Shocking Blue was a rock band from The Hague, The Netherlands that existed … Read Full Bio ↴Shocking Blue was a rock band from The Hague, The Netherlands that existed from 1967 to 1974. Fronted by singer, Mariska Veres, and with guitarist/songwriter, Robbie van Leeuwen, as its creative force, the band enjoyed international chart success and are one of the most successful bands ever to come out of The Netherlands.

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 - - - - - - - - - -

Little Cooling Planet
Shocking Blue Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I warned you in a crowded street,
I'm so proud with you next to me.
My eyes will show that he's my man.
Keep out of the way and let us be.

Hey, hey,
Little cooling planet,
Little cooling planet.

You make my heart beat, but
You get me to beg and shout,
Little cooling planet.

I warned you in a night of storm
With thunder and lightning, and oceans of rain.
I cuddle up real close to you,
Afraid that all the storm will be in vain.

Hey, hey,
Little cooling planet,
Little cooling planet.
You make my heart beat, but
You make me to beg and shout.
Little cooling planet.

Hey, hey,
Little cooling planet,
Little cooling planet.
You make my heart beat, but
You make me to beg and shout,
Little cooling planet.

I warned you in a summer night
When night's black is returning to blue.
I'd show you now the means of life
And what a woman in love can do.

Hey, hey,
Little cooling planet,
Little cooling planet.
You make my heart beat, but
You make me to beg and shout,
Little cooling planet.
You make my heart beat, but

You make me to beg and shout,
Little cooling planet.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shocking Blue's song "Little Cooling Planet" are centered around a woman who is so proud to have her man by her side that she warns others to keep out of their way. The song touches on three different moments: a crowded street, a night of storm, and a summer night. In all of these instances, the woman is filled with love and shows her vulnerability. She sings about how her heart beats for her man but also how he makes her beg and shout. The song's title, "Little Cooling Planet," is a term of endearment that she calls her lover. It's catchy and playful.

The song's verses are full of vivid imagery, depicting a woman who is deeply in love with her partner. She uses the rain and the storm as metaphors for the tumultuous emotions she feels. In the summer night, she talks about the means of life and the things that a woman in love can do to prove her affection. The mood of the song is upbeat and bouncy, but there's a hint of melancholy in the chorus where she talks about begging and shouting.

Overall, "Little Cooling Planet" is a light-hearted and fun song that uses vibrant imagery to convey a message of love and vulnerability. It's a celebration of the joys and challenges of being in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

I warned you in a crowded street,
I advised you in a busy area,

I'm so proud with you next to me.
I feel immense pride with you beside me.

My eyes will show that he's my man.
My gaze will indicate that you are my partner.

Keep out of the way and let us be.
Stay clear and allow us to exist together.

Hey, hey,
An exclamation expressing excitement or attention.

Little cooling planet,
A term of endearment for a loved one.

You make my heart beat, but
You cause a strong emotional response within me,

You get me to beg and shout,
You make me feel overwhelmed with emotion, causing me to plead and cry out.

I warned you in a night of storm
I forewarned you during a severe weather condition.

With thunder and lightning, and oceans of rain.
During a thunderstorm with a large amount of rain and lightning.

I cuddle up real close to you,
I held onto you tightly for comfort and support.