Eloise (Paul Ryan song)


"Eloise" is a song first released in 1968 on the MGM label. It was sung by Barry Ryan, and written by his twin brother Paul Ryan. Running for over five minutes, it featured strong orchestration, melodramatic vocals and a brief slow interlude. It sold three million copies worldwide, and reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart as published by Record Retailer, but hit No. 1 in the NME and Melody Maker charts. It topped the chart in 17 countries, including Italy, the Netherlands and Australia.
The single was released as "Barry Ryan with the Majority". "The Majority" were a pop band, who for a period, were the backing band for Ryan and who, after renaming to "Majority One", had some success in Europe. Ryan also released an Italian-language version of the song, "Eloise ", in 1968.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australia 12
Austria 5
Belgium 27
Italy 7
Switzerland 1

The Damned version

On the back of the commercial success of the 1985 Phantasmagoria album, the Damned released their cover of the track as a single in 1986. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart, boosted by two different 12" releases. It was not included on any studio albums, but has since been issued on several Damned compilations, and "Eloise" appeared as a bonus track on the 1986 reissued LP versions of Phantasmagoria in Australia, Germany and Italy. MCA also issued the single in Germany, Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

Track listing

7" MCA / GRIM 4
  1. "Eloise" – 5:10
  2. "Temptation" – 4:05
12" MCA / GRIMT 4
  1. "Eloise" – 9:31
  2. "Beat Girl" – 2:21
  3. "Temptation" – 4:12
12" MCA / GRIMX 4
  1. "Eloise" – 6:50
  2. "Beat Girl" – 2:21
  3. "Temptation" – 4:12
12" MCA / MCA-23625
  1. "Eloise" – 5:10
  2. "Beat Girl" – 2:16
  3. "Temptation" – 4:05
A shorter extended version of the song has also since been released, with a duration of 7:46.

Production credits

Weekly charts

Year-end charts