Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Album: Baccara (1977)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was a hit all over Europe and spent a record 20 weeks at #1 in Sweden. It wasn't released in the US as their record company there didn't like it.
  • Baccara was the first female duo to have a #1 hit in UK (this was the 414st UK #1) and the first Spanish act to reach the UK #1. Baccara were Spanish flamenco dancers Mayte Matee and Maria Mendilo, who were dancing flamenco and singing traditional songs for tourists on the island of Fuerteventura when RCA executive Leon Deane signed them up.
  • The lyrics were written and the backing track recorded the night before Baccara flew to Germany to record this. They sang 2 songs, including this one, then immediately flew back to Spain to record a TV show.
  • In 1978 Baccara represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest and their song "Parlez-Vous Francaise?" earned 7th place. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above
  • "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" became a favorite of Scotland's national football squad after defender Andrew Considine danced to the tune during his stag do in 2015. Following Scotland's dramatic win on penalties against Serbia in November 2020 to reach their first major tournament since 1998, videos of the team (including Considine) chanting the song in celebration in the dancing room went viral on social media. This sparked renewed popularity for Baccara's '70s single among the Tartan Army, resulting in the song returning to the UK singles chart peaking at #57.

Comments: 4

  • Daryl LFirst time I heard this track, I thought for sure it was Thelma Houston's "Don't leave me this way"! Feels like more than just an "influence".
  • Paul Osman from Liverpool, EnglandThis song is a total rip off of Don't Leave Me This Way. The breathed intro is a direct copy of Harold Melvin and Thelma Houston. It probably wasn't released in the USA because anyone with half a musical ear could spot the rip off. Gamble and Huff should have sued Distal and Soha for composing credits and royalties.
  • Marie from TutburyCadbury used this song in 2015 for an advert as part of their #FreeTheJoy campaign and I think it was very fitting!
  • Dave from Wheaton, IlDefinitely sounds like it was influenced by Thelma Houston's 'Don't leave me this way'.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."