The band was founded in 1967 and after recruiting vocalist Mariska Veres they soon became huge. With their single “Venus” they became the first Dutch band ever to reach the first spot on the American Billboard Hot 100. The band had a series of subsequent hits but decided to call it a day in 1974.
Their influence reached well beyond their generation: even bands like Nirvana and The Prodigy used Shocking Blue’s “Love Buzz”. Shocking Blue released this song on the group’s 1969 album, At Home.
Krist Novoselic of Nirvana was once quoted referring to Shocking Blue’s Klaasje van der Wal as “a bass god.”
The song was covered by Nirvana, released as their debut single in 1988.
Love Buzz
Would you believe me when I tell you
You’re the king of my dreams?
Please don’t deceive me when I hurt you;
It just ain’t the way it seems.
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
I need you like a desert needs rain;
I would rather like to die.
Darling I hurt when I do not see you,
So spread your wings and fly.
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Would you believe me when I tell you
You’re the king of my dreams?
Please don’t deceive me when I hurt you;
It just ain’t the way it seems.
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
I need you like a desert needs rain;
I would rather like to die.
Darling I hurt when I don’t see you,
So spread your wings and fly.
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t you hear my love buzz?
Can’t believe how much better I find the original – the cover is pretty dire. Performance, production and mood all completely dialed in the shocking blue record. Cool track
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It was different for its time. I see why Nirvana covered it but I agree…I would take the original.
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Maybe it made sense in the 90s…but now it just sounds bad (could be just me though!)
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The riff itself fit their style but they didn’t do it well.
I have to say man…I’m surprised at the positive response I got for this unknown band.
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You’re making me a fan of Shocking Blue. This one is my favorite so far of the ones you’ve covered. I agree with Jeremy, the original is way better than Nirvana’s cover, although I like the bass intro of the Nirvana one.
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I’m so glad I’m getting positive remarks on them. I didn’t know how many people would listen to songs they never heard before
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I am glad people are hearing what I am hearing…
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I love hearing good new music! It’s always something to look forward to.
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Well I saw that you did it with newer groups with good response so I thought I would try New/Old music…I like your selections everytime.
I just saw this lead singers eyes and heard her voice and I was a fan.
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That’s awesome. I love music’s little things that call out to our ears and eyes that say pick me. She is versatile with her voice and her eyes….
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And it’s cool when other people catch on to what you are hearing. I’m going to take more chances if I can in my selections. I have before but I’ll make more of an effort to search out older ones.
I heard her do “Somebody To Love” and it was straight up Grace Slick…but more powerful.
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Awesome on all.
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I’d like to hear that.
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It’s cool Lisa that we all influence each other in music and learning.
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I really enjoy having other people to talk music with. My older son is really into music also but he’s not around much these days 😦
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Yea in real life I have one friend that I can totally relate to in music but we are busy in our lives…BUT…Bailey is coming up fast and now he is my movie and music buddy. Jennifer likes music but not as much as us.
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Lisa would you do me a favor? Go to my blog and see if you see a menu at the top that says “All Songs from A-Z” and see if it works?
I’m going to break my posts into categories and I started with the songs
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Yes, I do 🙂 I see the songs there when I click on that link also. Awesome!
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Was Cobain singing? It didn’t sound like him.
Nirvana sounded better with the bass line. I liked her singing better.
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From what I know yes he is singing it. Yes she sounded really good. That was their first single
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I read that. And, I don’t even remember it. I always thought it was “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
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This was right before then…Bleach was the album no one heard of until after they made it.
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