1969 Song of the Day is- Venus by Shocking Blue. Shocking Blue was a Dutch rock band. Venus was their only Top 40 single in the United States- and they made it count. It not only went to #1 in the US but it was #1 in nine countries. The song was written by band member Robbie van Leeuwen. The guitar riff in the song was taken from The Who’s Pinball Wizard. The song has remained popular over the years- not only the original which has been featured on soundtracks of many movies and television shows but in covers. Bananarama’s remake of the song went to #1 in 1986. One of the few songs that went to #1 by two different artists. That is the version that I remember the most. Both versions- good pop music for the radio.
slicethelife 
I always dug the original version of that tune, not the banana shake mutilation!😆
As for the riff, it’s only really the first chord it shares with “Pinball Wizard”, but since it’s just a signature chord, it’s very obvious.
BTW, The Beatles used the same chord as the opening for “A Hard Day’s Night,” but in a lower key.
So was Pete Townshend actually inspired by The Fab Four?😀
Who knows.
Great musicians know and listen to other great musicians all the time, so it’s perhaps not surprising you end up having many similarities in songs, especially in rock music.
Shocking Blue had some good songs. I loved Mariska Veres’s voice.
The original version from Shocking Blue had one thing ahead from the Bananarama cover: this incredible power voice of Mariska Veres.
Maybe my opinion is just influenced by the crush i had on the bananarama girls back in the 80s’.
Everyone after his taste – for me sounds the Bananarama version more like a calorie bomb!
Love both versions. I still have my 45 single of the one by The Shocking Blue.
Love both. Each are same but, unique.
Groovy song. Sometimes better to leave the original as-is and not “improve” it. This song is one example.