Over ten years ago I ran a parallel blog to this one, dedicated to sharing some of the best pop/rock hit singles of the seventies made by Dutch acts. That blog has long gone the way of the dodo, but I'm reviving it for the new lay-out of my art blog. There will be a number of posts, each containing twelve songs by different acts, in chronological order within one post. I will also be restricting myself in three aspects: no songs that were huge hits in the UK and/or USA, maximum four songs total for each act spread out over the various posts, and each song scores at least a 4/6 on the Artrockometer. The illustrations will be the original singles covers if I can find them, and each song description will end with a little symbol that links to the corresponding YouTube video (if available). The image above is by Rudy van der Veen and is in the public domain. OK... enjoy!
She Likes Weeds by Tee-Set (1970)
Tee-Set were a pop/rock band formed in 1965 by singer Peter Tetteroo in Delft. Internationally, the band is best-known for their single "Ma Belle Amie", which was a No. 5 hit in the United States (and therefore not included in these blog posts). They scored 21 top40 hits in the period 1966-1979, including one that went all the way to the top spot: She Likes Weeds.
She Flies on Strange Wings by Golden Earring (1971)
Golden Earring (originally The Golden Earrings) were a rock band from the Hague. Their music was mainly melodious rock with progressive tendencies. They were one of the most successful Dutch bands, scoring international hits with Radar Love (1973) and Twilight Zone (1982). Their successes in the Netherlands were astonishing: 47 top40 hits from 1965 until 2005, 22 of which made the top10, and five the number one spot. She Flies on Strange Wings reached #4 in the charts.
Summertrain by Sandy Coast (1972)
Sandy Coast were a Dutch pop/rock band from the area around The Hague, formed around singer Hans Vermeulen. Over a period of fifteen years (1966-1981) they had twelve top40 hits in the Netherlands. Summertrain topped out at #6.
The Show by Dizzy Man's Band (1973)
Dizzy Man's Band from Zaandam were a unique feature in the Dutch pop scene with their fun songs - although there was a lot of musicality behind the farce. They managed 15 top40 hits in the period from 1970 until 1978. The Show is my personal favourite from their repertoire. It made it to the #5 spot.
Waikiki Man by Bonnie St. Claire and Unit Gloria (1973)
Bonnie St. Claire is a singer from Rozenburg in Rotterdam. Between 1969 and 1972 she had three hits. and Unit Gloria. In 1972 she joined forces with Unit Gloria, a band from Utrecht, whose lead singer Robert Long had opted for a solo career. Together they scored four hits with a sound that can be described as glam pop. Waikiki Man topped at #4, and it is their only song I like. Don't tell anyone.
Teeny Bopper Band by Catapult (1974)
Catapult were a glamrock band from Leiden and Katwijk. They scored seven top40 hits from 1974 until 1976, and had another success in 1980 after changing their name to The Monotones. Teeny Bopper Band was their second largest success - the single topped at #10 in the charts.
Stan the Gunman by Hank The Knife and The Jets (1975)
Hank The Knife and The Jets were a rock and roll band from the Arnhem/Nijmegen region. Lead man Henk Bruysten (Hank the Knife) was originally in Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers, but left in 1974 to start his own group. For a short time, they were very successful, scoring five top40 hits in the period 1975-1980, including one number one hit. And that was this one.
Queen Jacula by Lemming (1975)
Lemming were a shock rock band who were active from 1973 until 1977, and was resurrected as The Lemming in 2002. They scored three top40 hits in the period 1973-1975; this was their final one, and by far the least successful, topping at #27.
Standing on the Inside by Full House (1976)
Full House were an arranged band from the Hilversum area. They are one of the proverbial one hit wonders from the Dutch Seventies. This Neil Sedaka cover was a huge hit, topping at #2, and after that nada, nothing, rien ne va plus.
Another Lonely Night by Sommerset (1976)
Sommerset were a Dutch country band who scored five top40 hits in the period 1975-1981. The band got his name from the presence of three Sommer Brothers in the line-up, but singer Singer Rosina Lauwaars was the star. This was their second hit (and my favourite in their repertoire), topping at #14.
Starlight Dancer by Kayak (1977)
Kayak are a progressive rock band, who in addition to their albums (which are of general high quality) scored nine top40 hits in the period 1973-1980, including one top 10 hit. Starlight Dancer (which I once characterized as "Bohemian Rhapsody meets Star Wars") is my favourite hit single of the band - it peaked at #17 in the charts.
Weekend by Earth and Fire (1979)
Earth and Fire were a band from the neighborhood of The Hague. Their albums were clearly progressive rock, but their singles were radio friendly and highly successful. In the period from 1970 until 1983 they scored 18 top40 hits, including two that made it to number one. This is the second one, the success based on the sexy clip showing off singer Jerney Kaagman as much as the song itself.
Copyright statement: posting lower quality single covers is deemed fair use.
