One More Little Kissy by Luv': 45th Anniversary Celebration

 In loving memory of Hans van Hemert (1945 - 2024)

Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page (Facebook)

Patty, Marga & José in colourful costumes used for TV performances of "One More Little Kissy"

Precisely 45 years ago, on May 31st, 1980, Luv's 11th single, "One More Little Kissy" (also credited as "One More Little Kissie"), released by CNR/Carrere, was the "Alarmschijf" (Record of the Week or Hit Tip) on the Dutch station "Radio Veronica". This designation meant the song received heavy rotation to boost its chances of becoming a hit. On the same day, it entered the Tipparade — the Dutch 'bubbling under' chart just below the Top 40 — at #1. A week later, it reached the legendary Dutch Top 40. The single also charted in Belgium and Germany. It was the final record to feature Patty Brard before her sudden departure in July 1980. In the Netherlands, the release of "One More Little Kissy" was surrounded by a media circus.

History

Luv' signed a lucrative three-year deal with CNR/Carrere Records in October 1979, which included an advance of 750,000 Dutch guilders. This move came after a highly successful 18-month run of hits on the Dutch and foreign charts with Phonogram/Philips Records and initially appeared to be a smart career step.

The group’s first release under Carrere, the pop single "Ooh, Yes I Do", became a hit in the Benelux region, as well as in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. This catchy track also helped the trio break into two new markets: France, where Luv' reached the Top 10, and Mexico.

Following the release of their next single, "Ann-Maria", Luv' experienced a hectic spring in 1980. Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, and José Hoebee participated in numerous European television recordings. In May of that year, the trio embarked on a memorable promotional tour in Mexico. They even flew to Zapata's homeland aboard the Concorde to receive gold records for "Si, Que Si" (the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do") and the "True Luv'" album.

The Luv' girls were the darlings of the Dutch tabloid and youth press, for better or worse.

Hitkrant, March 20th, 1980 (including Patty Brard on the cover): Luv' giving a dancing lesson.

Hitkrant, April 10th, 1980: Luv' receiving platinum records for their debut album "With Luv" from their previous label, Phonogram

Hitkrant, April 1980: Luv' in Paris during Easter Holidays

Nieuwe Winterswijksche courant, May 5th, 1980: Backstage at the TROS TV show "Showbizzquiz", José and her partner, record producer Will Hoebee, attended the presentation of a platinum record awarded for the album "Music by Candlelight" by Gheorghe Zamfir and Harry van Hoof, which was produced by Hoebee. Also in attendance were Demis Roussos, Harry van Hoof, Willem Duyn (formerly of Mouth & MacNeal) and Getty Kaspers (formerly of Teach-In).

Hitkrant - May 8th, 1980: Esther (of Dolly Dots) and Patty (of Luv') have a Bo Derek haircut

Luv' also tried their luck in Russia and Japan.

In an article published on April 26th, 1980, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf announced that the trio would sing in Moscow, Soviet Union, in the summer. They were invited by the Russian authorities to perform on Soviet Central television. They 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 Summer Olympics in Moscow by some Western countries. The three lovely singers wanted to follow in the footsteps of Boney M., who made a much-publicized promotional visit to the USSR in 1978.

De Telegraaf (April 26th, 1980): Luv' to perform in Moscow. Click here to read the article online.

Hitkrant, Spring 1980: Luv' to Russia

Het vrije Volk - May 16th, 1980: Why is Luv' allowed to go to Moscow despite the tensions surrounding the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott? Click here to read the article online.

Moreover, Luv' were supposed to take part in the World Popular Song Festival (also known as Yamaha Music Festival) in Tokyo, Japan. This contest could mean their breakthrough in Asia. The ladies confirmed this major project in interviews published in Algemeen Dagblad on May 30th, 1980, and in Limburgsch Dagblad on June 14th, 1980.

Algemeen Dagblad on May 30th, 1980: Luv's worldwide success. Click here to read the article online.

Limburgsch Dagblad - June 14th, 1980: Luv': "We have to remain the best" Click here to read the article online.

Unfortunately, the above-mentioned plans fell through after Patty left Luv' in the summer of 1980.

Luv's record company decided to put out a new single on May 30th, 1980: "One More Little Kissy", a childish, bubblegum pop/exotica track written by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer under the pseudonym Janschen & Janschens. The song appeared on the 1980 re-issue of the" True Luv'" LP and the fourth album "Forever Yours".

Just before the release of "One More Little Kissy", the Dutch press was informed that Marga had started dating media mogul John de Mol, which caused a sensation in Holland. Meanwhile, Patty's marriage to quizmaster Ron Brandsteder came to an end. After her brief affair with TV director Henny Budie, she fell in love with Italian record executive Carlo Nasi. These love stories overshadowed Luv's activities in the Netherlands.

De Telegraaf - May 8th, 1980: John de Mol leaving his wife Willeke Alberti for Marga Scheide. Click here to read the article online.

Hitkrant - May 14th, 1980: Patty's love troubles

 Hitkrant - late May/early June 1980: Luv' discuss their love problems (part 1)

Hitkrant - late May/early June 1980: Luv' discuss their love problems (part 2)

Despite the media fanfare, the Luv' singers tried to remain professional. They took part in TV tapings to promote "One More Little Kissy".

In Holland, "One More Little Kissy" premiered on the TV show "We Gaan Naar Rome" produced by John de Mol, hosted by André van Duin and broadcast on May 31st, 1980, on TROS. The program was taped during a party held in Zeist to support the Netherlands' national football team at the 1980 UEFA European Football Championship in Italy.

De Telegraaf (sports section "Telesport") - May 31st, 1980: Luv' presenting the official poster of the Dutch football team at the party filmed in Zeist for TROS TV channel. Click here to read the article online.

Moreover, a music video for their new single was filmed in late May and early June 1980 at DierenPark Amersfoort, a zoo in Amersfoort, and Safaripark Beekse Bergen. It was included in the rerun of the This True Luv' TV special, which aired on July 4th, 1980, on NCRV.

Limburgsch Dagblad on May 30th, 1980: Luv' at DierenPark Amersfoort. Click here to read the article online.

Article published in Weekend in March 2016, illustrated with a photo taken by Chris van de Vooren during the filming of the music video for "One More Little Kissy" at the Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Luv' at DierenPark Amersfoort (1980) - Photo edited by Marco Rens

Hitkrant - June 5th, 1980: Lyrics of One More Little Kissy

In June 1980, as "One More Little Kissy" was climbing the record charts, the girls enjoyed a two-week holiday after a hectic schedule.

Hitkrant, June 12th 1980: Patty in love with an Italian record executive and the Luv' ladies on holiday.

Meanwhile, Luv's producer, Hans van Hemert, and his rival, Peter Koelewijn, put aside their differences. The tensions between the two Maestri started when Koelewijn launched his own girl group, Babe, in 1979, inspired by Luv's success. De Telegraaf, in its editions of June 16th and 25th, 1980, published articles about their reconciliation and their desire to collaborate on future projects.

Luv's One More Little Kissy shared the Dutch Top 40 with Babe's The Drunken Sailor.

De Telegraaf, June 16th, 1980: Hans van Hemert and Peter Koelewijn's reconciliation. Click here to read the article online.

De Telegraaf - June 25th, 1980: Luv and peace between Hans and Peter. Click here to read the article online.

After Luv's holidays, the trio was still in the spotlight. The ladies planned to star in their own TV series. But this project didn't materialize after Patty let Luv' down. The Dolly Dots, Luv's biggest rivals, took over this idea. TROS broadcast six episodes of the Dolly Dots series between August 30th and October 10th, 1983.

Hitkrant - June 26th, 1980: Luv's TV series

Photo edited by Marco Rens

One of Patty’s last public appearances with Luv’ took place during a party hosted by Henny Huisman at the Maribel discotheque in Katwijk in late June 1980. Luv’ were voted “Best Dressed Group” by readers of the Dutch teen magazine Hitkrant. At the event, Patty, Marga, and José each received a copy of "East Meets West", a fashion book by Japanese designer Issey Miyake. Click here to read Miyake's publication online.

Patty's last public appearance with her Luv' colleagues, Marga and José, before she left the group (late June 1980) - photo edited by Marco Rens

Patty attended with her sister and Dutch singer Rudy Bennett. She told Hitkrant that she had recently been to Italy with her new boyfriend to watch the Italy–England football match.

Marga arrived with her new flame, John de Mol, and shared how she had gone to great lengths to outsmart the paparazzi. Just a day before she was scheduled to fly to Ibiza with John, she changed plans and travelled to Portugal’s Algarve region instead.

José did go to Ibiza with her partner Will Hoebee, who revealed that two photographers on the island had been eagerly searching for Marga and John—but, of course, the lovebirds were nowhere to be found.

Hitkrant - July 3rd, 1980: Party organized by Hitkrant in honour of Luv' as "the best-dressed group". Henny Huisman gave each singer an Issey Miyake book (East Meets West)

Luv' on the cover of Flemish magazine "Joepie" (June 29th, 1980) with a premonitory headline: "Will love cause Luv' any trouble?"

Luv' on the cover of Pop Biz

Story - June 27th, 1980: How much longer can Luv' keep it up?

In July 1980, Luv' stopped their activities and were looking for a replacement for Patty. Photo model Ria Thielsch became the new member of Luv'. The TV viewers discovered her when she performed "One More Little Kissy" with her new colleagues on Boemerang, a Flemish TV program on BRT channel, on September 27th, 1980. The ladies wore the same outfits as the line-up featuring Patty. Ria was entirely accepted by the Luv' fans with the success of the follow-up single "My Number One". But that's another story...

Luv' (featuring Ria Thielsch) on Boemerang - photo montage by Marco Rens

Generated by Remini (AI) - Marco Rens

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Chart performance

One More Little Kissy was the "Alarmschijf" (Record of the Week or Hit Tip) on the Dutch station Radio Veronica. It was played in heavy rotation on Veronica to make it a hit record. On May 31st, 1980, it entered the Tipparade at #1.

Although "One More Little Kissy" didn’t have the same hit potential as million-sellers like "You're the Greatest Lover" or "Trojan Horse", it still became a Top 10 hit in the Netherlands and reached the Top 20 in Flanders (Belgium). However, due to limited promotion in Germany and Patty's absence, it only achieved minor success there.

One More Little Kissy reached its peak position on the Dutch charts on June 28th, 1980.

Nationale Hitparade - June 28th, 1980

Dutch Top 40 on June 28th, 1980

Chart positions:

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

First chart date: June 6th, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 7

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

First chart date: June 14th, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 8

🇧🇪 #15 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)

First chart date: June 21st, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 3

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

First chart date: June 21st, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 3

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

First chart date: August 1st, 1980 - Weeks on chart: 1

🇦🇹 In Austria, "One More Little Kissy" missed the main singles chart and instead peaked at #6 on the Neuvorstellungen (Bubbling Under) Ö3-Hitparade (Hit wähl mit) - Top 7. Its first chart date was July 27th, 1980, and it remained on this list for one week.

TV performances

• May 31st, 1980: We Gaan Naar Rome (TROS), Netherlands

• July 4th, 1980: rerun of This Is True Luv' (TV special) on NCRV, Netherlands - bonus track: One More Little Kissy

• July 9th, 1980: Vakantie in Nederland (Nederland 2), Netherlands

• September 27th, 1980: Boemerang (BRT), Belgium - Ria Thielsch's first TV appearance with Luv'

Tracklisting & release

One More Little Kissy

7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by CNR/Carrere Records on May 30th, 1980

• A side: One More Little Kissy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:49

• B side: I win It (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:05

Click here to see different versions of the single.

Dutch cover

German cover

The German edition included an information sheet

Roba Baierle Music Publishing represented One More Little Kissy in Germany

Flexi disc from Poland

Since September 5th, 2019, "One More Little Kissy" has been available on major digital platforms, including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and Deezer.

Remix

The remix album "Only Luv' – The Matt Pop Remixes", released on CD and vinyl on May 24th, 2025, features a new version of "One More Little Kissy" remixed by renowned DJ, producer, and remixer Matt Pop.

Cover versions

• Charlie Hit Parade (German and Danish compilation released in 1980, including the cover version of One More Little Kissy - Picture disc with (apparently) mock cosmetics from the brand Charlie. The disc primarily features German writing, with some Danish text also included.

• Draaiorgel "De Cementmolen" ‎– Draaiorgel Hits, Dureco Benelux, Netherlands, 1980

• In 1982, the Brazilian girl group Harmony Cats recorded a Portuguese-language cover of the song titled "A Felicidade é Fácil de Achar." The track appeared on their self-titled album, issued by RGE Discos.

Harmony Cats - A Felicidade é Fácil de Achar (1982)

• On July 9th, 2017, Party band Dutch Show Company (fronted by Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters) performed several Luv' songs at the group's 40th anniversary party at the Quatre Bras restaurant in Best, the Netherlands. One of the tracks DSC covered was "One More Little Kissy".

José Hoebee with Dutch Show company (featuring Anton)

Bibliography:

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

• The Story of Luv' by Peter Boonstra

Source: Luv' weblog archives, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Delpher.nl, YouTube, Facebook (Co Rnz, Casper Janssen)...