Hans van Hemert
Encyclopedia
Hans van Hemert is a Dutch
ASCAP award winning record producer
and songwriter
. Mouth & MacNeal
and Luv'
are among the pop
acts he produced. He also composed
three song
s for the Eurovision Song Contest
.
and his relationship with this record company lasted until 1979.
He produced and co-wrote songs for Q65
, The Motions, Ro-d-ys, Zen
, Group 1850
, Big Wheel, Somerset, Ramses Shaffy
and Liesbeth List
, Sandra & Andres, Kamahl
, American Gypsy and Vulcano.
.
This duo scored big hits not only in their homeland but also abroad between 1971
and 1974
:
(1977–present) is a female pop trio he formed with the help from Piet Souer
and a manager, Han Meijer (later replaced by Pim Ter Linde). This girl group
had popular hit records in large part of Continental Europe
, South Africa
, New Zealand
, Australia
and Mexico
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Among their hit single
s were: "U.O.Me
", "You're the Greatest Lover
", "Trojan Horse
", "Casanova
" and "Ooh, Yes I Do
". This formation sold seven million records.
", a football song performed by André Hazes
to support the Netherlands national soccer team
at the UEFA Euro 1988. The same year, he wrote a track recorded by Yann Andersen for a UNICEF campaign.
In the late 1990s, he created an independent music production company (Hans van Hemert Productions) that still licenses his hits to labels for 1970s nostalgia compilations.
In addition to Luv'
, he produced other girl groups:
However, none of these groups reached Luv'
s level of success.
In April 2005, the Luv'
ladies made a surprise showcase at his 40 year business anniversary and 60th birthday. In the spring of 2006, his production team remixed "Trojan Horse
" (which was included in the box set Completely In Luv'
(released by Universal Music Netherlands). Two years later, he produced and wrote a digital single for Mother
and Father's day
, "De allerliefste mama en papa" performed by his daughter Hannah and his grand-daughter Britt.
In recent years, some of his compositions have been utilised by contemporary artists from the dance
and techno
scene.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
ASCAP award winning record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. Mouth & MacNeal
Mouth & MacNeal
Mouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their million selling recording of "How Do You Do".-Career:They were formed in 1971 when record producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talent of Mouth and Maggie MacNeal...
and Luv'
Luv'
Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
are among the pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
acts he produced. He also composed
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
three song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s for the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
.
His debut
He started his career in 1965 when he worked at Phonogram RecordsPhonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
and his relationship with this record company lasted until 1979.
He produced and co-wrote songs for Q65
Q65 (band)
Q65 are a Dutch pop/rock/Rhythm and blues group formed in 1965 and categorised in the Netherlands as being part of the Nederbeat genre.-1965: Formation:...
, The Motions, Ro-d-ys, Zen
Zen (band)
Zen is a Dutch rock band, founded by Siegfried 'Siebe' de Jong and Dirk van der Ploeg in 1965. Van der Ploeg writes the lyrics, music and arrangements. The hippie-oriented one hit wonder band hits the top spot on the Dutch Top 40 singles chart in January 1969, with their version of the theme from...
, Group 1850
Group 1850
Groep 1850 was a Dutch psychedelic rock band. The band was founded in 1964 in The Hague by the name Klits and renamed Groep 1850 in 1966, when their debut single, "Misty Night" / "Look Around", appeared on the tiny Yep label...
, Big Wheel, Somerset, Ramses Shaffy
Ramses Shaffy
Ramses Shaffy was a Dutch singer and actor. He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Zing, vecht, huil, bid, lach, werk en bewonder , We zullen doorgaan , Pastorale, Sammy and Laat me...
and Liesbeth List
Liesbeth List
Elisabeth Dorathea List, generally known as Liesbeth List is a Dutch singer, stage actress and television personality. She became popular during the 1960s and frequently collaborated with Ramses Shaffy...
, Sandra & Andres, Kamahl
Kamahl
Kamahl is the stage name of Kandiah Kamalesvaran , an Australian singer and recording artist, perhaps best known for "The Elephant Song", and his repertoire of popular music.-Early life:...
, American Gypsy and Vulcano.
Mouth & MacNeal
Among the bands Van Hemert worked with: Mouth & MacNealMouth & MacNeal
Mouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their million selling recording of "How Do You Do".-Career:They were formed in 1971 when record producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talent of Mouth and Maggie MacNeal...
.
This duo scored big hits not only in their homeland but also abroad between 1971
1971 in music
-Events:*February 1 – after months of feuding in the press, Ginger Baker and Elvin Jones hold a "drum battle" at The Lyceum.*February 8 – Bob Dylan's hour-long documentary film, Eat the Document, is premièred at New York's Academy of Music...
and 1974
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
:
- "Hey You Love" (a Dutch Top 5 single in 1971).
- "How Do You Do" (this single was a Dutch #1 hit in 1971 but also a German Top 5 hit and US Top 10 Hit in 1972 when it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chartRecord chartA record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
.) This song sold two million copies worldwide. - "Hello-a" (a #1 hit in Holland and Germany in 1972).
- "Ik Zie Een Ster" / "I See A StarI See a Star"I See a Star" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, performed in English by Mouth & MacNeal....
" (a Dutch and English Top 10 hit, this song was chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song ContestThe Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in 1974 (the year ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
won it) where it finished in third place.
Luv'
Luv'Luv'
Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
(1977–present) is a female pop trio he formed with the help from Piet Souer
Piet Souer
Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Souer is a Dutch music producer, songwriter and arranger. His collaboration with famous pop acts made him gain twenty two gold and platinum records, one Conamus Export Prize and one Outstanding Song Award thanks to his...
and a manager, Han Meijer (later replaced by Pim Ter Linde). This girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
had popular hit records in large part of Continental Europe
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Among their hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
s were: "U.O.Me
U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)
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...
", "You're the Greatest Lover
You're the Greatest Lover
"You're the Greatest Lover" is a single by Dutch girl group Luv'. It was first released in July 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album With Luv and on compilations . It is the group's international breakthrough as it was successful in a large part of Continental...
", "Trojan Horse
Trojan Horse (Luv' song)
"Trojan Horse" is the fifth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This million seller appears on the German version of the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and was a successful hit record in a large part of Continental Europe, South Africa and New...
", "Casanova
Casanova (Luv' song)
"Casanova" is the sixth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the spring of 1979 by Philips Records. This song appears on the formation's second album, Lots Of Luv, and was a Top 10 single in a large part of Continental Europe, maintaining Luv's position as the best Dutch export act of...
" and "Ooh, Yes I Do
Ooh, Yes I Do
Ooh, Yes I Do is the ninth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1979 by CNR/Carrere Records. This song appears on the formation's third studio album True Luv'. It was a successful hit record in Benelux and Denmark and reached the Top 50 in Germany and France...
". This formation sold seven million records.
Eurovision Song Contest
In addition to Mouth & MacNeal, he wrote two other Eurovision songs: "Als het om de liefde gaat" by Sandra & Andres (#4 in 1972) and "The Party's Over" by Sandra Reemer (#9 in 1976).Later career
Van Hemert composed and produced "Wij houden van OranjeWij houden van Oranje
Wij houden van Oranje , is the title of a Dutch football chant, performed by the Dutch singer André Hazes and produced by Hans van Hemert. It is based on the melody of the well-known Scottish song Auld Lang Syne written by Robert Burns. Orange is the colour of the Dutch Royal family...
", a football song performed by André Hazes
André Hazes
André Gerardus Hazes was a Dutch singer in a genre called levenslied which is a form of emotional folk music about everyday life sung in the Dutch language. André Hazes was one of the most successful singers in this genre...
to support the Netherlands national soccer team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
at the UEFA Euro 1988. The same year, he wrote a track recorded by Yann Andersen for a UNICEF campaign.
In the late 1990s, he created an independent music production company (Hans van Hemert Productions) that still licenses his hits to labels for 1970s nostalgia compilations.
In addition to Luv'
Luv'
Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
, he produced other girl groups:
- in 1981: Babe (this pop act was formed by Peter KoelewijnPeter KoelewijnPeter Koelewijn is a founding father of Dutch language rock and roll. Koelewijn is also a successful producer and songwriter for other Dutch artists. His most famous song is Kom van dat dak af .Peter Koelewijn was born on the 29 December, the son of a fishmonger in the southern Dutch city of...
). - in 1994-1995: Lily Marlene (this manufactured trio was one of his brainchild).
- in 1997: Patty Cash (whose members were chosen by Patty BrardPatty BrardPatty Brard is a famous Indo entertainer. She is a TV personality and a singer notable as a member of the girl group Luv'...
). - in 2005-2006: Bling Inc. (also created by him).
However, none of these groups reached Luv'
Luv'
Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
s level of success.
In April 2005, the Luv'
Luv'
Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
ladies made a surprise showcase at his 40 year business anniversary and 60th birthday. In the spring of 2006, his production team remixed "Trojan Horse
Trojan Horse (Luv' song)
"Trojan Horse" is the fifth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This million seller appears on the German version of the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and was a successful hit record in a large part of Continental Europe, South Africa and New...
" (which was included in the box set Completely In Luv'
Completely In Luv'
Completely In Luv' is a box set of four studio albums recorded by Dutch girl group Luv' during their heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was released in April 2006 by Universal Music...
(released by Universal Music Netherlands). Two years later, he produced and wrote a digital single for Mother
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
and Father's day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
, "De allerliefste mama en papa" performed by his daughter Hannah and his grand-daughter Britt.
In recent years, some of his compositions have been utilised by contemporary artists from the dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
scene.
- "How Do You Do" was sampledSampling (music)In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
by Party AnimalsParty Animals (musical group)Party Animals are a pop-gabber group from The Netherlands. The band was created by producers Jeff Porter, Jeroen Flamman together with vocalists MCs Remsy, Evert van Buschbach, Patrick de Moor, Dennis Adam and Paul Grommé...
in 2006 and by ScooterScooter (band)Scooter are a German hard dance band founded in Hamburg, who have sold over 25 million records and earned over 80 gold and platinum awards. Scooter are considered the most successful single-record German act with 23 top ten hits. The band is currently composed of members H.P. Baxxter, Rick J....
one year later for his European hit "The Question Is What Is the Question?The Question is What is the Question?"The Question Is What Is The Question?" is a single by German techno group Scooter. It was released as the first single from their 2007 album Jumping All Over The World...
" (a Top 5 hit in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, reaching the Top 20 in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and the Top 50 in the Netherlands and UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
). - "You're the Greatest LoverYou're the Greatest Lover"You're the Greatest Lover" is a single by Dutch girl group Luv'. It was first released in July 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album With Luv and on compilations . It is the group's international breakthrough as it was successful in a large part of Continental...
" was coveredCover versionIn popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by:- LoonaLoonaMarie-Jose van der Kolk also known by her stage names Loona and Carisma, is a Dutch singer, songwriter and dancer. She is most noted for her collaboration with DJ Sammy, and performing as a duo under the stage name of DJ Sammy feat. Carisma...
with a version in SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
("Latino Lover") that was a Top 10 hit single in German speaking countries in 2000. - Massiv in MenschMassiv In MenschMassiv in Mensch is a German industrial musical duo made up of Daniel Logemann and Mirco Osterthun . They have been signed to Artoffact since 2001. When they play live, they use additional support from Anna-Maria Straatmann and Dirk Brunken...
with an industrialIndustrial musicIndustrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
version in 2004. - Swoop, whose dance rendition peaked at #25 on the Flemish UltratopUltratopUltratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
chart.
- Loona
- "Trojan HorseTrojan Horse (Luv' song)"Trojan Horse" is the fifth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This million seller appears on the German version of the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and was a successful hit record in a large part of Continental Europe, South Africa and New...
" was sampled by Sheffield Jumpers for their jumpstyleJumpstyleJumpstyle is a rave dance and electronic music genre mainly practiced in Europe, specifically Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, northern France, and a few parts in the United States, specifically Indiana. The dance is also called Jumpen...
single, "Jump With Me" (a minor hit on the German Media Control ChartsMedia Control ChartsThe official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
) in 2008.
The eight #1 hits on the Dutch Top 40
Eight of his productions/compositions were #1 hits in the Netherlands (some of them world hits too):- "Hair" by Zen (1968)
- "Mijn Gebed" by DC Lewis (1970)
- "How Do You Do" and "Hello-a" by Mouth & MacNealMouth & MacNealMouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their million selling recording of "How Do You Do".-Career:They were formed in 1971 when record producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talent of Mouth and Maggie MacNeal...
(1972) - "The Elephant Song" by KamahlKamahlKamahl is the stage name of Kandiah Kamalesvaran , an Australian singer and recording artist, perhaps best known for "The Elephant Song", and his repertoire of popular music.-Early life:...
(1975) - "You're the Greatest LoverYou're the Greatest Lover"You're the Greatest Lover" is a single by Dutch girl group Luv'. It was first released in July 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. It appears on the 1978 debut album With Luv and on compilations . It is the group's international breakthrough as it was successful in a large part of Continental...
" and "Trojan HorseTrojan Horse (Luv' song)"Trojan Horse" is the fifth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1978 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This million seller appears on the German version of the 1978 debut album, With Luv' and was a successful hit record in a large part of Continental Europe, South Africa and New...
" by Luv'Luv'Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
(1978) - "Shine Up" by Doris D & The Pins (1980)
Awards
Among the awards he received were:- two Conamus Export PrizesBuma Export AwardThe Buma Export Award is given to the Dutch artists who have sold the most records abroad. Each year, this prize is given by the Buma Cultuur foundation which also presents the Golden Harp and Zilveren Harp awards....
(for his collaboration with the best Dutch export music acts): in 1972 (with Mouth & MacNealMouth & MacNealMouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their million selling recording of "How Do You Do".-Career:They were formed in 1971 when record producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talent of Mouth and Maggie MacNeal...
) and in 1979 (with Luv'Luv'Luv is a Dutch pop girl group that scored a string of hit records in Continental Europe as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, Luv' was "Holland's best export act" and thus received the "Conamus Export Prize"...
). - a Gouden Harp (Golden Harp) in 1974 for his talents as a producer.
- an ASCAP award in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the song "How Do You Do" by Mouth & MacNealMouth & MacNealMouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their million selling recording of "How Do You Do".-Career:They were formed in 1971 when record producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talent of Mouth and Maggie MacNeal...
. - Forty gold and platinum records.