Baccara's most famous hits were "Sorry I'm a lady" and "Yes sir, I can boogie", both of which topped the charts during 1977 in some European countries, including the United Kingdom. In 1978, their song "Parlez-Vous Français?" got the seventh place at the Eurovision Song Contest. Curiously, the duo were representing Luxembourg. After releasing four albums, Baccara ceased to exist in 1982. Up from this moment, María and Mayte have followed their musical careers separately, either solo or with new reformations of the duo like Baccara 2000 or New Baccara.
Mayte Mateos graduated as a teacher from the Royal Spanish Academy for Arts, Drama and Dance in Madrid and then joined Spanish Television's Ballet Company. While there she met fellow performer María Mendiola. In 1976 the two women formed a singing and dancing duo (using the title Venus) and left the Ballet Company. Initially the duo's act was simply that of variety show dancers. Their first television appearance was on the Palmarés light entertainment programme[1] and they were engaged at a nightclub in the Aragon city of Zaragoza, but their contract was cancelled when the club manager decided that they were "too elegant" for the style of show.[2] Mateos and Mendiola relocated to the Canary Islands in search of work. Here they found that there was an audience for the performance of traditional Spanish music and dance in a form that was adapted to suit international tastes.
The duo were spotted by Leon Deane, manager of the German subsidiary of record company RCA, whilst performing flamenco dance and traditional Spanish songs for tourists (mostly German) in the Tres Islas Hotel on the island of Fuerteventura. He invited them to Hamburg in order for them to meet the 30 year old Dutch producer/composer Rolf Soja.[3] Soja was the prime mover behind what became Baccara.
He developed their stage performance and recruited their instrumental support. Mateos and Mendiola were retitled Baccara, after the name of the black rose, in reference to the women's dark Spanish appearance.
Together with fellow writer Frank Dostal, Soja penned their début single “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” and most of their other 1970's hits. Recorded in Holland and released in 1977, “Yes Sir, …” proved to be a huge success, reaching the top of the charts in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Israel, and Switzerland, and number three in France.[4] Later that year a self-titled album, written and produced by Soja and Dostal, was released. Soja is generally credited with the Baccara formula - consisting of breathy lyrics, lush backing, a disco beat and the striking image of two women (one dressed in black and the other in white) dancing. While drawing lightly on Spanish flamenco song and dance tradition, the formula was very much rooted in 1970's disco music. Soja's song arrangements generally used Mateos as the lead singer while Mendiola contributed with backing and refrains.
“Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” was an enormous pan-European hit and was a prime example of the phenomenon that is known as the "summer hit".[5] The song was heard everywhere over the summer of 1977 and it is still evocative of that moment in time. It is also one of the best known examples of the Eurodisco genre : “[…] this mind-bending Common Market melding of foreign accents, bad diction, bizarre arrangements and lightweight production, usually top-heavy with strings” - The Independent, 10th April 1999.
Baccara sold more than 16 million copies of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” and featured in the 1977 edition of the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-selling female musical group to date. They were the first female duo to reach number one in the UK, and had the only number one by a Spanish artist in the UK until Julio Iglesias, four years later. A follow-up single, “Sorry, I'm A Lady”, was also an international hit, peaking at the top of the charts in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and reaching the top ten in the UK, Sweden and Switzerland.[4] Most of Baccara's recordings were sung in English although they did also record in Spanish, German and French. They recorded different language versions of some songs (see Discography below).
Touring in Europe during the late 1970's helped the band establish a firm fan base in Germany (where their records continued to be produced) and the Scandinavian countries, and their Spanish-flavoured interpretation of the disco sound also brought them recognition in Japan and Russia. Baccara represented West Germany at the eighth World Popular Song Festival held in November 1977 – until it ended in 1989 the largest such contest in the world. Their song, “Mad In Madrid”, came 14th out of 37 participating countries.
In 1978 the second Baccara album, “Light My Fire”, was released across Europe, and whilst not matching the international success of the first, it spawned the single “Parlez-vous français?” which was selected as Luxembourg's entry in that year's Eurovision Song Contest.[6] Despite full marks from Italy, Portugal and Spain the duo finished in 7th place. However high sales, particularly in Denmark, Sweden and Belgium, meant that the single was a commercial success.
“Think what you like about Baccara, seen today their 1978 Eurovision performance has a certain style while their competition from that event looks dated and amateurish″ - New Musical Express, May 2002
Further recognition came in 1978 when Baccara was granted Germany's most prestigious media award, Burda Publishing Group's Bambi prize. This is offered annually to “celebrities whose abilities have impressed, moved and enthused the people in Germany”.[7] The duo made regular television appearances, becoming weekly guests on Sacha Distel's show in the UK, and on Musikladen in Germany. 1978 was the high point of Baccara's artistic and commercial success.
Late that year the duo released the single “The Devil Sent You to Lorado”[8] with “Somewhere in Paradise”[9] as its B side. Both of these Baccara recordings have become iconic. “Somewhere in Paradise” (with its allusions to life after death) is regularly played by Christian radio stations while “The Devil…” (with its background pistol shots) is sometimes identified with the gay community. A Spanish language version of the “The Devil…” (“El diablo te mandó a Laredo”) was released at the same time as the English one.
1979 saw the album “Colours” and the separately-recorded single “Eins plus eins ist eins”, released to mark the United Nations' International Year of the Child and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UN adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
Baccara's fourth and final album (in the band's original incarnation) was “Bad Boys”, released in 1981. By this time the disco sound had been overshadowed by newer music movements (such as punk, new wave and synthpop) in much of Europe and interest was largely confined to those countries where the duo had an established fan base, notably Germany. The album was not released in the UK or US.
Baccara have been (possibly unfairly) described as “one hit wonder” in the UK, while they never achieved any recognition in the US despite some of their songs being given significant airplay. One music critic suggested that the Baccara formula lacked artistic depth but had been “mined for all it was worth” over two years until public interest moved on to other things.[10] The same critic also drew attention to an element of “anti-feminist subservience” in the lyrics of some Baccara songs.
The 1980 single release of “Sleepy-Time-Toy” led to disagreement within Baccara over the vocal mix used. Mendiola complained that her voice was not given sufficient prominence in the song's arrangement and sued RCA for breach of contract.[11] A court hearing in Munich resulted in 250,000 records being recalled from dealers. The dispute fatally damaged relationships. One consequence of this was that Soja and Dostal were not involved with Baccara's final album. The duo recorded “Bad Boys” with Bruce Baxter and Graham Sacher. Neither the album nor its spin-off single “Colorado” were successful. In 1981, after RCA declined to renew their contract, Mateos and Mendiola ended their professional partnership and both launched solo careers.
By 1983 both artists had released albums of their own – Mateos with “Spanish Dreams” and Mendiola with “Born Again” – which saw moderate success amongst Baccara's original fan base. However there remained a demand for Baccara's music, particularly on the European television circuit, and by the middle of the decade both Mateos and Mendiola had formed their own versions of Baccara with new singing partners. Despite a series of name and line-up changes, both Baccara duos continue to perform around Europe and have released new albums. Both have also made re-recordings of their hits for various minor record labels, which are regularly re-packaged and re-issued under the original Baccara name. However, the original song versions (those recorded between 1977 and 1981) remain the property of Sony-BMG, which holds the rights to the RCA back catalogue.
On the occasion of Baccara's 30th Anniversary, Sony-BMG Germany released a very complete 3 CD box set on August 31 2007. This collection includes 50 RCA original recordings. Several songs such as “Mad In Madrid”, “Amoureux”, “Baila tú”, “En el año 2000”, “Eins plus eins ist eins” and “Candido” made their debut on CD.
Ay Ay Sailor
Baccara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until I saw the sailor man
About twice the size of me, and also strong
He put my heart in such a mess
Until I heard myself say yes
When he asked me if I will sail along
Chorus:
You sure done something to me
Bye, bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away with him,
That's where I love to be
Along with my, my sailor
So ay, ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
I used to leave a normal day
And always walked the easy way
And I have planned to spend my life assure
He'll take me to another world
Of which I've only read and heard
And we will sail what's left for ever more
Ay, ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away with him
That's where I love to be
Along with my my sailor
So ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohohoh
A sailor or tailor
A tailor or sailor
A sailor or tailor
A tailor
Ayy say
Ay, ay sailor!
Ay, ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away with him
Out on the lonely sea
To tiny isle that's in the sun
That's where I love to be
Ay ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away with him
Upon the lonely sea
To tiny isle that's in the sun
That's where I love to beeeeeee
Ay ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
My, my sailor, so ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea.
The song "Ay" by Baccara is a tale of a woman's infatuation with a sailor man. The woman, who previously thought she was in love with a tailor man, sees the sailor man and instantly falls for his strong and impressive physique. She agrees to sail with him and leave her mundane life behind to experience a new world. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ay Ay Sailor" and "Bye Bye Tailor" to express her decision to leave her old life behind and embrace a new adventure. She paints a picture of wanting to be on the sea and sail away to a tiny isle in the sun with her beloved sailor man.
The song uses the metaphor of the open sea to describe the woman's desire for adventure and escape from her monotonous life. The sailor man becomes a symbol of the freedom she desires and the safe haven she hopes to find. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics are perfect for dancing and celebrating the idea of leaving behind old baggage and moving towards something new and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I loved a tailor man,
I once had feelings for a tailor man, but my perspective changed upon meeting a sailor who was not only twice my size but strong too.
Until I saw the sailor man
My adoration of the tailor was overtaken the moment I laid eyes on the sailor.
About twice the size of me, and also strong
The sailor was quite huge compared to me, and also had great strength.
He put my heart in such a mess
The sailor gave me mixed emotions and made me feel confused.
Until I heard myself say yes
Despite my confusion, I still managed to say yes when the sailor asked if I would go with him.
When he asked me if I will sail along
The sailor posed the question of whether I would like to join him on his voyage.
I wanna sail away with him,
I have a strong desire to leave with the sailor.
That's where I love to be
Being with the sailor and sailing is where I truly feel at home and happy.
Along with my, my sailor
I want to sail with the sailor who I belong with and am devoted to.
So ay, ay sailor
I'm on board with the sailor, ready to set sail.
You know I joined you at sea
I made the decision to join the sailor on his journey across the oceans.
I used to leave a normal day
My life was once mundane and predictable.
And always walked the easy way
I often took the easiest or most comfortable route in life.
And I have planned to spend my life assure
I had some plans and expectations of how I wanted to spend my life.
He'll take me to another world
Sailing with the sailor will transport me to a completely different world.
Of which I've only read and heard
This new world that the sailor will take me to, I have only read or heard about it, but never truly experienced it myself.
And we will sail what's left for ever more
The sailor and I will sail the remaining time of our lives together, never to stop.
A sailor or tailor
A comparison between the two men I had to choose between.
A tailor or sailor
The choice boils down to either the tailor or the sailor.
A sailor or tailor
Refers to the decision that had to be made.
A tailor
One of the options I had to choose from.
Ayy say
An interjection or chant expressing affirmation or excitement.
Ay, ay sailor!
A cheerful call to the sailor who I have decided to choose and join on his voyage.
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
I say goodbye to the tailor who I have decided to leave behind.
Let go I've got to be free
I made the brave decision to break free from the comfortable life I once had and be free to set sail with the sailor.
Out on the lonely sea
I want to be out on the sea with the sailor, away from the world I used to know.
To tiny isle that's in the sun
A small, sunny island that the sailor and I will embark to and maybe call home.
My, my sailor, so ay ay sailor
I am devoted to the sailor, and am excited to embark on our journey together.
You know I joined you at sea.
An affirmation of the decision I made to join the sailor on his voyage at sea.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Giang Văn
Ay ay sailor
"Lyric"
I thought I loved a tailor man
Until I saw the sailor man
About twice the size of me and also strong
He put my heart in such a mess
Until I heard myself say yes
When he asked me if I will sail along
Ay ay sailor or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor goodbye bye tailor
Let'go I 've got to be free
I wanna said away whit him
That's where I love to be
Along with my my sailor
So ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
I used to leave a normal day
And always walked the easy way
And I have planed to spend my life assure
He'll take me to another world
Of which I've only read and heard
And we will said that's left for ever more
Ay ay sailor or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail way with him
That's where I love to be
Along with my my sailor
So ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
A sailor or tailor
A sailor or tailor
A sailor or tailor
A tailor
Ay say
Ay ay sailor !
Ay ay sailor or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away whit him
Our on the lonely sea
To any isle that's in the sun
That's where I love to be
Ay ay sailor or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor goodbye bye tailor
Let's go I've got to be free
I wanna sail away with him
Upon the lonely sea
To tiny isle that's in the sun
비정한세상
I thought I loved a tailor man,
Until I saw the sailor man
About twice the size of me, and also strong
He put my heart in such a mess
Until I heard myself say yes
When he asked me if I will sail alongChorus:
Ay, ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye, bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be freeI wanna sail away with him,
That's where I love to be
Along with my, my sailor
So ay, ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
Related
I used to leave a normal day
And always walked the easy way
And I have planned to spend my life assure
He'll take me to another world
Of which I've only read and heard
And we will sail what's left for ever moreAy, ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be freeI wanna sail away with him
That's where I love to be
Along with my my sailor
So ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohohoh
A sailor or tailor
A tailor or sailor
A sailor or tailor
A tailor
Ayy say
Ay, ay sailor!Ay, ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be freeI wanna sail away with him
Out on the lonely sea
To tiny isle that's in the sun
That's where I love to beAy ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
Bye bye tailor, goodbye bye tailor
Let go I've got to be freeI wanna sail away with him
Upon the lonely sea
To tiny isle that's in the sun
That's where I love to beeeeeeeAy ay sailor, or my my sailor
You sure done something to me
My, my sailor, so ay ay sailor
You know I joined you at sea.
Svetlana Ivanova
Этот дуэт моя молодость!!!! Лучшие годы, лучшие песни прошлого столетия.БРАВО!!!!
Владимир
Я их слушаю с 11 лет а сейчас мне 56 а впечатления всё те же это просто неописуемо прекрасно
Denon1970
Ha fallecido una de las integrantes del mítico dúo Baccara.ñ, María Mendiola. Su música, formó parte de la banda sonora de mi niñez y vivía en Alemania. Triunfaron en todo el planeta, con su primer disco sencillo, vendieron más de 16 millones de copias, entrando en el libro Guinness. Era la que iba vestida de blanco, mi favorita de las dos.
Que la tierra le sea leve.D.E.P.
Coco P
Viva España 🇪🇸 y Baccara! Increíbles, con mucho respeto desde Acapulco, México 🇲🇽❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Denon1970
@Coco P muchas gracias y un saludo enorme al país hermano, México. Feliz domingo !!!! Saludos desde España 🇪🇸
Adriana Soto
Me encanta Baccara las originales tienen mucho glamour 💜 México las ama y recuerda
О голубях и не только
Ностальгия по тем временам. Как-то всё натурально с душой. Да и музыка была на разные вкусы , мелодии запоминающиеся, до сих пор на слуху.
Сергей Петров
Шикарные женщины !!!!!!!!
Сергей Uralsdam
Баккара это шедевр! естественная красота сестёр-исполнительниц,сдержанные манеры,отсутствие многочисленных ныне вызывающих выходок на эстраде,на этот дуэт просто приятно смотреть,и слушать
sem162
Карантин заставит все вспомнить