In 1976, record producers Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, assisted by manager Han Meijer, twenty years before the Spice Girls phenomenon, decided to form a girl group, inspired by the German disco trio Silver Convention. They had already recorded the music of a self-penned track ("My Man") and were looking for singers. They eventually recruited José Hoebee, Patty Brard and Marga Scheide.
“My Man” was released as Luv’ their debut single. It became a minor success on the Dutch official Top 40, peaking at #12. The lyrics of this ABBA-esque track dealt with the death of a railroad man. It was a coincidence that around the time of its release, a taking of hostages happened in a train in De Punt in late May and early June 1977.
Van Hemert was then commissioned by VPRO television to write the theme song for the Wim T. Schippers-written TV series Het is weer zo laat! (also known as Waldolala). Luv’ eventually recorded the opening theme “U.O.Me (Welcome to Waldolala)”. It became the first hit single for the girl group, becoming a Top 5-smash in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
In 1978, Luv’ released “You're the Greatest Lover”, which became a major hit throughout Europe, selling over 1 million on the continent. It peaked at Number 1 on the Dutch official Top 40. It also topped the charts in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and other European countries. The follow-up “Trojan Horse” became another hit throughout Europe and the girls’ second Number 1-smash in the Netherlands. Their debut album With Luv’ also became a best-seller across Europe.
In 1979, Luv’ released “Casanova” as the lead single from their sophomore album Lots Of Luv’. It was another worldwide success and their fourth consecutive Top 3-hit in Holland. Some tracks were covered in Spanish. "Eres Mi Mejor Amante" (a.k.a. "You're the Greatest Lover") was a hit in Spain and "Si, Que Si" (a.k.a. "Ooh, Yes I Do") reached gold status in Mexico. Near the end of the year, the girls released their third album True Luv’, which featured the pre-mentioned singles.
In 1978–1979, Luv' was 'Holland's best export act' and received for their entire oeuvre the Export award from Conamus, a foundation dedicated to the promotion and support of Dutch music abroad.
Soon after the release of the "One More Little Kissie" single, Patty Brard left the band in August 1980. She was replaced by a model and limbo dancer from the Ricardo and The Flames revue, Ria Thielsch. Later that year, they released their fourth studio album Forever Yours, which featured the Top 10-hit “My Number One”.
In March 1981, the girls and their team announced their break-up at the time they had planned to promote their recordings in new territories. Near the end of the year, they released their compilation album Goodbye Luv’. José scored a solo Number 1-hit with “I Will Follow” in the following years.
In 1988, the original line-up was reunited for a Dutch TV charity show (Samen) hosted by Mies Bouwman. Luv' later planned to record a comeback album. The British producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman were said to produce this opus. However, nothing materialized. Marga Scheide (only original member) and two other singers, Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold then formed a new formation in 1989. They scored a minor Top 40-hit with “Welcome to My Party”.
Due to the success of ABBA and Boney M. compilations, the original Luv' girls got together. An anthology CD (Luv' Gold) and a medley single ("Megamix '93") were released in 1993.
In 2005, Luv' made a surprise performance at the 60th birthday of Hans van Hemert. One year later, a reality TV show about their comeback (Back in Luv) was broadcast on RTL 5 (a Dutch TV channel) and on VTM (a Flemish channel). In the later years, concerts were sporadic mainly due to the fact that Patty Brard was a busy TV personality. They gave their final performance on 11 August 2012 in Spaarnwoude at the Dutch Valley Festival.
Saint Tropez
Luv' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just the way I remember
Love was blind, so was I
Carrying on that way
Summer night, nothing rhymed
Just the way I remember
Said goodbye, didn't say why
Carrying on that way
Saint Tropez seemed so far away
It's all over again cause I
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
I was out, you was in
Just the way I remember
I'm alone without a friend
Carrying on that way
She is yours and your style
Easy to surrender
Lovelight, love was mine
Carrying on that way
Saint Tropez seemed so far away
It's all over again cause I
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
I should be able to take care of myself
Without your love you know damn well
What have I got apart form being myself?
Still nothing nice but
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
In "Saint Tropez," Luv reminisces about a past relationship and how they are carrying on without each other. The lyrics express a mix of sadness and indifference towards the end of the relationship. Luv recalls the happy moments they shared together, such as summer nights, but also acknowledges the blind love that kept them connected. There is a sense of distance and detachment as Luv mentions how Saint Tropez, a symbol of the carefree and romantic lifestyle, now seems far away. The chorus emphasizes that material possessions and affectionate songs won't be enough to rebuild what has been lost. The final stanza reveals a sense of frustration and a desire for independence: Luv is confident that they should be able to take care of themselves and that being alone is better than being in a loveless relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I was yours, you were mine
Just the way I remember
The singer recalls a past relationship where they felt a strong connection with their partner.
Love was blind, so was I
Carrying on that way
Despite not fully seeing the flaws in their relationship, the singer continued to stay in it.
Summer night, nothing rhymed
Just the way I remember
The singer thinks back to a time when everything felt carefree and poetic.
Said goodbye, didn't say why
Carrying on that way
The relationship ended suddenly without any explanation, but the singer continued with their life.
Saint Tropez seemed so far away
It's all over again cause I
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
The singer remembers a past love that they associated with the luxury of Saint Tropez, but realizes that material things like diamonds and sweet gestures won't bring that love back.
I was out, you was in
Just the way I remember
I'm alone without a friend
Carrying on that way
The singer recalls feeling left out of their ex-partner's life and feeling alone after the breakup.
She is yours and your style
Easy to surrender
Lovelight, love was mine
Carrying on that way
The singer reflects on their ex-partner moving on with someone who was similar to them, and continues to carry on with life even though they still think about their past love.
I should be able to take care of myself
Without your love you know damn well
What have I got apart form being myself?
Still nothing nice but
The singer realizes they can take care of themselves without their ex-partner's love and questions what they have without their own identity.
Don't need a diamond to love you
On a Friday night
And you're love song on a Saturday night
Some sweet devotion won't do it again
Oohoohooh, oohoohooh
The singer reiterates that love is not about material things or gestures, but rather a deeper connection that can't be bought or faked.
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Prospector Pete
One of Luv's best. Definitely doesn't get enough attention.
comprehensive thoughts
Beautiful light music
RAFALOTE72 & PJUAREZ
I was in love with them, ages ago
comprehensive thoughts
I am still in love them till now
Hugo Alejandro Pinilla Calderón
From 70s and 80s, when music existed.
djmusicjac
awesome
Vitaly Tyurin
Эта песня удивительно точно мне передаёт атмосферу того времени, под неё хорошо вспоминается детство. В 1979 году мне было 6 лет. Отлично, Марга! Браво, Патти! Виват, Йосе!
jonjor1987
are they from the 80's? song sounds pretty good.
Brigitte G
70's