Eloise (Paul Ryan song) explained

Eloise
Cover:Barry Ryan - Eloise.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Barry Ryan
Album:Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan
B-Side:Love I Almost Found You
Studio:IBC, London
Length:5:50
Label:MGM
Producer:Bill Landis
Prev Title:Goodbye
Prev Year:1968
Next Title:Love Is Love
Next Year:1969

"Eloise" is a song first released in 1968 on the MGM label. It was sung by Barry Ryan, and written by his twin brother Paul Ryan. Running for over five minutes, it features strong orchestration, melodramatic vocals, and a brief slow interlude. It sold three million copies worldwide,[1] and reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart as published by Record Retailer,[2] but hit No. 1 in the NME and Melody Maker charts.[3] [4] It topped the chart in 17 countries,[1] including Italy,[5] the Netherlands[6] and Australia.[7]

The single was released as "Barry Ryan with the Majority".[8] The Majority were a pop band who, for a period, were the backing band for Ryan and who, after renaming to Majority One, had some success in Europe.[9] Ryan also released an Italian-language version of the song, "Eloise (Versione Italiana)", in 1968.[10]

Background and recording

After not being able to cope with the success of some of his hits as a duo with Barry, Paul decided to take a step away from the limelight and to concentrate on songwriting. "Eloise" was the second song he wrote and was influenced by Richard Harris's arrangement of "MacArthur Park" after listening to a rough mix of it at a party at Harris's house.[11] [12] After listening to it, Paul locked himself away and wrote "Eloise" in three days. The song was then recorded at IBC Studios at the end of a recording session with their mother Marion and they had only two takes to do it due to the length of the song. The session musicians included Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, both of whom went on to form Led Zeppelin, and Glenn Ross Campbell. Everyone then wanted to go to the mixing desk to listen to the result because it was so unusual and they said it was going to be a big hit.

According to Barry Ryan, the record influenced Freddie Mercury of Queen. He said in a 2017 interview: "I remember reading Freddie’s memoirs. He was influenced by it. He really, really liked it and also he used it as an argument to release 'Bohemian Rhapsody' because his record company didn’t want to release it but he said “That Barry Ryan had a big five and half minute hit. Why can’t we do it too?”"[13]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1968–1969)Peak
position
Australia (Go-Set)[14] 1
Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] 1
Denmark (Danmarks Radio)2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[16] 14
France (SNICOP)[17] [18] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[19] 1
Malaysia (Radio Malaysia)[20] 1
Mexico (Radio Mil)[21] 2
New Zealand (Listener)[22] 1
Rhodesia (Lyons Maid)[23] 1
Singapore (Radio Singapore)[24] 1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[25] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[26] 1
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)[27] 8
United Kingdom NME[28] 1
US Cash Box Top 100[29] 50
Yugoslavia (Novi Džuboks)2

Year-end charts

Chart (1968)Position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[30] 66
UK Singles[31] 31
Chart (1969)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[32] 12
Austria (Ö3 Austria)[33] 5
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[34] 27
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 1

The Damned version

Eloise
Cover:The Damned - Eloise.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the Damned
B-Side:Temptation
Recorded:14–15 October 1985, Music Works, London
23–24 November 1985, Eel Pie, London
Genre:
Label:MCA
Producer:Jon Kelly
Prev Title:Is It a Dream?
Prev Year:1985
Next Title:Anything
Next Year:1986

On the back of the commercial success of the 1985 Phantasmagoria album, the Damned released their cover of the track as a single in 1986. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.[36]

Background and release

Dave Vanian had been thinking about doing a cover of the song from at least 1980 and in 1985 wanted to do a non-album single. Rat Scabies did not want a third single released from Phantasmagoria, which MCA Records wanted to do. It was decided that "Eloise" could be recorded as long as "Is It a Dream?" was released as the third single.[37]

The single was released in the UK with two different 12" mixes. The first was nine and a half minutes long and is known as the 'Extravagant Mix'. The second was shorter, lasting less than seven minutes and was released with the parenthesised 'No Sleep Until Wednesday Mix'. It was also a limited release of 2,000 copies.

"Eloise" was not included on any studio albums, but has since been issued on several Damned compilations, and it appeared as a bonus track on the 1986 reissued LP versions of Phantasmagoria in Australia, Germany and Italy. MCA also issued the single in Germany, Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

At the same time, a version of "Eloise" by Far Corporation singer Robin McAuley was released. McAuley said that the Damned's version had "got absolutely no chance of making it in the charts". Of the two competing versions at the time, Barry Ryan said that "I like the Damned's version best, it's even better than mine".

Recording

The backing track was recorded at Music Works Studios in London on 14 and 15 October 1985. There were due to be a further two days of recording at the studios, but they were cancelled due to a death in one of the band's family. The band were very committed to touring, so were unable to continue recording for a while. Recording finally continued on 23 November at Eel Pie Studios, and was finished by the next day. It was then mixed at Swanyard Studios with the help of Stuart Bruce.[38]

Steve Kutner, who signed the Damned to MCA, has said that "it was a nightmare track to record", being "originally twice as long as what came out". Scabies was not convinced by the song and has said that "it never sounded finished to me" and Roman Jugg has said that Vanian had ended up calling MCA to ask them not to release it.

Track listing

7": MCA / GRIM 4 (UK)

  1. "Eloise" (Ryan) – 5:10
  2. "Temptation" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:05

12": MCA / GRIMT 4 (UK)

  1. "Eloise" – 9:31
  2. "Beat Girl" (Barry, Peacock) – 2:21
  3. "Temptation" – 4:12

12": MCA / GRIMX 4 (UK)

  1. "Eloise" (No Sleep Until Wednesday Mix) – 6:50
  2. "Beat Girl" – 2:21
  3. "Temptation" – 4:12

12": MCA / MCA-23625 (US & Canada)

  1. "Eloise" – 5:10
  2. "Beat Girl" – 2:16
  3. "Temptation" – 4:05

A shorter extended version of the song has also since been released, with a duration of 7:46.

Production credits

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1986)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[39] 8
Israel (IBA)[40] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[41] 78
UK Singles[42] 64

Certifications

Tino Casal version

Eloise
Type:single
Artist:Tino Casal
Album:Lágrimas de Cocodrilo
Language:Spanish
B-Side:Angel Exterminador
Released:1988
Recorded:1987
Studio:Abbey Road, London
Genre:
Label:EMI
Producer:Julián Ruiz
Prev Title:Teatro de a Oscuridad
Prev Year:1984
Next Title:Oro Negro
Next Year:1988

Spanish musician Tino Casal recorded a techno-pop[43] version in 1987 for his album Lágrimas de Cocodrilo and it was released as the first single from the album in 1988. "Eloise" was one of his biggest hits,[44] managing to be number one for several weeks in Spain and reaching number one on Los 40 Principales in June 1988 .[45] [46] After a long convalescence after having suffered necrosis in both legs due to a badly treated sprain resorting to self-medication,[47] Casal's friend, the announcer and producer Julián Ruiz, suggested that he record "Eloise" to return to the stage.[48]

Over time this song has become a classic of Spanish pop and one of Casal's most remembered songs.[49] [50] [51] The vocals for this song took a week to record in Studio 1 of Abbey Road[52] [53] with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,[54] conducted by Andrew Powell. The budget for the recordings was approximately €12,000. The lyrics were adapted by Casal,[55] as well as the costumes for the recording of the videoclip, an aquamarine blue sequin suit.[56] [57] After the success of the song, Tino Casal recorded an extended version of the song at the Eurosonic Studio.

A remix by Pumpin' Dolls was released as a promo single in 2000 by Chrysalis Records to promote the compilation album Casal Vive.

Track listings

7": EMI / 006 12 2255 7

  1. "Eloise" – 5:28
  2. "Angel Exterminador" – 4:45

12": EMI / 052 12 2274 6

  1. "Eloise" (Version Maxi) – 5:42
  2. "Eloise" – 6:08
  3. "Angel Exterminador" – 4:45

Promo CD: Chrysalis / PE00061 (2000)

  1. "Eloise" (Pumpin' Dolls Radio Edit) – 4:25
  2. "Eloise" (Pumpin' Dolls Hyperdrama Club Mix) – 9:08
  3. "Eloise" – 5:23

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
position
Spain (AFYVE)[58] 1
Spain (Los 40 Principales)1

Other versions

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tobler, John. 1992. NME Rock 'N' Roll Years. 1st. Reed International Books Ltd . London. 195. CN 5585.
  2. Book: Roberts, David. 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 476.
  3. NME Top 30. New Musical Express. 1141. 9. 23 November 1968. 30 July 2020.
  4. Melody Maker Pop 30. Melody Maker. 2. 16 November 1968. 30 July 2020.
  5. Book: Billboard . 73 . 1969-04-19 . 2016-10-01.
  6. 50 Jaar Nummmer 1 Hits, Johan van Slooten, 2006
  7. Web site: Go-Set National Australian Top 40, 29th January 1969. Ed . Nimmervoll . www.poparchives.com.au. 2018-05-31.
  8. Web site: Barry Ryan - Eloise. 2020-07-30. Discogs. 1968 . en.
  9. Web site: Majority One Biography & History. 2020-07-30. AllMusic. en-us.
  10. Web site: Barry Ryan – Eloise (Versione Italiana) (Vinyl) . Discogs.com . 1968 . 2016-03-13.
  11. Web site: 2017-05-29. Barry Ryan Interview. 2020-08-03. The Strange Brew.
  12. Book: Webb, Robert. 100 Greatest Cover Versions: The Ultimate Playlist. 2013-07-15. McNidder and Grace Limited. 978-0-85716-057-7. en.
  13. https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/interviews/barry-ryan-interview/ Jason Barnard, "Barry Ryan Interview", The Strange Brew, 2017
  14. Web site: Go-Set Australian charts - 29 January 1969. 2020-07-30. www.poparchives.com.au.
  15. Web site: Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1968. www.top100singles.net.
  16. Web site: Timo. 13 August 2015. Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit ROY - RÖY. 2020-07-30. Sisältää hitin.
  17. Web site: TOP 40 TMP France - 26 janvier 1969 #397. 2020-08-04. laurentpons.com.
  18. Web site: TOP - Janvier 1969. 2020-08-04. www.top-france.fr.
  19. Hits of the World. Billboard. 81. 13. 73. 19 April 1969. 4 March 2021.
  20. Hits of the World. Billboard. 81. 9. 79. 1 March 1969. 30 July 2020.
  21. Hits of the World. Billboard. 81. 27. 77. 5 July 1969. 2 August 2020.
  22. Web site: flavour of new zealand - search listener. 2020-07-30. www.flavourofnz.co.nz.
  23. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  24. Hits of the World. Billboard. 81. 6. 77. 8 February 1969. 30 July 2020.
  25. Web site: SA Charts 1965–March 1989. 30 July 2020.
  26. Web site: Listas de superventas: 1969. 12 February 2010. 30 July 2020.
  27. Web site: HITS ALLER TIJDEN. 2021-02-27. www.hitsallertijden.nl.
  28. Book: Osborne. Roger. Dafydd. Rees. Barry. Lazell. Forty Years of "NME" Charts. 1st. 1992. Boxtree Ltd. 1852837462. 201.
  29. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 1/25/69 . cashboxmagazine.com. 2020-07-30.
  30. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1968. Ultratop. 30 July 2020.
  31. Web site: Top 100 1968 - UK Music Charts. 2020-07-30. www.uk-charts.top-source.info.
  32. Web site: AMR Top Singles of 1969. www.top100singles.net.
  33. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 1969. 30 July 2020.
  34. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1969. Ultratop. 30 July 2020.
  35. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 1969 - swisscharts.com. 2020-07-30. swisscharts.com.
  36. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 138.
  37. Book: Tyler, Kieron. Smashing It Up: A Decade of Chaos with The Damned. 2017-06-12. Omnibus Press. 978-1-78323-890-3. en.
  38. Betteridge. Jim. April 1986. Track Record: The Damned (IM Apr 1986). International Musician & Recording World. Apr 1986. 112–113.
  39. Web site: Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1986. 2020-07-30.
  40. Web site: Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995. www.ukmix.org. 10 October 2016 . 30 July 2020.
  41. National Top 100 Singles for 1986. Kent Music Report. 650. December 1986. Imgur. January 24, 2023.
  42. Web site: Top 100 1986 - UK Music Charts. 2020-07-30. www.uk-charts.top-source.info.
  43. News: Fanjul. Sergio C.. 2016-08-01. Tino Casal resucita 25 años después a través del 'crowdfunding'. es. El País. 2021-04-30. 1134-6582.
  44. Web site: H. Madrid Creada 18-09-2016 22:03 H/Última actualización 18-09-2016 22:03. 2016-09-18. Tino Casal, un alienígena "glam". 2021-04-30. La Razón. es.
  45. Web site: LOS40. Cuando nací era número 1 de los 40: (19880604)Tino Casal–Eloise. 2021-04-30. LOS40. es.
  46. Web site: 2019-05-01. Amaia Romero y otros artistas que han hecho suyas canciones ajenas Música LOS40. 2021-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501182831/https://los40.com/los40/2018/10/10/musica/1539179411_798188.html. 1 May 2019.
  47. tino casal habla de su enfermedad, tve1 (1988) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLRM1ZU2JwI
  48. Web site: Muñoz. Elisa. 2016-09-22. El inglés, un esguince y el miedo a los 40: los fantasmas de Tino Casal. 2021-04-30. Cadena SER. es.
  49. Web site: 2017-01-01. El primer ganador de 'La Voz España' interpreta Eloise de Tino Casal. 2021-04-30. telecinco. es-ES.
  50. Web site: 2018-07-02. Germán Scasso, un huracán al estilo de Tino Casal con 'Eloise'. 2021-04-30. Antena3. es.
  51. Web site: 2018-07-13. Suárez se inspira en Tino Casal para su colección de joyas ' Eloise'. 2021-04-30. ELMUNDO. es.
  52. Web site: 2016-09-21. Glam, brillantina y lamé. 2021-04-30. ELMUNDO. es.
  53. Web site: julianruizgarrido. ♫ HISTORIA DE LAS CANCIONES DE TINO CASAL POR JULIAN RUIZ PyD. 20 September 2011 . 2021-04-30. es.
  54. Web site: 2019-05-01. 10 cosas que quizás no sabías de Tino Casal Fotogalería Música LOS40. 2021-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501180351/https://los40.com/los40/2016/09/22/fotorrelato/1474546705_239072.html. 1 May 2019.
  55. Book: Lechado. José Manuel. La movida: una crónica de los 80. García. José Manuel Lechado. 2005. EDAF. 978-84-96107-46-5. es.
  56. Web site: 2014-11-11. Tino Casal, un artista único con un armario lleno de locura y libertad - La vida al bies. Blog de moda de Rafael Muñoz. 2021-04-30. blog.rtve.es.
  57. Web site: 2019-05-01. Eloise [1988] Videoclip Actualidad LOS40]. 2021-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501182846/https://los40.com/los40/1988/01/01/videoclips/0000258531_258531.html. 1 May 2019.
  58. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. 84-8048-639-2. 1st. Spain. es.
  59. Web site: Claude François - Éloïse. 2020-08-04. ultratop.be.
  60. The Astounding, Incredible French Canadian Market. Billboard. 81. 21. C-20. 24 May 1969. 4 August 2020.
  61. Web site: Los Naufragos - Eloise / Vuelvo A Naufragar. 2020-08-04. Discogs. 1968 . en.
  62. Web site: Timo. 13 August 2015. Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit K - KAR. 4 August 2020. Sisältää hitin.
  63. Web site: Eloisa by los Leos and Johnny Dynamo on WhoSampled . .
  64. Web site: Karel Gott - Eloise / Píšťala A Hůl. 2020-08-04. Discogs. 1970 . en.
  65. Web site: a.s. SUPRAPHON. Poslouchejte! Karel Gott zpívá Lásku bláznivou a další hity – Karel Gott – Supraphonline.cz. cs. 2020-08-04.
  66. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts. 2020-08-04. www.offiziellecharts.de.
  67. Web site: Howard Kaylan - Dust Bunnies. 2020-08-04. Discogs. en.
  68. Web site: 2016-06-13. The Associates - The Affectionate Punch/Fourth Drawer Down/Sulk reissues. 2020-08-04. UNCUT. en-GB.
  69. Web site: Associates – The Very Best Of. 2020-08-04. theafterword.co.uk.

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