3 Sensational Golden Earring Hits That Led To Their Breakthrough Success
With the legendary band’s whopping 60 years in the industry, music lovers across generations have had the privilege of rocking out to countless Golden Earring hits through the decades. The Dutch rock band formed in 1961 and released a total of 25 riveting albums in their career before disbanding in 2021.
The colossal Golden Earring discography leaves you with many chart toppers to choose from. In fact, they have almost 30 singles that made it to the top ten of the Dutch charts. But who were the culprits for catapulting them to the rocking heights of music stardom? As lovers of old-school rock ‘n roll, Jukebox Saturday Night revisits the three Golden Earring hits that cemented their international fame.
‘Radar love’
While Golden Earring was already a beloved act in The Netherlands, it was ‘Radar love’ that caught the eye – or rather, the ears – of listeners beyond their homeland. Making the track the lead single among the many other classic rock songs on Moontan, their fifth album, quickly proved to be a smart decision.
The infectious melody, lyrical storytelling and pulsing bassline didn’t just earn the song critical acclaim; they earned it spots on charts all over the world. ‘Radar love’ was number one on the Dutch charts, peaked at #13 in the US and landed a top ten spot in various countries, like the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain.
Written by Golden Earring members George Kooymans and Barry Hay, the song is about a man driving to meet his beloved as he senses that she’s yearning strongly for him to be by her side. Everything from the conviction of the vocals to the imagery of the lyrics paints the picture so vividly that, as you’re listening to it, it is almost like you can feel the telepathic pull of their love for yourself.
From its mesmerising buildups that release into a cathartic chorus to the story of an epic love that manifests in a practically psychic connection, it’s no wonder that this song has now become a seventies jukebox staple.
‘Twilight zone’
Kooymans also penned their next monumental hit, ‘Twilight zone’. This track was inspired by the spy thriller book The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, which had just come out a couple of years before the song’s release.
Through Kooyman’s evocative lyrics, the added layer of intrigue with the spoken lines echoed throughout the track and the ethereal synths and guitar work, they captured the mystery and suspense one would expect out of a spy story effortlessly.
The concept was done so well that it once again reached the number-one spot on the Dutch charts and on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts in the US. Out of the many Golden Earring hits, this was also the only one to crack the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100.
Music videos’ rising popularity also gave this track a leg up. ‘Twilight zone’ marked an important milestone in Golden Earring music history as this was also their first music video. The video, featuring a dreamlike espionage story, was on rotation on a newly launched MTV, exposing the band’s talent for making undeniable rock anthems to a wider audience, including a new generation of fans.
‘When the lady smiles’
Another one of the Golden Earring hits that cemented their popularity was ‘When the lady smiles’, the lead single from their twelfth studio album, N.E.W.S. It peaked at number one in both the Dutch and Belgian charts and at number nine on the US Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts.
In this song, Golden Earrings explores themes of sensual desire. The hit takes on a more uninhibited view of attraction as the lyrics rhapsodise about a woman’s irresistible beauty. The euphoria of this strong, carefree allure is given a voice by Barry Hay’s powerful vocals and the song’s infectious hook.
Like most of the Golden Earring hits, ‘When the lady smiles’ was written by Hays and Kooymans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Golden Earring release their first hit song?
‘Radar love’, the first major international success out of the many Golden Earring greatest hits, was released in 1973. Many of their songs before then had placed in top spots in the Dutch charts, but this track, dropped over a decade after their debut, is the first time they caught the attention of many international audiences.
How did Golden Earring’s style evolve over the years?
When the band began making their own material, the Golden Earring signature sound was psychedelic rock. You can particularly hear this in Eight miles high, their 1969 album.
Soon after, they transitioned into a heavier, progressive rock style. This marked the sound of their 1973 album Moontan, with tracks like ‘Candy’s going bad’ and ‘Big tree, blue sea’.
In the late 1970s, they moved towards more mainstream hard rock. ‘Twilight zone’, the most popular of the Golden Earring hits, exemplified this change. The catchy, radio-friendly sound was a noticeable shift from their earlier work. This continued into the 1980s and 1990s, during which they also explored pop-metal influences.
What happened to the band Golden Earring?
Golden Earring is considered one of the longest-running rock bands in music history. After debuting in 1961, they continued to release new music until the last of the Golden Earring albums, Tits ‘n ass, dropped in 2012. However, even after that, they continued to perform and remained active as a band until they disbanded in 2021.
The reason for disbandment was Kooymans’ ALS diagnosis. Kooymans was a crucial part of the band’s principal lineup; after all, not only did he pen most of the Golden Earring hits but he also co-founded the band along with Rinus Gerritsen. So, it seems fitting that his retirement also meant the end of the band’s epic six-decade run.
Rock out retro-style
Take a trip down memory lane and rediscover the golden years of music with Jukebox Saturday Night, where we’ve got a vault full of rare video clips from the earlier decades of music.
If you’ve been reminiscing about golden years of music, from the rock band hits of the Back in black album to Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five) or Poison Ivy Rorschach (The Cramps) performances, our program will give you the perfect tune-filled evening.
Airing weekly on Foxtel’s Aurora Channel 173, our show runs from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Saturday nights, 9.00 p.m. on Sundays and 9.30 p.m. on Tuesdays, so you don’t have to miss out on your retro favourites. Feel free to make a request as well! Whether you want to see niche picks from forgotten 70s bands or the top music hits of acts like Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, we may add it to our rockin’ lineup.
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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, music history is often based on available documentation and interpretation.
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