Samantha Sang
Encyclopedia
Samantha Sang is a stage name of Australian singer, Cheryl Lau Sang, (born 5 August 1951) from Melbourne, who had an earlier career as Cheryl Gray. She had a number eight hit in Australia with "You Made Me What I Am" in 1967. By 1969, she had relocated to United Kingdom and worked with Bee Gees
but then returned to Australia in 1975. Sang reconnected with Bee Gees in 1977 and had a number three hit with their song, "Emotion", on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1978, which also charted in Australia peaking at number two, and in the United Kingdom at number eleven. The related album, Emotion reached the top 30 on Billboard 200
and included two other Hot 100 singles.
' 1969 hit song, "The Real Thing
") under the name Cheryl Gray. It was issued by EMI Records
on their HMV
label and was quickly followed by her second single, "In a Woman's Eyes". Her third single, "You Made Me What I Am", was released in May 1967 and reached number eight on the Go-Set Top 40. Teen magazine, Go-Set ran a poll in August for pop performers and Gray was voted third in the 'Top Girl Singer' category behind Lynne Randell
and Bev Harrell. Sang released three more singles on HMV but none charted. She became a singer on Australian television, but she felt her career was limited if she remained in Australia.
In 1969, Sang travelled to the United Kingdom where Barry Gibb
(Bee Gees
) heard her singing and urged his manager, Robert Stigwood
, to sign her. Under Stigwood's management she changed her name to Samantha Sang. Barry co-wrote "Love of a Woman" with his brother Maurice
. Sang's version – with Barry supplying backing vocals, guitar and producing – was released in August. It was a minor hit in some European countries. Sang followed with "Nothing in the World Like Love" written by UK pop singer-songwriter Labi Siffre
. Visa restrictions forced her out of the UK and she returned to Australia.
By 1975 Sang had changed management and signed with Polydor which released three singles and her debut album, Samantha Sang and Rocked the World. She starred in the Australian production of The Magic Show. In 1977, she recorded "When Love Is Gone", the theme song, for French drama film, Bilitis
. She visited Barry Gibb in France whilst Bee Gees were recording songs for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. A new song, "Emotion", was written for her by Barry and Robin Gibb
. The single was co-produced by Barry with Bee Gees' production team of Alby Galuten and Karl Richardson. Released in 1978, with backing vocals by Barry, it showcased a softer style and became a major hit worldwide. It reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100
in March 1978, and earned a platinum record
. It peaked at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart
and at number two on the Australian Kent Music Report
Singles Chart.
Her following album Emotion, although not produced by Barry Gibb, included a version of "Charade", a little-known Bee Gees song from their 1974 album Mr. Natural. Emotion peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200
and achieved a gold record in March 1978. Determined to succeed on her own merits, Sang did not record another Gibb song to capitalise on her success, but chose a disco track, "You Keep Me Dancin" as her next single. It peaked at number 56 on the Hot 100, and was followed into the charts by her cover of Wilson Pickett
's "In the Midnight Hour
". She recorded a cover of Eric Carmen
's Top 20 single "Change of Heart," which failed to chart. Her third album, From Dance to Love was released by United Artists
in 1979.
Residing again in Melbourne, in 1999 Sang made a short return to live performing, with her father, Reg, as guest vocalist. In 2004, Sang's three albums were released for the first time on CD in a two piece set as the compilation, The Ultimate Collection.
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
but then returned to Australia in 1975. Sang reconnected with Bee Gees in 1977 and had a number three hit with their song, "Emotion", on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1978, which also charted in Australia peaking at number two, and in the United Kingdom at number eleven. The related album, Emotion reached the top 30 on Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and included two other Hot 100 singles.
Career
Samantha Sang was born as Cheryl Lau Sang on 5 August 1951 to Reg Sang and Joan (née Clarke) in Melbourne, Australia. Sang is the great great granddaughter of a Chinese herbalist and surgeon. Reg ran a singing school and performed professionally as Reg Gray. Sang began her career, at the age of eight, by singing on Australian radio. She entered and won talent contests. In December 1966, Sang released her debut single, "The Real Thing" (not to be confused with fellow Australian Russell MorrisRussell Morris
Russell Norman Morris is an Australian singer-songwriter who had five Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960s and early 1970s...
' 1969 hit song, "The Real Thing
The Real Thing (Russell Morris song)
"The Real Thing" is a song originally recorded by Australian singer Russell Morris in 1969. His version, which was produced by Ian "Molly" Meldrum and written by Johnny Young, was a huge hit in Australia and has become an Australian rock classic...
") under the name Cheryl Gray. It was issued by EMI Records
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
on their HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
label and was quickly followed by her second single, "In a Woman's Eyes". Her third single, "You Made Me What I Am", was released in May 1967 and reached number eight on the Go-Set Top 40. Teen magazine, Go-Set ran a poll in August for pop performers and Gray was voted third in the 'Top Girl Singer' category behind Lynne Randell
Lynne Randell
Lynne Randell was an Australian pop singer. For three years in the mid-1960s she was Australia's most popular female performer and had hits with "Heart" and "Goin' Out of My Head" in 1966, and "Ciao Baby" in 1967. In 1967, Randell toured the United States with The Monkees and performed on-stage...
and Bev Harrell. Sang released three more singles on HMV but none charted. She became a singer on Australian television, but she felt her career was limited if she remained in Australia.
In 1969, Sang travelled to the United Kingdom where Barry Gibb
Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
(Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
) heard her singing and urged his manager, Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood is an impresario and entertainment entrepreneur who relocated to England in 1954...
, to sign her. Under Stigwood's management she changed her name to Samantha Sang. Barry co-wrote "Love of a Woman" with his brother Maurice
Maurice Gibb
Maurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
. Sang's version – with Barry supplying backing vocals, guitar and producing – was released in August. It was a minor hit in some European countries. Sang followed with "Nothing in the World Like Love" written by UK pop singer-songwriter Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
. Visa restrictions forced her out of the UK and she returned to Australia.
By 1975 Sang had changed management and signed with Polydor which released three singles and her debut album, Samantha Sang and Rocked the World. She starred in the Australian production of The Magic Show. In 1977, she recorded "When Love Is Gone", the theme song, for French drama film, Bilitis
Bilitis (film)
Bilitis is a 1977 French romantic drama film directed by photographer David Hamilton with film score by composer Francis Lai. It stars Patti D'Arbanville and Mona Kristensen as the title characters Bilitis and Melissa respectively.-Synopsis:...
. She visited Barry Gibb in France whilst Bee Gees were recording songs for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. A new song, "Emotion", was written for her by Barry and Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
. The single was co-produced by Barry with Bee Gees' production team of Alby Galuten and Karl Richardson. Released in 1978, with backing vocals by Barry, it showcased a softer style and became a major hit worldwide. It reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in March 1978, and earned a platinum record
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. It peaked at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and at number two on the Australian Kent Music Report
Kent Music Report
The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998...
Singles Chart.
Her following album Emotion, although not produced by Barry Gibb, included a version of "Charade", a little-known Bee Gees song from their 1974 album Mr. Natural. Emotion peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and achieved a gold record in March 1978. Determined to succeed on her own merits, Sang did not record another Gibb song to capitalise on her success, but chose a disco track, "You Keep Me Dancin" as her next single. It peaked at number 56 on the Hot 100, and was followed into the charts by her cover of Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
's "In the Midnight Hour
In the Midnight Hour
"In the Midnight Hour" is a song originally performed by Wilson Pickett in 1965 and released on the 1966 album The Exciting Wilson Pickett. It was composed by Pickett and Steve Cropper at the historic Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Martin Luther King, Jr. would later be murdered in April 1968...
". She recorded a cover of Eric Carmen
Eric Carmen
Eric Howard Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.He scored numerous hit songs across the 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Raspberries , and then with his solo career, including hits such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "She Did It",...
's Top 20 single "Change of Heart," which failed to chart. Her third album, From Dance to Love was released by United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
in 1979.
Residing again in Melbourne, in 1999 Sang made a short return to live performing, with her father, Reg, as guest vocalist. In 2004, Sang's three albums were released for the first time on CD in a two piece set as the compilation, The Ultimate Collection.
External links
- Official website archived at Samantha Sang on 19 July 2008.
- Pop Archive feature "Emotion"