"Venus" is a song by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, released as a single in the Netherlands in the summer of 1969. Written by Robbie van Leeuwen, the song topped the charts in nine countries.[5]
The song has been covered dozens of times by many artists. In 1986, English girl group Bananarama covered "Venus" for their third studio album, True Confessions, with the single reaching number one in six countries. The composition has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials.
Composition and recording
The song was written by Robbie van Leeuwen, Shocking Blue's guitarist, sitarist, and background vocalist. Van Leeuwen wrote new lyrics set to music based on "The Banjo Song" by Tim Rose and the Big 3, which is in turn lyrically a modification of the 19th century song "Oh! Susanna" by Stephen Foster.[6][7] Influences from other songs include the opening guitar riff that is similar to The Who's "Pinball Wizard".[8]
The song was recorded on a two-track machine in Soundpush Studio in Blaricum, the Netherlands.[9] Van Leeuwen also produced the song.
In the Shocking Blue original version, the song's lead vocals were performed by Mariska Veres. The lyrics, however, contained a typo in the line "A goddess on a mountain top", with "goddess" written as "godness", which was how Veres, who was at the time not perfectly fluent in English, sang it on the record and on television.[10] Later recordings by other lineups corrected the word.[11]
Release and reception
"Venus" was issued in the Netherlands on 14 July 1969 as a single,[12] backed with "Hot Sand", on the Pink Elephant label, a label specially created for Shocking Blue by Dureco. The song initially peaked at number three on the Dutch Top 40 on 12 July 1969, and remained at that position for a total of five weeks. It also reached No. 1 in Belgium, France, and Germany.[13]
Jerry Ross, who was in Europe in the autumn of 1969 looking for European hits for release in the United States, was offered the song.[14] He signed Shocking Blue to his newly created Colossus Records, and chose the record for release in the United States on 2 October 1969.[13][15][16] "Venus" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 7 February 1970, the first song by a Dutch band to reach No. 1 on that chart.[17] On 28 January 1970, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of one million copies in the United States.[18] Its success in the United States prompted further interest in other markets around the world in 1970, and it reached No. 3 again in the Netherlands, as well as the top 10 in the UK.[13][19] It was No. 1 in Canada for 2 weeks. The popularity of the song also spurred interests in other Dutch groups.[13] Worldwide, the single has sold over 5 million copies.[20]
In 1981, it was used to open the "Stars on 45" medley.[5] "Venus" was included as a bonus track on the 1989 CD reissue of Shocking Blue's second studio album, At Home, originally released in 1969.
Stereogum said, "It's so clean and propulsive: that strum, that dinky organ riff, the Teutonic sneer in Veres' voice. Veres snarls hard enough that it ultimately doesn't matter whether or not she has any idea what she's singing. The yelp on the hook — 'She’s got it! Yeah, baby, she’s got it!' — means nothing, but it sticks in your head all the same. The song works like a hook-delivery machine."[21]
"Venus" had been a part of Bananarama's repertoire for several years before they actually recorded it. The group's three members, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward, had the idea of turning the song into a dance tune, but they were met with resistance from their producers at the time, Steven Jolley and Tony Swain. The group brought the idea to the production trio of Stock Aitken Waterman, and it became Bananarama's first collaboration with them.
The group had nearly completed recording their third studio album, True Confessions, with Jolley & Swain. Stock, Aitken and Waterman also resisted the idea because they believed that "Venus" would not make a good dance record. After persistence by the group, SAW relented. The track was initially produced in an arrangement more faithful to the Shocking Blue original, but was reworked in hi-NRG style after Fahey suggested that their version should sound similar to Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)".[68]
The collaboration on "Venus" led Bananarama and SAW to work together on the group's follow-up album, Wow!, the following year. A new mix of the song appeared as the B-side to the 1989 limited release "Megarama '89" in Germany and France. Bananarama has since re-recorded "Venus" for their eighth album Exotica (2001). It was later remixed by Marc Almond, with re-recorded vocals and included on their ninth album Drama (2005).
Critical reception
Initial response
Jerry Smith of the Music Week magazine considered Bananarama's cover as a "lively version" of the original song, "catchy enough for minor success" but "lacking substance" with its SAW production.[69] Michael Pilgrim of Record Mirror was not enthusiastic, wondering why the Bananaramas needed to record another song, describing it like this: "There's beefy DOA-style hi-NRG electronics, the odd male vocal and at one point the girls go 'Wooaarrlll!'".[70] In a review published in Smash Hits, Martin Degville and Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik criticized this cover version, saying about Bananarama that "they've destroyed it" and "They're completely boring and they've got boring hair".[71]
Impact and legacy
In 2014, Matt Dunn of WhatCulture ranked the song at number five in his "15 unforgettable Stock Aitken Waterman singles" list, describing it as a "timeless classic of 80s synth pop, an instantly recognisable foot-tapping gem", while underlining the "provocative video and all its fire, sexy choreography, coffin dancing and red patent-leather devil outfits".[72] In 2021, British magazine Classic Pop ranked "Venus" number two in their list of "Top 40 Stock Aitken Waterman songs".[73] In 2023, Tom Eames of Smooth Radio ranked the song at number two in his "Bananarama's 10 greatest songs, ranked" list.[74]
Chart performance
Bananarama's version of "Venus" peaked at number one in the United States, Australia, Finland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Switzerland, while reaching number two in Germany and the top-ten in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom (number eight on the UK Singles Chart, matching the same peak of Shocking Blue's version). It also topped the US Dance Club Songs chart for two weeks.[75]
Music video
The accompanying music video, directed by Peter Care and choreographed by Bruno Tonioli, was extensively aired on MTV and video channels across the world, and presented the trio in various costumes, including a she-devil, a French temptress, a vampiress and several Greekgoddesses. In one sequence of the video, Sandro Botticelli's painting The Birth of Venus is adapted as a tableau vivant. The video marked a pivotal shift towards a more glamorous and sexual image for the group that contrasted with the tomboyish style of their earlier work. In the music video there's a cameo of the Polish-German dancer Andreas Wisniewski, who appears as a dancer during the synth solo.
Track listings
UK / US / Canadian 7-inch vinyl single
UK: London Records NANA 10 / US: London Records 886-056-7 / Canada: London Records LDS 227 / Australia: Liberation Records LS 1789
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
BHF/Don Pablo's Animals remixes
"Venus" was remixed and re-released by dance producers The BHF (Bisiach Hornbostel Ferrucci) Team in May 1990. Titled "Venus '90", the remix featured a hip house rhythm and samples. "Venus '90" reached number 78 on the UK Singles Chart and number 49 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.[121][19] An instrumental version was also released independently under the producer's alias, Don Pablo's Animals, without referencing Shocking Blue. The instrumental version became the highest-charting version of the song, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart.[122]
Shocking Blue's "Venus" was featured in the sixth episode of the 2020 Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit. The protagonist Beth (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) dances and sings to the music video. The scene takes place in 1967, well before the song was released in 1969.[126][127]
Bananarama's cover of "Venus" was featured in the 2011 video game Just Dance 3.
The song has been used in commercials for Gillette Venus Women's Razor since c. 2001.[11]
In 2023, the song appeared as part of the soundtrack of the comedy-drama film, The Holdovers.
^"A Settevoci arriva "Venus" dall'Olanda". Corriere della Sera. 7 March 1970. Retrieved 6 April 2022. Gli shocking blue sono a Milano per registrare una puntata di "Settevoci" (che andrà in onda domenica 22 marza). Nella trasmissione di Pippo Baudo il complesso olandese presenterà la canzone che li ha resi fulmineamente famosi nel mondo, "Venus". Di questo disco sono state vendute tre milioni e più di copie (soltanto in Italia trecentocinquantamila)
^Breihan, Tom (December 14, 2018). "The Number Ones: Shocking Blue's "Venus"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 16, 2023. When Bananarama covered it and brought it back to #1 sixteen years later, they turned it into bloopy synthpop...
^"Top 3 Singles in Europe"(PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 32. 16 August 1986. p. 16. OCLC29800226. Retrieved 13 September 2023 – via World Radio History.
ألمانيا الشمالية (بالألمانية: Norddeutschland) هي المنطقة الجغرافية الممتدة شمال ألمانيا منطقتها وحدودها ليست مُعرَّفة على وجه الدقة أو على نحوٍ ثابت؛ فتختلف تبعاً للسياق المأخوذ بعين الاعتبار سواء أكان من الناحية اللغوية أو الجغرافية أو الاجتماعية أو الثقافية أو التاريخية.[1&...
Iracema Trevisán (nacida el 28 de agosto de 1981 en Poços de Caldas, Brasil), más conocida como Ira, es una bajista brasileña. Ira en un recital. Se hizo muy conocida en la banda de rock Cansei de Ser Sexy —de la que es una de las responsables de su creación—, que abandonó en abril de 2008. Dejó la banda porque consideró que se había vuelto algo muy serio. Desde entonces reunió amigos y conocidos para divertirse haciendo música. Estudió moda y trabaja con el estilista Alexandr...
Pour les articles homonymes, voir Jablanica. Cet article est une ébauche concernant la Serbie et la géographie. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Jablanica Administration Pays Serbie Villesou municipalités LeskovacBojnikLebaneMedveđaVlasotinceCrna Trava Démographie Population 215 463 hab. (2011) Densité 78 hab./km2 Géographie Coordonnées 43° 00′ nord, 21° 57...
Neuhaus-Schierschnitz Gemeinde Föritztal Wappen von Neuhaus-Schierschnitz Koordinaten: 50° 19′ N, 11° 15′ O50.31666666666711.25350Koordinaten: 50° 19′ 0″ N, 11° 15′ 0″ O Höhe: 350 m Fläche: 23,2 km² Einwohner: 3103 (31. Dez. 2016) Bevölkerungsdichte: 134 Einwohner/km² Eingemeindung: 6. Juli 2018 Postleitzahl: 96524 Vorwahl: 036764 Neuhaus-Schierschnitz (Thüringen) Lage von Neuhaus-Schierschnitz i...
Agnieszka Skalniak Skalniak in 2020. Persoonlijke informatie Geboortedatum 22 april 1997 Geboorteplaats Muszyna, Polen Sportieve informatie Huidige ploeg Canyon-SRAM Ploegen 201720182019-202020222023- AstanaExperza-FootlogixCCC-LivATOM DeweloperCanyon//SRAM Racing Beste prestaties WK op de weg 14e (2023) Portaal Wielersport Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (Muszyna, 22 april 1997) is een Poolse wielrenster die sinds 2023 rijdt bij Canyon//SRAM Racing.[1] Carrière In 2019 ...
Luis NiñoInformación personalNacimiento PotosíNacionalidad BolivianaInformación profesionalÁrea pintura[editar datos en Wikidata] Tallado de la fachada de la Iglesia de San Lorenzo, en Potosí, atribuido a Luis Niño, Luis Niño (Potosí, siglo XVIII) fue un artista indígena potosino, activo entre 1720 y 1750.[1] Desarrolló el arte de la pintura, escultura, ensamblado de altares, retablos y piezas de madera y orfebrería.[2] Se le atribuyen diferentes obras...
Musée des Beaux-Arts de l'oblast de DonetskHistoireFondation 23 septembre 1939CadreType MuséePays UkraineCoordonnées 48° 01′ N, 37° 48′ EOrganisationSites web (ru) donetskartmuseum.ru(uk) muzey-dokm.pp.uamodifier - modifier le code - modifier Wikidata Cet article est une ébauche concernant un musée. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Consultez la liste d...
Pertempuran Marathon Kynegeiros atau Kynaigeiros (bahasa Yunani: Κυνέγειρος or Κυναίγειρος, ?-490 SM) adalah pahlawan Yunani kuno dari Athena dan merupakan saudara penulis drama, Aiskhylos. Dia adalah putra Euphorion dari Eleusis dan anggota Eupatrid, salah satu keluarga bangsawan kuno di Attika.[1] Pada tahun 490 SM Kynegeiros dan saduaranya Aiskhylos, bertempur membela Athena melawan pasukan invasi Persia pimpinan Darius pada Pertempuran Marathon. Meski...
River in the south west of England For other rivers called Avon, see River Avon. Avon Vale redirects here. For the Royal Navy ship, see HMS Avon Vale (L06). River AvonBristol AvonThe Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension BridgeCourse of the AvonEtymologyCommon Brittonic abona, 'river'LocationCountryEnglandCounties of EnglandGloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, BristolTowns/citiesChippenham, Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Bath, BristolPhysical characteristicsSourceDidmarton • lo...
American college football season 1908 LSU Tigers footballCo-national champion (NCF)SIAA championConferenceSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationRecord10–0 (2–0 SIAA)Head coachEdgar Wingard (2nd season)CaptainMarshall H. Cap GandyHome stadiumState FieldSeasons← 19071909 → 1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings vte Conf Overall Team W L T W L T LSU + 2 – 0 – 0 10 – 0 – 0...
1975 murders in Tehran, Iran Ettela'at newspaper covering assassination of U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jack H. Turner and Colonel Paul R. Shaffer Colonel Paul R. Shaffer (1930–1975) was a United States military aide to Iran who served as an air force pilot in both Korea and Vietnam.[1][2] In 1975, he was assassinated along with Lieutenant Colonel Jack H. Turner. Vahid Afrakhteh, a founding member of Peykar, confessed to the killing and later was executed.[3] ...
No. 277 Squadron RAFActive22 December 1941 – 15 February 1945Country United KingdomBranch Royal Air ForceMotto(s)Latin: Quaerendo servamus(We save by seeking)InsigniaSquadron BadgeA winged hand rising from waterSquadron CodeBA (December 1941 – February 1945)Military unit No. 277 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II. History Formation in World War II A Lysander of 277 Squadron operating from RAF Hawkinge The squadron formed at Staplef...
1991 video game For the Game Boy game named Adventure Island II, see Adventure Island III. 1991 video gameAdventure Island IINorth American cover artworkDeveloper(s)Now ProductionPublisher(s)Hudson SoftDesigner(s)J. KoyanagiProgrammer(s)Nobuyuki ShinoharaArtist(s)Katsuya JittōComposer(s)Miyoshi OkuyamaSeriesAdventure IslandPlatform(s)NES/Famicom, Game Boy, GamateReleaseNES/FamicomNA: February, 1991JP: April 26, 1991EU: July 22, 1992Game Boy (Adventure Island)NA: February, 1992JP: March 6, 19...
United States historic placeBirthplace of Ronald ReaganU.S. Historic districtContributing property Ronald Reagan's birthplace (center).Location111 - 113 S Main StTampico, Illinois, U.S.Coordinates41°37′52″N 89°47′9″W / 41.63111°N 89.78583°W / 41.63111; -89.78583Built1896ArchitectFred Harvey Seymour (builder)Part ofTampico Main Street Historic District (ID82002602[1])Added to NRHPJune 3, 1982 The Birthplace of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Graham ...
Jordanian royal (born 1986) Princess Raiyah bint Al HusseinBorn (1986-02-09) 9 February 1986 (age 37)Amman, JordanSpouse Faris Ned Donovan (m. 2020)NamesRaiyah bint Hussein bin Talal bin AbdullahHouseHashemiteFatherHussein of JordanMotherLisa HalabyOccupationAcademic Jordanian royal family List The KingThe Queen The Crown Prince Princess Rajwa Princess Iman Princess Salma Prince Hashem Extended royal family Noor and othersQueen Noor HamzahPrincess Basmah Pr...
Type of priest For other uses, see Vicar (disambiguation). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Vicar – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) A vicar (/ˈvɪkər/; Latin: vicarius) is a representative, deputy or substitute;...
North American federation of labor unions from 1935 to 1955 Congress of Industrial OrganizationsAbbreviationCIOMerged intoAFL–CIOFoundedNovember 9, 1935 (1935-11-09)Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaDissolved1955LocationUnited States The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a federation of unions that organized workers in industrial unions in the United States and Canada from 1935 to 1955. Originally created in 1935 as a committee within the American Federation of Labor ...
19th Century Irish country house Marlfield HouseLocation in IrelandGeneral informationLocationGorey, County WexfordCountryIrelandCoordinates52°40′08″N 6°16′31″W / 52.66875°N 6.27524°W / 52.66875; -6.27524Completed1852 Marlfield House, County Wexford is an Irish country house built in 1852[1] and was one of the two houses owned by the Earls of Courtown.[2][3] An example of a rural regency style house,[4][5] it was a do...
1940 film by Harold French The House of the ArrowU.S. theatrical posterDirected byHarold FrenchWritten byA.E.W. Mason (novel)Doreen MontgomeryProduced byWalter C. MycroftStarringKenneth KentDiana ChurchillBelle ChrystallPeter Murray-HillCinematographyWalter J. HarveyEdited byEdward B. JarvisMusic byHarry AcresProductioncompanyAssociated British Picture CorporationDistributed byABPCRelease date26 October 1940Running time66 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglish The House of the Arrow is a...