're The Greatest Lover". Discogs.com. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  9. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Ulla Norden - Wir sind verrückt (wir beide)". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  10. ↑ "Official Charts Company". Official Charts . Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  11. ↑ "Disco Light Orchestra - Disco Sensation (Vinyl, LP)". Discogs.com. 1979. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  12. ↑ "James Last - New Non Stop Dancing 79 (Cassette, Album)". Discogs.com. 1978. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  13. ↑ "Eini - Vetonaula / Laululintunen (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1979. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  14. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  15. ↑ "Molly-Sisters | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  16. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Kristina Bach - Hey, ich such' hier nicht den größten Lover". germancharts.com. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  17. ↑ "Home : LOONA | Official Website". Loona.com. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  18. ↑ "Singles Top 100> Rob Ronalds". Single Top 100. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  19. ↑ "Massiv in Mensch | Offizielle Website - Massiv in Mensch | Offizielle Website". Massiv-in-mensch.de. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  20. ↑ S. Wernke-Schmiesing. "Clubstone - Greatest Lover". dance-charts.de. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  21. ↑ "Ö3 Austria Top 40 > Luv'". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  22. ↑ "BRT Top 30 > Luv'". BRT Top 30. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop > Luv'". Ultratop. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  24. ↑ "Finnish chart > Luv'". Finnish singles chart. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  25. ↑ "SNEP > Luv'". SNEP. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  26. ↑ "Media Control Charts/Musikmarkt > Luv'". Offizielle Charts. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  27. ↑ "Reshet Gimel-foreign singles chart > Luv'". Maariv (newspaper). Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  28. ↑ "Dutch Top 40 > Luv'". Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  29. ↑ "Nationale Hitparade > Luv'". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  30. ↑ Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Acts (L)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  31. ↑ "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Ultratop.nl. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Jahrecharts 1978" (in German). Chartsurfer.de. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Top40.nl. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Jahreshitparade 1978" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Jahreshitparade 1979" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Jahrecharts 1979" (in German). Offizielle Charts. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Luv; 'You're The Greatest Lover')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  39. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Luv' – You're The Greatest Lover" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved 13 November 2023.Enter You're The Greatest Lover in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1978 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.