Many thanks to Marco Rens for the pictures - courtesy of © José Hoebee's Fan Page on Facebook.
40 years ago precisely, on December 4th, 1982, "The Good Times", a single by José Hoebee, entered the Nationale Hitparade (currently known as the Single Top 100). 1982 was the year José reached her peak as a solo artist.
Song History
After the huge success of "I Will Follow Him" and "Secret Love" in the Netherlands and Flanders, CNR/Carrere Records released José's solo album "The Good Times" on November 17th, 1982. A single named after the LP came out simultaneously.
Unlike the two previous records, which were cover versions, "The Good Times" was an original track penned by Piet Souer (who co-wrote Luv's hits with Hans van Hemert) and produced by Pim Koopman (member of the legendary pop-rock band Kayak and producer of the sister duo Maywood). Lucy Steymel recorded backing vocals. Renowned photographer Govert de Roos took a beautiful picture of José for the single's front cover.
Tracklisting
A side: The Good Times (Piet Souer) - 4:00
B side: Say No More (Pim Koopman) - 3:25
On May 7th, 2019, "The Good Times" album and the single of the same name became available on digital platforms. A wrong release date (April 25th, 1982) was mentioned on these online services.
Apple Music: https://apple.co/3hEYQvb
Deezer: https://bit.ly/3Etuipt
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3hFpaFJ
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3AawNKJ
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3GcLZus
Credits:
José Hoebee: lead vocals, backing vocals
Lucy Steymel: backing vocals
All instruments played by Pim Koopman
Song recorded at D.M.C studios, Baarn, Holland
Engineered by John Smit and John Sonneveld
Produced by Pim Koopman for Purple Eye Productions B.V.
Marketed and distributed by B.V. Grammofoonplatenmaatschappij CNR
Management: Interlinde Management
Photography by Govert de Roos
Make-up: Frans Sam
Styling: Stinx - Hilversum - Amsterdam
Design: Myosotis - Baarn
Montage by Marco Rens
Commercial performance
On November 20th, 1982, "The Good Times" entered the Tipparade (the Dutch Bubbling Under Top 40 chart) at #22, peaked at #2 on December 11th, 1982 and spent five weeks on this chart. The single failed to break into the Dutch Top 40.
On December 4th, 1982, it entered the Nationale Hitparade (currently Single Top 100) at #37 (its peak position) and stayed three weeks on this chart.
Moreover, the song charted in Flanders (Belgium) for two weeks. It entered the BRT Top 30 at #28 and the Flemish Ultratop at #37 on December 11th, 1982. It remained at #28 on the BRT Top 30 and peaked at #35 on the Ultratop on December 18th, 1982. The following week, it dropped out of the chart.
TV and radio performances
José performed "The Good Times" twice on Dutch TV: "AVRO's TopPop" and "Nederland Muziekland" on Veronica.
AVRO's TopPop - broadcast date: December 5th, 1982
Nederland Muziekland - video uploaded by Jos Theuns
Moreover, José sang the track live on the NCRV radio program "Los Vast" on November 13th, 1982. Click here to listen to this performance (courtesy of Jos Theuns).
Site about Pim Koopman's music: http://www.pimkoopman.com/
Source: Luv' and José Hoebee's weblog archives, Discogs.com, 45cat.com, Dutchcharts, Facebook, NL Top 40, BRT Top 30...