Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Album: Baccara (1977)
Charted: 1
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Songfacts®:

  • This was a hit all over Europe and spent a record 20 weeks at #1 in Sweden. It wasn't released in the US as their record company there didn't like it.
  • Baccara was the first female duo to have a #1 hit in UK (this was the 414st UK #1) and the first Spanish act to reach the UK #1. Baccara were Spanish flamenco dancers Mayte Matee and Maria Mendilo, who were dancing flamenco and singing traditional songs for tourists on the island of Fuerteventura when RCA executive Leon Deane signed them up.
  • The lyrics were written and the backing track recorded the night before Baccara flew to Germany to record this. They sang 2 songs, including this one, then immediately flew back to Spain to record a TV show.
  • In 1978 Baccara represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest and their song "Parlez-Vous Francaise?" earned 7th place. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above
  • "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" became a favorite of Scotland's national football squad after defender Andrew Considine danced to the tune during his stag do in 2015. Following Scotland's dramatic win on penalties against Serbia in November 2020 to reach their first major tournament since 1998, videos of the team (including Considine) chanting the song in celebration in the dancing room went viral on social media. This sparked renewed popularity for Baccara's '70s single among the Tartan Army, resulting in the song returning to the UK singles chart peaking at #57.

Comments: 4

  • Daryl LFirst time I heard this track, I thought for sure it was Thelma Houston's "Don't leave me this way"! Feels like more than just an "influence".
  • Paul Osman from Liverpool, EnglandThis song is a total rip off of Don't Leave Me This Way. The breathed intro is a direct copy of Harold Melvin and Thelma Houston. It probably wasn't released in the USA because anyone with half a musical ear could spot the rip off. Gamble and Huff should have sued Distal and Soha for composing credits and royalties.
  • Marie from TutburyCadbury used this song in 2015 for an advert as part of their #FreeTheJoy campaign and I think it was very fitting!
  • Dave from Wheaton, IlDefinitely sounds like it was influenced by Thelma Houston's 'Don't leave me this way'.
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