C. C. Catch

C. C. Catch

C. C. Catch in 2006
Background information
Birth name Caroline Catherine Müller
Born 31 July 1964
Origin Germany
Genres Pop, synthpop, Euro disco, Italo disco
Occupation(s) Singer
Years active 1983–present
Labels Hansa Records
Associated acts Dieter Bohlen, Andy Taylor, Captain Hollywood Project, Krayzee, Dave Clayton, Optimal
Website www.cccatch.de

C. C. Catch (born Caroline Catherine Müller, 31 July 1964 in Oss, Netherlands) is a Dutch-born German pop singer, best known for her collaboration with Dieter Bohlen in the 1980s.[1][2]

Early life

C.C. Catch was born in the Netherlands and moved to Germany in the 1970s with her family.[1] She was supported by her parents from an early age, when they recognized her talent and encouraged her wish to be a famous singer. Her father was especially supportive and has played a very important role in her successful career as her manager and tour-manager.[2]

From an early age, the up-and-coming singer took part in talent contests and was originally a member of a German girl group called Optimal, which consisted of four girls.[3][4]

Musical career

C.C. Catch, 2002

It was during one of the performances in Hamburg, Germany, that she was discovered by the German songwriter and member of Modern Talking, Dieter Bohlen.[1] Shortly afterwards, she signed a contract with Bohlen, which was to launch her solo career.[1] She and Bohlen decided on the artist name of C.C. Catch,[1] the two "C"'s standing for the first initials of her two first names, and "Catch" which she thought was a good idea and looked great with the initials.

In the summer of 1985, the song "I Can Lose My Heart Tonight" was released as her debut single. The single entered the Top-20 in some European countries including Germany and Switzerland.[5]

Dieter Bohlen and C.C. Catch worked together until 1989 during which time 12 singles and four albums were released.[1] Eight of those singles entered the Top-20, whereas, one of the albums entered the Top-10.[6] C.C. Catch wanted to have more personal input in the songs, but Bohlen would not allow this, so she decided in 1989 not to renew her contract with him and BMG, her record label.[1] To keep her stage name, however, she had to go through courts, eventually winning the right to the name, C.C. Catch.[1]

On a New Year's Eve television show in Spain, C.C. Catch met Simon Napier Bell (ex-manager of Wham!'s George Michael). Bell was very interested in working with her and shortly thereafter became her manager. A new contract was signed with the label Polygram (Metronome). A new album, Hear What I Say, was prepared with new producers, including Andy Taylor (ex-Duran Duran), Dave Clayton (who has worked with George Michael and U2), and Jo Dworniak.[1] From this album, a single was released in 1989 entitled "Big Time", which peaked at No.26 in Germany.[7]

During this time, BMG also released the single "Baby I Need Your Love" along with the compilation Classics. Bohlen went on to release her recording, Good Guys Only Win in Movies at the same time C.C. Catch released her next single "Midnight Hour".

Hear What I Say was released at the end of 1989 and was the last album released by C.C. Catch. Many of her fans liked the album because she co-wrote seven of the songs and C.C. Catch was happy because she could finally do what she always wanted to do – songwriting. It sold more than her previous two albums, Big Fun and Diamonds, demonstrating her abilities as an artist working on her own terms.

Hiatus

Afterwards, C.C. Catch parted with Metronome on good terms to take time out from the music industry. During this time she focused on her spiritual growth, practicing yoga and a form of meditation; she also started writing her own songs.[1]

Re-emergence

In 1998, she reentered the music scene. She agreed to do some promotional work for BMG for a new compilation Best Of '98. Two singles were also released, "C.C. Catch Megamix ‘98" and "I Can Lose My Heart Tonight '98".

In 2003, she went back to live in Germany and recorded her single "Shake Your Head 2003" with Savage Productions, who are also artists as well as producers, who have produced acts such as Oli P, Noble Savages and Enie (who is famous as the ex-moderator of Bravo TV and now the face of German T-Online advertisements). The single is a re-working of the Was (Not Was) track, originally featuring vocals from Ozzy Osbourne and Kim Basinger.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
GER
[8]
AUT
[9]
NOR
[10]
SPA
[11]
SWE
[12]
SWI
[13]
Catch the Catch 6 24 6 21 25 8
Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel
  • Released: December 8, 1986
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
28 22 44
Like a Hurricane
  • Released: 1987
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
30 25
Big Fun
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
53 22
Hear What I Say
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Metronome Musik
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
75 46
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
GER
[8]
SPA
[11]
Diamonds: Her Greatest Hits
  • Released: May 16, 1988
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
43 25
Super 20
  • Released: January 2, 1990
  • Label: Ariola Express
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
Backseat of Your Cadillac
  • Released: January 17, 1994
  • Label: Ariola Express
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
Super Disco Hits
  • Released: May 2, 1994
  • Label: Ariola Express
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
Best of '98
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
76
Heartbreak Hotel
  • Released: July 3, 2000
  • Label: Ariola Express
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
Best of C.C. Catch
  • Released: September 18, 2000
  • Label: Ariola Express
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
In the Mix
  • Released: May 12, 2003
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
Catch the Hits
  • Released: September 16, 2005
  • Label: Edel
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
The 80's Album
  • Released: October 28, 2005
  • Label: Edel
  • Formats: CD
Maxi Hit Sensation-Nonstop DJ
  • Released: May 12, 2006
  • Label: Edel
  • Formats: CD
Ultimate C. C. Catch
  • Released: November 23, 2007
  • Label: Edel
  • Formats: CD
25th Anniversary Box (5CD)
  • Released: November 11, 2011
  • Label: 4ever Music
  • Formats: CD
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
GER
[8]
AUT
[9]
BEL (FLA)
[15]
SPA
[11]
SWI
[16]
UK
[17]
"I Can Lose My Heart Tonight" 1985 13 24 7 19 Catch the Catch
"Cause You Are Young" 1986 9 28 6 8
"Strangers by Night" 9 15 33 10 11
"Heartbreak Hotel" 8 22 23 3 13 Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel
"Heaven and Hell" 13 2 19
"Are You Man Enough" 1987 20 5 28 Like a Hurricane
"Soul Survivor" 17 1 96
"Good Guys Only Win in Movies" 1988 6
"House of Mystic Lights" 22 7 Non-album single
"Backseat of Your Cadillac" 10 6 Big Fun
"Summer Kisses"
"Nothing but a Heartache" 1989 39 14
"Baby I Need Your Love"
"Big Time" 26 Hear What I Say
"Midnight Hour"
"C. C. Catch Megamix '98" 1998 33 Best of '98
"Soul Survivor '98" 8
"I Can Lose My Heart Tonight '99" 1999 72 12
"Shake Your Head" 2003 Non-album singles
"Silence"
(featuring Leela)
2004
"Unborn Love" 2010
"Another Night in Nashville"
(with Chris Norman)
2014
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Allmusic: C.C. Catch (Biography)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Stern.de: C.C. Catch". Stern. 2001-06-18. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  3. "Flotter vierer". Düsseldorfer EXPRESS. 1984. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. "Die Ultimative Optimal Homepage". optimal.oyla14.de. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  5. "Hitparade.ch: C.C. Catch (I Can Lose My Heart Tonight)". Schweizer Hitparade. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  6. "Charts.de: C.C. Catch (Discography)". Charts.de. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  7. "Charts.de: C.C. Catch (Big Time)". Charts.de. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Charts.de: C.C. Catch". GfK Entertainment (in German). Charts.de. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "C.C. Catch in der Österreichischen Hitparade" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  10. "C.C. Catch in Norwegian Charts". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  12. "C.C. Catch in Swedish Charts". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  13. "Hitparade.ch: C.C. Catch (Albums)" (in German). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1979-1990". Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano.
  15. "Ultratop: C.C. Catch (Singles)" (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  16. "Hitparade.ch: C.C. Catch (Singles)" (in German). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  17. "The Official Charts Company - C. C. Catch". The Official Charts Company. 10 July 2013.

External links

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