Roots of Cheesy Euro Disco: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Few words in the English language resonate as globally as the word "boogie," especially if you add a few extra o's to it, as in boooogie. Sure, there are other words and phrases with even more inter-lingual appeal  - "fuck," "baby," and that standby of international servitude: "no problem." But "boogie" ranks up there, thanks in no small part to the international hit record by Baccara, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie. The musical tale of a one-night stand between an elegant lady who needs to hear "that certain song" and her inscrutable paramour "meester," Yes Sir, I Can Boogie is irresistible in its breathy awfulness. It was a hit all over the world (except for the US), and sold 16 million copies worldwide in 1977, more copies than any all-female group had ever sold before.

I've periodically searched online for videos of this song, and finding only the stiffly choreographed original versions by Baccara, I've always been disappointed. Until now:

The three Frauleins above left are not Baccara, but the German-cum Vegas group, The Jacob Sisters. They're inter-cut with the original Baccara, consisting of Spaniards Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola. On the right, it's a German version by that crazy Finn, M.A. Numminen. Here's an MP3 of Numminen's version: Download MP3

 

On the left we have Goldfrapp doing their version which they retitled Yes Sir (from their EP Twist Single), and on the right, it's DJ ChrissyLou with her psychedelic karaoke version.

 

And here they are -  Baccara in all their dull, choreographed glory. On the left, it's the incredibly boring original video for the song (unless you happen to like long shots of roses), and on the right, a slightly more lively performance from Hungarian television. Mateos and Mendiola have since parted ways, and each has laid claim to the band's title and legacy. What we have on our hands now are battling Baccara's who each tour the Cheesy Euro Disco oldies circuit, which bypasses these United States on every go-round.

Comments

[Jeffersonic]

I have a live recording of Goldfrapp's "Yes Sir" which is very close to this version,
but her live recording ends with a wonderfully noisy synth assault that I'd call mind
blowing. I love the way the song builds the tension....

[Theo]

Before anybody thinks, the Jacob sisters are some hot young girlgroup...take a look at this. This is the hard reality.

http://www.jacob-sisters.de/

[Björn]

Aah. Nice videos. I had heard M. A. Numminen's Finnish and Swedish versions, but I just love the German one. Although I have to say that he's done far better things, like Dägä Dägä, and the absolutely fantastic Wovon mann nicht sprechen kann from Sings Wittgenstein.

Liked Goldfrapp's version as well, very nicely done (nice in a very different way from Numminen, of course).

[Listener bkd]

Is it just me, or does the original sound just like "Don't Leave Me This Way"? But I lurv Goldfrapp's version the best.

[Dmitriy]

M.A. Numminen's German version is the absolute best! I'm glad there are more of his videos showing up on Youtube (like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57PWqFowq-4)

For the ultimately fromage versions of the Baccara track, I recommend some of the "dance" remixes from the late 90's.

[Maytefan]

very nice Clips to see Baccara with the original voice of Baccara.

[FrOdo]

I'm most grateful to you for hosting the Baccara's "Yes Sir, I can Boogie' in your blog. And I thought that maybe I could also make you just a little bit happy by posting this, meaning that you are not doing all this in vain. Thanks a lot and best of luck to you!

P.S. From Russia with love :-)