U.O.Me is the third single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in early 1978 by Philips Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and is considered as Luv's real breakthrough in Benelux. This record is also credited as U.O.Me (You Owe Me), U.O.Me (Welcome to Waldolala) or U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala).
| "U.O.Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Luv' | ||||
| from the album With Luv' | ||||
| B-side | "Hang On" | |||
| Released | February 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1977/1978 | |||
| Genre | Disco, Pop | |||
| Length | 2:55 | |||
| Label | Philips Records/Phonogram Records (Benelux, German speaking countries, France) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Hans van Hemert & Piet Souer (as Janschen & Janschens) | |||
| Producer(s) | Hans van Hemert | |||
| Luv' singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
Record producer Hans van Hemert was commissioned by VPRO (a Dutch TV channel) to write the theme song for a TV series, Het is weer zo laat (aka Waldolala).[1] Assisted by Piet Souer, he composed "U.O.Me (Welcome To Waldolala)" which was recorded by Luv'. Het is weer zo laat featured the female trio performing the theme song during the opening credits.
U.O.Me was considered Luv's first real mainstream success. Its Disco-Carnival sound changed from the pop arrangements of the two previous singles (My Man and Dream, Dream). This track is inspired by "A far l'amore comincia tu", the 1977 European hit of Raffaella Carrà.
Track listing and release
7" Vinyl [2]
- a. "U.O.Me"
- b. "Hang On"
| Country | Year | Label | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands/Germany/Belgium/Philippines/ | 1978 | Philips/Phonogram Records | 6012783 |
| France | 1978 | Philips/Phonogram Records | 6173625 |
Cover versions
- Studio formation Conquistador (also produced by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer) recorded an instrumental version of this song.[3]
- Schlager singer Peter Petrel recorded a German cover version entitled Wer Hat Hier Denn Wohl Wen Verführt in 1978.[4]
- De Strangers recorded a parody in Dutch entitled 't Sauna Bad in 1978.
- Finnish girl group Mirumaru performed the track as Sun Vain Oon[5] in their language in 1978.
- Dutch act De Vedettes recorded their version of Luv's breakthrough hit to support the Dutch national football team (the famous Oranjes) at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This cover was entitled Oh! Wat Een Mooie Goal! (Oh! What a beautiful goal!)[6] and peaked at #39 on the Netherlands' Single Top 100[7] in July 2010.
- In 2015, Pop singer Tamara Tol released a Dutch cover version entitled Dan Gan We Dansen. The track reached #23 on Oranje Top 30 (a Gfk chart of the 30 most popular Dutch-speaking productions).[8]
- In 2016, Dutch rapper Def Rhymz & Ronnie Ruysdael covered the legendary pop song and named it "Fawaka".
- In January 2018, the TV commercial for breakfast cereals "Granooolala" featured three ladies dressed in 1970s outfits (with Charlie's Angels-like wigs) and lip-syncing to a new version of U.O.Me.[9]
Chart performance
Because of Luv's exposure on the Waldolala TV show, the song became an instant hit in the Netherlands and Flanders and reached the singles Top 5 in both countries. It sold 150.000 copies in Benelux. In the Top 100 of best sold singles in 1978 in the Netherlands, the song reached the #10 position[10]
Charts and certifications
| Charts (1978) | Peak position |
Certification (If any) |
|---|---|---|
| Europarade (currently Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) | 5 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 3 | Platinum [11] |
| Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade, currently Mega Top 50) | 3 | |
| Belgium/Flanders (BRT Top 30) | 2 |
Chart sources
- Dutch charts (Top 40): (in Dutch) Stichting Nederlandse Top 40
- Dutch charts (Nationale Hitparade): (in Dutch) http://www.dutchcharts.nl/ and (in Dutch) http://www.megatop50.nl
- Belgian charts :(in Dutch) BRT Top 30/Radio 2 Top 30
References
- ^ Details about TV series "Het is weer zo laat"
- ^ Release information on Discogs.com website Accessed: February 12, 2011
- ^ Information about "U.O.Me" by Conquistador
- ^ Peter Petrel's discography
- ^ Track listing of the album "Sun Vain Oon" by Finnish band Mirumaru Accessed: October 17, 2010
- ^ Video of De Vedettes on Youtube Accessed: October 17, 2010
- ^ Peak position of De Vedettes on Dutch Single Top 100 Accessed: October 17, 2010
- ^ "TAMARA TOL - DAN GAAN WE DANSEN". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "Granooolala". Andc.tv. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ The Top 100 of 1978, based on sales, compiled by Intomart BV, commissioned by Buma/Stemra: http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1978&cat=s
- ^ Gold and platinum certifications given by the Dutch recording industry association