This article from 2020, preparing for the Rotterdam contest that never happened, is updated with the latest info on Ronnie Tober's new digital collection featuring two previously unreleased versions of his Eurovision song out now on a digital collection. (see versions list, scroll down a bit).
We LOVE previously unreleased versions finding their way to the world although a physical release would be appropriate.
Special thanks go to Nor Bert.
First the original bit about the coverversions (it's Eurocovers after all) then all about Ronnie Tober's own versions and releases.
Above is a lovely coverversion of the Dutch 1968 entry
Morgen (Tomorrow), originally by Ronnie Tober.
The coverversion is by The New Faces, a Scottish trio who released a whole range of singles but never made it to the charts.
The band would have been perfect Eurovision material, if you listen to their songs (there's some on Youtube) they're a good mix of 60's beat and cheesy stuff in
Puppet On A String style.
Above was uploaded by
Mr Charlie Chalk, recommended Youtuber preserving many almost forgotten songs.
Dehongliad Cymraeg Y Fori
Welsh Eurovision singer Mary Hopkin recorded the song as
Y Fori (Tomorrow).
It first appeared on a 1968 EP
Mary Ac Edward, Mary being Mary Hopkin and Edward Edward Morris Jones.
On the EP only the Welsh lyricist was credited (Geiriau Ann Clee)
When it was released on a compilation LP in 1979,
The Welsh World Of Mary Hopkin, the composers credited were Friml / Hooker instead of the original Joop Stokkermans, Theo Stengers (and Clee)
And on a later compilation which was probably not very official,
Y Fori was categorized as Trad. (Traditional) oh well.
The recording is a bit odd too, it appears to be fading much too early, at 2 minutes, while Mary is still happily singing along. Edward is not on
Y Fori.
Other covers on the EP are Welsh versions of
Something Stupid and
Guantanamera.
 |
| The Mary ac Edward EP |
Mary Hopkins' biggest hits were
Those Were The Days in 1968 and
Goodbye in 1969. She also recorded Spanish, German, Italian and French versions of
Those Were The Days. (For you language fans)
In 1969 she performed at the Sanremo contest in Italy. All songs were performed twice of which one rendition was by an international singer. Sergio Endrigo's
Lontano Dagli Occhi was performed by our Mary. The song finished 2nd.
Mary Hopkin entered Eurovision for the U.K. in 1970, she ended 2nd with
Knock, Knock Who's There? and scored another international millionseller.
 |
| Ronnie's first English version single |
Ronnie Tober
Ronnie Tober himself recorded several versions of
Morgen and indeed
Someday (see below)
A re-recording of the English version (recorded in London) was probably aimed at the U.K. market with a more "British" beat sound than the original.
Morgen ended 16th at the contest (out of 17) with only 1 point (thank you Italy).
He scored 9 top 40 hits in the Netherlands but
Morgen wasn't one of them.
His 1965 preselection effort
Geweldig (Grrreat) did better (it got to #23) and is probably better remembered than
Morgen.
See below for all Ronnie's releases and coverversions of
Morgen and the Eurovision tunes Ronnie covered himself.
At the end of this page you'll find the Spotify playlist with songs from this post available.
U.K. 7" Wiederseh'n / Someday (2nd) (Decca F22769), promo exists
