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) (1967–1973)
Fred de Wilde (vocals, 1967–1968)
Klaasje van der Wal (bass guitar, 1967–1972, deceased in 2018)
Cor van der Beek (drums) (1967–1974, deceased in 1998)
Later members were
Mariska Veres (vocals, 1968–1974, deceased in 2006)
Leo van de Ketterij (nl) (guitar, 1970–1971)
Martin van Wijk (guitar, 1973–1974)
Henk Smitskamp (nl) (bass guitar, 1972–1974)
Also
Wim Voermans
Jan Pijnenburg (nl)
Michael Eschauzier
André 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) – 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 - - - - - - - - - -
Hot Sand
Shocking Blue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And darkness come with mighty wings
The sea gull's head is tired
And when he's tired then he sings
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm lookin' for a place to stay
Some place where I can rest
And not think about the empty day
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you, yeah, yeah, yeah
If you wonder why baby
If you wonder what you hear
It's useless to describe
Even wonder of what's in your ear
Hot sand, it's so good
On the hot sand
I'm strollin' in the hot sand
Together with you... yeah, yeah, yeah
The song "Hot Sand" by Shocking Blue is a groovy and romantic track about spending time with a loved one on the beach. The lyrics begin by describing the end of a summer day and the arrival of darkness. The sea gull represents exhaustion and a need for rest. The sea gull is also described as having a beautiful voice when it is tired. This could be a metaphor for the song's narrator, who is also tired and in need of rest after a long day.
The chorus is upbeat and lively, as it tells of the singer walking on the hot sand, making love on the hot sand and doing it all with their significant other. It's a simple yet sensual ode to the joys of being in love and enjoying each other's company. The second verse again shows the singer's weariness and longing for a place to rest and forget about their problems. This beach, and the presence of their loved one, offers a much-needed escape.
Overall, the lyrics speak to the universal human experience of wanting to find solace and love amidst the chaos of everyday life. The beach offers a retreat from the mundanity and monotony of routine. The presence of a loved one makes it all the more special and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer day over
The sun has set and it is no longer daytime.
And darkness come with mighty wings
Night has come swiftly and invincibly.
The sea gull's head is tired
The bird has had a long day of flying and is now fatigued.
And when he's tired then he sings
The bird still sings even when it's exhausted because it is its nature.
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
The sand is scorching and painful to walk on, but I'm still walking on it.
Makin' love on the hot sand
Having sex on the beach, despite the burning sand, is an expression of passion.
Together with you, yeah, yeah, yeah
Doing all these things with my beloved partner makes it all worth it.
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm waiting for a specific moment, possibly a rendezvous with a lover.
I'm lookin' for a place to stay
I need a secure place where I can feel comfortable and safe.
Some place where I can rest
I desire a place where I can lay down and release all my stressi.
And not think about the empty day
A place that will take my mind off the emptiness in my life.
If you wonder why baby
If you're curious or confused, my baby,
If you wonder what you hear
If you're curious about what you hear me saying,
It's useless to describe
There's no point in explaining.
Even wonder of what's in your ear
You'll remain uncertain about what I'm saying, even after wondering.
Hot sand, it's so good
Despite the intense heat, the sand (and everything associated with it) feels great.
On the hot sand
I'm embracing the scorching heat of the sand without reservation.
I'm strollin' in the hot sand
I'm walking leisurely and enjoying my surroundings despite the burning sand.
Together with you... yeah, yeah, yeah
Being here with you makes it all worth it.
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Custódio Guimarães
Eletrizante Presente Iridescente
(POEMARISKaVEREsSHOCKINgRAINBOw)
Mariska Veres - todas as mulheres
em uma: quinta-essência do Uno,
silhueta e cabeleira celestes,
olhar turquesa de aurora boreal.
Caras, looks e kohl* em caleidoscópio.
Voz de arrepio no encanto de sereia.
Vênus - a deusa: o amor e a beleza em verbos.
Paixão à primeira audiovisão.
* kohl: pó cosmético negro usado pelas mulheres do Oriente para delinear olhos e sobrancelhas
Salome bat Sarah
Summer day over
And darkness come with mighty wings
The sea gull's head is tired
And when he's tired then he sings
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm lokin' for a place to stay
Some place where I can rest
And not think about the empty day
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm lokin' for a place to stay
Some place where I can rest
And not think about the empty day
If you wonder why baby
If you wonder what you hear
It's useless to describe
Even wonder of what's in your ear
Hot sand, it's so good
On the hot sand
I'm strollin' in the hot sand
Together with you...
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Custódio Guimarães
Eletrizante Presente Iridescente
(POEMARISKaVEREsSHOCKINgRAINBOw)
Mariska Veres - todas as mulheres
em uma: quinta-essência do Uno,
silhueta e cabeleira celestes,
olhar turquesa de aurora boreal.
Caras, looks e kohl* em caleidoscópio.
Voz de arrepio no encanto de sereia.
Vênus - a deusa: o amor e a beleza em verbos.
Paixão à primeira audiovisão.
* kohl: pó cosmético negro usado pelas mulheres do Oriente para delinear olhos e sobrancelhas
S V
She had such a powerful voice never knew thus song til the YT video Venus
Salome bat Sarah
Summer day over
And darkness come with mighty wings
The sea gull's head is tired
And when he's tired then he sings
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm lokin' for a place to stay
Some place where I can rest
And not think about the empty day
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
Hot sand. I'm walkin' in the hot sand
Makin' love on the hot sand
Together with you
I'm waitin' for the hour
I'm lokin' for a place to stay
Some place where I can rest
And not think about the empty day
If you wonder why baby
If you wonder what you hear
It's useless to describe
Even wonder of what's in your ear
Hot sand, it's so good
On the hot sand
I'm strollin' in the hot sand
Together with you...
Yeah, yeah, yeah
roberta demund
Still love this after all these years. Still have 45.
jack jc
roberta demund,
yes,flip side of "venus".
Luisa Gomez
Un bon groupe ma jeunesse ❤❤❤❤❤
Rocker
Muito bom
joe jones
This song was ahead of its time, it sounds like music from late seventies more than 60s.
James Aron
Not with the sitar playing in this track and the "yeah, yeah, yeah" refrain, LOL
Turma dos Kandangos
Descobri essa banda pouco tempo amei foda