About the song
“Venus,” a timeless hit by the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, first captivated audiences when it was released as a single in the Netherlands during the summer of 1969. This iconic track, penned by the band’s guitarist and sitarist Robbie van Leeuwen, quickly soared to the top of the charts in nine countries, showcasing its universal appeal and the band’s unique sound.
The song’s creation is a fascinating journey through musical influences and creative adaptation. Van Leeuwen crafted “Venus” by setting new lyrics to a melody inspired by “The Banjo Song” by Tim Rose and the Big 3. This melody itself was a reinterpretation of the 19th-century classic “Oh! Susanna” by Stephen Foster. The song’s riff bears a resemblance to The Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” highlighting the blend of diverse musical elements that contribute to its distinctive sound. The recording process took place at Soundpush Studio in Blaricum, Netherlands, using a two-track machine, and van Leeuwen took on the role of producer for this memorable track.
The original Shocking Blue version features the compelling vocals of Mariska Veres. However, an intriguing detail about the song is a minor typo in the lyrics. The line “A goddess on a mountain top” was mistakenly sung as “godness” due to Veres’s limited proficiency in English at the time. This small error, though corrected in later covers, adds a unique charm to the original recording.
“Venus” has enjoyed enduring popularity, evidenced by numerous covers by various artists. Notably, in 1986, the English girl group Bananarama released their own version of the song for their album “True Confessions,” which became a massive hit, reaching number one in six countries. Beyond music, “Venus” has made its mark in popular culture, appearing in films, television shows, and commercials, solidifying its status as a classic.
Video
Lyrics
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 it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
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, whoa!
She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
Well, I’m your Venus
I’m your fire, at your desire
Well, I’m your Venus
I’m your fire, at your desire
She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
Well, I’m your Venus
I’m your fire, at your desire
Well, I’m your Venus
I’m your fire, at your desire