Their first ever single was Out There in the Jungle (Polydor 1976), but the height of their career came with the two Robert Jan Stips produced albums 10 Mistakes and Back to 78, both released in 1978.
They came to popularity just after the height of punk, but were regarded as more post-punk, veering more towards the mainstream pop. They were much admired for their live performances, which had great humour--even slapstick. Their biggest hit in their native Netherlands is Disco Really Made it (#11 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1978), but their most well-known song internationally is Beep Beep Love (from the album Ten Mistakes), which enjoyed some success in both U.K. and U.S.
The U.K.'s Radio & Records voted them "Top Newcomer '78". In July 2006 the Japanese girl band Puffy AmiYumi recorded a new version of Tokyo, originally recorded by Gruppo Sportivo in 1978.
Gruppo Sportivo kept recording and performing on and off until December 2013, when the group announced and performed their (initially) final show in Haarlem, The Netherlands. However, they reformed in 2018 and released a new studio album the same year, titled Great. They went on another promotional tour which ended in 2019.
In the summer of 2021 they began recording new music, with - for the first time again in over 40 years - Robert Jan Stips as the producer.
Lasting Forever
Gruppo Sportivo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Each day after diner, on my motorbike
I'm dressed in black leather, my head has been shaved
I look like an angel, baby I can not wait
To admit I've been wrong, Sally it may last too long
For my love isn't lasting forever
I sail
on your river, when the night is gone
I come in your garden, when I hear the dawn
I'm dressed in white cotton, my hair is blowing wild
I look like a devil, baby you know I have tried
To admit I've been wrong, Sally it may last too long
For my love isn't lasting forever
"Lasting Forever" by Gruppo Sportivo has an interesting contrast in its lyrics with regards to the main character's physical appearance and actions. In the first verse, we see a tough-looking person dressed in black leather riding a motorbike, but at the same time, the lyrics describe this person as an angelic figure. Similarly, in the second verse, the person is dressed in white cotton, which symbolizes purity and innocence, but is described as a devilish figure. This contrast of angel/devil and black/white creates a fascinating interplay in the song's meaning.
Contributed by Christian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.