"My Number One": Celebrating 45 Years of Luv’s Last Top 5 Hit

"So keep your head up in the sky, we're gonna be one forever..."

In Loving Memory of Hans van Hemert

Special thanks to Marco Rens (Official Luv', LUV' fan page, Ria Thielsch Fan Zone : Forever Yours)

Luv' anno 1980: Ria Thielsch, Marga Scheide, and José Hoebee

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Forty-five years ago, CNR/Carrere Records released Luv's twelfth single, titled "My Number One." This song introduced a new member of the girl group: Ria Thielsch, who successfully replaced Patty Brard. The record went on to enter the Dutch Top 40, becoming a smash hit. It also charted in Belgium and Germany. Let's celebrate the 45th anniversary of this classic pop hit!

Video edited by Marco Rens:

History

The summer of 1980 was a pivotal time in Luv's career. Following Patty Brard's sudden departure from the group in July 1980, a replacement needed to be found quickly due to legal obligations. The choice fell on photo model Ria Thielsch, who was initially meant to be a temporary member. However, as it became evident that Patty would not be returning, Ria was made a permanent member of Luv' in mid-September 1980.

After a series of hit records with Patty, including "You're the Greatest Lover," "Trojan Horse," and "Casanova," Luv' faced the challenge of proving that the trio remained popular with fans. Would audiences accept Ria? The answer was a resounding "yes."

The viewers got their first glimpse of the new Luv' member when she performed "One More Little Kissy" alongside her bandmates on "Boemerang," a Flemish TV program that aired on the BRT channel in late September 1980.

Nieuwe Winterswijksche courant - October 8, 1980: The new Luv' line-up was well received

Click here to read the article online

Billboard magazine - October 11, 1980: Luv's new member

Montage by Marco Rens

German article about Ria Thielsch, new Luv' singer (late 1980)

Photo edited by Marco Rens

The next step was the release of the single "My Number One," which featured elements of a military march and is regarded by record producer Hans van Hemert as Luv's best song. The lyrics told a story of devotion despite differences. The singers admitted she (the woman) and her partner had little in common—she liked to talk and dance, he stayed quiet and still—but she loved him all the same. The repeated line “you were my number one” turned the song into a statement of loyalty and acceptance, showing that true affection didn’t depend on being alike. The line of “so keep your head up in the sky” added a hopeful tone, suggesting that love could rise above everyday mismatches. Beneath its catchy pop surface, the lyrics celebrated the strength and constancy of love—a sincere but straightforward message that helped the song remain one of Luv’s most enduring tracks.

The record's release party took place in late October 1980 at the villa of the group's manager, Pim ter Linde. At this event, Dutch powerlifter Gerard du Prie, who won the "Strongest Man of the Netherlands" competition in 1979, lifted the ladies in front of photographers.

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De Waarheid - November 1, 1980

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Hitkrant - November 6, 1980: Netherlands' strongest trio

Het Parool - November 1, 1980

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Mix - November 21, 1980

One of the earliest mentions of "My Number One" appeared in an article in the Dutch newspaper Het Vrije Volk, published on October 25, 1980.

Het Vrije Volk - October 25, 1980: Three decisive weeks await Luv'

Click here to read the article online.

As the new single was released, it was announced that Luv' would cease their live performances in 1981 to focus on their recordings, as well as on TV and radio shows.

Hitkrant - October 23, 1980: Luv' stops live performances

De Telegraaf - October 27, 1980

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Nieuwe Winterswijksche courant - November 19, 1980

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Dutch teen magazine Hitkrant organized a contest for its readers to predict the chart position of Luv's new single on the Top 40. "My Number One" eventually peaked at #5. The winners of this contest had the opportunity to meet the Luv' singers for tea time.

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Hitkrant - October 30, 1980: Which position will My Number One reach on the Dutch Top 40?

Hitkrant - January 1981: "Results of the contest: My Number One peaked at #5, and two lucky winners got to meet Luv' for tea.

On October 31, 1980, "My Number One" premiered on the influential Veronica/Hilversum 3 radio station and on AVRO's TopPop TV show.

Luv' on AVRO's TopPop (October 31, 1980)

Luv’ also performed the song on several Dutch TV shows, including Ted Show, Rockplanet, the Veronica Awards and the Flip Fluitketel Show, where the trio wore striking yellow leather majorette‑style outfits by the renowned Carla V. This media exposure paid off, as "My Number One" became successful in the Netherlands and Belgium, signaling that Luv' were back for good.

Luv' on Flip Fluitketel Show (TROS, December 1, 1980)

Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - December 1, 1980

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Limburgsch dagblad - December 1, 1980

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Additionally, Luv' were scheduled to participate in the World Popular Song Festival (also known as the Yamaha Music Festival) in Tokyo, Japan, where they planned to perform "Be My Lover Tonight" in November 1980. This contest could have marked their breakthrough in Asia. However, the trio opted instead to appear on the legendary TV show "Musikladen" in Germany, which was Luv's largest export market.

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Luv' on Musikladen (broadcast on November 13, 1980)

Musikmarkt magazine announcing Luv' performing "My Number On" on Musikladen (November 1980)

During the Autumn of 1980, Luv' kept on making headlines in the Dutch, Flemish, and German press.

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Hitkrant - October 23, 1980: Column by Truus van Dijk. The article showed Ria receiving a gift from her then-boyfriend and depicted Patty living in a farm-style estate in Los Angeles with Carlo Nasi.

Joepie - October 26, 1980: Ria: "I'm happy I can be part of Luv'"

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Luv's new formation (featuring Ria Thielsch) on the cover of Popfoto (late October 1980)

Luv' on Musikladen - Photo published in German teen magazine Bravo (November 1980)

Algemeen Dagblad - November 1, 1980: portrait of Ria Thielsch

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Het vrije volk - November 5, 1980: José and other celebrities at a dinner at the café-restaurant Corona at the Buitenhof square in The Hague, organized by The Tegenpartij (“Counterparty”), a fictional Dutch political party created by comedians Van Kooten en De Bie

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Hitkrant - November 13, 1980: José’s cat shot by an animal hater

Hitkrant - November 20, 1980: José and her partner Will Hoebee (whom she married the following year) at the release dinner for the LP by "Het Simplisties Verbond", the satirical Dutch comedy act of Kees van Kooten and Wim de Bie.

Hitkrant - November 20, 1980: Luv’ was forced to cancel a concert in Belgium due to Marga’s ill health. However, she received her doctor's clearance to perform on Musikladen, with the condition that she limit her time out of bed to 6 hours.

Hitkrant: lyrics of My Number One - November 20, 1980

Hitkrant poster - November 27, 1980

Veronica Magazine - November 29, 1980

Ria Thielsch in NCRV Gids (late 1980)

Privé - December 13, 1980

Veronica Magazine - December 27, 1980

The Luv' ladies, known as popular and fit Dutch celebrities, were sponsored by the French sports equipment manufacturer Le Coq Sportif.

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Ria gained fans' acceptance due to the success of her single "My Number One." However, in mid-December 1980, while the song was still riding high on the charts, an incident occurred that brought Luv' to a standstill. But that's a story for another time.

Photo edited by Marco Rens

TV performances

• October 31/November 14 and 21, 1980: AVRO's TopPop, Netherlands

• Unknown broadcast date: music video for My Number One on TV

• November 8, 1980: Ted Show (NCRV), Netherlands

• November 13, 1980: Musikladen (Radio Bremen), West Germany

• November 17, 1980: TROS Top 50/Rockplanet (TROS/Nederland 2), Netherlands

• November 19, 1980: Veronica Awards (Veronica), Netherlands

• December 1, 1980: De Flip Fluitketel Show (TROS), Netherlands

Chart performance

On November 8, 1980, "My Number One" was chosen as "Alarmschijf" (record of the week or hit tip) by the Dutch station Radio Veronica. It was played in heavy rotation on Veronica to boost its popularity. On the same day, the song entered the Tipparade (“bubbling under” the Top 40 in the Netherlands) at #1, a chart of 30 singles expected to make it into the official Dutch Top 40.

My Number One - Alarmschijf on Veronica/Hilversum 3 on November 8, 1980

The November 19, 1980 edition of De Telegraaf noted My Number One as a new entry on the Nationale Hitparade, stating: "Moreover, the ladies of Luv's new line-up don't have to complain. Their 'My Number One' entered from out of the blue to Nr. 31, and it means they might soon reach the Top 10."

De Telegraaf (Hitscore section) including My Number One on the Dutch charts - November 19, 1980.

Click here to read the article online

Zoom in on the part mentioning "My Number One" as a new entry on the Nationale Hitparade (De Telegraaf - November 19, 1980)

The song peaked at #15 on the Europarade (a compilation of European charts) and reached the Top 5 on both the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands. It also ranked in the Top 5 on the BRT Top 30 and the Top 10 on the Ultratop in Belgium.

In Germany, it was a minor hit, peaking in the lower reaches of the Musikmarkt/Media Control Chart and ending their streak of hits on the German charts.

As of February 1981, "My Number One" had sold an estimated 85,000 copies in the Netherlands, 52,000 in Belgium, and 10,000 in Germany.

My Number One reached the Top 5 on the Dutch Top 40 on December 13, 1980

Chart positions:

🇳🇱 #5 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands)

First chart date: November 15, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 9

🇳🇱 #4 on the Nationale Hitparade - Top 50 (Netherlands)

First chart date: November 22, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 9

🇧🇪 #5 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)

First chart date: December 6, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 7

🇧🇪 #7 on the Ultratop Flanders - Top 30 (Belgium)

First chart date: December 6, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 9

🇪🇺 #15 on the Europarade - Top 30 (European charts)

First chart date: December 20, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 3

🇩🇪 #60 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Chart - Top 75 (Germany)

First chart date: December 22, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 2

​Estimated sales:

🇳🇱 Netherlands: 85.000 copies (as of February 1981)

🇧🇪 Belgium: 52.000 copies (as of February 1981)

🇩🇪 Germany: 10.000 copies (as of February 1981)

ᯤ Spotify:

1.280.136 streams (as of October 26, 2025)

While the single achieved notable success, it could have performed even better if not for an unfortunate event that hampered its chart progress. This story will be covered in a future article.

Tracklisting & release

My Number One

7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by CNR/Carrere Records in late October 1980

• A side: My Number One (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:11

• B side: The Show Must Go On (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:21

Credits:

José Hoebee, Marga Scheide, and Ria Thielsch - vocals

Produced by Hans van Hemert

Arranged and conducted by Piet Souer

Management: Interlinde Management

Photography: Clouds Studios

Styling: De Lange, Amsterdam

Click here for details about the release of My Number One.

Original Dutch cover

German cover

Since September 5, 2019, "My Number One" has been available on major digital platforms, including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and Deezer.

Cover version

In 1982, Brazilian Genghis Khan, a group inspired by the German band Dschinghis Khan, released a cover of "My Number One" as the B-side to their single "Apollo 50" on the label "Young".

Legacy

"My Number One" was featured on several of the group’s major compilations, including Luv' Gold (1993), 25 Jaar Na Waldolala (2003), and the Completely In Luv’ box set (2006), as well as on various budget-priced collections. In 2019, it appeared on streaming platforms.

Between 2016 and 2019, as Luv' successfully toured the nostalgia circuit in the Netherlands and Flanders, "My Number One" consistently featured in their 30-minute live shows, performed by Ria Thielsch and later Chimène van Oosterhout alongside original members Marga Scheide and José Hoebee, cementing its status as a lasting highlight of the group’s legacy.

Luv' at their 40th-anniversary party at Quatre Bras in Best, Netherlands, on July 9, 2017 - courtesy of JM Koos:

Luv' performing at the Zomerparkfeest in Venlo, the Netherlands, on August 11, 2018, filmed by Marco Rens, preceded by an impromptu rendition of Corry Konings’ 1976 classic hit “Ik Krijg Een Heel Apart Gevoel Van Binnen.”:

Luv' at the 81e Acht van Chaam (road bicycle racing event) in Chaam, the Netherlands on July 31, 2019:

Bibliography:

• Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech

• The Story of Luv' by Peter Boonstra

Source: Marco Rens, Luv' Weblog archives, Facebook (Official Luv', LUV' fan page, Ria Thielsch Fan Zone : Forever Yours), Casper Janssen, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, 45cat.com, Delpher.nl, YouTube, Dutchcharts.nl, ANP Historisch Archief, Toen gisteren nog vandaag was (gisterennogvandaag.com)