“Where do you go to my Lovely”
Perhaps the single most romantic ballad of the late 60's! RIP Peter Sarstedt
India-born Singer-Songwriter Peter Sarstedt Passes Away
India-born Singer-Songwriter Peter Sarstedt Passes Away
Delhi-born Peter
Sarstedt, who became a well-known singer in the west died on Sunday of
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, according to news reports. He was 75. Sarstedt, who recorded
many ballads, was primarily known for the super hit, “Where do you go to my Lovely” which reached number 1 in UK in February 1969. The song, about a
poor girl who reaches the heights of the European jet set was said to be based
on actor Sophia Loren, though he never confirmed it. The song made him into a
star but none of his other songs hit the same heights. He got a lease of life
when the song was used in Wes Anderson’s films Hotel Chevalier and Darjeeling
Express.
Born in British India,
Sarstedt attended Victoria Boys’ School in Kurseong, West Bengal where his
parents worked in a tea plantation. The family – Peter and two other brothers —
moved to Britain in 1954. His brothers, Eden Kane (real name Richard Graham)
and Clive Sands (Robin), both had careers in music. Other Sarstedt songs
were Beirut, Take off your clothes and Frozen Orange
Juice. He also wrote songs evoking his India years, such as Kurseong and Strategy
Chatterjee, which are listed in his albums but are difficult to trace. He
created a total of 14 albums, the last one, Restless Heart, was
released in 2013. Hear the song on a link here:
