Belfast (Boney M. song)
Encyclopedia
"Belfast" is the second single of the disco band Boney M.'s 1977 album Love for Sale
. "Belfast" was the first Boney M. single to feature lead vocals by Marcia Barrett
and became their 4th consecutive German chart-topper. In the UK it peaked at #8. It remained a popular track in the group's live shows over the years and was re-recorded by Marcia Barrett as a solo track on her album Come Into My Life (2005).
and originally entitled "Londonderry". Deutscher had written the song for Marcia Barrett when she was a solo artist in the early 1970s. Due to shortage of own material when Boney M. performed their first live gigs, Marcia Barrett performed the song which had been a popular live track for her. “Belfast” turned out to be as equal popular with Boney M. on stage, as it had been for Barrett. The sound engineer of the group at the time took notice of the response that came forward at each live gig, when the song had been performed. He told Frank Farian about it and Farian decided to record the track for the next Boney M. album, “Love For Sale”.
Farian also recorded a German version of “Belfast” with Gilla
. Her version was included on the album “Zieh mich aus” which was released around 4 months earlier than Boney M.’s “Love For Sale”.
In the US and Canada, the song was never released and was replaced by "Daddy Cool" on the album due to the political context of the song.
Love for Sale (Boney M. album)
Love for Sale is the second album by Boney M. The album includes the hits "Ma Baker" , and "Belfast"...
. "Belfast" was the first Boney M. single to feature lead vocals by Marcia Barrett
Marcia Barrett
Marcia Barrett , is one of the original singers with the vocal group, Boney M.-The early years:...
and became their 4th consecutive German chart-topper. In the UK it peaked at #8. It remained a popular track in the group's live shows over the years and was re-recorded by Marcia Barrett as a solo track on her album Come Into My Life (2005).
The Song
Belfast was written by Drafi DeutscherDrafi Deutscher
Drafi Deutscher was a German singer and composer of Sinti origin.-Biography:He was born Drafi Franz Richard Deutscher in Berlin. His best known song was the 1965 Schlager "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht" which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc...
and originally entitled "Londonderry". Deutscher had written the song for Marcia Barrett when she was a solo artist in the early 1970s. Due to shortage of own material when Boney M. performed their first live gigs, Marcia Barrett performed the song which had been a popular live track for her. “Belfast” turned out to be as equal popular with Boney M. on stage, as it had been for Barrett. The sound engineer of the group at the time took notice of the response that came forward at each live gig, when the song had been performed. He told Frank Farian about it and Farian decided to record the track for the next Boney M. album, “Love For Sale”.
Farian also recorded a German version of “Belfast” with Gilla
Gilla
Gilla is an Austrian singer from the late 1970s disco era.-History:Gilla was discovered by German producer Frank Farian who got her signed to Hansa Records in 1974...
. Her version was included on the album “Zieh mich aus” which was released around 4 months earlier than Boney M.’s “Love For Sale”.
In the US and Canada, the song was never released and was replaced by "Daddy Cool" on the album due to the political context of the song.
The Single
The single was backed with "Plantation Boy" in all territories - in Germany, Benelux, France, the UK and Turkey, the singles featured the B-side fading 20 seconds earlier than the album version.Sources
- http://www.musiclange.dk