Eloise (Paul Ryan song)

"Eloise" is a song first released in 1968 on the MGM label. It was sung by Barry Ryan, and written by his twin brother Paul Ryan. Running for over five minutes, it featured strong orchestration, melodramatic vocals and a brief slow interlude. It sold three million copies worldwide,[1] and reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart as published by Record Retailer,[2] but hit No. 1 in the NME and Melody Maker charts.[3][4] It topped the chart in 17 countries,[1][5] including Italy[6], the Netherlands[7] and Australia.[8]

"Eloise"
Single by Barry Ryan
from the album Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan
B-side	"Love I Almost Found You"
Released	4 October 1968 (1968-10-04)
Studio	IBC, London
Genre	Proto-progressive
Length	5:50
Label	MGM
Songwriter(s)	Paul Ryan
Producer(s)	Bill Landis
Barry Ryan singles chronology
"Goodbye" (1968) "Eloise" (1968) "Love Is Love" (1968)

The single was released as "Barry Ryan with the Majority".[9] The Majority were a pop band, who for a period, were the backing band for Ryan and who, after renaming to Majority One, had some success in Europe.[10] Ryan also released an Italian-language version of the song, "Eloise (Versione Italiana)", in 1968.[11]

Background and recording

After not being able to cope with the success of some of his hits as a duo with Barry, Paul decided to take a step away from the limelight and to concentrate on songwriting. "Eloise" was the second song he wrote and was influenced by Richard Harris' arrangement of "MacArthur Park" after listening to a rough mix of it at a party at Harris' house.[12][13] After listening to it, Paul locked himself away and wrote "Eloise" in three days. The song was then recorded at IBC Studios at the end of a recording session with their mother Marion and they only had two takes to do it due to the length of the song. The session musicians included Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, both of whom went on to form Led Zeppelin, and Glenn Campbell. Everyone then wanted to go to the mixing desk to listen to the end result due to it being so unusual and they said it was going to be a bit hit.[12]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1968-1969) Peak position Australia (Go-Set)[14] 1 Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[5] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[17] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 36 Denmark (Danmarks Radio)[19] 2 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[20] 14 France (SNICOP)[21][22] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[23] 2 Italy (FIMI)[24] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 1 Malaysia (Radio Malaysia)[19] 1 Mexico (Radio Mil)[27] 2 New Zealand (Listener)[28] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[29] 2 Singapore (Radio Singapore)[30] 1 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[31] 2 Spain (AFYVE)[32] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[34] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[35] 86 US Cash Box Top 100[36] 50 West Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 1 Yugoslavia (Novi Džuboks)[27] 2 Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[38] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1968) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[39] 66 UK Singles[40] 31 Chart (1969) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[41] 12 Austria (Ö3 Austria)[42] 5 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[43] 27 Italy (FIMI)[44] 7 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 1

The Damned version

"Eloise"
Single by The Damned
B-side	"Temptation"
Released	27 January 1986 (1986-01-27)
Recorded	14–15 October 1985, Music Works, London 23–24 November 1985, Eel Pie, London[46]
Genre	Gothic rock new wave post-punk
Length	5:10
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Paul Ryan
Producer(s)	Jon Kelly
The Damned singles chronology
"Is It a Dream?" (1985) "Eloise" (1986) "Anything" (1986)

On the back of the commercial success of the 1985 Phantasmagoria album, the Damned released their cover of the track as a single in 1986. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart,[47] boosted by two different 12" releases. It was not included on any studio albums, but has since been issued on several Damned compilations, and "Eloise" appeared as a bonus track on the 1986 reissued LP versions of Phantasmagoria in Australia, Germany and Italy. MCA also issued the single in Germany, Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

Dave Vanian had been thinking about doing a cover of the song from at least 1980 and in 1985 wanted to do a non-album single. Rat Scabies did not want a third single released from Phantasmagoria, which MCA wanted to do. It was decided that "Eloise" could be recorded as long as "Is It a Dream?" was released as the third single. Steve Kutner, who signed the Damned to MCA, has said that "it was a nightmare track to record", being "originally twice as long as what came out". Scabies wasn't convinced by the song and has said that "it never sounded finished to me" and Roman Jugg has said that Vanian had actually ended up calling MCA to ask them not to release it.[48]

At the same time, a version of "Eloise" by Far Corporation singer Robin McAuley was released. McAuley said that the Damned's version had "got absolutely no chance of making it in the charts". Of the two competing versions at the time, Barry Ryan said that "I like the Damned's version best, it's even better than mine".[48]

The backing track was recorded at Music Works Studios in London on 14 and 15 October 1985. There were due to be a further two days of recording at the studios, but they were cancelled due to a death in one of the band's family. The band were very committed to touring, so were unable to continue recording for a while. Recording finally continued on 23 November at Eel Pie Studios, and was finished by the next day. It was then mixed at Swanyard Studios with the help of Stuart Bruce.[46]

Track listing

7" MCA / GRIM 4 (UK)

1. "Eloise" (Ryan) – 5:10
2. "Temptation" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:05

12" MCA / GRIMT 4 (UK)

1. "Eloise" – 9:31
2. "Beat Girl" (Barry, Peacock) – 2:21
3. "Temptation" – 4:12

• This mix of "Eloise" is known as the 'Extravagant Mix'

12" MCA / GRIMX 4 (UK)

1. "Eloise" (No Sleep Until Wednesday Mix) – 6:50
2. "Beat Girl" – 2:21
3. "Temptation" – 4:12

12" MCA / MCA-23625 (US & Canada)

1. "Eloise" – 5:10
2. "Beat Girl" – 2:16
3. "Temptation" – 4:05

A shorter extended version of the song has also since been released, with a duration of 7:46.

Production credits

• Producer:
  • Jon Kelly ("Eloise" only)
  • The Damned ("Temptation" and "Beat Girl")
• Musicians:
  • Dave Vanian − vocals
  • Rat Scabies − drums
  • Roman Jugg − guitar, keyboards
  • Bryn Merrick − bass

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1986) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[49] 8 Ireland (IRMA)[23] 4 Israel (IBA)[50] 3 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[51] 18 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[52] 3 West Germany (Official German Charts)[53] 58

Year-end charts Chart (1986) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[54] 78 UK Singles[55] 64

Other versions

• In 1968, French pop star Claude François released a French-language version, which was a top 10 hit in France and Belgium, and charted at the same time as Ryan's version.[12][56] This version was then covered the following year by Donald Lautrec and released in Quebec, where it was a number one hit.[57]
• Also in 1968, Argentine band Los Náufragos released a Spanish-language version as a non-album single.[58]
• In 1969, Tapani Kansa released a Finnish-language version on his eponymous debut album, which went to number 3 in the Finnish charts.[59]
• Also in 1969, German singer James Last included an abridged version on his album Non Stop Dancing.
• In 1970, Karel Gott released a Czech-language version as a single from his 1969 album Poslouchejte! Karel Gott zpívá Lásku bláznivou a další hity.[60][61]
• In 1981, German band, the Teens covered the song as a non-album single, which reached number 55 in the German charts.[62]
• In 1985, Italian singer Mina covered the song for her album Finalmente ho conosciuto il conte Dracula....
• In 1987, Tino Casal released a Spanish-language version for his album Lágrimas de Cocodrilo. The song was number one in Spain for several weeks in 1988.[63] It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Philharmonia Orchestra.[64][65]
• In 2001, Italian singer Spagna covered the song for her album La Nostra Canzone.
• In 2003, Finnish rock band Leningrad Cowboys covered the song on their album Global Balalaika Show.
• In 2006, the Turtles lead singer Howard Kaylan covered the song for his 2006 solo album Dust Bunnies.[66]
• In 2011, Australian band Art vs. Science sampled the chorus for their single "With Thoughts" from their debut album The Experiment.
• In 2016, a previously unreleased cover of the song was included on the Associates' album The Very Best Of, and is a punky version from an early demo of their debut album The Affectionate Punch.[67][68]

References

1. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 195. CN 5585.
2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 476. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
3. "NME Top 30" (PDF). New Musical Express. No. 1141. 23 November 1968. p. 9. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
4. "Melody Maker Pop 30" (PDF). Melody Maker. 16 November 1968. p. 2. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
5. "Austriancharts.at – Barry Ryan – Eloise" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
6. Billboard. Books.google.it. 19 April 1969. p. 73. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
7. 50 Jaar Nummmer 1 Hits, Johan van Slooten, 2006
8. Ed Nimmervoll. "Go-Set National Australian Top 40, 29th January 1969". www.poparchives.com.au. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
9. "Barry Ryan - Eloise". Discogs. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
10. "Majority One | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
11. "Barry Ryan – Eloise (Versione Italiana) (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
12. "Barry Ryan Interview". The Strange Brew. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
13. Webb, Robert (15 July 2013). 100 Greatest Cover Versions: The Ultimate Playlist. McNidder and Grace Limited. ISBN 978-0-85716-057-7.
14. "Go-Set Australian charts - 29 January 1969". www.poparchives.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
15. "Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1968". www.top100singles.net.
16. "Ultratop.be – Barry Ryan – Eloise" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
17. "Ultratop.be – Barry Ryan – Eloise" (in French). Ultratop 50.
18. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5874." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
19. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Bilboard. Vol. 81 no. 9. 1 March 1969. p. 79. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
20. Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit ROY - RÖY". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
21. "TOP 40 TMP France - 26 janvier 1969 #397". laurentpons.com. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
22. "TOP - Janvier 1969". www.top-france.fr. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
23. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Eloise". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
24. "Indice per Interprete: R" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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26. "Dutchcharts.nl – Barry Ryan – Eloise" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
27. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Bilboard. Vol. 81 no. 27. 5 July 1969. p. 77. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
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34. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
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36. "Cash Box Top 100 1/25/69". cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
37. "Offiziellecharts.de – Barry Ryan – Eloise". GfK Entertainment Charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Barry Ryan"
38. "Number one hits in Zimbabwe". UKMIX Forums. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
39. "Jaaroverzichten 1968". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
40. "Top 100 1968 - UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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42. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1969". Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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44. "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1969". Retrieved 30 July 2020.
45. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1969 - swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
46. Betteridge, Jim (April 1986). "Track Record: The Damned (IM Apr 1986)". International Musician & Recording World (Apr 1986): 112–113.
47. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 138. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
48. Tyler, Kieron (12 June 2017). Smashing It Up: A Decade of Chaos with The Damned. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-78323-890-3.
49. "Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1986". Retrieved 30 July 2020.
50. "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
51. "Charts.nz – The Damned – Eloise". Top 40 Singles.
52. "The Damned: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
53. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Damned – Eloise". GfK Entertainment Charts.
54. "AMR Top Singles of 1986". www.top100singles.net.
55. "Top 100 1986 - UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
56. "Claude François - Éloïse". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
57. "The Astounding, Incredible French Canadian Market" (PDF). Bilboard. Vol. 81 no. 21. 24 May 1969. p. C-20. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
58. "Los Naufragos - Eloise / Vuelvo A Naufragar". Discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
59. Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit K - KAR". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
60. "Karel Gott - Eloise / Píšťala A Hůl". Discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
61. a.s, SUPRAPHON, Poslouchejte! Karel Gott zpívá Lásku bláznivou a další hity – Karel Gott – Supraphonline.cz (in Czech), retrieved 4 August 2020
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63. Davidalic (12 February 2010). "Listas de superventas: 1988". Listas de superventas. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
64. julianruizgarrido. "♫ HISTORIA DE LAS CANCIONES DE TINO CASAL POR JULIAN RUIZ | PyD". Plásticos y Decibelios (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 August 2020.
65. "Casal - Eloise". Discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
66. "Howard Kaylan - Dust Bunnies". Discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
67. "The Associates - The Affectionate Punch/Fourth Drawer Down/Sulk reissues". UNCUT. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
68. "Associates – The Very Best Of". theafterword.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2020.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics