The Hermes House Band is a Dutch

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...

 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...

 band

Musical ensemble

A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...

, established in 1984 by members of the Hermes fraternity/sorority in Rotterdam

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...

, Netherlands

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...

. They have released more than twenty five album

Album

An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...

s and singles

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

.

History

The band became famous in 1994 in both the Netherlands and Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, with their cover

Cover version

In 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...

 of the hit

Hit record

A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...

 single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

, "I Will Survive

I Will Survive

"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...

"; the song has since sold over 2.5 million copies. In 1998, the single became a hit in Germany

Germany

Germany , 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...

, and singer Judith Ansems was asked to promote the song there. The band got a local recording contract

Recording contract

A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...

 with Polydor

Polydor Records

Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...

 and alongside Ansems, former singers Jop Wijlacker and Robin Maas were asked to record

Sound recording and reproduction

Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...

 other singles such as "Country Roads

Take Me Home, Country Roads

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...

" and "Que Sera Sera" in Germany under HHB International. Several of these were also released in the Netherlands.

Their biggest hit in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The 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...

 was their cover of "Country Roads", released shortly before Christmas 2001, which peaked at #7 in the UK Singles Chart

UK Singles Chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

, remaining in the Top 10 for five weeks.

In 2002, the Hermes House Band joined with DJ Ötzi

DJ Ötzi

DJ Ötzi is the stage name of Gerhard Friedle , an Austrian entertainer and singer. Successful mainly in German-speaking countries, he is best known in the English-speaking world for his 2001 cover version of the Bruce Channel song "Hey Baby".-Biography:DJ Ötzi was born Gerhard Friedle in St...

 to cover of "Live Is Life

Live Is Life

"Live Is Life" is a popular song originally recorded in 1984 by Austrian pop-rock group Opus. It was successful and was covered by many artists throughout the years.-Background and writing:...

", originally by Opus

Opus (band)

Opus is a pop-rock group from Graz, Austria. Formed in 1973, the group remains active today. The band is especially well known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life."-History:...

, and reached #2 in the French chart

Record chart

A 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....

, and #50 in the UK

United Kingdom

The 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...

.

In 2010, the former lead singer of the band, Jaap van Reesema

Jaap van Reesema

Jaap Siewertsz van Reesema better known by his first name only Jaap, is a Dutch singer who won the 3rd series of the Dutch X Factor in 2010.-Early years:...

, won the third series of the Dutch version of X Factor

X Factor (Netherlands)

X Factor is a Dutch television music talent show contested by aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. It is shown Friday evenings on the RTL4 Network in the Netherlands. The first series of the show aired from October 2006 through to February 2007, while the second series of the show...

.

Discography

• The Album (2002)

1. "I Will Survive"
2. "Que Sera Sera"
3. "Tonight's the Night
   Tonight's The Night
   -Films:* Tonight's the Night , a 1934 British film starring Leslie Fuller* An alternative title for the 1954 film Happy Ever After-Musicals:*To-Night's the Night...
   
   "
4. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
   Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
   "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" is a song written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, attributed to a then-fictitious band they named "Steam". It was released under the Mercury subsidiary label Fontana and became a number one pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1969,...
   
   "
5. "You've Got a Friend
   You've Got a Friend
   "You've Got a Friend" is a song from 1971, originally written and performed by Carole King. It was included in her album Tapestry of 1971, but was made famous by James Taylor's cover version the same year...
   
   "
6. "Disco Samba, Pt. 2 (Back to Brasil)"
7. "Holiday Express (Kedeng Kedeng)"
8. "Don't You Cry (Bye, Bye)"
9. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You
   Can't Take My Eyes off You
   "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Valli's biggest "solo" hit until he hit #1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You"...
   
   "
10. "Country Roads
    Take Me Home, Country Roads
    "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
    
    "
11. Megamix: "I Will Survive"/"Nana Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"/"Can't Take ..."

• Get Ready to Party (2004)

1. "All Over the World"
2. "Those Were the Days"
3. "Live is Life"
4. "Football's Coming Home (Three Lions)"
5. "Portugal"
6. "Hit the Road Jack"
7. "Suzanna"
8. "I Am What I Am"
9. "Everytime You Touch Me"
10. "Me ; Margarita"
11. "Can't Stop This Thing We Started"
12. "It's in the Way You Want Me"
13. "All Come Together"
14. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
15. "Born to Rock and Roll"
16. "Never Give In"
17. "One More for the Road"
18. "Happy Birthday Baby"
19. "Celebrate! The HHB Summermedley!"

• Rhythm of the Night (2008)

1. "The Rhythm of the Night" (Party mix)
2. "The Rhythm of the Night" (Extended mix)

• Greatest Hits (2006)

1. "Go West"
2. "I Will Survive 2006"
3. "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" - Tony Christie
4. "Football's Coming Home 2006 (Three Lions)"
5. "Live is Life"
6. "Que Sera Sera"
7. "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"
8. "Country Roads"
9. "Those Were the Days"
10. "Hit the Road Jack"
11. "Suzanna"
12. "Friends Like You"
13. "Everytime You Touch Me"
14. "Me ; Margarita"
15. "All come together"
16. "Portugal"
17. "One More for the Road"
18. "I Will Survive"

• Rhythm of the Nineties (2009)

1. "The First the Last Eternity"
2. "The Rhythm of the Night"
3. "Saturday Night"
4. "I've Been Thinking About You"
5. "Party Polka"
6. "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)"
7. "Rhythm is a Dancer"
8. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
9. "The Moment of Truth"
10. "What is Love"
11. "The Only Way is Up"
12. "No Limit"
13. "Please Don't Go (Don't You)"
14. "Come on Eileen"
15. "Don't Worry Be Happy"

• Champions - The Greatest Stadium Hits (2010)

1. "Chelsea Dagger"
2. "Football's Coming Home 2006 (Three Lions)"
3. "I Will Survive"
4. "Que Sera Sera"
5. "Country Roads"
6. "Seven Nation Army"
7. "Sweet Caroline"
8. "Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye"
9. "Hit The Road Jack"
10. "Go West"
11. "Those Were The Days"
12. "Live Is Life (JB Mix)"
13. "Come On Eileen"
14. "The Moment Of Truth"
15. "Please Don't Go"
16. "Football MegamiX (XXL Party Version)"

External links

• Hermeshouseband.com
• Hermeshouseband.nl