I Love You by José: 35th anniversary

35 years ago, in late 1984, Dutch record label CNR released José Hoebee's single entitled "I Love You". Though it was not a mainstream success, this track is to this day very appreciated by the fans. 

History

After Luv's first break-up in 1981, José chose a more adult repertoire including popular cover versions of American and British pop classics from the 1950s and 1960s: I Will Follow Him (a #1 hit in 1982), Secret Love (1982), I Can Hear Music (1983)...

1984 had been a successful year for the talented singer. She scored two Dutch Top 40 hits with duets: So Long, Marianne (this Leonard Cohen song was performed with Ron Brandsteder and peaked at #11) and Cassandra (the Dutch version of an ABBA song recorded with Bonnie St. Claire reached #24). 

In the fall of 1984, José decided to release an ambitious cover version entitled "I Love You" which was a medley of The Moody Blues' signature song "Nights Of White Satin" (from 1967) and "I (Who Have Nothing)" (from 1961). 

Nights Of White Satin by The Moody Blues (1967)

"I (Who Have Nothing)" is the English version of the Italian song "Uno Dei Tanti" originally performed by Joe Sentieri in 1961. Many international singers (including Ben E. King, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and Sylvester) covered it. 

Uno Dei Tanti by Joe Sentieri in 1961

I Who Have Nothing by Shirley Bassey in 1963

José teamed up with the renowned producer Hans Vermeulen (click here to read his portrait) and her husband Will Hoebee to record "I Love You". A demo of this song was even recorded as a duet with Hans Vermeulen and appeared as a bonus track on Luv's compilation "25 Jaar Na Waldolala" in 2003.

I Love You by Hans Vermeulen & José (1984)

José's version of I Love You was included on her CD compilation "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks" in 2005. 

In 2008, Peter Boonstra (author of Luv's forbidden photo book "The Story Of Luv" and a friend of José) recorded I Love You with the songstress. Their performance was broadcast on a local Dutch TV channel.

Commercial performance

I Love You didn't enter the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade. On January 12th, 1985, it appeared on the Dutch Single Tip (which listed the singles that did not reach the official Dutch charts). 

Photography

Dutch photographer Trix van Dugteren took a beautiful picture of the singer for the front cover of the single. 

Tracklisting

I Love You

7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by CNR in late 1984

A side: I Love You (Nights In White Satin/I Who Have Nothing (Uno Dei Tanti) - 4:15

Written by – C. Donida, Labati, J. Hayward, Mogol

B side: Should I Be Lonely - 2:45

Written by H. Vermeulen

Credits

Produced by Hans Vermeulen and Will Hoebee

Arranged by Hans Vermeulen and Harry van Hoof

Engineer – Pieter Boer

Recorded at D.M.C Studios

Mixed at Wisseloord Studios

Design: Mysiotis - Baarn

Photography: Trix van Dugteren

TV performances

* Unknown broadcast date in late 1984: Wissels (NCRV, Netherlands)

* March 15th, 1985: Klassewerk (KRO, Netherlands)

* March 21st, 1988: Candlelight (AVRO, Netherlands)

* June 15th, 2008: Duet with Peter Boonstra on De Week Van Cor (Stads RTV Breda, Netherlands)

Source: Dutchcharts.nl, 45cat.com, YouTube, Luv' Blog Archive, Discogs.com