FlinterFile: Splitsing- Wind en Zeilen

The band Splitsing was a Dutch band which started in 1982.

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FlinterFile: Alvaro Soler- El Mismo Sol

In 2015, Alvaro Soler claimed the summer hit of the year. He was inspired by his own past, which was spend in quite some countries: when he was 10 years old, he moved from Spain to Barcelone, lived seven years there, going to a German school, and then he returned to Spain. He released an album with a band he established, and then decided to go solo and went to Germany. The song was inspired by the fact that diversity on his school was not a bad thing: it was a lot of fun. In Italy it was a number 1 hit, and there is another version with Jennifer Lopez around for the US market. Enjoy

Alvaro Soler- El Mismo Sol

Song of the day: KC And The Sunshine Band- Keep It Comin’ Love

In 1977, KC & the Sunshine Band brought in the sun with a Carribean influenced song. With a title that can be interpreted in some ways, it was another big hit for them. In the US it was a number 2 hit, in the UK it was not that much of a hit, number 31. Enjoy

KC & The Sunshine Band- Keep It Comin’ Love

Song of the day: Billy Stewart- Summertime

Some sixties to end the summer for this year. And this is a great song, though you have to get through the intro, which is not exactly great… The song was composed in 1935 by George Gershwin for an opera. The lyrics are made by the man who wrote the book on which the opera was based, DuBose Heyward. The song became a jazz standard and that can be noticed when looking at the number of covers: over 33000 versions were recorded! The song was taken to the charts by Billie Holiday in 1936 (he reached no. 12). The most successful version was made by Billy Stewart in 1966, who reached no. 10 in the US and no. 39 in the UK. For me, this also is the best version. Enjoy

Billy Stewart- Summertime

Song of the day: Edward Maya- Stereo Love

In 2009, the Romanian artist Edward Maya worked together with the Russian-Romanian Vika Jigulina. They put together a dance record, which makes use of the song Bayatilar in the refrain. This became a bit of a problem, since the composer of this tune was not mentioned as co-writer. Later this was changed, though Edward Maya kept saying they tried to contact the composer, but that this was not possible due to the busy schedule of the composer. The keyboard riff also comes from another song, namely the theme to “Zalim”. However, it’s a great song to dance to. Enjoy

Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina- Stereo Love

Song of the day: TenTemPies- Quiero Saltar

This is some NEW summer music. And I like it since the first time I heard it. The band is, for as far as I know, based in the Netherlands. They have their new album coming up this year and it was the first single of the album. The title means “I want to jump”, and it certainly makes you want to jump. It makes me happy, and that’s why I wanted to feature it. Enjoy

TenTemPies- Quiero Saltar

Song of the day: Tim Deluxe- It Just Won’t Do

Today, we’ve got a song from 2002. It was made by a British house producer, Tim Deluxe. Somewhere in my memories I know the melody of the song, though I have not heard it after finding it via via on the internet. Probably a song that was played a lot when I was six… but it surely makes me happy! Enjoy

Tim Deluxe- It Just Won’t Do

Song of the day: The Drifters- Under The Boardwalk

Today the spotlight is on a song from 1964.  It’s a song about a man and a woman, who want to meet somewhere in private. They decide to do it out of sight and out of the sun, under the boardwalk. The song was not the problem, actually, it rather was another affair: the lead singer, Rudy Lewis, died the evening before the planned recording date. The Drifters then decided to bring back a former member of the band, to sing the vocals, namely Johnny Moore. They had a hit with the song, peaking at number 4 in the Billboard chart. The song has been recorded by very much artists since then, including The Beach Boys, the Tom Tom Club (who brought it to the UK charts as the first artist), and the summer version of Bruce Willis (one of these singing artists, along with David Hasselhoff…). Enjoy the original:

The Drifters- Under The Boardwalk

Song of the day: Nomads- Yakalelo

This was a summer hit in 1998, made by a French group, who never again had such a big hit. In France it reached number 2, in Belgium number 4 and in the Netherlands number 10. The song does mean nothing, according to one of the members. “It is the same as saying tralala.” And therefore I would say: enjoy

The Nomads- Yakalelo

Song of the day: R.I.O.- Shine On

Today we have a singer from Germany, who can sing reggae! And he managed to score a hit in several countries, making it to number 1 in Russia and to number 8 in both Italy and France. However, his highest place in Germany was 25… It does not matter a lot to me, since I think it’s a great song he made. Enjoy

R.I.O.- Shine On

Song of the day: Raffaella Carra- A Far L’Amore Comincia Tu

This Italian lady is active in more than only singing: she also presents programms on the Italian television and she is an actress. In this role, she acted in Von Ryan’s Express, a movie which also features Frank Sinatra. In 1977, she had a big hit with the song of the day, which was later remixed by Bob Sinclar, which meant a new (smaller) hit. Personally, I like the original very much more than the remix. Therefore, enjoy

Raffaella Carra- A Far L’Amore Comincia Tu

Song of the day: Gibson Brothers- Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)

In the late 70s, disco was on its top with lots of disco records coming out. In this period of success, a French group called the Gibson Brothers released two singles, which had a lot of success. Their first single, Cuba, did not do very good in the UK, but this song did: it reached number 5 in the UK. I would say: get dancing to

The Gibson Brothers- Que Sera Mi Vida

Song of the day: Lana Del Rey- Summertime Sadness

In 2012, Lana Del Rey released her second album. From this album, the song Video Games became a big hit, but there were some singles following the first single, though not charting. This song was a minor hit in many countries, and is mostly heard in a (awfull) remix. The original is, in all its purity, a pearl which makes you sad because summer seems to end… listen to

Lana Del Rey- Summertime Sadness

Song of the day: Boney M.- Sunny

This song has made a long journey before ending up with Boney M. It was written in 1966 by Bobby Hebb, when his brother was stabbed to death and president Kennedy was murdered, both happening in 1963 in 48 hours. He then wrote the song. It took some time to release it, but 3 years later it was released and it made him go on tour with the Beatles. In 1976 he updated the song to a disco version. In that same year Boney M. came with a cover of the original version, which was on their debute album. It followed the hit Daddy Cool, and this song became a hit, too. The song has been recorded by many other artists, like Frank Sinatra, Cher, Ella Fitzgerald, The Four Seasons, The Four Tops and many others. Enjoy the Boney M version:

Boney M.- Sunny

Song of the day: Baltimora- Tarzan Boy

In 1985, an Italian act had a hit with its debut single. It would be their only hit, but then it was a very big hit: it was 1 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, reached 3 in the UK and made it to 13 in the US. It uses the cry of Tarzan in the refrain, which makes it recognizable for Tarzan fans. I like the song very much, enjoy

Baltimora- Tarzan Boy

Song of the day: Kid Rock- All Summer Long

Today a number one hit in a lot of countries, including the UK, from 2008. The song is a mash-up, which was suggested by Mike E. Clark. Like most cases, the mash-up consists of two songs: Werewolves of London and Sweet Home Alabama. The music in All Summer Long is identical to Werewolves of London, the text resembles Sweet Home Alabama a lot, but is not quite identical. Together they make a great summer hit. Enjoy

Kid Rock- All Summer Long

Song of the day: Maxi Priest- Close To You

In 1990, a song by Maxi Priest would make it to the first place in the Billboard Hot 100. The artist is a British singer, who mostly records reggae songs. He already had had hits with songs such as Wild World, and this would be one of his biggest summer hits. It sounds like the summer does, so enjoy

Maxi Priest- Close To You

Song of the day: Shaft- (Mucho Mambo) Sway

Today we have to go back a long time to find the roots of the song of the day. We end up in 1953, when a Mexican instrumental song is released. It’s a mambo song, so that makes it sound like the summer. Dean Martin took this song in 1954, which was translated in English for him and it was given the title Sway, which was the translation of the Mexican title. Then the song went on, was covered and remixed, for example by the Pussycat Dolls, Michael Bublé, Cliff Richard and Jennifer Lopez. And that are only a few of them. One version, a remix, became a big hit for Shaft. It would be their biggest hit. And therefore, I would say: enjoy

Shaft- (Mucho Mambo) Sway

Song of the day: Junior Senior- Move Your Feet

The summer of 2003 sees the rise of a Danish dance duo called Junior Senior. They made several records, but this has proven to be their biggest hit. It was their debute single, and immediately they hit number 3 in the UK and number 25 on the US dance chart. After that, almost none of the singles made it to the charts, and none did make it to the top of the chart. However, this happy song makes people still move their feet, and that’s why it’s the song of this saturday night. Get dancing to

Junior Senior- Move Your Feet

Song of the day: Denis Azor- A Li La

In 1967, a man called Jean Denis Azor is born on Mauritius. He will become known as the singer Denis Azor, who had a hit in the nineties called Ala Li La. It was a summer hit in 1991, fitting the genre segâ, which is a typical style on Mauritius. This was very popular in the summer of 1991, but since then we have not heard a lot from the man or the style, so I think we can safely say he’s a one hit wonder. However, he made this happy hit, and I would say: enjoy

Denis Azor- Ala Li La

Song of the day: Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66- Mas Que Nada

In 1963, a man called Jorge Ben wrote the song Mas Que Nada. His story probably ends with the song being voted as the fifth best Brazilian song by the Brazilian version of Rolling Stone. For the song, the story only begins there. It is covered several times, before Sergio Mendes gets the song. He records it in 1966 with Brasil ’66 and has a minor hit with it, charting on number 47 in the Billboard chart. He later records it again with the Black Eyed Peas, having a big hit all over the world in 2006. For today, it’s fun to listen to the original cover from 1966:

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66- Mas Que Nada

Song of the day: King Africa- La Bomba

In 2000, a song from Azul Azul was covered by an Argentine singer called King Africa. It was first released in 2000, and then two times again (in 2001 and 2003). The version from 2000 was the most successful, reaching the top 5 in some countries (like the Netherlands and Spain). The original version by Azul Azul did not do that good, it only reached number one in the US Tropical Songs chart. Enjoy the cover

King Africa- La Bomba

Song of the day: Mory Kante- Yé Ké Yé Ké

In 1987, a singer called Mory Kanté was a hit. He came from Guinea and that means that the sounds of Africa influence this song, making it a summer hit. And it went up in the charts, reaching number one in some countries, especially in Europe. It was the first hit from Africa which sold over a million records! Later it was remixed and covered, which made a re-entry in the charts. However, these versions were not as successful as the original version. Enjoy

Mory Kanté- Yé Ké Yé Ké

Song of the day: Melanie C- I Turn To You

This is probably the only Spice Girl who had great successes after the period of the Spice Girls. I will not talk about the (horrible) cover of It’s Raining Men by Geri Halliwell, and also not about Victoria Beckham. Today it’s about the woman who recorded Never Be The Same Again, which is on the same album as the song of the day, namely Northern Star. The song would be the second number one hit in the UK. It was and is a great dance hit, and it’s great to dance on it. Also, it is a genuine summer hit, so enjoy

Melanie C- I Turn To You

Song of the day: Tony Esposito- Kalimba De Luna

The man of Papa Chico had another hit. Probably that’s not new, but this song is a bit forgotten, which is a shame, since I think it’s better than his biggest hit. Though it did not chart very high and only in some charts, it did make it to my ears. The way was a bit different: after Tony Esposito made the song, Boney M came with a cover, which was a big success, bigger than the original. The original is only heard on some radio stations, if they feel like playing it. Enjoy

Tony Esposito- Kalimba de Luna

Song of the day: Ultra Naté- Free

A nineties song which has the best of almost everything in dance music: disco, house, and the nineties sound. It was a single of her third album, and it managed to become a hit in a lot of countries. For some people, this song is one of the best songs of the nineties, regarding dance music. I think I could agree on that one. The voice of Ultra Naté is great, and it’s a shame she did not have a lot of hits. So get dancing to this hit! Enjoy

Ultra Naté- Free

Song of the day: Azoto- San Salvador

There is a connection between the summer and disco music. It is called italo disco, which is disco music, but then a bit more sunny. That seems difficult, but it is not. The song of today could be an example, though some doubt it and say it’s in the stage going towards italo disco. I would say: decide for yourself about that. What I do know for sure is that the song became a hit in 1980 and features a house style piano (which is a great instrument). And I know that it’s a great song to dance on. Enjoy

Azoto- San Salvador

Song of the day: Chesney Hawkes- The One And Only

A summerhit from a movie today! In 1991, the movie Buddy’s Song was released. Though the movie was not a smashing success, the song which was in it was. It is written by Nik Kershaw and performed by Chesney Hawkes (who also was playing a role in the movie). In the UK, the song peaked at number one, where it stayed for five weeks. Later it would become clear that this song would be the one and only hit for Chesney Hawkes, so he ended up as a one hit wonder. A nice detail about the movie: it also features Roger Daltrey of the Who. Enjoy

Chesney Hawkes- The One And Only

Song of the day: Oceana- Endless Summer

Some more recent work today. From 2012, and I only just discovered it had a link with the European Football Championship (probably because I have no interest in football.). The song is made by a German singer, who included it on the second album. In the song, there is a sample of Mr. Saxobeat, which was a hit in the year before. The song was a hit in Europe, but did not exceed the borders. Enjoy

Oceana- Endless Summer

Song of the day: Negrocan- Cada Vez

Our story of today starts in 1991, when a group of several artists is formed. The artists come from different countries, namely Italy, England, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. They name themselves  Negrocan. Their style has some funk in it, but also the clear inspiration of Latin and some soul. That combines in a single, Cada Vez, which is still played a lot during the summer. Enjoy

Negrocan- Cada Vez

Song of the day: Santa Esmeralda- Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Back to the seventies today! The original of the song dates back to 1964, when Nina Simone recorded it. Then it was taken by the Animals, who recorded their version in 1965. Santa Esmeralda took the arrangement of the Animals and added a disco flavour to it, including some flamenco, salsa and other Latin sounds. It first did very well in the club circuit, where it was taken in a very long version, and the shortened version became a hit in the “normal” charts, like the Billboard Hot 100 (number 15). And today we enjoy these exotic sounds:

Santa Esmeralda- Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Song of the day: Aventura- Obsesion

A summer song from 2003. The song is made by a Dominican-American band. They had a hit with it, peaking in a lot of countries on number one. They are remembered for this song, since later songs were no big hits. The lyrics are about a man, who likes a woman very much, that much, it becomes an obsession. Sadly, it is not love. It’s only an obsession. I would say: enjoy

Aventura- Obsesion

Song of the day: The Bucketheads- The Bomb

Tonight it’s party time! That’s another song, but let’s talk about the nineties house classic, made by the Bucketheads, which actually was one Buckethead, better known as Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez. He made this song, used a sample of the Chicago song Street Player. For the ones who want to know: it’s the lyrics, Street sounds swirling through my mind. I have misunderstood those, because I’m always singing “Beat time rolling through my mind”, which does not make sense, I know. But most songs do not make sense, especially house songs. However, a great song, enjoy

The Bucketheads- The Bomb (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)

Song of the day: Nice Device- Cool Corona

In the nineties, there was a band called Nice Device. I tried to find some information on the band, but all I could find was a band which was active between 2001 and 2010, but this single is really from the nineties! So I think it is not the same band, but furthermore, I don’t know. The song is mostly about a woman who wants her man to be like Elvis Presley (which woman does not want that?), but the man prefers a cool corona. It’s obvious they have different priorities… Enjoy

Nice Device- Cool Corona (Could You Be Like Elvis)

Song of the day: Michel Depech- Pour Un Flirt

An old French song today. And yes, it has been used in a commercial, which actually was the first time I heard it. That was a few years ago. The song, however, is much, much older. It was released in 1971, and was his only big success in Europe. He is still active, especially since 1997, when he started writing lots of songs again. After 1971, he had a sort of silent period, writing a lot, but not performing. That’s over, and he’s back. Well, not in the charts, but in the music industry. For today, we have this oldie:

Michel Delpech- Pour Un Flirt

Song of the day: Gabriel Rios- Broad Daylight

Another zeroes record today! The record is made by an artist who is Puerto Rican/Belgian, but who is living in the US at the moment. In 2006, he made a record which was used in a movie by Theo van Gogh, a Dutch film director. This film director was later killed, and this made Gabriel Rios perform at a party in honour of him, since he and his band were the favourite band of Theo van Gogh. Though not having a lot of success, he had a hit with this song in the Netherlands. And we still remember it as a sort of summer hit (a commercial may have to do with that). Enjoy

Gabriel Rios- Broad Daylight

Song of the day: Tiziano Ferro- Perdono

In 2001, an Italian singer made his debute with the album Xdono. The lead single made it to number one in lots of countries, like Austria, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The music was based on a sample of R. Kelly. Though I do not very much like R Kelly, I do like this song. Not typically summer, but it has the right feeling for a summer day with a bit of rain (like today). Enjoy

Tiziano Ferro- Perdono

Song of the day: Eddie Cochran- Summertime Blues

A golden oldie today! All the way from the fifties, written by Eddie Cochran and his manager, Jerry Capehart. In 1958 it was released as a B-side, but this time they got it wrong: the B-side would be the hit! In the US it peaked at number 8 and in the UK it reached number 18. Then the song started its way through history in many cover versions, including a version of the Beach Boys and the Who. Today we’ve got the original! Enjoy

Eddie Cochran- Summertime Blues

Song of the day: Energy 52- Café Del Mar

Saturday night! Dance night! And today it’s a song from the nineties, 1993 to be precise. The name is derived from a bar on Ibiza, of course with the same name. The song has become a dance classic, instantly recognizable and remixed many, many, many times. None of them have been as good as the original song, that is, in my eyes. Dance to and enjoy

Energy 52- Café Del Mar

Song of the day: Elvis Crespo- Suavemente

The singer of this song started as the lead singer of some bands, his last being Grupo Manía. They scored a hit, but he decided for himself to go solo and have hits on his own. His son was singing the song a whole afternoon, telling Elvis Crespo it would be a hit. And indeed, the song was a hit, when Elvis Crespo recorded it. It hit number one on the Billboard Latin Chart, and was the best selling Latin single of 1998. And of course, it makes you wanna dance. Enjoy the summer sound of

Elvis Crespo- Suavemente

Song of the day: ICT- Lasciati Tentare

Some nineties today, from that very excellent year: 1997! The name of the Italian group, ICT, did not have anything to do with the computer business. It was an abbreviation for Inspiration Color Trash, hence the colourful cover of the single. The title of the song is Italian for “being touched”. I do not think too much about that: it’s Italian and I don’t speak Italian, so I enjoy the summer sounds of this nice summer hit. Enjoy

ICT- Lasciati Tentare

Song of the day: Don Henley- The Boys Of Summer

In 1984, the front man of the Eagles, also the drummer and the singer of the band, decided to make a solo album. The lead single of the album would chart in the Top 5 of the US and even at the top of the Top Rock Chart. In a lot of countries, it would be a minor hit. Although it has this status, it is mostly played a lot during the summer. That’s a bit strange, since it is about ageing, thinking and questioning the past (who does not do that?) and (here is the reason for playing it in the summer!) summer love in the choruses. Enjoy

Don Henley- The Boys Of Summer

Song of the day: Julien Clerc- (Elle Voulait Qu’on L’Appelle) Venise

For some reason, the summer is the time I hear lots of French songs which I do not understand. They mostly sound very summerlike, like this song. In 1975, he recorded a new song. It would be a minor hit to another song on the album, namely This Melody. This one would even reach number one in the Netherlands, where Venise stuck to place 14. I like this one more, since it’s nice and uptempo. Enjoy

Julien Clerc- (Elle Voulait Qu’on L’appelle) Venise

Song of the day: France Gall- Ella Elle L’a

Again a French song which was later covered by Kate Ryan. Though both versions are completely different, you can hear they are identical in some parts. In 1987, the original, made by France Gall, was released. It was meant as a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, a great jazz singer by the way, who will be featured later. In quite some charts it ended in the top 5. Kate Ryan made her version in 2008. However, today we go for the original. Enjoy

France Gall- Ella Elle L’a

Song of the day: Londonbeat- You Bring On The Sun

It may seem as a strange choice, the song of today. Of course, it’s danceable (since it’s Saturday), but still… it never was a big hit. Londonbeat is mostly known from I’ve Been Thinking About You, which reached number one in a lot of countries. In 1992, they released a new album: Harmony. On this album, the song of today is included. In the UK the song reached 32, so it was a minor hit. However, it was a bigger hit in the Netherlands (5), Germany (6) and Sweden (9). The song has the summer feeling and is danceable, so let’s enjoy

Londonbeat- You Bring On The Sun

Song of the day: Typically Tropical- Barbados

In May 1975, Typically Tropical released this single. It would be their only hit, entering the UK chart in the end of June and then climbing in the summer to the first position. It stayed there for one week. After this single, more singles came, but none of these reached the charts. In 1999, the Vengaboys took the song, changed some things (in this version, for instance, they do not go to Barbados, but to Ibiza), reaching the first spot in the UK chart with their song We’re Going To Ibiza. Today the original. Enjoy

Typically Tropical- Barbados

Song of the day: Desireless- Voyage Voyage

A French song today, released in December (!) 1986. The song went to number one in Germany and Spain, but stayed on number 2 in France. A bit strange, since French song mostly do not have worldwide success… In 2008 the song again appears in the charts, now in the version of Kate Ryan. For today, we enjoy the original from the eighties. Enjoy

Desireless- Voyage, Voyage

Song of the day: Diana King- Shy Guy

A song from a soundtrack today! This song was a song on the Bad Boys soundtrack, and it also appeared on the debute album of Diana King. It was the lead single of the album, and is seen by some as the best song on the section of reggae fusion. It would be Diana Kings only success (depending on how you look at the charts: it certainly was her biggest success), charting in the UK on number 2 and in the US on number 13. In most countries it was in the top 5 of the charts. Enjoy

Diana King- Shy Guy

Song of the day: Third World- Now That We Found Love

This song started its career in 1973, when the first recording was done by the O’Jays (known from the Love Train). Then some other artists came around, like Martha Reeves (who also recorded the original of Dancing In The Streets) and in 1978 the reggae band Third World. They recorded it in a reggae/disco version, and had a small hit with it. I think this is the best version, though the major success of the song came in 1991, when Heavy D and the Boyz recorded the song. Enjoy

Third World- Now That We Found Love

Song of the day: Paco- Amor De Mis Amores

When moving with the music to other countries like Italy or France, it proves to be difficult to find information. However, I had to look for another song to find information about this song. It’s a cover of a song, which was written in 1936. It was then known as Que nadie sepa mi sufrir, though it was no big success. Edith Piaf recorded it in French and not much later another version, called Amor de Mis Amores appeared. This version was recorded and released in 1988 by an artist called Paco, who had a small hit with the song. Enjoy

Paco- Amor De Mis Amores