Photo montage by Marco Rens
Forty years ago, precisely on August 27th, 1983, "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do", a single by José Hoebee, entered the Tipparade (the Dutch Bubbling Under Top 40 chart). It was not a triumph like her previous hits "I Will Follow Him" and "Secret Love". However, this record has achieved a cult status among the fans. Let's celebrate the 40th anniversary of this 80s dance-pop track.
History
José proved she could succeed as a solo artist after Luv's first break-up in 1981. In the summer of 1982, her cover version of Peggy March's pop classic "I Will Follow Him" was a chart-topper in the Netherlands and Belgium. The follow-up single "Secret Love" (a cover version of a Doris Day song) was also popular on the singles charts: #11 on the Dutch Top 40 and #3 on the Flemish BRT Top 30.
Her next step was to release her first solo album. This LP was produced by Pim Koopman (member of the legendary pop-rock band Kayak and producer of the sister duo Maywood) and was named after the song "The Good Times" (penned by Piet Souer and released as a single).
In February 1983, CNR/Carrere Records put out another single entitled "I Can Hear Music" (taken from José's album). Once again, it was a cover version. This track was made famous by The Beach Boys in 1969. José's version peaked at #11 on the Tipparade in Holland. It failed to break into the Dutch Top 40 but reached #48 on the Nationale Hitparade (currently Single Top 100). Moreover, the single peaked at #13 on the BRT Top 30 and #15 on the Ultratop in Flanders (Belgium).
Photo edited by Marco Rens
On August 17th, 1983, "Hey Now Watcha Gonna Do" (written and produced by Pim Koopman) came out as a follow-up single. Though this uptempo dance-pop song was catchy, it was not as popular as José's previous hit singles.
Radio and TV performances
On August 24th, 1983, José promoted her single on Veronica Radio's show "Toeters en Bellen", hosted by Chiel van Praag and broadcast live from Sittard, the Netherlands.
Photo courtesy of Jos Theuns:
Chiel van Praag & José Hoebee
Limburgsch dagblad: article about "Toeters en Bellers" featuring José- August 25th, 1983
Click here to read the article online
José also sang "Hey Now Watcha Gonna Do" on the Flemish station Radio Carina during a "Feestweekend" (Party Weekend) in September 1983. The Belgian broadcaster aired a special jingle based on José's song on this occasion.
Radio Carina's Feestweekend featuring José in September 1983
José performed "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" twice on television:
Zomerhits 1983 on TROS - broadcast date: September 1st, 1983
Nederland Muziekland on Veronica - broadcast date: September 4th, 1983
José on Nederland Muziekland
Photography
Renowned photographer Govert de Roos took a beautiful picture of the singer for the single's front cover.
Commercial performance
"Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" entered the Tipparade (the Dutch Bubbling Under Top 40 chart) at #27 on August 27th, 1983 and later peaked at #6. It stayed five weeks in this list of songs that didn't chart on the main hit parade. Info: https://www.top40.nl/jose/hey-now-whatcha-gonna-do-15089
Dutch "Bubbling Under" chart (including "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" by José) published in De Telegraaf on September 3rd, 1983
Tracklisting
Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do
7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by CNR/Carrere Records on August 17th, 1983
A side: Hey Now, Whatcha Gonna Do - 3:09
B side: Hey Now, Whatcha Gonna Do (Instrumental Version) - 3:09
Credits:
Written, produced and arranged by Pim Koopman for Purple Eye Productions B.V.
Vocals: José Hoebee
Design: Myosotis
Management: Interlinde Management
Photography: Govert de Roos
Styling: In Wear
Makeup: Frans Sam
"Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" was included on José's CD compilation "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks" in 2005.
Cover versions
Norwegian singer Kate covered the song in her language in 1984. Her version was entitled "Hjelp meg" and was released by Arco Records.
Swedish vocalist Anna Book covered the track, which appeared on her "Killsnack" album in 1985.
Source: Pimkoopman.nl, Delpher, Top40.nl, Beeld en Geluid, Marco Rens, Jos Theuns