Shocking Blue's by far biggest hit was Venus, which went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in February 1970. 'Venus' returned to the top of the U.S. charts in 1981 as part of the Stars on 45 Medley and was also successfully covered by artists such as Greece's Olympians (1970), Bananarama (1986), Japanese singer Yoko Nagayama (1986).
Nirvana covered the song Love Buzz for their debut album Bleach in 1989, and it was released as their first single. The British Group The Prodigy also sampled Love Buzz for their song 'Phoenix' on their 2004 album Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned.
Before 'Venus' the group had only had two minor Dutch hits in 1969: Long Lonesome Road and Send Me A Postcard. In 1970 two more hits followed: Mighty Joe and Never Marry A Railroad Man, the latter almost provoking a strike by workers on the London Underground when posters advertising the single in the Underground stations were put on display.
Shocking Blue had several more hits in The Netherlands and beyond. The group started to dissolve in 1973 when Van Leeuwen called it quits. Singer Mariska Veres left the group to start a solo-career in 1974 and Shocking Blue folded.
Mariska Veres died on December 2nd, 2006, after a short battle with cancer. She was just 59 years old.
Members
The initial line-up consisted of
Robbie van Leeuwen (guitar, sitar and backing vocals) (1967โ1973)
Fred de Wilde (vocals, 1967โ1968)
Klaasje van der Wal (bass guitar, 1967โ1972, deceased in 2018)
Cor van der Beek (drums) (1967โ1974, deceased in 1998)
Later members were
Mariska Veres (vocals, 1968โ1974, deceased in 2006)
Leo van de Ketterij (nl) (guitar, 1970โ1971)
Martin van Wijk (guitar, 1973โ1974)
Henk Smitskamp (nl) (bass guitar, 1972โ1974)
Also
Wim Voermans
Jan Pijnenburg (nl)
Michael Eschauzier
Andrรฉ van Geldorp (nl)
Charles Pesch
Discography
Albums
1967 Shocking Blue (Polydor) also known as Beat with Us (German title) #31 US
1969 At Home (Pink Elephant)
1970 Scorpio's Dance (Pink Elephant) also known as Sally Was A Good Old Girl (Japanese title)
1971 Third Album (AKA Shocking You, Pink Elephant)
1972 Inkpot (Pink Elephant) โ The official music of Mark Six
1972 Live in Japan (Pink Elephant)
1972 Attila (Pink Elephant) also known as Rock in the Sea (Japanese title)
1972 Eve and the Apple (Same as Attila with one different track, Polydor)
1973 Ham (Pink Elephant)
1974 Dream on Dreamer (Same as Ham, but with 3 different songs and 6 alternate versions, Polydor)
1974 Good Times (Pink Elephant)
Singles
Year Title US UK AUS NED NOR GER FRA NZ BEL JPN
1967 Love is in The Air / Fix Your Hair Darling - - - - - - - - - -
1968 Lucy Brown is Back in Town / Fix Your Hair Darling - - - 21 - - - - - -
1968 Send Me a Postcard / Harley Davidson - - - 10 4 - 4 - - -
1969 Long and Lonesome Road / Fireball of Love 75 - - 17 - - 6 - - -
1969 Venus / Hot Sand 1 3 1 3 1 2 1 1 - 15
1969 Mighty Joe / Wild Wind 43 45 43 2 - 6 8 - - -
1970 Never Marry a Railroad Man / Roll Engine Roll 102 - 40 1 5 10 1 4 19
1970 Hello Darkness / Pickin' Tomatoes - - - 4 - - - - 12 -
1971 Shocking You / Waterloo - - - 10 - - 1 - 21 -
1971 Serenade / Sleepless at Midnight 110 - - - - - - - - -
1971 Blossom Lady / Is This a Dream - - - 2 - - - - 3 -
1971 Out of Sight, Out of Mind / I Like You - - - 6 6 - - - 5 -
1972 Inkpot / Give My Love to The Sunrise - - - 5 - 21 1 - 4 -
1972 Rock in the Sea / Broken Heart - - - 14 - - 3 - 21 -
1972 Eve and the Apple / When I was a Girl - - - 15 - - 1 - 18 -
1973 Let Me Carry Your Bag / I Saw You in June - - - - - - 2 - - -
1973 Oh Lord / In My Time of Dying - - - 14 - - - - 6 -
1974 This America / I Won't be Lonely Long - - - - - - - - 16 -
1974 Dream on Dreamer / Where The Pick-Nick Was - - - - - - 4 - - -
1974 Good Times / Come My Way - - - - - - - - - -
1975 Gonna Sing My Song / Get It On - - - - - - - - - -
1980 Louise / Venus - - - - - - - - - -
1986 The Jury and The Judge / I am Hanging on to Love - - - - - - - - - -
1990 Venus '90 (UK Only) - 75 - - - - - - - -
1994 Body and Soul / Angel - - - - - - - - - -
Blossom Lady
Shocking Blue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was so tall and strong
He knew what I needed
When I was all alone
Then he said to me
I'll care for you day and night
And never for sake you
Yes I'll stay by your side
You're the one the one I love
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
You're my blossom lady."
But I want you later
I was as lonely as I was bure
I saw my boyfriend
At some more door girls door
And there was the third again
I saw them they did broke away
Then I remember what do you still say?
Don't be afraid girl, you're the one
The one I love don't be afraid girl
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
You're my blossom lady."
The lyrics to Shocking Blue's song "Blossom Lady" describe a romantic relationship that takes an unexpected turn. The singer reminisces about a past boyfriend who was tall, strong, and attentive to her needs. He promised to care for her day and night and never leave her side. The boyfriend affectionately refers to her as his "blossom lady," a term of endearment that suggests an appreciation for her beauty and potential to flourish. However, the singer ultimately discovers that her boyfriend is not as committed as he initially seemed. She sees him with other girls, and realizes that he has broken his promise to be faithful to her. Despite this revelation, she still holds onto the memory of his words and his affection, suggesting a lingering attachment even after the relationship has ended.
The lyrics of "Blossom Lady" capture the highs and lows of romantic relationships, and the uncertainty that can arise when trust is broken. The singer's experience is relatable and bittersweet, highlighting the complexities of love and the range of emotions that come with it. The song's catchy tune and upbeat tempo contrast with the melancholic lyrics, creating a unique and memorable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I had a boyfriend
I used to have a boyfriend
He was so tall and strong
He was tall and physically fit
He knew what I needed
He understood my needs
When I was all alone
During times of solitude
Then he said to me
He spoke to me
I'll care for you day and night
He promised to take care of me at all times
And never for sake you
He promised to never abandon me
Yes I'll stay by your side
He promised to remain by my side
Don't be afraid girl
Do not fear
You're the one the one I love
I am in love with you
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
He called me "my blossom lady"
But I want you later
But I desired him later
I was as lonely as I was bure
I was as lonely as I was before
I saw my boyfriend
I spotted my boyfriend
At some more door girls door
At the door of another girl
And there was the third again
And I saw the third person again
I saw them they did broke away
I witnessed them parting ways
Then I remember what do you still say?
Then I remembered what he had said earlier
Don't be afraid girl, you're the one
Do not fear, you are the one
The one I love don't be afraid girl
You are the one I love, do not fear
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
He referred to me as "my blossom lady"
Lyrics ยฉ THE MUSIC GOES ROUND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Once I had a boyfriend
He was so tall and strong
He knew what I needed
When I was all alone
Then he said to me
I'll care for you day and night
And never for sake you
Yes I'll stay by your side
Don't be afraid girl
You're the one the one I love
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
You're my blossom lady."
But I want you later
I was as lonely as I was bure
I saw my boyfriend
At some more door girls door
And there was the third again
I saw them they did broke away
Then I remember what do you still say?
@user-yz6xt7yo8o
Once I had a boyfriend
He was so tall and strong
He knew what I needed
When I was all alone
Then he said to me
I'll care for you day and night
And never for sake you
Yes I'll stay by your side
Don't be afraid girl
You're the one the one I love
He said: "'Cos you're my blossom lady
You're my blossom lady."
@manfredbeuth2921
A very great song from a nearly forgotten band from the neatherlands.........!!!!! Phantastic, Mariska.....rest in peace.....You and your impressive voice will never forget!!!!!!!!!!
@caseyligon2301
Incredible song.The energy and band cohesion are off the chain!
@lusi-gj5kv
I love this band..simple lyrics but the music represents all that we want to hear... โค
@frozenqeen1247
fantastic band,great hits,splendid singer
@maraluciaduclosduclos7496
Mariska is always a great Singer.
Brazil loves her.
@christiancorderomarrull3186
I love Mariska,she was a beautiful singer. Pretty eyes, good voice, r.i.p. Mariska....
@ra91342
I love this song , it is one of their hits!
@Zorn76
She was so beautiful, wasn't she. I did see a short documentary on here about them, which was filmed in 1988, when Mariska was 41. She had aged quite a bit considering this song is 1970. I wonder if she had some health issues at time. She wasn't known to be much of a partier, and was humble about her fame. What a talent. Such joy in that voice.
@deuschlan
Oh Yeah ! I was 12 when i first heard them.I always thought she was beautiful
@Boxyde
At the start of the 70s thick layers of make-up were fashionable, so Mariska's ageing got hidden. Also: she wore whigs. Anyway, when women get into their menopause period of life, they all are gaining weight.