U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)

U.O.Me is the third single by the 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"
ReleasedFebruary 1978
Recorded1977/1978
GenreDisco, Pop
Length2:55
LabelPhilips 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
"Dream, Dream"
(1977)		 "'U.O.Me'"
(1978)		 "You're the Greatest Lover"
(1978)

Background

Record producer Hans van Hemert was commissioned by VPRO 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 was inspired by A far l'amore comincia tu, the 1977 European hit performed by Raffaella Carrà.

Commercial 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.

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 Netherlands national football team (the 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 language cover version entitled "Dan Gaan 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]

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1978) Peak
position
Europarade (currently Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 3
Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade, currently Singles Top 100)[11] 3
Belgium/Flanders (BRT Top 30)[12] 2
Belgium/Flanders (Ultratop)[13] 2

Year-end charts
Chart (1978) Position
Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade)[14] 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 21
Belgium/Flanders (Ultratop)[16] 19

References
  1. Details about TV series "Het is weer zo laat"
  2. Release information on Discogs.com website Accessed: February 12, 2011
  3. Information about "U.O.Me" by Conquistador
  4. Peter Petrel's discography
  5. Track listing of the album "Sun Vain Oon" by Finnish band Mirumaru Accessed: October 17, 2010
  6. Video of De Vedettes on Youtube Accessed: October 17, 2010
  7. Peak position of De Vedettes on Dutch Single Top 100 Accessed: October 17, 2010
  8. "TAMARA TOL - DAN GAAN WE DANSEN". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  9. "Granooolala". Andc.tv. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  10. "Dutch Top 40 > Luv'". Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  11. "Nationale Hitparade > Luv'". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  12. "Ultratop > Luv'". BRT Top 30. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  13. "Ultratop > Luv'". Ultratop. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  14. "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  15. "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Top40.nl. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  16. "Jaaroverzicht 1978" (in Dutch). Ultratop.nl. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
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