Sheila and B. Devotion explained

Sheila and B. Devotion
Origin:France
Years Active:1977–1980
Label:Carrere Records
Current Members:Sheila
Dany Mac Farlane
Freddy Stracham
Arthur Wilkins

Sheila and B. Devotion (also credited as "Sheila B. Devotion", "Sheila and the Black Devotion" or "S.B. Devotion") was a disco group fronted by French singer Sheila between 1977 and 1980. This formation briefly reached popularity in Europe and to a lesser extent in the US club circuit during the disco era. The group recorded two albums (Singin' in the Rain and King of the World) before dissolving in 1980, when Sheila returned to her solo career.

History

Formation

Before the group's formation, Sheila (born Annie Chancel in Créteil, France on August 16, 1945) scored numerous hits in her homeland during the 1960s and the 1970s. Among her chart toppers were "L'école est finie" (1963), "Vous les copains" (the French cover version of Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" in 1964), "'Petite Fille de Français Moyens" (1968) and "Les Rois Mages" (the cover of "Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum" originally performed by Middle of the Road in 1971). Her success helped her producer Claude Carrere to launch his label Carrere Records. The Yé-yé artist was initially presented as a girl next door. In 1977, she completely changed her public image when Sheila & B Devotion was formed. She attempted to convey a more mature style in her music. Three American back-up singers/dancers (Dany Mac Farlane, Freddy Stracham and Arthur Wilkins) known as B. Devotion were hired to accompany her. She updated her bubblegum repertoire by performing disco tracks sung in English.

Breakthrough and success

"Love Me Baby"

As Sheila had been a major success as a bubblegum yé-yé singer, the record company Polydor did not want to shock Sheila's public and the French media "Love Me Baby" was released anonymously in May 1977 in France. The first pressings of the record mentioned the obscure name of S.B Devotion. When the song became a radio and club hit in France, the identity of the group was rapidly revealed and the song was attributed to the quartet as Sheila B. Devotion. It was also promoted in the States as by Sheila and B. Devotion. "Love Me Baby" became a mainstream Top 10 hit in Europe with high chart success particularly in German Singles Chart reaching number 9 and the Italian Singles Chart where it reached number 3. It was also a hit in the Netherlands making it to number 24 on the Dutch Top 40.

Other hits

The follow-up single was a disco version of "Singin' in the Rain" and was more successful. In early 1978, it was licensed to Casablanca Records to be released in the United States where it became a club hit.

The group name was altered in some markets to "Sheila & B. Devotion", while in others the name Sheila B. Devotion was maintained. Essentially, the US market knew the act as "Sheila & B. Devotion", while Canada, Australia, the UK, Ireland and the European markets stuck with the name Sheila B. Devotion. In 1979, the name was officially changed to Sheila & B. Devotion across all markets internationally. In the meantime, the Love Me Baby album (featuring the two above-mentioned hits) came out. The group promoted their records on the major European TV shows (Musikladen, Disco and Top of the Pops).

Sheila & B. Devotion scored other songs on the charts including "I Don't Need A Doctor", "Hôtel De La Plage", "You Light My Fire" and "Seven Lonely Days."

Collaboration with Chic

In 1979, Sheila collaborated with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic on the King of the World album. The album featured "Spacer", which peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was later sampled by the Swedish band Alcazar in the song Crying at the Discoteque in 2000, a version that gained wide popularity and that was covered by the British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor in 2020.

Break-up

Shortly after the release of the "King Of The World" single, Sheila & B. Devotion disbanded. Due to the disco backlash, Sheila chose a pop-rock style and recorded in 1981 an album, Little Darlin, produced by Keith Olsen. It was her last international project.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[1]
BEL
(WA)

[2]
FRA
[3]
SWE
[4]
Singin' in the Rain
or Love Me Baby
481688
King of the World
  • Released: 1980
  • Label: Carrere
21199

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
FRA
[5]
Disque d'Or
  • Released: 1979
  • Label: Carrere
141
The Disco Singles 109

Charted singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
AUS
BEL
(FL)

[6]
BEL
(WA)

GER
[7]
NL
[8]
SWE
UK
[9]
US Dance
[10]
"Love Me Baby"19771016919Singin' in the Rain
or Love Me Baby
"Singin' in the Rain"23216421130
"You Light My Fire"19783644rowspan="3"
"Hôtel de la plage"20
"Seven Lonely Days"19795016
"Spacer"95149221844King of the World
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 299.
  2. Web site: Discographie Sheila. September 28, 2021. Ultratop Wallonie. French.
  3. Web site: Discographie Sheila. September 28, 2021. Les Charts. French.
  4. Web site: Discography Sheila. September 28, 2021. Swedish Charts.
  5. Web site: Discographie Sheila. September 28, 2021. Les Charts. French.
  6. Web site: Discografie Sheila. September 28, 2021. Ultratop Vlaanderen. Dutch.
  7. Web site: Discographie von Sheila B. Devotion. September 28, 2021. Offizielle Deutsche Charts. German.
  8. Web site: Discografie Sheila. September 28, 2021. Dutch Charts. Dutch.
  9. Web site: Sheila & B. Devotion full Official Chart History. September 28, 2021. Official Charts.
  10. Sheila & B. Devotion Chart History, Dance Club Songs. September 28, 2021. Billboard.