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Santa Maria (Tatjana song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Santa Maria
| cover = Santa_Maria_(Tatjana_song).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Tatjana
| album =
| released = 1995
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Eurodance
| length = 3:18
| label = *Mega
* Love This
* Popular
| writer = *Kirsti Johansen
*Kjetil Rsnes
*Michael Stock
*Matt Aitken
| producer = *Michael Stock
*Matt Aitken
| prev_title = Never Never
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = Tatjana's Double Deal
| next_year = 1995
| misc =
}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Santa Maria
| cover = Santa_Maria_(DJ_Milano_&_Samantha_Fox_song).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = DJ Milano feat. Samantha Fox
| album =
| released = 1997
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Eurodance
| length = 2:54
| label = *All Around the World
*Scandinavian
| writer = *Michael Stock
*Matt Aitken
| producer = *Lee Monteverde
*Peter King
| chronology = Samantha Fox
| prev_title = (Hurt Me! Hurt Me!) But the Pants Stay On
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Tomorrow (Is Another Day)
| next_year = 2009
| misc =
}}
"'Santa Maria'" is a song originally released in 1995 by Croatian-Dutch model Tatjana. It was written by Kirsti Johansen and Kjetil Rsnes (of Norwegian disco and dance duo Avalanche) with Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, two former members of the Stock Aitken Waterman production trio. The song was originally recorded by Croatian-Dutch artist Tatjana imi primarily for the European market, although Tatjana's version was issued in the US on Popular Records as a CD maxi single. It was covered by DJ Milano and British singer Samantha Fox in 1997.
Critical reception
John Bush from AllMusic described the song as a "house anthem". Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote, "The Euro-NRG dance music invasion of stateside pop radio airwaves continues with the onset of this riotous anthem, which has already connected with kids everywhere else in the world. If you look beyond the "ya don't stop" rap cliches in the verses, you will encounter a wonder-fully peppy, sing-along chorus that is impossible to shake from the brain." British magazine 'Music Week' rated it four out of five, adding, "Vibe up your holday memories with this Euro-anthem from the Croatian, courtesy of the golden hands of Stock & Aitken.""Reviews: Singles". 'Music Week'. 12 August 1995. p. 15. 2021-05-11. Alan Jones noted, "A Euro-style, instantly commercial, summery groove, it boasts a KLF-style rap and a bright pop/dance vocal, with the title phrase borrowing its musical notation from Zucchero's Senza Una Donna." On the 1996 re-release, the magazine gave it five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week and describing it as "Euro disco at its very best with the fun factor in full effect." James Hamilton from their 'RM' Dance Update deemed it "an infectious breezy Whigfield-ish jangling galloper".
Chart hyping allegation
The version of the song which was released on Mike Stock's Love This Records label in the United Kingdom was investigated by the BPI, as it was suspected that the company was involved in chart hyping in order to get the record into the UK Singles chart. The single was excluded from the charts, whilst a number of other releases from Love This Records had sales deducted from their overall weekly totals. Nevertheless, "Santa Maria" reached number 40 in the UK charts for one week when re-issued in 1996, with Stock going on to record a version of an 1970s hit "You Can Do Magic" in 1997, for an investigation on ITV programme 'The Cook Report' to see how easy it was the rig the charts.DJ Milano/Samantha Fox version
After Fox's five-year contract with Jive Records expired, the singer went to Ibiza, where she met DJ Milano, who decided to use her vocals on a cover of "Santa Maria" in 1997.Samantha Fox 'Greatest Hits' (2 CD) album booklet, page 5. "Santa Maria" became a notable hit around Europe, peaking at number 14 in Denmark and had a music video was directed by Ben Hume-Paton. In the United Kingdom, it charted higher in the Official Singles Chart than the version by Simi and when it got to number 31 in 1998, it became Fox's first chart entry under her own name since 1989 (as her 1995 'Song For Europe' entry "Go for the Heart" was credited under the group name Sox). It was released as a single-only song and was later included on Fox's 'Watching You, Watching Me' compilation. The song also appeared on her 2009 'Greatest Hits' compilation alongside her 1980s hits and "Go for the Heart".
Track listing
# "Santa Maria" (Radio Edit) 2:54
# "Santa Maria" (Open Arms Remix) 6:19
# "Santa Maria" (Gio Remix) 5:04
# "Santa Maria" (Original Version) 6:11
Charts
Tatjana version
Samantha Fox version
References
Category:1995 singles
Category:1997 singles
Category:Tatjana imi songs
Category:Samantha Fox songs
Category:1995 songs
Category:Eurodance songs
Category:Songs written by Mike Stock (musician)
Category:Songs written by Matt Aitken
Category:All Around the World Productions singles
Category:Mega Records singles
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