Everybody Wants to Dance Like Josephine Baker
Encyclopedia
"Everybody Wants to Dance Like Josephine Baker" is a 1989 single by German band Boney M. Produced by Barry Blue
and recorded by original Boney M. members Marcia Barrett
, Bobby Farrell
, Maizie Williams
and singer Madeleine Davis replacing Liz Mitchell
, the single was withdrawn when original producer Frank Farian
claimed copyright
to the name Boney M. and a court case followed. In France, the single was released credited to Bobby Marcia Maizie Matalyne. To benefit from the fuss that was stirred by the record, Farian rushed out the single Stories
with a competitive line-up featuring original lead singer Liz Mitchell, Reggie Tsiboe
(who replaced Farrell in the group from 1982-86) and two new girls.
, the song featured lead- and backing vocals by Marcia Barrett and a spoken part by Bobby Farrell. According to a now withdrawn biography by Marcia Barrett, the producers wanted to record Maizie Williams (who had never sung on Boney M.'s records) but try-outs proved unsuccessful. New member Madeleine Davis had another obligation when this song was recorded and couldn't be present in the studio when this was recorded - she did, however, add the chorus answer-back lines "Lose your self-control, feel it in your soul" etc.
Bobby Farrell re-recorded the song for a 1991 single credited to Boney M. feat. Bobby Farrell since he won the rights to use the name Boney M. in Holland where he lives. The title was changed simply to "Josephine Baker", and it was backed with the song "Shame And Scandal". The single was a charity single in support of The Josephine Baker Children's Foundation.
and the Battle of the Little Bighorn
. Madeleine Davis did the lead vocals although the key proved too low for her. Bobby Farrell did a spoken part, and Marcia Barrett backing vocals.
7"
12"
CD
The Netherlands
7"
Barry Blue
Barry Blue is a singer / producer / songwriter from the United Kingdom. He is best known for his hit songs, "Dancin' " , which he co-wrote with Lynsey de Paul, and "Do You Wanna Dance" .At 14 he signed to record producer Norrie Paramor whose erstwhile assistant was one Tim Rice - the producer of...
and recorded by original Boney M. members Marcia Barrett
Marcia Barrett
Marcia Barrett , is one of the original singers with the vocal group, Boney M.-The early years:...
, Bobby Farrell
Bobby Farrell
Roberto "Bobby" Alfonso Farrell was an Aruban dancer and performer, best known as the male member of the successful 1970s pop and disco group Boney M.-Early years:...
, Maizie Williams
Maizie Williams
Maizie Ursula Williams is one of the original members of successful 70s disco music group, Boney M.-Early years:...
and singer Madeleine Davis replacing Liz Mitchell
Liz Mitchell
Liz Mitchell is a singer, best known as the former lead singer of the 1970s disco/pop band, Boney M.-Early life:...
, the single was withdrawn when original producer Frank Farian
Frank Farian
Frank Farian , is a German record producer and songwriter. He started out as a trained cook before moving into the music industry...
claimed copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
to the name Boney M. and a court case followed. In France, the single was released credited to Bobby Marcia Maizie Matalyne. To benefit from the fuss that was stirred by the record, Farian rushed out the single Stories
Stories (Boney M. song)
"Stories" is a 1990 single by German band Boney M. It peaked at #26 in Switzerland and #94 in the UK. The single was based on an instrumental 1989 underground favourite by Izit, which itself was a re-work of a 1972 recording by Belgian group Chakachas...
with a competitive line-up featuring original lead singer Liz Mitchell, Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe was born on 7 September 1950 in Kumasi was one of the lead singers of the disco group Boney M. between 1982-1986 and later between 1989-1990....
(who replaced Farrell in the group from 1982-86) and two new girls.
Everybody Wants to Dance Like Josephine Baker
A tribute to famed singer and dancer Josephine BakerJosephine Baker
Josephine Baker was an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. She was given such nicknames as the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess"....
, the song featured lead- and backing vocals by Marcia Barrett and a spoken part by Bobby Farrell. According to a now withdrawn biography by Marcia Barrett, the producers wanted to record Maizie Williams (who had never sung on Boney M.'s records) but try-outs proved unsuccessful. New member Madeleine Davis had another obligation when this song was recorded and couldn't be present in the studio when this was recorded - she did, however, add the chorus answer-back lines "Lose your self-control, feel it in your soul" etc.
Bobby Farrell re-recorded the song for a 1991 single credited to Boney M. feat. Bobby Farrell since he won the rights to use the name Boney M. in Holland where he lives. The title was changed simply to "Josephine Baker", and it was backed with the song "Shame And Scandal". The single was a charity single in support of The Josephine Baker Children's Foundation.
Custer Jammin'
The B-side track was a story about George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
and the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
. Madeleine Davis did the lead vocals although the key proved too low for her. Bobby Farrell did a spoken part, and Marcia Barrett backing vocals.
Releases
UK7"
- "Everybody Wants To Dance Like Josephine Baker" 3:37 / " Custer Jammin" - 4:15 (PWLPWLPete Waterman Entertainment is the production company one-time pop and dance record label owned by pop mogul Pete Waterman. The label, originally PWL, is most famous for being the home of hit record producers Stock Aitken Waterman....
PWS 004, 1989, withdrawn)
12"
- "Everybody Wants To Dance Like Josephine Baker" (12" Mix) - 6:45 / "Custer Jammin" - 4:15 / "Everybody Wants To Dance Like Josephine Baker" (PWL PWCS 004, 1989, withdrawn)
CD
- "Everybody Wants To Dance Like Josephine Baker" (12" Mix) - 6:45 / "Custer Jammin" - 4:15 / "Everybody Wants To Dance Like Josephine Baker" (PWL PWCS 004, 1989, withdrawn)
The Netherlands
7"
- "Josephine Baker" (according to the label, cover says: "A Tribute To Josephine Baker" - 4:25 / Shame And Scandal - 3:51 (Music Productions BS 800 Stemra)