‘Imagining Tartan Army singing Yes Sir, I Can Boogie gives me goosebumps', says Baccara star

Baccara singer Maria Mendiola says the thought of the Tartan Army belting out a rendition of her 1977 hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie at Hampden next year gives her goose bumps.
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The phone has been ringing non-stop for Madrid native Mendiola since a clip of Scotland players singing the disco classic together went viral in the aftermath of last Thursday’s historic Euros win that saw the men’s team qualify for their first major tournament in 22 years.

Scotland supporters shared the video clip in their droves and the song is undergoing an unlikely renaissance, climbing to number three on Capital Radio's Official Big Top 40.

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Now aged 68 and a grandmother, Maria can’t quite believe the song has risen to prominence again more than four decades after its initial release.

Maria said: “I’m so happy. It was very unexpected. Everybody started to call: journalists, friends, fans, family. Oh my god.

"The phone has been non-stop, but I am delighted, it was such fantastic news."

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Singing duo Baccara, which featured Maria and then singing partner Mayte Matteos, experienced an unprecedented level of success with Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.

Maria Mendiola (bottom right) says she would love to sing her 1977 hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie at Hampden next year.Maria Mendiola (bottom right) says she would love to sing her 1977 hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie at Hampden next year.
Maria Mendiola (bottom right) says she would love to sing her 1977 hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie at Hampden next year.
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The song reached number one in the UK and across much of Europe and eventually went on to sell a whopping 18 million copies – making it the biggest selling single by a female duo of all time.

Now a disco staple, the song received some attention from football fans in 2015 when Aberdeen defender Andy Considine made a rib-tickling video of himself dancing in drag with his friends at his stag party. Intended for private consumption, the clip was leaked online.

The ‘70s tune’s new status as a Tartan Army anthem was secured when Considine, an unused substitute in Thursday’s match, and fellow players were filmed chanting the song in the dressing room to toast the landmark penalty shoot-out victory over Serbia.

An elated Maria says the sudden return to chart success has been a “dream come true”.

Baccara broke sales records following the release of Yes Sir, I Can Boogie in the 1970s.Baccara broke sales records following the release of Yes Sir, I Can Boogie in the 1970s.
Baccara broke sales records following the release of Yes Sir, I Can Boogie in the 1970s.
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She said: “If I was waking up in the morning and somebody told me this had happened, I wouldn’t have said this is impossible.

"But these guys, the Scottish team they made it a reality. After 43 years, to get to number three is like a dream come true.

“I found Andy Considine’s video very funny. They are young guys, nice looking guys, and they done a great job.

"One of the first things I did was send a thank you on Instagram to Andy. I had to do it.”

Andy Considine and friends made a spoof video featuring the song in 2015.Andy Considine and friends made a spoof video featuring the song in 2015.
Andy Considine and friends made a spoof video featuring the song in 2015.
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Maria still performs as part of Baccara and had a busy schedule along with her new singing partner, Cristina Sevilla, before coronavirus hit.

She says she would jump at the chance to sing at Hampden Park and return to Glasgow for the first time since 1978, but is yet to receive a formal invitation.

Baccara have also been tipped to re-record Yes Sir, I Can Boogie together with the Scotland squad ahead of Euro 2020.

Maria added: “We would love to do it. This would be fantastic.

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“Only to imagine all these people in the stadium, singing Yes, Sir I Can Boogie. Probably my tears will fall from the emotion.

“When I think of it, I get the chicken skin [goose bumps].”

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