Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page (Facebook)
Edited by Marco Rens
Forty-five years ago precisely, on November 11th, 1978, Luv's fifth single, "Trojan Horse", entered the Tipparade (the Dutch Bubbling Under Top 40 chart). After the huge international success of the million-seller "You're the Greatest Lover", Luv's challenge was to choose the right follow-up and to avoid being a "one-hit wonder". "Trojan Horse" entered Holland's main hit parade, the Dutch Top 40, on November 18th, 1978 and later charted in fifteen other countries. It eventually sold over a million copies worldwide. Luv' hit once again the number one spot with "Trojan Horse". This record is a pop classic. Dutch, Flemish and German-speaking oldies radio stations still play it. This iconic track has been covered by numerous acts since 1978. Read the story of this legendary song.
History
After the Spanish touch of "U.O.Me" and "You're the Greatest Lover", the group's songwriters and producers, Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, tried another arrangement. That's how they came up with "Trojan Horse". This catchy pop song used a bagpipe theme. The intro was inspired by the famous "20th-Century Fox Fanfare" by Alfred Newman. The lyrics playfully compared a potential lover to a "Trojan Horse", evoking the mythological story from Ancient Greece and suggesting that the person might be hiding ulterior motives. One sentence was a shining example of "double entendre": "The gate is not yet open, so the horse cannot come in". No need to explain what these words mean!
Luv' promoting "Trojan Horse" on TopPop on November 16th, 1978
The "Trojan Horse" release party took place in Luv's manager Pim ter Linde's house in Laren, the Netherlands, on November 13th, 1978. Among the celebrities who attended this event were Dolf Brouwers, Saskia & Serge, Lee Towers, Ciska Peters and Ronnie Tober. In addition to the presentation of their Scottish-styled track, the girls received gold records for the single "You're the Greatest Lover" (over 100.000 copies sold in the Netherlands) and the album "With Luv'" (over 50.000 copies sold in Holland).
De Telegraaf - November 14th, 1978
Click here to read the article online
Het vrije volk - November 14th, 1978
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De waarheid - November 15th, 1978
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Veronica Magazine - December 2nd, 1978
Thanks to this popular record, Luv's success story continued mainly in Continental Europe and overseas in late 1978 and 1979. Trojan Horse became a number-one hit in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). It reached the top 5 in Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, the top 10 in Norway, New Zealand and Argentina, the top 20 in Israel, South Africa, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Finland, the top 50 in France and Australia as well as the top 100 in Canada. It's Luv's single which charted the most abroad.
The USA and UK seemed immune to the trio's charm. "It would have been great if we had been picked up in America or England," José Hoebee told American author James Arena in his book "Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop Vol. 2" (2018). "But I think the lyrics to our songs may have been too simple for these markets. We never made it there, but it was never a problem for us, and we never felt like we missed out something," she added.
Around the same time Trojan Horse came out, Luv' went to London to participate in the taping of the BBC 2 TV show "Sacha Distel and Guests". But this performance on a popular British TV program didn't make them famous in the land of pop music, punk and new wave.
Het Parool - November 15th, 1978: Luv' in London
Click here to read the article online
The American music industry trade magazine "Cash Box" briefly mentioned "Trojan Horse" in its June 2nd, 1979 issue. Gus Tartol of the record shop "Singer One Stop" in Chicago considered Luv's track a "jukebox hit" and "the biggest record of the summer season". However, it never got big in Uncle Sam's country.
Cash Box - June 2nd, 1979
Click here to read the magazine online
In Germany, Luv's biggest export market, the girls played a cameo role in the movie "Cola, Candy, Chocolate" (aka "Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen") in which they performed "Trojan Horse". The film opened in German theaters on May 17th, 1979.
Luv' in "Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen" (1979)
"Trojan Horse" was used in a scene of the movie "Spetters", which was directed by Paul Verhoeven and opened in Dutch theaters on February 20th, 1980. Fun fact: Patty Brard was asked for the auditions for this film. Luv's management refused it due to Spetters' racy consent.
Spetters - film poster (1980)
In France, a difficult market for Luv', the girls once performed "Trojan Horse" on French television. On May 13th, 1979, they appeared on "Top Club" (a popular show hosted by Guy Lux on Antenne 2). Luv's single was also supported by the French leading radio station RTL. It reached #22 on the French Top 50 in June 1979 and spent ten weeks on the hit list.
Luv's Trojan Horse generated publicity in the French youth press.
Article published in "SUPER Disco" (1979)
Apart from their music, the Dutch tabloids were interested in other issues related to the group.
The December 2nd, 1978 edition of De Telegraaf published an article about a hazy film project involving Luv', Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Catherine Deneuve, Hans van Hemert, Willem Ruis and many other celebrities. This project never materialized.
De Telegraaf - December 2nd, 1978
Click here to read the article online
The December 11th, 1978 edition of De Telegraaf explained that a horse crushed Patty Brard's foot during the taping of the TROS TV program "Rock Planet".
December 11th, 1978 - De Telegraaf
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Remixes
Trojan Horse was included in some pressings of their debut album "With Luv'". It later appeared on CD compilations (such as "Luv' Gold" and "25 Jaar Na Waldolala"). This track was remixed on several occasions:
A 2006 dance remix of the song by Hans van Hemert's production team was added as a bonus track on the Box set "Completely In Luv'". In 2012, Cloud 9 Music released the compilation entitled "The Best of LUV", which was only available on digital platforms. It included an Extended Mix of Trojan Horse 2006, previously unreleased.
2006 remix of Trojan Horse by J.R Beltman and F.M Endenburg
In 2015, Peter Boonstra published the biography "The Story Of Luv'" (including exclusive pictures of the girl group). DJ/remixer/producer Matt Pop remixed two tracks: "Trojan Horse" and "Life Is On My Side" for the CD compilation included in the book. The Story Of Luv was eventually banned due to copyright issues on some photographs.
Trojan Horse (Matt Pop 2015 remix)
On February 11, 2022, Cloud 9 Music released "Trojan Horse (Kav Verhouzer Remix)" as a digital single. Two days later, this remix entered the Dutch iTunes Top 100 at #10. One week later, it dropped out of this chart. The music video for Trojan Horse's 2022 remix featured three models as Luv's lookalikes lipsyncing to the original trio's vocals: Maruschka Sahiboe as Patty Brard, Linsey Fauve as Marga Scheide and Angelique Van Dinter as José Hoebee.
Trojan Horse (Kav Verhouzer Remix)
On May 18th, 2023, YesterMix's YouTube channel presented "Trojan Horse (Yestermix Remix)" by DJ WR (Wouter Reinders) and DJ BarFeet (Maarten Bervoets).
Trojan Horse (Yestermix Remix)
Commercial performance
Trojan Horse charted in sixteen countries and sold over one million copies worldwide.
This is Luv's record with the greatest commercial success internationally.
Charts positions:
🇳🇱 #1 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands)
Debut date: November 18th, 1978 - Weeks at #1: 1 - Weeks on chart: 11
🇳🇱 #1 on the Nationale Hitparade - Top 50 (Netherlands)
Debut date: November 25th, 1978 - Weeks at #1: 2 - Weeks on chart: 13
🇧🇪 #1 on the Ultratop Flanders - Top 30 (Belgium)
Debut date: November 25th, 1978 - Weeks at #1: 2 - Weeks on chart: 13
🇧🇪 #1 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)
Debut date: December 2nd, 1978 - Weeks at #1: 2 - Weeks on chart: 11
🇪🇺 #3 on the Europarade - Top 30 (Europe)
Debut date: December 9th, 1978 - Weeks on chart: 14
🇩🇪 #3 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control chart - Top 50 (Germany)
Debut date: December 18th, 1978 - Weeks on chart: 22
🇨🇭 #2 on the Schweizer Hitparade - Top 15 (Switzerland)
Debut date: January 7th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 12
🇩🇰 #2 on the BT Hitlisten - Top 10 (Denmark)
Debut date: January 26th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 10
🇦🇹 #2 on the Ö3 Austria Top 25 (Austria)
Debut date: February 15th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 16
🇫🇮 #16 on the Suomen virallinen lista - Top 30 (Finland)
Debut date: February 1979 - Months on chart: 3
🇳🇴 #6 on the Maitoppen - Halden (Halden Arbeiderblad) Top 10 - (Norway)
Debut date: March 1979 - Months on chart: 3
🇿🇦 #17 on the Springbok Top 20 (South Africa)
Debut date: April 27th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 7
🇫🇷 #22 on the SNEP Singles Chart - Top 50 (France)
Debut date: May 13th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 10
🇮🇱 #20 on the Reshet Gimmel's foreign singles chart - Top 30 (Israel)
Debut date: May 13th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 8
🇳🇿 #6 on the RIANZ National Sales Chart - Top 50 (New Zealand)
Debut date: May 20th, 1979 - weeks on chart: 13
🇿🇼 #14 on the Lyons Maid Hits Of The Week - Rhodesian Singles Chart (Zimbabwe)
🇨🇦 #95 on the RPM 100 Singles (Canada)
Debut date: June 9th, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 4
🇦🇷 #9 on El Centro Cultural Del Disco - Top 10 (Argentina)
Debut date: August 1979 - Weeks on chart: 4
🇦🇺 #50 on the Kent Music Report - Top 100 (Australia)
Debut date: September 3rd, 1979 - Weeks on chart: 21
Certifications:
🇳🇱 Netherlands:
Gold single - 100.000 certified copies - 1979
Platinum single - 200.000 certified copies - 1979
🇧🇪 Belgium:
Gold single - 100.000 certified copies - 1979
🇦🇹 Austria:
Gold single - 50.000 certified copies - 1979
Total Sales:
🇩🇪 Germany: 480.000 copies (as of December 1979)
🇫🇷 France: 85.526 copies (as of July 1979)
Total sales: 1 million copies worldwide
Actor Rijk de Gooyer gave Luv' gold and platinum awards for "You're The Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" on May 15th, 1979, at the Lido Club in Amsterdam
Trojan Horse's gold certification in Austria (1979)
Trojan Horse's Belgian gold certification announced on the Lots of Luv' TV special (TROS, July 1979)
Source of record charts:
TROS Europarade (European charts): https://bit.ly/3tfnW7s
Dutch charts (Single Top 100 & Album Top 100): http://dutchcharts.nl/
Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands): https://www.top40.nl/top40-artiesten/luv
BRT Top 30 + Billboard Benelux (Belgium): https://bit.ly/3Ie7jx3
Ultratop (Belgium): http://www.ultratop.be/nl/
Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany): https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche
Ö3 Austria Top 40 / Ö3-Hitparade (Austrian charts): http://austriancharts.at/ + https://www.ukmix.org
Schweizer Hitparade (Swiss charts): http://hitparade.ch/ + https://bit.ly/3qd1Lgh
BT Hitlisten (Denmark): https://bit.ly/37EStmQ + https://bit.ly/3KQZiQC
Norwegian Singles Chart (Halden Arbeiderblad): https://bit.ly/3wJegBk
Suomen virallinen lista (Finland): http://suomenlistalevyt.blogspot.fr/2015/08/los-lon.html
SNEP Singles Chart (France): http://www.top-france.fr + https://bit.ly/3Ii7XKc
Reshet Gimmel's foreign singles chart (Israel): https://bit.ly/3AiOcRW
Argentinian singles chart (El Centro Cultural Del Disco): World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: LUV' (artisteschartsventes.blogspot.com)
Kent Music Report (Australian charts): https://bit.ly/3iet4ST
RIANZ national sales chart (New Zealand): https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/nzsingles
Springbok Top 20 (South Africa): https://bit.ly/3COuwoB
Lyons Maid Hits Of The Week/ Rhodesian Singles Chart (Zimbabwe): https://bit.ly/3idr7Gn
RPM Top Singles (Canada): https://bit.ly/360WSjF
Source of Certifications (Gold & Platinum):
Netherlands: Phonogram B.V, NVPI
Belgium: Sibesa (IFPI Belgium), Phonogram
Austria: Phonogram Ges. M.B.H - IFPI Austria
TV performances
* November 16th, 23rd and 30th/December 7th and 14th, 1978: AVRO's TopPop, Netherlands
* November 18th and 25th/December 2nd and 9th, 1978: TROS Top 50/Rockplanet (TROS/Nederland 2), Netherlands
* November 19th, 1978: All You Need Is Luv' (TV special) on TROS, Netherlands
* December 1st, 1978: Showbizzquiz (TROS), Netherlands
* December 14th, 1978: Musikladen (Radio Bremen), West Germany
* December 16th, 1978: De Mounties Show (TROS/Nederland 2), Netherlands
* December 31st, 1978: AVRO's TopPop special: Vrouwenpop, Netherlands
* December 31st, 1978: Medley (U.O.Me, You're the Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse) and presentation of two Veronica awards on Countdown '78 (Veronica), Netherlands
* December 31st, 1978: Jetzt Geht Die Party Richtig Los! (ZDF), West Germany
* January 9th, 1979: Dolle Dinsdag (BRT), Belgium
* January 27th, 1979: Die aktuelle Schaubude (NDR), West Germany
* February 19th, 1979: Disco (ZDF), West Germany
* February 22nd, 1979: Musik und Gäste (Schweizer Fernsehen), Switzerland
* March 4th, 1979: Fantástico (TVE), Spain
* March 22nd, 1979: All You Need Is Luv' medley (My Man, U.O.Me, You're the Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse) on Musikladen (Radio Bremen), West Germany
* Unknown broadcast date in 1979: Plattenküche (WDR), West Germany
* April 14th, 1979: Medley (U.O.Me, You're the Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse) and Casanova on Stuif es uit (AVRO/Nederland 1), Netherlands
* May 13th, 1979: Top Club (Antenne 2), France
* May 20th, 1979: Tritsch Tratsch (ORF), Austria
* July 13th, 1979: Lots of Luv' (TV Special) including Medley (U.O.Me, Eres Mi Mejor Amante, Trojan Horse) on TROS, Netherlands
* June 30th, 1980: rerun of Disco (ZDF), West Germany
* June 1st, 1981: Memories of Luv' (rerun of All You Need Is Luv' special from November 1978) on TROS, Netherlands
* November 2nd, 1989: Medley (including Trojan Horse) on Hits Uit Holland (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
* November 27th, 1989: Medley (including Trojan Horse) on Service Salon (AVRO), Netherlands
* Unknown broadcast date (late 1989/early 1990): Medley including Trojan Horse on Dall-As (RTL), Germany
* Unknown broadcast date (late 1989): Medley including Trojan Horse on 10 om te zien (VTM), Belgium
* January 22nd, 1990: Medley including Trojan Horse on Wintertriathlon Inzell (AVRO), Netherlands
* July 15th, 1991: Medley including Trojan Horse on SVT Malmö (TV2), Sweden
* April 20th, 1993: Megamix '93 including Trojan Jorse on "De Staatsloterijshow" (RTL 4), Netherlands
* May 18th, 1993: Megamix '93 including Trojan Horse on "10 om te zien" (VTM), Belgium
* July 3rd, 1993: Megamix '93 including Trojan Horse on "Nederland Muziekland" (Veronica), Netherlands
* July 6th, 1993: Discover the world with Luv' (TV special taped on the British Virgin Islands) on Veronica/Nederland 2, Netherlands
* Unknown broadcast date in 1993: Megamix '93 including Trojan Horse on "Heino - die Show" (SAT 1), Germany
* September 10th, 1993: "OPA – Die Oldie-Parade" (N3), Germany
* July 13th, 1995: Excerpt from Trojan Horse on "Veronica Goes Back" (Veronica), Netherlands
* Unknown broadcast date in 2006: Medley including Trojan Horse filmed at the Amsterdam ArenA in May 2006 - broadcast on "Toppers: De weg naar de ArenA 2006" (Talpa), Netherlands
* December 31st, 2006: Medley including Trojan Horse on "Top 2000 in concert" (NPS/Nederland 3), Netherlands
* January 7th, 8th and 9th, 2014: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* January 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2014: rerun of Disco on Hits, Hits, Hits – Das Beste aus Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* May 12th, 13th and 14th, 2014: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* September 19th, 20th and 21st, 2014: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* January 31st, 2015: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* July 22nd and 23rd, 2015: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* August 6th and 7th, 2015: rerun of Disco on Hits, Hits, Hits – Das Beste aus Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* December 3rd and 4th, 2015: rerun of on Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* December 18th and 19th, 2015: rerun of Disco on Hits, Hits, Hits – Das Beste aus Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* April 16th and 17th, 2016: rerun of on Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* May 1st and 2nd, 2016: rerun of Disco on Hits, Hits, Hits – Das Beste aus Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* August 27th and 28th, 2016: rerun of Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* September 11th and 12th, 2016: rerun of Disco on Hits, Hits, Hits – Das Beste aus Disco (ZDFkultur, Germany)
* December 10th, 2016: Mega Piraten Festijn at the GelreDome (RadioNL, Netherlands)
* February 4th, 5th and 21st, 2017: Musikladen Extra - Hitparade 1978 on One (digital channel operated by ARD, Germany)
* June 25th, 2017: rerun of Musikladen Extra - Hitparade 1978 on One (digital channel operated by ARD, Germany)
* July 8th, 2017: rerun of Musikladen Extra - Hitparade 1978 on One (digital channel operated by ARD, Germany)
* August 17th, 2019: Rerun of Musikladen (RBB, Germany)
* September 2nd, 2020: Item about Trojan Horse on Het beste van... 50 jaar TopPop (AVROTROS/NPO3, Netherlands)
* July 5th, 2021: rerun of the item about Trojan Horse on Het beste van... 50 jaar TopPop (AVROTROS/NPO3, Netherlands)
* December 25th to December 31st, 2021: TOP 2500 (192TV, Netherlands)
* February 11th, 2022: Item about Trojan Horse 2022: Kav Verhouzer remix on Shownieuws (SBS6, Netherlands)
* December 25th to December 31st, 2022: TOP 2500 (192TV, Netherlands)
* July 22nd, 2023: rerun of Musikladen ( RBB, Germany)
Luv' on Showbizzquiz
Tracklisting & release
Trojan Horse
7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in November 1978
A side: "Trojan Horse" - 3:24
B side: "Life Is On My Side" - 2:38
Credits:
Songs written by Janschen & Janschens (Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer)
Producer: Hans van Hemert
Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer
Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Patty Brard
Original Dutch cover
The single came out in various editions, depending on which countries the release took place. Philips/Phonogram licensed the record's rights to various labels worldwide.
German edition
Portuguese edition
Canadian pressing
Promotional picture of Luv' for Canada - 1978/1979 (Mercury/PolyGram)
Argentinian pressing
Australian pressing
South African pressing
Rhodesian edition
US edition
UK edition
Bolivian edition
Since 2014, "Trojan Horse" has been available on digital platforms (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube).
Cover versions
Here's a list of the cover versions of "Trojan Horse":
Super Hit Power: Trojan Horse (Germany, 1978)
De Bumpers: M'n Doedelzak (Netherlands, 1979)
Siw Inger: Komm und spiel mit mir (Germany, 1979)
Orchester Tony Anderson: Trojan Horse (Germany 1979)
Adam Und Die Micky's: Der Aahle Gaul (Germany, 1979)
Disco Light Orchestra: Trojan Horse (Germany, 1979)
Glenys Lynne: Tsitsikamawoud (South Africa, 1979)
Golden Akkordeon Harmonists: Trojan Horse (Germany, 1979)
Die Molly Sisters: Im grünen Wald (East Germany, 1979)
King's Group And Singers: Trojan Horse (UK, 1979)
The Hiltonaires: Trojan Horse (Germany, 1979)
5T: Calul Troian (Romania, 1979)
Libra: Ven Vamos A Bailar (Chile, 1979)
Bezinky: Trojský Kůň (Czechoslovakia, 1980)
Juraj Lehotský: Trojan Horse (Czechoslovakia, 1981)
Roman Butina: Trojan Horse (Croatia, 1983)
Brigitte Kaandorp: Bij De Harmonie (Netherlands, 2001)
Trobikond: Üks päev (Estonia, 2001)
Luv' Connection: Trojan Horse (Germany, 2003)
Kamelie: Trojský kůň (Czech Republic, 2004)
Funeral Dress: Death & Glory (including a sample of a hook and riff) - Belgium, 2004
Voice Male - K3 and Luv' Medley (Belgium, 2007)
Sheffield Jumpers: "Jump With Me" (featuring a re-sung chorus from "Trojan Horse (Netherlands/Germany, 2008). #69 on the German Media Control Charts.
Marco de Hollander: "Hij speelde elke avond op zijn doedelzak" (Netherlands, 2009)
Kiek Now Us: Hemel Zonder Bier (Netherlands, 2010, re-issue in 2014)
Engel & Engel: "So ist die Liebe, mi Amor" (Germany, 2011)
Gáspár Enikő: Trojan horse (Hungary, 2018)
Lawineboys: "Hemelbier" (Netherlands, 2023)
Bibliography:
Nederpop met hart en ziel (History of Dutch Pop Music) by J. van der Plas, publisher: Kosmos Z&K (2003)
Hit-Lexikon des Rock und Pop Vol. 1 by Frank Laufenberg, publisher: Verlag Ullstein
50 jaar nummer-1-hits 1956-2006 by Johan van Slooten, publisher: Gottmer Uitgevers Groep
De 500 Nummer 1-Hits uit de Top 40 (1997) by Johan van Slooten, publisher: Gottmer Becht
Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publisher: Gottmer Bech
The Story of Luv' by Peter Boonstra (2015)
Stars of 80s Dance Pop, The European Edition by James Arena (2015), publisher: AuthorHouse
Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop Vol. 2: 33 International Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers by James Arena (2018), publisher: BookBaby
Source: Luv' blog archives, Delpher, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, YouTube, ANP Archief, ISP Agency...