BACCARA NET!
70s star behind that viral hit to re-record song with Scots team
THE singer behind disco hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie has offered to re-record the song with Scotland’s national football team.
Jubilant players adopted the tune by 1970s pop duo Baccara as their unofficial anthem last week, after their historic win over Serbia on penalties.
Now after seeing a video, which went viral on social media, of squad members jumping around singing the song in their dressing room after the match in Belgrade, singer Maria Mendiola has said she would be ‘honoured’ to record a new version with the players ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament.
Last night, from her home in the Spanish capital Madrid, the 68-year-old said: ‘When I saw the video of the Scotland team jumping around and singing our song, it was fantastic, like winning the lottery.
‘They have brought such happiness into my life. If it wasn’t for my age, I would jump with joy, too.’
The track spent just one week at the top of the UK charts in September 1977 and although she and her fellow Baccara singer, Mayte Mateos, went their separate ways in 1981, the song is still in the top ten best-selling singles of all time, having sold or streamed more than 18 million copies worldwide.
Ms Mendiola – who performed with her Baccara co-star in Glasgow in June 1978 – said: ‘On tour, I still have to sing it a minimum of two or three times a night because our fans absolutely love it.
But to see it being introduced to a new generation is really special. I feel so happy, like I am dreaming.
‘With this horrible coronavirus affecting us all, I haven’t been going out much and have felt very down at times because Spain has had a terrible time and so many people have died.
‘I’m used to travelling but our shows around Europe have also been cancelled and there is nothing but bad news.’
She added: ‘When you hear a younger generation singing your song, it makes you feel so proud. If they want to do a re-recording, it would be an honour to come to Scotland again.
‘I have very good memories of Scotland and its beautiful, green landscape. I forget a lot of places, but not Glasgow.’
Ms Mendiola said the reaction from her fans and family had been ‘touching’, adding: ‘We have life-long fans who are going crazy that we’re back in the news.
‘They are all excitedly writing and sharing on Instagram and Twitter.
‘My grandchildren, two girls of 16 and 12 and a boy of eight, called me to say, “Congratulations, Grandma!”. They were laughing when I told them to tell everyone I was their mother, not grandmother.’
Scotland fans adopted the song as a tribute to defender Andrew Considine, who starred in a spoof video of the song on his stag night. Dressed in drag, the player appears alongside his father and friends in the footage, which was played on his wedding day in 2015.
Ms Mendiola said: ‘Hopefully I can give the Scottish team luck in the Euro tournament with the song. Spain always do well – now it’s Scotland’s turn.’