(Camel by camel) Mysterious places, perfect harmony, (Camel by camel) The desert route is changing my destiny
In the early 80s, Aleksandar Marton was a Croatian nightclub singer before he was picked up by an Italian talent agent and made a star, adopting the stage-name "Sandy Marton"note . For a time, his single "People from Ibiza" was the number one hit in Italy, which started a decade-long music career in Italo Disco.Although originally just an 80s One-Hit Wonder known only in Europe, in 2021 the infamous internet porn animator ZONE used Marton's song "Camel by Camel" in an erotic animation starring Ankha from Animal Crossing. It at least had the effect of reintroducing a forgotten icon to a new generation, regardless of the dubious means.
Examples from Ibiza, examples from Ibiza, tropes from wonderland...
- Alcohol-Induced Idiocy: The whiskey-drunk soldier in "Exotic and Erotic" falls into the Femme Fatale's trap thanks to this.
- "Arabian Nights" Days: "Camel by Camel" puts big emphasis on Egypt's desert camel caravans.
- Bookends: Very poetically, Sandy Marton's career started in Ibiza (as his song People from Ibiza is what made him a star) and ended in Ibiza (as he retired there).
- Christmas Songs: Marton made his own Christmas song "Merry Merry Christmas", which is just "People from Ibiza" with Christmas-themed lyrics.
- Dragon Lady: The woman in "Exotic and Erotic" is a Singaporean Femme Fatale.
- The Drifter: The protagonist of "People from Ibiza" is this, describing himself as "living like a hobo, like a Spanish lobo".
- Femme Fatale: The titular "Exotic and Erotic" girl is "So vicious and exciting" and "shines like a precious pearl". She's a Russian roulette host and is implied to have killed the protagonist after seducing him.
- Foreign Fanservice: The overarching theme of Marton's work is the sexualization and romanticization of places perceived as "exotic" by Western audiences, such as Spain, Egypt, and Singapore.
- Latin Lover: Sandy Marton's stage persona was certainly meant to be this, as an Italian sex symbol. However, the man himself is actually Croatian, making him more of a Sensual Slav.
- Regional Riff: "Camel by Camel" uses a synth version of the exotic-sounding, Phrygian Arabian riff.
- Signature Instrument: His keytar, of course!
- The Vietnam War: "Exotic and Erotic" is likely set in this, as it's about a war veteran in 1964 Singapore.
