at home

Shocking Blue came burning like a silver flame with this acka raga love buzz.  The Dutch group had been started  in 1967 by Robbie van Leeuwen; who had been the guitarist for the Motions.  Shocking Blue had a minor hit in their homeland with "“Lucy Brown Is Back in Town”" before ditching lead singer Fred DeWilde for the sultry Mariska Veres, who grew up singing with her father, Lajos Veres, a violinist in a gypsy orchestra.  They had another minor hit with "Send Me a Postcard" before their huge hit "Venus" made them stars all over the world.  The single was later added to their album 'At Home', both of which were produced by van Leeuwen with Mariska Veres on vocals;  Robbie van Leeuwen on guitar & backing vocals;  Cor van der Beek on drums;  and Klaasje van der Wal on bass guitar.  

Shocking Blue continued to chart around the world; but in the US, the group is considered a one hit wonder since their subsequent singles only made it to number forty-three (with "Mighty Joe") and seventy-five (with "Long and Lonesome Road").  

https://www.facebook.com/Shocking.B


http://www.alexgitlin.com/shocking.htm





"Venus" 
A worldwide smash hit, going to number ten in Ireland; eight in Finland and the UK; three in the Netherlands; two in Austria and Japan; and number one in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and the US; "Venus" sold over seven and a half million copies worldwide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPEhQugz-Ew



A Goddess on a mountain top
Was burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She's got hips,
Yeah, baby, she's got lips.
Well, I'm your Venus
I'm your fire, at your desire
Well, I'm your Venus
I'm your fire, at your desire

Her weapons were
Her crystal eyes
Making every man mad
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no-one else had
WoW!

She's got hips,
Yeah, baby, she's got lips.
Well, I'm your Venus,
I'm your fire, at your desire
Well, I'm your Venus,
I'm your fire, at your desire

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

She's got hips,
Yeah, baby, she's got lips.
Well, I'm your Venus,
I'm your fire, at your desire
Well, I'm your Venus,

I'm your fire, at your desire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3APfxZibHI


It was later covered by Bananarama, who also took it to the top of the charts around the globe.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkcU2_Vs7Xw









"Love Buzz" was later covered by Nirvana on their debut album 'Bleach'.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeOp61yowLE








 'At Home'
full album:



All songs were written by Robbie van Leeuwen, except for "Acka Raga" by John Mayer.


"Boll Weevil" – 2:40
"I'll Write Your Name Through the Fire"– 2:50
"Acka Raga" – 3:10
"Love Machine" – 3:15
"I'm a Woman" – 3:00
"Venus" - 3:07
"California Here I Come" – 3:15
"Poor Boy" – 4:50
"Long and Lonesome Road" – 2:44
"Love Buzz" – 3:40
"The Butterfly and I" – 3:50

bonus tracks:
"Harley Davidson" – 2:39
"Fireball of Love" – 3:00
"Hot Sand" – 2:35
"Wild Wind" – 2:15