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 - - - - - - - - - -
Rattler
Shocking Blue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got the funny face.
His ears are long, his eyes are sad,
He could be any race.
Hear Rattler hear,
I'll give you a home you never had before,
You don't have to back any more.
Hear Rattler hear,
Hear Rattler hear.
I found him on the dirty street
And now he follows me around.
For day and night, through wind and rain
He never left me down.
Hear, Rattler, hear,
I'll give you a home you never had before,
You don't have to back any more.
Hear Rattler hear,
Hear Rattler hear,
Hear Rattler hear.
The lyrics of "Rattler" by Shocking Blue depict the story of a little dog named Rattler. The song begins by describing Rattler's physical appearance, emphasizing his funny face, long ears, and sad eyes. The lyrics suggest that Rattler could belong to any breed, hinting at his mixed or indeterminate heritage.
The chorus of the song is a plea to Rattler, assuring him that he will be given a home that he has never had before. The singer promises Rattler that he doesn't have to bark anymore, implying that he will provide a safe and loving environment where Rattler can feel secure. The repeated line "Hear Rattler hear" serves as a call to the dog, expressing the singer's desire for Rattler to listen and understand his heartfelt intentions.
The second verse reveals that the singer found Rattler on the dirty street, and since then, the dog has become a constant companion, faithfully following the singer wherever they go. The lyrics emphasize Rattler's loyalty and dedication, stating that he has never let the singer down, regardless of the circumstances - be it day or night, wind or rain.
Overall, "Rattler" explores the theme of finding and cherishing companionship, particularly in the form of a loyal four-legged friend. It portrays the singer's deep empathy for Rattler's situation and his determination to provide the dog with a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Rattler is a little dog,
Rattler is a small canine companion.
He's got the funny face.
He possesses a unique and amusing appearance.
His ears are long, his eyes are sad,
His ears are lengthy and his eyes express a sense of sorrow.
He could be any race.
He belongs to no specific breed, but is a mix of various possibilities.
Hear Rattler hear,
Listen attentively, Rattler.
I'll give you a home you never had before,
I will provide you with a loving and caring environment unlike any you have experienced.
You don't have to back any more.
You don't have to defend yourself or fight alone anymore.
I found him on the dirty street
I discovered him on the unclean and neglected roads.
And now he follows me around.
And now he faithfully trails behind me wherever I go.
For day and night, through wind and rain
Throughout both day and night, enduring harsh weather conditions.
He never left me down.
He has never disappointed me or abandoned my side.
Hear Rattler hear,
Listen attentively, Rattler.
Hear Rattler hear,
Listen attentively, Rattler.
Hear Rattler hear.
Listen attentively, Rattler.
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alex Aga
One of the best from Shocking Blue.
Bouke van Gelderen
No
Dongky SP
The first disco ever!
Paul Beauparlant
@MrGoldenthroat It ain't disco or funk. It's straight rock.
MrGoldenthroat
How is this Disco - please explain it to me!
Robb Zamsky
nahhh...just funk...this aint quite disco ...yet... wait for "A Fifth of Beethoven" and "Kung Fu Fighting" and "Sky High" to enter the AM charts...THEN Disco'd (ugh) arrived~~
Tim Penfield
FRANZ FERDNAND DID NOT RIP THESE GUYS OFF ENOUGH