Maria - I'm on fire (LP version)

Born Carmelia Maria Neto Lopes in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) in Mozambique, she started singing professionally in nightclubs in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1964. She was discovered by Dickie Loader when she sang backing vocals on one of his singles. She subsequently had 4 South African Top 20 hits, with “Clap Your Hands, Stamp Your Feet” going to number 1 in 1973, charting for 19 weeks. She won a SARIE award for Top 20 Artist of the Year in 1974. She died in 1981.

The 7” single release of this song went to number 3 on the South African Top 20 in 1973, charting for 21 weeks. This version is off the album “I’m On Fire” released in 1973.