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Photo du rédacteurRalph Ruiz

Luv's commercial success in 18 territories: a detailed study (charts & certifications)

Dernière mise à jour : 6 avr.

The Luv' singers were a hit machine in their homeland (the Netherlands) and abroad between 1978 and 1981. They scored hit after hit, collected 15 gold and platinum records and won a Conamus Export Prize for being the best-selling Dutch recording act of 1979 abroad (sales of 2.5 million records outside of the Netherlands). Their records eventually sold 7 million copies worldwide.



Luv' at the peak of their career (late 1978 / early 1979). The ladies had their own private jet to fly through Europe.



Their international career was short-lived and only spanned four years.


Luv's levels of popularity in the world


The maps below show the levels of popularity of the legendary girl group in 18 territories during their heyday. I have used several criteria to show the group's fame in the international marketplace:


  • number of chart hits (Top 100) / gold and platinum certifications - click here for details

  • radio airplay

  • television appearances

  • articles in the press

  • impact on the pop culture


There are four levels of popularity:


  • Dark red: Netherlands, Belgium

The trio enjoyed major mainstream success and hit the headlines in the press. They dominated the record charts. Their songs were played in heavy rotation on the radio. They appeared regularly on TV. They won awards.


  • Red: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxemburg, Denmark

Germany was Luv's biggest export market. As a result, their success in Goethe's country helped the ladies extend their popularity to the neighbouring territories.


  • Light red: France, Spain, Finland, Norway, Isreal, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico

Luv's music was appreciated to a lesser extent in these territories.


  • Pink: Canada and Australia

"Trojan Horse" reached the lower regions of the charts in these two English-speaking countries.


Europe


World


In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Cold War was a fact. Luv's signature songs "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" were quite popular behind the Iron Curtain. Some of their records were modestly distributed in these socialist republics by state-owned labels. That's why sales were hard to evaluate there. The trio was invited in 1980 by the Russian authorities to perform on Soviet Central Television. The singers were also expected to put out an album entitled "From Russia with Luv'". This great news coincided with the political turmoil caused by the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow by some Western countries. These Russian projects never materialized due to Patty Brard's departure. However, several Luv' bootlegs came out in Russian-speaking countries.


Luv' records were released worldwide (click here for details).


The musical landscape and the recording industry during Luv's heyday


When Luv' dominated the charts in the late 1970s, they shared the spotlight with other successful pop and disco acts (including ABBA, Boney M, Baccara, Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Village People, Blondie, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John and Amanda Lear).


German compilation released in early 1979 by Polystar when Luv' reached their peak. This album cover shows big-selling acts back then: Luv', ABBA, Village People, Baccara, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John


1978, 1979 and 1980 were three key years in Luv's career. During this period, the group sold the most records and collected gold and platinum records. CDs, MTV, the internet, downloads, streaming, and social media didn't exist back then. The recording industry was facing a recession during Luv's glory years. The continuing boom in the phonographic industry in nearly all markets came to a sudden end in the late 1970s. Especially the UK market was hit particularly hard. Between 1977 and 1980, sales of recorded music decreased by 26.4%. In the United States, the units sold declined 10.4% from 1978 to 1979, which amounted to a value-based sales drop of 11.0%. In France, 8.3% less recorded music was sold between 1978 and 1980. Only in Germany (Luv's biggest export market) and Japan sales declines were moderate with 3.4% (1978-1980) and 2.2% (1977-1978), respectively. But the recession hit the middle and small markets particularly hard. In Denmark (where Luv' was present), the sales of recorded music slumped 29,4% in 1980 compared to the previous year. In Austria (where the group was also popular), the decline in sales was also serious, with a minus of 13.8% from 1978 to 1979. There was hardly a country in the Western Hemisphere where recorded music sales decreased by less than 10% (see table 1 below).


Table 1: the drop in sales in selected countries, 1977-1980




At the time, reports blamed the decline in recorded music sales on the worldwide recession triggered by the second oil crisis as well as the competition with other media on the one hand and, on the other hand, on privately copying music onto audio cassettes. Thus, Pekka Gronow suspected in 1983 in a scientific paper, "the journal of Popular Music": “Explanation has been sought in the general economic recession, the influence of private copying, and competition from other media. But perhaps records, as a mass medium, have now reached the saturation point.” (p 72). He made the point pretty well, as can be demonstrated by the subsequent analysis of sales figures for the global market of recorded music.


The CD, as a new format launched in late 1982, saved the music market, and profits increased again until the late 1990s. The recording industry faced a significant crisis in the 2000s due to illegal downloads on the internet. The success of streaming and social media brought growth to the music business in the late 2010s.


Table 2: The global sales development for multiple record formats




Detailed study per country


Here's the 1980 report of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which shows the world record sales:




During their prime, Luv' were more successful on the singles charts than on the album charts because their fans were mainly children and teenagers (known to be vinyl singles buyers).


🇳🇱 Netherlands


The Netherlands was the country where Luv' scored the most hit records. The Low Countries had two official record charts based on sales during the group's glory years: the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade (currently Single Top 100). In 1980, the Netherlands was the 9th biggest music market globally and the 5th European market, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).


Dutch Top 40 (Singles chart 1)





  • Number of Dutch Top 40 hits: 13

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980), Tingalingaling (1981), Welcome To My Party (1989), Megamix '93 (1993)


  • Number of Dutch Top 10 hits: 7

U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Dutch Top 5 hits: 5

U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Dutch #1 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978)


  • Weeks on the Dutch Top 40: 108


Nationale Hitparade / Single Top 100 (Singles chart 2)





  • Number of Top 100 hits: 15

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980), Tingalingaling (1981), Welcome To My Party (1989), Starmaker (with All Stars -1989), He's My Guy (1991), Megamix '93 (1993)


  • Number of Top 10 hits: 9

U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Top 5 hits: 8

U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of #1 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978)


  • Weeks on the Nationale Hitparade/Single Top 100: 127


iTunes Top 200 Netherlands (digital singles chart)





  • Number of Dutch iTunes Top 200 hits: 2

With Him Tonight (2019), Trojan Horse (Kav Verhouzen Remix - 2022)


  • Number of days on the Dutch iTunes Top 200: 11


LP Top 50 (Dutch Albums chart 1)





  • Number of Top 50 albums: 5

With Luv' (1978), Lots Of Luv' (1979), True Luv' (1979), Forever Yours (1980), Luv' Gold (1993)


  • Number of Top 10 albums: 2

With Luv' (1978), Lots Of Luv' (1979)


  • Weeks on the LP Top 50/Album Top 100: 79


Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50/Mega Album Top 100/Album Top 100 (Dutch Albums chart 2)







  • Number of Top 100 albums: 7

With Luv' (1978), Lots Of Luv' (1979), Greatest Hits (1979), True Luv' (1979), Forever Yours (1980), Luv' Gold (1993), Completely In Luv' (2006)


  • Number of Top 10 albums: 5

With Luv' (1978), Lots Of Luv' (1979), True Luv' (1979), Forever Yours (1980), Luv' Gold (1993)


  • Weeks on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50/Mega Album Top 100/Album Top 100: 108



Dutch Certifications




NVPI (Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld - en geluidsdragers) is the Dutch trade association of the entertainment industry. This organization is in charge of albums and singles certifications.


  • Number of Dutch gold singles: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (100.000 certified copies in 1978), Trojan Horse (100.000 certified copies in 1979)


  • Number of Dutch platinum singles: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (150.000 certified copies in 1979), Trojan Horse (200.000 certified copies in 1979)


  • Number of Dutch gold albums: 3

With Luv' (50.000 certified copies in 1978), Lots of Luv' (50.000 certified copies in 1979), True Luv' (50.000 certified copies in 1980)


  • Number of Dutch platinum albums: 3

With Luv' (100.000 certified copies in 1979), Lots of Luv' (100.000 certified copies in 1979),

Toppers in Concert 2006 CD/DVD (50.000 certified copies in 2007)


Press clippings and photos of Luv's gold and platinum certifications:



You're the Greatest Lover and With Luv' turned gold in the Netherlands on November 13th, 1978



Dutch gold record presented to José Hoebee to commemorate the sale of 50.000 copies of With Luv' (November 1978)



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



If you zoom in on the picture above, you can read the record sales (150.000 copies for "You're the Greatest Lover" (platinum certification), 100.000 copies for "Trojan Horse" (gold certification) and 200.000 copies for "Trojan Horse" (platinum certification)



Dutch platinum record presented to José Hoebee to commemorate the sale of 100.000 copies of With Luv' (1979)




Dutch gold and platinum record presented to Patty Brard to commemorate the sales of 50.000 and 100.000 copies of Lots Of Luv' (1979)



Luv' with CNR/Carrere record executive Bart van de Laar, Mexican director of Discos Musart and manager Pim ter Linde receiving gold records for True Luv' and Si, Que Si (Ooh, Yes I Do) in Mexico City on May 5th, 1980



Dutch gold record presented to Patty Brard to commemorate the sale of 50.000 copies of True Luv' (1980)



Platinum record presented to Luv' to commemorate the sale of 50.000 copies of Toppers in Concert 2006 (2007)


Sales of non-certified records:

  • U.O.Me: 150.000 copies in the Netherlands and Belgium

  • Welcome To My Party: 10.000 copies in the Netherlands

  • Luv' Gold: 40.000 copies in the Netherlands and Belgium


Other Dutch awards


Luv' won other prestigious Dutch awards in addition to their gold and platinum records:


  • 1978: Two Veronica Top 40 Awards for reaching the number-one position on the Dutch Top 40 with the singles "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse"

  • 1979: Conamus Export Award for best-selling Dutch recording act abroad - between 2 and 2.5 million records sold outside the Netherlands



Luv': winners of the Conamus Export Prize (December 31st, 1979)




🇧🇪 Belgium


Due to its proximity to the Netherlands, Belgium was the second country where Luv' scored the most hits. The ladies were trendy in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of the country. The two most significant Flemish charts were BRT Top 30 and the Ultratop.


Prior to 1995, the official IFPI Belgium charts which covered both the French speaking part of Belgium (Wallonia) and the Dutch speaking part of Belgium (Flanders) were compiled based on shipments from distributors to retailers and not on sales from retailers to customers. However, this chart coexisted with a weekly Flemish chart that was based on actual sales from retailers to customers known as the Radio 2 Top 30 (previously known as the BRT Top 30) and which was broadcast by VRT, also known as BRT.


Belgium was the 15th biggest music market in the world and the 9th European market, according to the 1980 IFPI report.


BRT Top 30 (Flemish singles chart 1)



  • Number of Flemish Top 30 hits: 11

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980), Welcome To My Party (1989)


  • Number of Flemish Top 10 hits: 9

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Flemish Top 5 hits: 6

U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979),My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Flemish #1 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978)


  • Weeks on the BRT Top 30: 97


Ultratop Flanders (Flemish singles charts 2)



  • Number of Flemish Top 50 hits: 11

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980), Welcome To My Party (1989)


  • Number of Flemish Top 10 hits: 8

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Flemish Top 5 hits: 4

My Man (1977), U.O.Me (1978), You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of Flemish #1 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978)


Weeks on the Ultratop Flanders: 99


Ultratop Wallonia (Singles chart)




  • Number of Walloon Top 50 hits: 1

My Man (1977)


  • Weeks on the Ultratop Wallonia: 2


Billboard Benelux chart (Belgian albums chart)




  • Number of Top 10 albums: 1

Lots Of Luv' in 1979


  • Weeks on the Belgian Album Top 10: 2


Belgian certifications


SIBESA (IFPI Belgium) is the Belgian trade association in charge of albums and singles certifications.


  • Number of Belgian gold singles: 1

Trojan Horse: Gold single - 100.000 certified copies - 1979




Trojan Horse's Belgian gold certification announced on the Lots of Luv' TV special (TROS, July 1979)


🇩🇪 Germany


West Germany was the promised land for Luv' at the height of their international success. In 1980, the Federal Republic was the third biggest music market in the world and the first European market. The Musikmarkt/Media Control Chart was the country's main record chart.



Musikmarkt/Media Control Chart (singles and albums charts)





  • Number of German Top 100 hits: 8

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1979), Ann-Maria (1980), One More Little Kissy (1980), My Number One (1980)


  • Number of German Top 10 hits: 3

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979)


  • Number of German Top 5 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978)


  • Number of German #1 hits: 1

You're the Greatest Lover (1978)


  • Weeks on the Musikmarkt/Media Control singles chart: 103


  • Number of German Top 50 albums: 2

With Luv' (1978), Lots Of Luv' (1979)


  • Weeks on the Musikmarkt/Media Control albums chart: 4


German certifications



The Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) is the German trade association in charge of albums and singles certifications.


  • Number of German gold singles: 1

You're the Greatest Lover: Gold single - 500.000 certified copies - 1979



Luv', Piet Souer, Pim ter Linde and Hans van Hemert receiving gold records for "You're the Greatest Lover" in Germany, March 1979



Total German record sales as mentioned in Billboard magazine


Roba Music was in charge of publishing Luv' songs in the Federal Republic and communicated the record sales of three singles to Billboard magazine in its December 8th, 1979, issue.


  • You're the Greatest Lover: 650.000 copies

  • Trojan Horse: 480.000 copies

  • Casanova: 300.000 copies



Article in Billboard magazine mentioning Luv's German record sales


🇨🇭 Switzerland


Willem Tell's country is a modest music market: 17th in the world and 10th in Europe in 1980. Luv's presence on the local chart, the Schweizer Hitparade, was brief.


Schweizer Hitparade (singles and albums charts)



  • Number of Swiss Top 20 hits: 4

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979)


  • Number of Swiss Top 10 hits: 3

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979)


  • Number of Swiss Top 5 hits: 3

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1978), Casanova (1979)


  • Number of Swiss #1 hits: 1

You're the Greatest Lover (1978)


  • Weeks on the Swiss singles chart (Schweizer Hitparade): 43


  • Number of Swiss Top 25 albums (Schweizer Hitparade): 2

With Luv' (1979) and Lots Of Luv' (1979)


  • Weeks on the Swiss albums chart (Schweizer Hitparade): 26


🇦🇹 Austria


Empress Sissi's country was the 20th music market in the world and the 12th European market in 1980.


On January 1s, 1973, the German trade magazine "Der Musikmarkt" started to publish an Austrian Top 20 singles chart and a Top 10 LP chart. These charts were intended for the record industry and, thus, not well known among a broader audience. These hit lists were published monthly from 1973 to December 1979. They became fortnightly charts on January 1980. 130 record shops were sent a questionnaire regarding their best-selling sound carriers. The examination of these questionnaires was done via a computer.


From 1980 to 7 January 1990, the mixed listening and sales parade "Hit wähl mit" was broadcast on Sunday evening, starting with an hour of 15 chart placements and six new releases. The longest broadcast time was two hours, with 25 chart placements and eight new releases.


Ö3 Austria Top 15 / Ö3-Hitparade (Hit wähl mit) Top 15 - singles chart


  • Number of Austrian Top 20 hits: 4

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1980)

  • Number of Austrian Top 10 hits: 3

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova (1979)


  • Number of Austrian Top 5 hits: 3

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova (1979)


  • Weeks on the Austrian singles chart: 53


Alben Top 25 (albums chart)


  • Number of Austrian Top 25 albums: 2

With Luv' (1979), Lots Of Luv' (1979)


  • Weeks on the Austrian albums chart: 7


Austrian certifications


Verband der Österreichischen Musikwirtschaft - IFPI Austria is the Austrian trade association in charge of albums and singles certifications.


  • Number of gold single: 1

Trojan Horse - Gold single - 50.000 certified copies - 1979



Trojan Horse's gold certification in Austria (1979)


🇩🇰 Denmark


The Land of Lego and the Little Mermaid was the 22nd music market in the world and the 14th European market in 1980.


The Top 10 of the official Danish singles chart was published in the tabloid newspaper B.T. between 1979 and 1992. This list was set up in association with the Danish branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and overseen by Danish lawyer Johan Schlüter (mentioned in trade magazines Billboard and Music & Media).


BT Hitlisten - Top 10 (singles chart)



  • Number of Danish Top 10 hits: 4

Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova (1979), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1980)


  • Number of Danish Top 5 hits: 3

Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova (1979), Ooh, Yes I Do (1980)


  • Weeks on BT Hitlisten: 23


BT Hitlisten/IFPI albums chart


  • Number of Top 10 albums: 2

With Luv' (1979), Lots Of Luv' (1979)



Danish Certification


IFPI Danmark is in charge of Danish certifications.


  • Number of silver albums: 1

With Luv': Silver album - 25.000 certified copies - 1979



Billboard magazine - August 25th, 1979


🇫🇮 Finland


Finland was the 21st music market in the world and the 13th European market, according to the 1980 IFPI report. The Official Finnish Charts (Finnish: Suomen virallinen lista) were launched in 1951 and published by Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Before 1991, Finnish singles and album charts were published monthly.



Suomen virallinen lista - Finnish singles chart




  • Number of Finnish Top 30 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1979), Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of Finnish Top 20 hits: 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of months on the Suomen virallinen lista: 4



🇳🇴 Norway


The Land of Fjords was the 23rd music market in the world and the 15th European market in 1980. Since 1958, VG-lista has been the official Norwegian record chart presented weekly in the newspaper VG. In 1979, it was only a Top 10 chart based on the sales in 50 record shops in Norway. So it was difficult to find information about records that didn't reach the VG-lista.



However, on March 26th, 1979, Trojan Horse reached #15 on the Hortens-Toppen, a hit parade published in the Gjengangeren newspaper. Moreover, the June 2nd, 1979 edition of the "Halden Arbeiderblad" newspaper published a hit parade of May, including Trojan Horse peaking at #6.


Maitoppen - Halden (Halden Arbeiderblad) Top 10



  • Number of Halden Arbeiderblad Top 10 hit: 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of months on Maitoppen - Halden (Halden Arbeiderblad) Top 10: 3


🇫🇷 France


The land of cuisine, wine and haute couture was the 6th music market in the world and the 4th European market, according to the 1980 IFPI report.


Before 1984, French charts based on record sales were not published in mainstream media. Only industry insiders knew the actual figures. The public could only rely on unofficial lists (including "Hit-Parade RTL"). On November 4th, 1984, things changed when TV channel Canal+ aired the "Top 50" in association with SNEP (French recording industry association), Nielsen and IPSOS.


French record chart specialist Eric Stéphane posted the chart run of three Luv' singles ("You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", and "Ooh, Yes I Do") on his "Charts singles Top 50 en France" blog. Eric's work is very accurate. In addition to record sales by the SNEP, it combines numerous sources (Sonopresse, RTL, NRJ, Salut les copains, Hit magazine, Podium, Salut, Europe 1, CIDD, France Inter, Gold magazine, Journal du Show-Biz, Sapac, Cogedep, Radio Monte-Carlo, Radio Andorre, l'Express, VSD, Disc action, Show mag).







  • Number of French Top 30 hits: 3

Sing me, sing me a chanson (You're the Greatest Lover) (1979), Trojan Horse (1979), Casanova Ooh, Yes I Do (1980)


  • Number of French Top 10 hits: 1

Ooh, Yes I Do (1980)


  • Weeks on the French singles chart: 35


Total French record sales:

  • Sing me, sing me a chanson (You're the Greatest Lover): 67 361 copies.

  • Trojan Horse: 85.526 copies

  • Ooh, Yes I Do: 227.002 copies


🇪🇸 Spain


Spain was the 12th music market in the world and the 7th European market in 1980. At the time, the ABC newspaper published the Clasificación Nacional del Disco, a weekly singles chart. The Spanish versions of Luv's hits "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Casanova" charted in Spain.





  • Number of Spanish Top 20 hits: 2

Eres Mi Mejor Amante (Spanish version of "You're the Greatest Lover", 1979), Casanova (1979)


  • Number of Spanish Top 10 hits: 1

Eres Mi Mejor Amante (1979)


  • Number of Spanish Top 5 hits: 1

Eres Mi Mejor Amante (1979)


  • Number of Spanish #1 hits: 1

Eres Mi Mejor Amante (1979)


  • Weeks on the ABC Clasificacion Nacional del Disco: 20


🇮🇱 Israel


Israel is a small music market. In 1978, this country had 3.69 million inhabitants. Despite its smallness, the Israeli music market has always been foreign-friendly. Reshet Gimmel radio station broadcast a weekly foreign singles chart.



Reshet Gimmel's foreign singles chart


  • Number of Israeli Top 20 hits : 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Weeks on Reshet Gimmel's foreign singles chart : 12


🇿🇼 Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)


Rhodesia was an unrecognised state in southern Africa from 1965 to 1979, equivalent in territory to modern Zimbabwe. Rhodesia's music chart, the Lyons Maid Hits Of The Week, broadcast by Radio 1, was based on weekly sales. In 1980, Rhodesia achieved liberation and was renamed Zimbabwe.



  • Number of Top 20 hits on the Lyons Maid Hits Of The Week chart: 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


🇿🇦 South Africa


South Africa was the 19th music market in the world, according to the 1980 IFPI report. Apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial segregation, existed back then in this country. Springbok Radio broadcast a weekly singles chart.



  • Number of Springbok Radio Top 20 hits: 2

You're the Greatest Lover (1978), Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Weeks on the Springbok Radio Top 20: 15


🇳🇿 New Zealand


The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) started a ratified weekly sales chart of Top 40 singles and albums in 1975, expanding to a Top 50 in May 1979.



  • Number of NZ Top 50 hits: 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of NZ Top 10 hits : 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Weeks on the NZ Top 50: 13


🇦🇺 Australia


Australia was the 13th music market in the world, according to the 1980 IFPI report. In 1979, the Kent Music Report was a weekly Australian record chart of singles and albums, compiled by music enthusiast David Kent and based on record sales and radio station reports. The major record companies used this chart for their own marketing programs, and it had established itself as the leading national chart publication. ARIA became the official Australian music chart in June 1988, succeeding the Kent Music Report.




  • Number of Australian Top 100 hits (Kent Report): 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of Australian Top 50 hits (Kent Music): 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Weeks on the Kent Music Report: 21


🇨🇦 Canada


Canada was the 11th music market in the world in 1980. The country's main singles chart was "RPM 100 Singles", published weekly in RPM magazine.




Here's how RPM magazine described its hit list: "The RPM 100 is a national chart compiled weekly from national sales and radio station airplay and chart action. The top 50 records are computed from sales and airplay. The computation of the records from 51 to 100 is based on early airplay, chart action and regional sales and breakouts. The chart is based on samplings from markets across Canada and indicates trends that may not be prevalent in all areas of Canada. Shaded numbers indicate a strong upward trend and gains in airplay or sales. This chart is offered as a guide to new product and an indication of trends in Canadian markets".

  • Number of Canadian Top 100 singles : 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Number of weeks on the RPM 100 Singles: 4


🇲🇽 Mexico


Zapata's country was the 8th music market in 1980. Data related to Mexican chart hits were provided by Radio Mil and published in Billboard magazine. Moreover, Notitas Musicales was a bi-weekly magazine that published two separate charts :


  • "Canciones que México canta" ("Songs that Mexico sings"), which listed the Top 10 most popular Spanish-language songs in Mexico.


  • "Hit Parade" was a Top 10 of the most popular songs in Mexico in languages other than Spanish.


"Si, Que Si", the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do", never appeared on the Mexican charts but turned gold strangely. The Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas, the only Mexican music organisation in charge of certifications, never certified "Si, Que Si". Instead, Discos Musart, which distributed the single in Mexico, gave the ladies a "Disco de oro" without mentioning sales figures. At the time, the local record market was not as well organized as it is today. One thing is certain: the trio was received in Frida Kahlo's country as a major international pop group. Their single took advantage of a great promotion in the Mexican media, and their trip there remained memorable.




  • Number of Mexican gold singles: 1

Ooh, Yes I Do (Si, Que Si) : gold single in 1980


🇦🇷 Argentina


The land of gauchos was the 16th music market in the world in 1980. The Argentinian singles chart included data from El Centro Cultural Del Disco in 1979.



  • Number of Argentinian Top 10 hits: 1

Trojan Horse (1979)


  • Weeks on the Argentinian singles chart: 4


Source of record charts:



Source of Certifications (Silver, Gold & Platinum):


  • Netherlands: Phonogram B.V, CNR, NVPI

  • Belgium: Sibesa (IFPI Belgium), Phonogram

  • Germany: Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft M.B.H - BVMI

  • Austria: Phonogram Ges. M.B.H - IFPI Austria

  • Denmark: IFPI Denmark

  • Mexico: Discos Musart


Source: Luv' blog archives, luvgirlgroup. com archives, musicbusinessresearchsearch.wordpress.com, https://artisteschartsventes.blogspot.com/

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