Take on me - A-ha

Last Friday was apparently 'Black Friday', and the people who invented Record Store Day gleefully participate in this day too. It's a second annual opportunity (besides Record Store Day itself) to sell overly expensive records to people who then put it on Ebay to sell it for even higher prices. 

I checked out the list of 'limited collectable records' recently and there was only one disc I really wanted to have. It was this 40th anniversary compilation of A-ha's 'Take on me', pressed on red vinyl, with eight versions of the classic track. The most important one is the first one: a new remix by Jos Leene and Vinny Vero. 

When I went to the local book and record shop yesterday (because no, I won't stand in line for hours just to get a record!) I checked out the Black Friday records, but one man stood before me, holding this very record in his hands. While he stood there, looking at the sleeve, I just thought 'Don't buy it! Don't buy it!', until finally he put the record back and walked away. I immediately grabbed the record and bought it. 

What can I say? It saves a lot of postage costs (because to my surprise a few shops are offering this disc online now for more or less the original price) and it felt like a small victory.  

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Paagman, Den Haag, 29 November 2025
Tracks: 'Take on me (40th anniversary extended version)', 'Take on me (1984 single version)', 'Take on me (1985 single version)', 'Take on me (1984 instrumental version)' / 'Take on me (2018 Symphonic version)', 'Take on me (2017 acoustic version)', 'Take on me (2017 MTV Unplugged)', 'Take on me (1991 Live in South America)'

Krøllet eller ej - Østjydsk Musikforsyning

Tommy Seebach represented Denmark (together with Debbie Cameron) at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 with 'Krøller eller ej'. This single seems to be a cover version of that song, but it is really short (just over two minutes) and I get the feeling, looking at the sleeve, that it might be a parody of the song. Who's to say? My Danish really isn't good enough.

From Wikipedia I learned that Østjydsk Musikforsyning was a Danish entertainment orchestra, known, among other things, from the revues at Hotel Pejsegården in Brædstrup, in which the orchestra participated from 1983 to 2008. In 1988, Østjydsk Musikforsyning was awarded the Honorary Prize by the Danish Musicians' Association for its "untraditional composition of festive musicians to prove that disharmonies also have their place in Danish music life".

My collection: 7" single no. 7898
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2025
Tracks: 'Krøllet eller ej' / 'Dit hjertes dunkle dyb'

Det' lige det - Kirsten & Søren

Although obviously I own a copy of the single 'Det' lige det' by Kirsten & Søren, this flexidisc piqued my curiosity when I spotted it online. It was probably given away with a copy of Se og hør, the leading Danish TV guide, back in 1984. 

The sleeve is a thin paper gatefold, featuring the lyrics of the song inside. The flexidisc is red and plays only the couple's Eurovision song, with a Se og hør jingle at the beginning and the end. You can hear it here of course, but the nature of flexi discs combined with my record player means that the speed is not very consistent throughout. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7896
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2025
Tracks: 'Det' lige det' 

A Teenager in love - Marty Wilde

You're looking at a Danish release of Marty Wilde's 'A Teenager in love', but this one is coupled with another hit single, a cover version of Ritchie Valens' 'Donna'. In the heady days of rock 'n' roll, Marty Wilde was a successful artist both in the UK and in Europe, but in the absence of official charts it's not easy to tell how popular he was in Denmark back then. 

It is a fact, however, that it's not easy to find those early singles these days, so every time I find a copy with a half decent sleeve I am quite happy. (Even if I had to eliminate some blemishes to make this sleeve attractive for this blog!) 

My collection: 7" single no. 7897
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2025
Tracks: 'A Teenager in love' / 'Donna' 

Manic Monday - The Bangles

I bought a copy of the Bangles' 'Manic Monday' in 1993 during a holiday in London, and I was pleasantly surprised by the sleeve design, because it looked a lot better than the slightly dull European version that lay in Dutch shops back in 1986. I never bothered to buy the European version, of course.

But then I found this version recently, and I never knew it existed! It is the European version of 'Manic Monday', but in a poster sleeve. The picture on the poster is similar to the one on the sleeve of 'If she knew what she wants', the single that followed 'Manic Monday'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7894
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2025
Tracks: 'Manic Monday' / 'In a different light' 

Romantica - Dario Campeotto

When Renato Rascel represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, I doubt that he knew he'd written a classic song with 'Romantica'. But that's what it was, because many artists subsequently recorded the song - not only in Italy but also abroad.

This single by Dario Campeotto (complete with a spelling error on the sleeve!) contains a Danish translation of the song by Annelise Bredsdorff. The B-side is a Danish version of 'Libero', the winner of the San Remo festival in 1960 by Domenico Modugno.

My collection: 7" single no. 7895
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 November 2025
Tracks: 'Romantica' / 'Libero (Jeg er fri)' 

Goodbye Lucille #1 - Prefab Sprout

There was a point in time in the second half of the Eighties when I was frankly obsessed with this song. I bought it was 'Johnny Johnny', when it was re-released in the UK, but it was originally called 'Goodbye Lucille #1', a title that was also used on the Golden hits volume 2 EP.

But this is the French release, presumably released earlier than that UK re-released. It features another track from the album Steve McQueen on the B-side. I haven't played the song in a while, but it is still as wonderful as it was when I first heard it.

My collection: 7" single no. 7891
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Goodbye Lucille #1' / 'Moving the river' 

No. 1 - Chaz Jankel

I don't know why Chas Jankel is suddenly called Chaz Jankel on this single, it might just be a typo. I have a few of his singles, but I'd never seen or heard this one.

'No. 1' was written by Jankel with Ian Dury and bassist Norman Watt-Roy. The single was released in 1985 as a track from his fourth album Looking at you. That album didn't sell that well. Jerry Moss, the recording executive of A&M, subsequently rejected the release of his fifth studio album, and terminated his recording contract with the label.

My collection: 7" single no. 7890
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'No. 1' / 'Tonight's the night' 

Under attack - Abba

So I bought a lot of Abba singles at the record fair last week, but only one came from Japan - my favourite country for singles. And this was the last one from Abba: 'Under attack', released after their The first ten years compilation album. 

The sleeve of this single is gorgeous and much better than other versions that were released elsewhere in the world. It just shows that the love and care that Japanese record companies had for their releases.

My collection: 7" single no. 7888
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Under attack' / 'You owe me one' 

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight) - Abba

When I saw this sleeve of 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!', I instantly knew there was something different about it, but I couldn't really put my finger on it. Initially I thought the photograph was cropped differently, but when I compared it to the other singles I own at home, I saw what was wrong with it: the photograph was mirrored! 

This version of the single comes from New Zealand. I don't have a lot of singles from that part of the world, and so it is quite nice to own one.

My collection: 7" single no. 7887
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight)' / 'The king has lost his crown'

Dancing queen - Abba

If the photograph on this sleeve looks familiar, it's because it also appeared on this Spanish sleeve of 'Honey, Honey'. But this single was released some time later, when Abba released 'Dancing queen'. 

The single was made in Hungary, and features 'Fernando' on the B-side. As far as I know only six Abba singles were made in Hungary. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7886
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Dancing queen' / 'Fernando' 

Fernando - Abba

While I bought the Spanish single of 'Fernando' I also found the Italian version. And again, the sleeve came with a different design. Just like on the Spanish one the Abba logo has gone missing, and is replaced by a certain custom font. 

There is no info on how many copies were sold of this single in Italy, but it reached number 3 in the chart run by the oldest music industry publication Musica e dischi. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7885
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Fernando' / 'Tropical loveland' 

Money, money, money - Abba

I've bought a few copies of this single. But we've had 'Money, money, money' and 'Money, money', but this Yugoslavian pressing changes the layout even more and adds the B-side title to the front sleeve as well. 

The single was released by Radio-Televizija Beograd, as usual in Yugoslavia at that time. Interestingly, the Polar logo still survives in the upper right corner of this sleeve. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7884
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Money, money, money' / 'Crazy world' 

Fernando - Abba

Another Spanish Abba single comes with another variation of the sleeve for 'Fernando'. Just like on 'Mamma Mia' the recommendation 'No. 1 en Inglaterra' is featured on this sleeve. What else? The familiar 'Abba' logo has gone missing and the title 'Fernando' is repeated three times. It's a design that is imperfect in a way. 

On the back sleeve the lyrics of 'Fernando' are printed in full, which I think is a first for an Abba single. It's another nice item for my growing Abba collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 7883
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Fernando' / 'Intermezzo no. 1'

Mamma Mia - Abba

In 1975 Abba released Greatest Hits with on the cover a caricature of the band. That version was only released in Scandinavia and Spain, with a photograph on the inside of the gatefold sleeve. In the UK that photograph was promoted to the front sleeve, and so the illustration didn't get a lot of exposure in much of Europe.

This Spanish single of 'Mamma Mia' uses the illustration and adds the recommendation 'No. 1 en Inglaterra'. It makes this single quite remarkable and an attractive item.

My collection: 7" single no. 7882
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Mamma Mia' / 'Tropical loveland' 

Does your mother know - Abba

For some reason you wouldn't associate Abba with huge success in America, but a lot of singles were released there. It is, however, not easy to find American singles with picture covers for some reason. So I was happy to find this copy of 'Does your mother know' at the record fair last week. (That saves a lot of postage costs.)

The funny thing about this sleeve is the back cover, on which there is an advertisement for three albums 'also on Atlantic Records & Tapes'. The albums Greatest Hits, Arrival and The Album are pictured. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7881
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Does your mother know' / 'Kisses of fire' 

Chiquitita - Abba

Once more I bought the single 'Chiquitita' by Abba, this time because it is the French pressing. The sleeve isn't significally different, at least, the front sleeve - the back sleeve is the typically understated 'infobox' that is typical for these French releases.

'Chiquitita' sold 150,000 copies in France, but the single only reached number 14 in the singles chart in that country. With just 50,000 copies that single reached number 1 in Ireland. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7880
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Chiquitita' / 'Lovelight' 

Honey, Honey - Abba

I saw this single on display at the Abba Museum in Stockholm last year and I thought this sleeve was absolutely beautiful. Not even necessarily the photograph, but the layout was just very stylish. I actually blame the Abba Museum for igniting my recent obsession with different Abba pressings, which I've started collecting since then. 

Anyway, this is the Spanish pressing of 'Honey, Honey', which includes 'Hasta mañana' on the B-side. The single was released by Carnaby, the label to which Abba was signed at the time. The single was released in 1974, after their legendary Eurovision win with 'Waterloo'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7879
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Honey, Honey' / 'Hasta mañana' 

Modern girl - Sheena Easton

Having bought a Japanese version of '9 to 5' at the record fair last week, I found another Japanese single from Sheena Easton with a different dealer that day. This time it was a version of 'Modern girl', re-released in a regular single sleeve (as opposed to the record company sleeve with an accompanying sheet of paper, as per usual in Japan). 

It was a curiosity, and a curiosity I wanted to have. Fortunately it was another one of those Japanese bargains stands, so I gleefully paid a few euros to own this beauty.

My collection: 7" single no. 7878
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Modern girl' / 'Paradox' 

Citations Ininterrompues - Café Creme

Café Creme was a French group formed by Jacky Arconte, Daniel Martigny, Frédéric Grenier and Denis Hekimian. They became popular in the second half of the Seventies with cover versions of Beatles songs. 

'Citations Ininterrompues' was released internationally as 'Unlimited Citations'. It was basically a long medley of Beatles songs, released on 7" and 12" singles in various countries. The Japanese sleeve was markedly different from the other sleeves, with this colourful illustration. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7877
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Citations Ininterrompues (partie 1)' / 'Citations Ininterrompues (partie 2)'

99 Luftballons - Nena

When you compare the sleeve of '99 Luftballons' as it was released in Europe with this Japanese sleeve you notice that there's a lot of added characters - in Japanese, of course!

The orange star in the upper right corner proclaims: U.S. big hit. And indeed, the English version reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Whether this single was a big hit in Japan is unknown. Another interesting fact: the B-side is 'Nur geträumt', which was another single in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 7876
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: '99 Luftballons' / 'Nur geträumt'

Super trouper - Abba

This sleeve of 'Super Trouper' may look familiar to you, but this is a really odd release. It couples the song not with 'The piper', as per usual on European releases, but with 'On and on and on', the song that famously was released on 12" singles only in Europe.

This single was made in Brazil, which might explain this strange coupling of tracks. It's this kind of exceptions that make an impression on me. The reasoning behind it will probably never be cleared up.

My collection: 7" single no. 7875
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Super trouper' / 'On and on and on' 

4 sucessos - Kate Bush, Harpo, Lucifer, Arjan Brass

Mention 4 sucessos to any Kate Bush fan and they're likely to break out in a cold sweat. There were four of these Brazilian EP's featuring Kate, and two of them even included four tracks by Kate alone. Those two are prohibitively expensive; the other two not so much. I was lucky enough to find a copy of one of the other two: a compilation of four different songs by four different artists. 

This EP has the weird distinction of containing, besides Kate, a track by a Swedish artist (Harpo), a Dutch solo artist (Arjan Brass) and a Dutch band (Lucifer). As for Kate, this EP features her debut single, 'Wuthering heights'.  

My collection: 7" single no. 7874
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Wuthering heights' (Kate Bush), 'San Franciscan nights' (Harpo) / 'Self pity' (Lucifer), 'Leonie' (Arjan Brass) 

New York groove - Ace Frehley

I would really like to have the picture sleeve of this single, but a quick look on Discogs earlier this year made me realize that in order to have a complete copy (i.e. with a picture sleeve and the included mask) it would set me back a considerable sum. So when I saw this single at the record fair last week I decided I would just get it for the music instead of the pictures.

After all, Ace Frehley passed away last month, and traditionally that means that any items bearing his name will only become more expensive, not less. 'New York groove' is a decent track, taken from his 'solo' album, released when all four members of Kiss released a 'solo' album. It was the perfect marketing trick, although some argued that the strength of the band lay in the four working together, not apart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7873
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'New York groove' / 'Snow blind' 

Catch my fall - Billy Idol

Although I own a copy of 'Catch my fall', I was quite surprised to see this version of the single, because it comes with a completely new cover. It turns out that this version was released in 1988, when his record company released the compilation album Idol Songs. 

Besides the cover, this single doesn't really bring anything new: the A-side and B-side remain the same as on the special box set that was released along with this 'regular' single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7872
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Catch my fall' / 'All summer single' 

The piano bird - The Doors

There is no doubt in my mind that I have never seen this single before. It's The Doors sans Jim Morrison with a track from their 1972 album Full Circle, which the three remaining members recorded as the second album without him.

Although both tracks on this single are pretty decent, somehow it lacks the spirit and dynamics that Jim brought with him. Full Circle didn't perform as well commercially as their previous albums. Once their contract with Elektra had lapsed, the Doors disbanded in 1973. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7871
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'The piano bird' / 'Good rockin'' 

Rio - Duran Duran

Sometimes keeping a collection in good shape means that you have to buy a single again and again, as this blog has demonstrated quite well in recent years. There are some old purchases that I really regret, such as the single 'Rio' by Duran Duran without a picture sleeve. What was I thinking? 

Well maybe, back in 1989, I didn't believe that I would ever find a copy with a picture sleeve. I was in London and it was the first time I saw the single for real. I have to say that I only saw it a few times since, and I wasn't really motivated to buy it since 'I already had it'. But finally, a week ago, I corrected a very old mistake. 'Rio' is here!

My collection: 7" single no. 7870
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Rio' / 'The chauffeur (blue silver)' 

Tell me tomorrow - Princess

I bought 'Tell me tomorrow' back in 1986, soon after it didn't become a hit and the store wanted to get rid of the single by dropping the price. Unfortunately the sleeve was a bit worn then, and that bothered me ever since. 

Fortunately, almost four decades later, I got the opportunity to buy this UK pressing of the single. And this limited edition comes in yellow vinyl too! It looks likely that this single is going to be featured a few more times on this blog, because the single was actually released in four different colours.

My collection: 7" single no. 7868
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Tell me tomorrow' / 'Say I'm your number one (original demo)' 

What about love - Heart

The band Heart has a special place in my heart, ever since I first heard 'Magic Man' and 'Crazy on you' back when I was very young. Their self-titled album from 1985 is a firm favourite of mine, so it might not be too surprising that when I saw this Japanese pressing of 'What about love', I simply wanted to have it. Fortunately the dealer wasn't asking a lot for this item.

I did have the US pressing of this single, but without a picture sleeve, so this is a very nice addition to my collection. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7866
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025 
Tracks: 'What about love' / 'Heart of darkness'

Raw - Spandau Ballet

Two weeks ago I nearly bought this poster edition of Spandau Ballet's 'Raw', but decided to wait a little because I was going to the big record fair in Den Bosch. I'm glad I did, because I had the unique opportunity to buy this item for just 1 euro! That saved me a lot of postage costs.

And why would I want this poster edition? It's not because I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the boys from the band in great detail, but I'm just a sucker for limited editions. 'Raw' reached number 47 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 7864
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Raw' / 'Raw (flip)' 

Rhythm is gonna get you - Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine

Sometimes I buy singles just for the sheer beauty of the artwork. This is a good example. Gloria Estefan used to be (!) very photogenic, and her record company realized this and released a lot of her singles as limited editions with posters and - in this case - a gatefold edition featuring a calendar. 

Inside this gatefold sleeve was a little booklet showing Gloria in all her glory, in six different photographs. 'Rhythm is gonna get you' is a catchy little song, and the fact that I could buy this little gem for just 1 euro was a good deal.

My collection: 7" single no. 7863
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Rhythm is gonna get you' / 'Give it up' 

On your knees - Grace Jones

'On your knees' is exactly the sort of title you would expect from Grace Jones - her attitude was legendary already in the late Seventies. It was the only single released from her third album Muse in 1979. The single was ignored by the record-buying public and left little impact on dance music charts in the US. 

The album version was 6 minutes and 20 seconds long; for this single release it was edited down to three minutes and 47 seconds. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7861
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'On your knees' / 'Don't mess with the messer' 

Kom terug - Johnny White

Anne Marie David won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 with 'Tu te reconnaitras'. It was a popular song at the time, so many other artists wanted to have a piece of the pie and started recording their own versions. 

One of them was Johnny White, whose real name was Johnny Wittevrouw, born in Belgium on 13 June 1946. During his career he released a handful of albums and over fifty singles. 'Kom terug' ('Come back') was his version of the Eurovision winner, and it sounds as emotional as this melody dictates.

My collection: 7" single no. 7859
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Kom terug' / 'Nu geen tranen' 

Aan de stroom - Erik van Neygen & Sanne

Erik Filip Van Neygen was born in Anderlecht (Belgium) on 1 May 1951. He started his career with the  skiffle group Motten Drizzle, which he founded together with his classmate Johan Verminnen. In 1975 he recorded his first solo single.

Since 1989 he primarily worked with singer Sanne, with whom he also had a relationship. Their 1992 single 'Aan de stroom' is a Flemish version of the 1975 Eurovision entry from Yugoslavia, 'Dan ljubezni'. It's quite unusual for such an obscure song to resurface after 17 years, but there you go!

My collection: 7" single no. 7858
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025 
Tracks: 'Aan de stroom' / 'Allemaal cinema'

9 to 5 - Sheena Easton

Although Sheena Easton's hit single was called 'Morning train' in Europe as a result of Dolly Parton's hit single already being called '9 to 5'. But in Japan, the single was unashamedly called '9 to 5'. The sleeve was a thing of beauty, with a very young Sheena Easton pictured in between the titles.  

Japanese singles tend to be very expensive for some reason, even when they're very old, but this time a dealer came up with the standard price of 3 euros. It was a good deal for this beautiful item.

My collection: 7" single no. 7865
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: '9 to 5' / 'Moody (My love)'

 

Money, money, money - Abba

Although this French sleeve of 'Money, money, money' uses the same photographs as the Dutch one, it uses them far more effectively. I didn't notice it until now, but the Italian one mirrored those photographs, which I guess was a mistake on the part of the Italian record company. 

The songs remain the same, obviously. I remember 'Money, money, money' from my early childhood and I remember that Frida's low voice certainly made an impression. It remains a great moment in pop history.  

My collection: 7" single no. 7869
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Money, money, money' / 'Crazy world'

Omdat ik van je hou - Louis Neefs

The sleeve of this single doesn't give it away, but 'Omdat ik van je hou' ('Because I love you') is actually a cover version of the song 'L'amore e un attimo'. Massimo Ranieri represented Italy with the song at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971. 

Louis obviously had some Eurovision experience himself, in 1967 and 1969, and kept a close eye on the competition afterwards. I imagine he heard the song and decided to record his own version with lyrics in Flemish. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7857
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Omdat ik van je hou' / 'Du bist mijn meisje' 

Zwischen Wolga und Don - Edina Pop

Just last month I bought a copy of 'Komm komm zu mir' by Edina Pop, and now I was lucky enough to find another Eurovision-themed cover version by the same artist.

'Zwischen Wolga und Don' is a version of 'Alors je chante', as proclaimed on the sleeve, and that, of course, is the French title of the Spanish Eurovision song 'Vivo cantando'. Just like other covers Edina recorded the lyrics were translated into German, and the title suggests that the subject has changed entirely yet again too.

My collection: 7" single no. 7856
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Zwischen Wolga und Don'/ 'Jambo' 

Wij waren jong - Rina Pia

Nini Watripont was born in Ninove (Belgium) on 21 July 1935. During her childhood she sang in the café run by her parents. She started having hits as Rina Pia during her twenties. In 1957 she wanted to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest, but that honour fell on Bobbejaan Schoepen with his 'Straatdeuntje'. In 1963 she tried again and participated in the Flemish national final, but she lost to Jacques Raymond. That year she married producer/composer Al Van Dam. 

In 1964 she recorded 'Wij waren jong' ('We were young'), a Flemish version of 'Non ho l'eta per amarti', the Eurovision winner of that year. The B-side, 'Jij bent een Judas' ('You are a Judas') is perhaps even more amusing. Rina Pia passed away on 24 August 2023.  

My collection: 7" single no. 7855
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Wij waren jong' / 'Jij bent een Judas' 

 

Private life - Grace Jones

Although Grace Jones' 'Private life' was originally released in 1980, the track was re-released in 1986 after the huge success of 'Slave to the rhythm'. This track is decidedly more sedate and brings you back to the days of disco and dub reggae. 

The song was actually written by Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders, and included on that band's debut album from 1979. She said: 'I wanted to do reggae, and I wrote "Private Life". When I first heard Grace's version I thought 'Now that's how it's supposed to sound!' In fact it was one of the high points of my career – what with Sly and Robbie being the masters, and Grace Jones with her scorching delivery.'

My collection: 7" single no. 7860
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Private life' / 'My Jamaican guy' 

I loved you (Dansevise) - Tony Osborne, his piano and orchestra

One of the best winners of the Eurovision Song Contest ever was 'Dansevise', in my humble opinion at least. It's no wonder that many other artists wanted to profit from the song's popularity; a lot of cover versions were released in the year 1963 alone - and more in the years after that. 

Tony Osborne recorded his version already in 1963. Osborne was born in June 1922 in Cambridge (UK) and passed away on 1 March 2009 in Sydney (Australia). He released many albums and singles, mainly in the Sixties and Seventies. The bulk of his work was based on other people's songwriting. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7854
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'I loved you (Dansevise)' / 'Mombasa' 

Un, dos, tres - Catherine Ferry

Catherine Ferry recorded 'Eins zwei drei' for the German market, after coming second at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with '1, 2, 3' - sung in French.

But that was not all: she also recorded the song in Spanish. I saw this single at the record fair in Den Bosch in April, but decided not to buy it because the sleeve was not in the best shape. However, since I saw it again this weekend I decided to get it this time, because the single isn't that easy to get in a better shape. I mean, on Discogs it is on offer for about 2 euros, but with the shipping costs from Spain it quickly adds up to more than I paid for it here. So I'm glad the disc is in better shape than the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 7853
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Un, dos, tres' / 'Petit Jean'

Mikado, Mikado - Simone Drexel

Simone Drexel represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with 'Mikado'. She performed the song in German, but she also recorded a French version, entitled 'Mikado, Mikado' (in order to identify a different version I guess). 

Even the B-side was recorded in French: 'Die Marionetten' became 'Les marionnettes'. Simone also did this for the English version - which I have yet to find.

My collection: 7" single no. 7852
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Mikado, Mikado' / 'Les marionnettes' 

Love conquistador - Da Vinci

Although I already own the single 'Conquistador', I felt it was amusing to also buy 'Love conquistador', which is the English version of that song. Of course, that version appears on the B-side of the other single, but for this release, the two sides are flipped and the English version suddenly becomes the A-side.

Obviously this is the German release of the song, whereas the other single is the original Portuguese release. It's interesting to compare how the photograph is cropped on this sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 7851
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Love conquistador' / 'Conquistador'

Nous - Mary Roos

'Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben' sang Mary Roos in 1972, and it gave Germany an honourable third place at that year's Eurovision Song Contest. Such was the success of the song that she decided to record it in English, French and Italian as well. 

This is the French version, released in Germany by her record company as 'Nous'. The language always sounds beautiful, but this version lacks the engaging nature of the original version.

My collection: 7" single no.  7850
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Nous' / 'N'oublie pas lorsque tu chantes'

La notte non lo sa - Nana Mouskouri

The Eurovision song 'A force de prier', performed by Nana Mouskouri in 1963, was recorded by her in different languages. There was an English version and a German version, and when I found the latter two years ago, I wrote down the hope that I would find the Italian version in 2025. Well, I did just that!

'La notte non lo sa' was released with yet another sleeve design, together with an Italian version of 'Weisse rosen aus Athen', which was another successful song by the Greek singer. Now aged 91, she continues to make occasional appearances on TV shows despite her 'farewell tour' and 'final concert' a few years ago.

My collection: 7" single no. 7849
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 20 November 2025
Tracks: 'La notte non lo sa' / 'Rosa d'Atene' 

Love's great adventure - Ultravox

Next month sees the release of an expanded deluxe edition of Ultravox's The Collection, a 'greatest hits' album originally released in 1984 to celebrate the success of the band up until then. The new track on that album was called 'Love's great adventure', and it was a very unexpected and nice surprise that that track was released as a cd-single and 10" single recently. 

Both formats feature a new '80s style' remix by Blank & Jones, along with a few other unreleased tracks. Some would label these four tracks as 'inessential', but I think Ultravox fans are delighted with this release - just as I am. 

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Ultravox website, received 12 November 2025
Tracks: 'Love's great adventure (Blank & Jones so80s Reconstruction)', 'All stood still (12" extended re-mix extra)' / 'Love's great adventure (Steven Wilson instrumental mix)', 'Hymn (alternative instrumental outtake)' 

Unrequited / Live and let live - The The

Just when the campaign for The The's most recent album Ensoulment had ended, there was a new single. 'Unrequited / Live and let live' is a double A-side single taken from the soundtrack of the movie Odyssey, which features music from The The, i.e. Matt Johnson.

These two tracks come with prominent vocals from Gillian Glover, who also plays an instrumental part in running the record label Cinéola, which these singles are released on. And as always there are the illustrations by Andy Dog a.k.a. Matt's brother Andrew, who passed away in 2016.

My collection: 7" single no. 7848
Found: The The website, received 13 November 2025
Tracks: 'Unrequited' / 'Live and let live'

The winner takes it all - Abba

The final Japanese Abba single for today is the monumental track 'The winner takes it all'. It should be fitting to end with this one, because it is truly one of the band's best. 

Ulvaeus denies the song is about his and Fältskog's divorce, saying the basis of the song 'is the experience of a divorce, but it's fiction. 'Cause one thing I can say is that there wasn't a winner or a loser in our case. A lot of people think it's straight out of reality, but it's not'. However, Ulvaeus admitted that the heartache of their breakup inspired the song, but noted that the words in the song should not be taken literally. He said: 'Neither Agnetha nor I were winners in our divorce.' 

My collection: 7" single no. 6163
Found: Discogs.com, received 6 October 2021
Tracks: 'The winner takes it all' / 'Elaine' 

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight) - Abba

'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)' was written and composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with the lead vocal sung by Agnetha Fältskog. Fältskog, as the narrator, weaves the image of a lonely woman who longs for a romantic relationship and views her loneliness as a forbidding darkness of night, even drawing parallels to how the happy endings of movie stars are so different from her existence. The melody line of the song was played on an ARP Odyssey synthesizer.

The song came about after Benny and Bjorn heard Donna Summer's hit 'Hot stuff', and upon hearing it, it inspired the riffs, melody and sentiment of the song with Agnetha yearning for 'a man after midnight' whilst Donna was in need of some 'hot stuff'.

My collection: 7" single no. 6155
Found: Discogs.com, received 6 October 2021
Tracks: 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight)' / 'The king has lost his crown'