Music on vinyl

I.O.I.O. - Bee Gees

2012-01-30T11:02:00.003+01:00

'I.O.I.O.' is the second single (third in the U.S.) from the Bee Gees album, Cucumber Castle. Maurice Gibb described this as "Barry's African jaunt" as the opening has African-type percussion that leads into Barry Gibb singing the verse, joined by Maurice in the chorus. The single was a relative success mainly on European charts.

The title 'I.O.I.O.' Maurice calls on the chorus and made as a title of the song, accompanied by Colin's drumming. Vince Melouney was present on playing the guitar on the song's first session in 12 June 1968 while they are recording the songs for their fifth album and their third international album, 'Idea'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5284
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I.O.I.O.' / 'Sweetheart'

I can't help it - Bananarama

2012-01-30T10:53:00.002+01:00

This American pressing of Bananarama's single 'I can't help it' features the sleeve artwork that was used for 'Love in the first degree' in the UK. The B-side, 'Mr. Sleaze', was also the B-side of 'Love in the first degree' in the UK. And so here's a release that I felt would be an interesting addition to my collection.

'I can't help it' was written Bananarama with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, who also produced the track. It reached number 47 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The single peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart. So perhaps the Herb Ritts photography on the sleeve of the UK version would have been a better choice?

My collection: 7" single no. 5283
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't help it' / 'Mr. Sleaze'

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

2012-01-30T10:45:00.004+01:00

'Sir Duke' was written and recorded by Stevie Wonder in tribute to Duke Ellington, the influential jazz legend who had died in 1974. The lyrics also refer to Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Wonder had already experienced the passing of two of his idols (Dinah Washington and Wes Montgomery) after attempting to collaborate with them. After Ellington died in 1974, Wonder wanted to write a song acknowledging musicians he felt were important. He later said, 'I knew the title from the beginning but wanted it to be about the musicians who did something for us. So soon they are forgotten. I wanted to show my appreciation.'

Released as a single from Stevie Wonder's 1976 album 'Songs in the key of life' in 1977, it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5281
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sir Duke' / 'He's misstra know it all'

Don't forget to remember - Bee Gees

2012-01-29T22:27:00.003+01:00

When you take a look at the sleeve of this single, you might think that the Bee Gees went all religious in 1969. However, the title 'Don't forget to remember the Lord' is just a case of bad sleeve design. In fact it's a combination of the two song titles included in this package.

'Don't forget to remember' is a country ballad from the Bee Gees, taken from the album 'Cucumber Castle'. The single was a number 1 hit in the Dutch Top 40 in September 1969. In the UK singles chart, the song peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 5282
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 29, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't forget to remember' / 'The Lord'

An Englishman in New York - Sting

2012-01-29T22:20:00.003+01:00

'Englishman in New York' was taken from Sting's 1987 album 'Nothing like the sun'. The 'Englishman' in question is the famous eccentric Quentin Crisp. Sting wrote the song not long after Crisp moved from London to an apartment in New York's Bowery. Crisp had remarked jokingly to the musician 'that he looked forward to receiving his naturalization papers so that he could commit a crime and not be deported.'

The song was released as a single in 1988, but only reached number 51 on the UK singles chart. In the Dutch Top 40 it was considerably more successful, peaking at number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 5280
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'An Englishman in New York' / 'Ghost in the strand'

Driftin' - Alessi

2012-01-29T22:12:00.002+01:00

Although the Alessi brothers had only one significant hit in Europe with 'Oh Lori', they released several other singles and albums between 1977 and 1982. 'Driftin'' was released in 1978 as a single from their third album, also called 'Driftin''.

In the 2000s they resumed their touring and album recording career as a duo, with the release of two new albums as Alessi, and also as part of group Barnaby Bye.

My collection: 7" single no. 5279
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Driftin'' / 'Just can't stop it'

Killer / Papa was a rollin' stone - George Michael

2012-01-28T21:55:00.002+01:00

After Freddie Mercury died in November 1991, the remaining members of Queen staged a charity concert at Wembley Stadium in London with several pop and rock icons taking the place of Freddie and performing his vocals. After the concert, the EP 'Five live' was released to further benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust.

From this EP, only 'Somebody to love' and 'These are the days of our live' were performed during the tribute concert. The other three live tracks were recorded during George Michael's 'Cover to cover tour' from 1991. The medley of 'Killer' and 'Papa was a rollin' stone' was one of them, and it was remixed by PM Dawn for this 12" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 620
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Killer/Papa was a rollin' stone (PM Dawn remix)' / 'Killer/Papa was a rollin' stone (PM Dawn remix instrumental)'

Under the moon of love - Showaddywaddy

2012-01-28T21:46:00.003+01:00

The Seventies group Showaddywaddy had most of their biggest hits with covers of songs from the Fifties and early Sixties. These cover versions included 'Three steps to heaven' (originally by Eddie Cochran in 1960), 'Heartbeat' (originally written and recorded by Buddy Holly) and 'Under the moon of love' (originally a US hit for Curtis Lee in 1961 and co-written by Tommy Boyce).

The Mike Hurst-produced version of that latter song spent three weeks at the top of the UK singles chart in December 1976. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 3 in early 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 5278
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, July 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Under the moon of love' / 'Showboat'

Hit me! - Shirley-Jane

2012-01-28T21:26:00.003+01:00

Shirley Mescher was born in Den Haag, Netherlands in 1963 and first made a name for herself as part of the group Music Hall. In 1983, they released the single 'Voulez-vous danser?'. Shirley then became a playmate in the magazine Playboy. She appeared on the front cover of the April 1985 issue.

Back to music, Shirley became part of the duo Fresh in 1987. Together with Ingrid Brans she recorded a cover of 'Summer in the city'. After that single flopped, Ingrid moved on to the successful Dutch trio Barbarella and Shirley went solo as Shirley-Jane. Her first outing was this single: 'Hit me!', a cover of the infamous single by Ian Dury. Despite the sexy cover and the half-decent cover version, it wasn't a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5277
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hit me!' / 'This night'

Disco tango - Tommy Seebach

2012-01-28T20:18:00.003+01:00

Tommy Seebach did his first of three performances at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with 'Disco tango'. The song was well received and ended up in sixth place out of 19 competitors. It became a major hit in Denmark and other European countries.

Seebach later became one of those tragic Eurovision heroes, as his other performances were less successful: 'Krøller eller ej' ended up in 11th place in 1981, and 'Under stjernerne på himlen' only reached 22nd place in 1993. The poor result meant that Denmark did not qualify for the ESC 1994, and Seebach was widely criticized, and never competed again. Seebach passed away on March 31, 2003 after a heart attack.

My collection: 7" single no. 5276
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Disco Tango (English Grand Prix version)' / 'Disco Tango (Danish Grand Prix version)'

Lookin' out - Time Bandits

2012-01-28T20:04:00.002+01:00

'Lookin' out' was released in 1982 as the third single from the Time Bandits' self-titled debut album. Like most of the Time Bandits' material, the song was co-written by the band's singer and frontman Alides Hidding.

The single didn't reach the Dutch Top 40. New hits would follow when the band released their second album in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 5275
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lookin' out' / 'In town'

Lay all your love on me - The Bank

2012-01-28T16:05:00.002+01:00

At the time of its release, much was made of the decision to release Abba's song 'Lay all your love on me' on 12" single only. I'm guessing of course, but I think that's where the unusual term 'Legal bootleg 7"' on the sleeve of this single comes from.

The unknown band The Bank recorded a version of Abba's song and released it on the more popular 7" vinyl format. It didn't help this release, however: it was not a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5274
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me' / 'Dance the night away'

Something's gotten hold of my heart - Marc Almond

2012-01-28T15:55:00.002+01:00

Most people are familiar with the single 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' as a duet between Marc Almond and the song's original performer, Gene Pitney, but this single was released before the duet version. It's the album version of the track, as recorded by Marc Almond solo.

I don't know enough of the history, but I think this single was released just weeks before the duet version, and finally the duet version came in its place -and became a Europe-wide hit. This version of the single is therefore a bit more rare.

My collection: 7" single no. 5273
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' / 'King of the fools'

Eurovision March - Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force

2012-01-28T15:42:00.003+01:00

The Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been rather active in releasing singles and albums through the years. I've been able to track down a listing of over 12 singles and EP's and one album, all released between 1958 and 1965.

This particular single was released in 1959 and contains two marches: the Eurovision march and the March of the United Nations. The Eurovision march is well known for its annual use during the Eurovision Song Contest, and as such, this single piqued my interest. Housed in an authentic record company sleeve from that time, it seems I found a rather nice collector's item as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5272
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eurovisie-mars' / 'March of the United Nations'

Hot in the city - Billy Idol

2012-01-28T15:36:00.002+01:00

Billy Idol's 'Hot in the city' was originally released in 1982. This is a re-release from 1987. It features a remix of 'Catch my fall' on the B-side, taken from the album 'Vital Idol' which features several remixes of Billy Idol hits. I've been partial to that album ever since I got it from my parents during a holiday in Germany. Very cool music.

Although the released version of 'Hot in the city' contains a verse in which Idol shouts 'New York', other versions of the song were recorded for various radio stations, including one in which he shouts 'Amarillo' or 'New Haven'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5271
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hot in the city' / 'Catch my fall (remix fix)'

Breakaway - Kim Appleby

2012-01-25T22:31:00.003+01:00

One half of the popular duo Mel & Kim continued solo after the other half sadly passed away. Kim Appleby initially forged a successful career with hit singles like 'Don't worry' and 'G.L.A.D.', but her second solo album wasn't as popular and she soon ended up out of the music business.

This is the title track of that second album, remixed by La Camorra, Clive Farrington, "Mr. L", Harding & Curnow and Biffco for a promotional double 12" release. Most of these remixes were never released commercially, and only two of them appeared on cd as far as I know.

My collection: 12" single no. 619
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon mix 2)', 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon dub 2)' / 'Breakaway (The survivor mix)', 'Breakaway (Mr. L.'s Midnight mix)' // 'Breakaway (extended mix)' / 'Breakaway (Break dub - Diss Gust It mix)', 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon mix 1)'

Endless sleep - Marty Wilde

2012-01-24T22:20:00.002+01:00

'Endless sleep' was originally written and recorded by American singer Jody Reynolds in early 1958. He wrote it in a single afternoon in 1956 in Yuma, Arizona. After it reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1958, Marty Wilde quickly recorded a version to be released in the UK. This was a common practice at that time, offering a chance for UK artists to score with proven stateside hits.

The single gave Marty his first shot at fame, as it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart in July 1958. While Jody Reynolds didn't have a hit with this song in the UK originally, it was released in April 1979, and had a one week chart run at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 5270
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Endless sleep' / 'Her hair was yellow'

I get lonely - Janet Jackson

2012-01-24T22:13:00.002+01:00

Taken from her 1997 album 'The velvet rope', 'I get lonely' was one of those Janet Jackson tracks that contained an R&B feel more than her previous work. It was the kind of stuff she would record more often after this album, with increasingly less audience approval.

These remixes breathe a little life into the track, although it really can't compare with the hits she'd had in the decade before. Nice, but not too interesting is my verdict, alas.

My collection: 12" single no. 618
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I get lonely (Janet vs Jason - The club remix)', 'I get lonely (Janet vs Jason - The remix sessions part 2)' / 'I get lonely (Jason's special sauce dub)', 'I get lonely (LP version)'

Ode to boy - Alison Moyet

2012-01-24T21:30:00.003+01:00

'Ode to boy' was originally a B-side of Yazoo's 1982 single 'The other side of love' and a track on their second album 'You and me both'. Alison Moyet re-recorded the track solo on her fourth solo album 'Essex' in 1994.

I sort of knew that the track was released as a single, but I was unaware of the existance of a 12" single with remixes of the track. I've always liked the original version - a beautiful demonstration of stereo sound - and while I wasn't sure Alison's re-recording was as good, I was still curious enough to hear these remixes. And so, I ordered the disc. Have to say I quite like these mixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 617
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Ode to boy', 'Ode to boy (Factory mix)' / 'Ode to boy (NY-LA mix)', 'Ode to boy (NY-LA dub)', 'Ode to boy (Factory dub 2)'

I want you back '88 remix - Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5

2012-01-24T20:17:00.003+01:00

The second half of the Eighties was littered with remixes of old tracks. Somehow record companies thought it was a cheap way to make profits without having to pay for studio time - except the time for the remixer of course. But in some cases, even the remixers didn't even spend that much time on it.

Take this one for example: an '88 remix of the old Jacksons hit 'I want you back' with a young Michael Jackson. In 1988 the name Michael Jackson meant a lot to a lot of people. Popular remixers Phil Harding and Ian Curnow were recruited for a remix. They added a drumbeat, and there you had it: a new single. A poor effort, however. But even this reached number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5269
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'I want you back '88 remix' / 'Never can say goodbye'

Sugar mice - Marillion

2012-01-23T21:50:00.003+01:00

The lyric of Marillion's 'Sugar mice' is quite depressing, and one suspects that a divorce drama is part of all the misery. But in fact, it's more about a British worker who emigrates to the USA to escape unemployment, leaving behind his family, and ends up drinking in a hotel bar in Milwaukee.

This 12" single features an extended mix of the track, as well as the album version which is about a minute longer than the single edit which was featured on the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 145
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sugar mice (extended version)' / 'Sugar mice (album version)', 'Tux on'

This woman's work - Kate Bush

2012-01-23T21:38:00.003+01:00

For a long time, Kate Bush's 'This woman's work' was my favourite track of hers. Over the last six years she's released a few other tracks I consider my favourite, but it's weird how she keeps getting better - beyond the best of my expectations I would say.

Anyhow, this 12" single is a prized possession of mine, because of the beautiful poster sleeve and the two B-sides featured here. No extended version of the single mix of 'This woman's work', but I think it's impossible to improve on this already highly moving track.

My collection: 12" single no. 94
Found: unknown, 1990
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'This woman's work (single mix)' / 'Be kind to my mistakes', 'I'm still waiting'

Enjoy the silence - Depeche Mode

2012-01-23T21:26:00.002+01:00

One of Depeche Mode's biggest hits was 'Enjoy the silence', released as the second single from their album 'Violator'. There were many different remixes of the track, released in as many different formats. The last remix to be released at the time was this one.

Entitled the 'Quad: Final mix', it was a remix of 15 minutes, released on cd-single and a 12" single, both containing just the one track. But it's a fascinating remix, going through a few 'movements', until reaching a rather desolate ending. The B-side of this disc features the DM logo from the sleeve, etched in.

My collection: 12" single no. 94
Found: Record fair, 1992
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Enjoy the silence (Quad: final mix)'

Rage hard - Frankie goes to Hollywood

2012-01-22T22:13:00.003+01:00

Looking back over 50 years of pop history, only the last three decades have seen 12" singles and extended remixes being released. Out of the thousands and thousands of those remixes there could be a small selection deemed as 'classic'. And I would say that the extended remix of 'Rage hard', included on this disc, should be one of them.

Entitled 'Young person's guide into the 12" mix', it is an introduction to instruments and certain remix techniques, using the aforementioned Frankie goes to Hollywood track as an example. As far as I know, this remix was never released on cd - at least not entirely. This original version lasts for 12 minutes, a shorter version appeared on a Frankie goes to Hollywood compilation cd in 1994.

My collection: 12" single no. 208
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Rage hard [Young person's guide into the 12" mix]' / 'Suffragette city', 'Don't lose what's left (of your little mind)', ['Rage hard (reprise)']

Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind & Fire

2012-01-22T21:56:00.002+01:00

Released in 1979, 'Boogie Wonderland' became a signature song for the band Earth Wind & Fire. The track featured female soul and R&B singing group The Emotions and became a worldwide hit after its single release.

This 12" single features the full length version of 'Boogie Wonderland'. According to the label, it should clock in at 9'30 minutes but it is in fact a minute shorter than that. A mere typo? Who knows. As for the lyric of the song... Can you guess the first few lines being sung here?

My collection: 12" single no. 300
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Boogie wonderland' / 'Boogie wonderland (instrumental)'

Take on me - A-ha

2012-01-22T14:15:00.003+01:00

After the first release of 'Take on me' flopped, the record company tried again and again to make it work. This 12" single represents the first re-release of the single, featuring a different sleeve and a different mix of the track. In the end, it took a second re-release and a new music video to make it a worldwide hit - although the music on the disc didn't change after this one.

The extended version is a little over a minute longer than the single version, but it sounds a lot better in my opinion. The copy I have was pressed in Italy. I bought it some time after the single finally reached the Dutch Top 40 and went to number 1.

My collection: 12" single no. 50
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (extended version)' / 'Love is reason', 'Take on me'

Pale shelter (You don't give me love) - Tears for fears

2012-01-21T17:32:00.003+01:00

For a long time I didn't understand how it all worked with the different versions of Tears for Fears' early single 'Pale shelter'. It is quite confusing, actually, as the song was re-released no less than three times.

But I've figured it out now. What you see here is the most recent re-release of the single. Subtitled 'You don't give me love', this version was released in 1985 after the success of the band's second album 'Songs from the big chair'. But... wait for it... It features the original version of the song! 'Pale shelter' was re-recorded for Tears for Fears' debut album 'The hurting', and that version was released as a single the second time around. However, this 12" single features the original single and 12" version, produced by Mike Howlett.

My collection: 12" single no. 290
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1996
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Pale shelter (extended version)' / 'Pale shelter', 'The prisoner'

The look of love - ABC

2012-01-21T17:14:00.002+01:00

After the debut single 'Tears are not enough' and the hit single 'Poison arrow', ABC released 'The look of love'. The 12" single featured four parts of the track: part 1 is the standard album version, part 2 is an instrumental version, part 3 is a vocal remix and part 4 is a short acoustic instrumental part of the song, containing strings and horns, as well as occasional harp plucks and xylophone. Parts 1 and 4 appear on ABC's debut album 'The lexicon of love'.

Another remix was made by Trevor Horn and released exclusively on an American 12" single. That remix was finally released in the UK as a free single with 'Be near me' in 1985.

My collection: 12" single no. 150
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The look of love (part 1)', 'The look of love (part 2)' / 'The look of love (part 3)', 'The look of love (part 4)'

Blue Jean - David Bowie

2012-01-21T16:51:00.002+01:00

Having sworn off disguises and alternate identities for his 1983 album 'Let's dance', it was a bit odd to see the music video for David Bowie's 'Blue Jean' in 1984. Again using loads of make-up on his face, the video distracted a bit from the music. The album 'Tonight', released that year, is seen as an artistic failure, although there were a few nice songs on it.

The extended version of 'Blue Jean' is interesting enough, I'd say. However, the B-side, containing two remixes, is the kind of music I've played only once - but never more. Quite excruciating.

My collection: 12" single no. 372
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Blue Jean (extended dance mix)' / 'Dancing with the big boys (extended dance mix)', 'Dancing with the big boys (extended dub mix)'

Walk on air - T'pau

2012-01-20T22:40:00.003+01:00

There's something unusual about this 12" single: it's the sleeve! While the record company decided to release a picture disc, they released it in a normal 12" single sleeve, so at first you don't even notice it's a picture disc you're buying. I guess I'm just used to clear pvc sleeves for picture discs.

Anyway, 'Walk on air' was the penultimate single release of T'pau, because after the next one, 'Soul destruction', the band broke up. The name lived on via some greatest hits compilations, and in the end Carol Decker reappeared, using the name T'pau, in 1998 with the excellent album 'Red'. But this single didn't sell very well, and with the end of their contract in sight, the record company must have lost faith. Unfortunately!

My collection: 12" single no. 120
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Walk on air' / 'Hold on to love (alternative version)', 'Dirty town'

Living in a world (turned upside down) - Private Lives

2012-01-14T21:52:00.004+01:00

Private Lives released a handful of singles, but their best known tracks remains 'Living in a world (turned upside down)'. Recorded at those legendary Select Sound Studios in Knebworth, it is one of the best pop songs from 1984. At least, that's what I think. The record company must have had similar thoughts as they re-released the track after two other singles didn't chart. The original single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart, this re-release didn't chart. The end of the duo came pretty quickly after that.

This 12" single features the new single version of the title track, but also a nice extended version and a dub remix of their very first single release, 'Because you're young'.

My collection: 12" single no. 614
Found: unknown
Price: unknown
Tracks: 'Living in a world (turned upside down) (5th Amendment)' / 'Because you're young', 'Living in a world (turned upside down) (7" mix)', 'Breakup (7" mix)'

The sensual world - Kate Bush

2012-01-14T21:26:00.003+01:00

When I bought this 12" single, I did it mainly for the fact that it was cheap and it was a promotion copy. I don't know why I never bought the commercial 12" single, but considering it was 1989, it would probably have been a lack of funds.

Anyway, I was pretty surprised when I found out the A-side of this 12" single featured a so-called 'double groove'. One groove featured the regular version of 'The sensual world', the other played the instrumental version. The latter was also one of the B-sides, which made it a bit of a useless exercise. Bush re-recorded 'The sensual world' as 'Flower of the mountain' on her album 'Director's cut'. The new version was recorded as it was originally intended: with the words from James Joyce's book 'Ulysses'.

My collection: 12" single no. 97
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The sensual world', 'The sensual world (instrumental)' / 'Walk straight down the middle', 'The sensual world (instrumental)'

Cry wolf - A-ha

2012-01-11T22:10:00.004+01:00

Released as the second single from A-ha's second album 'Scoundrel days', I never thought this was the best track to be released as a single. The title track should have been the one in my opinion, but perhaps it was deemed 'too intense'. This poppy track catered to the lightweight pop image the band had at the time, even if the album they made was full of more intricate musical arrangements.

The extended version of 'Cry wolf' included here was a decent remix however. I never bought the 12" single myself, but I got a copy last year when someone sent me a package and used this to make it more sturdy. And you know: when something is free, you enjoy it even more.

My collection: 12" single no. 613
Found: unknown, 2011
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'Cry wolf (extended version)' / 'Cry wolf', 'Maybe maybe'

A gentleman's excuse me - Fish

2012-01-08T20:25:00.002+01:00

I bought several different discs of Fish's 'A gentleman's excuse me'. Besides two 7" singles, a cd-single and a shaped picture disc, the 12" single was a piece of vinyl that ended up in my collection pretty soon after its release.

On this format, the demo version of the song is added. It also appears on the cd-single, but this is, as far as I know, the only vinyl format on which the demo appears.

My collection: 12" single no. 93
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'A gentleman's excuse me' / 'Whiplash', 'A gentleman's excuse me (demo)'

The promise you made - Cock Robin

2012-01-06T22:01:00.004+01:00

'The promise you made' reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in March 1986 and it was one of those rare occasions when I just couldn't agree more. Even during the Eighties, when we were spoilt for good artists making excellent music, the chart was often topped by crap songs. (From 1986 alone I can remember 'When the going gets tough the tough get going' by Billy Ocean and 'Holiday rap' by MC Miker G & DJ Sven.)

The 12" single of 'The promise you made' featured an excellent extended mix. The mix was done in an elegant way, adding interesting instrumental breaks and an intriguing intro. Judge for yourself...

My collection: 12" single no. 23
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'The promise you made (extended version)' / 'The promise you made', 'Have you any sympathy?'

Mini LP - Talk Talk

2012-01-06T20:43:00.003+01:00

Released exclusively in Greece in 1986, this mini LP (imaginatively titled 'Mini LP') features five 12" remixes of Talk Talk hits. From the early hit 'Talk Talk' to the two most recent singles 'Life's what you make it' and 'Living in another world', this LP represents the 'pop' era of Talk Talk just before they would become a very imaginative, postmodern pop band.

Only in 1998 a double CD set entitled 'Asides besides' would be released, collecting all these remixes and more, so at the time of finding this, I was pretty excited. Even if the quality of the vinyl wasn't all that good, it was an opportunity to buy five remixes in one go - and that wasn't bad.

My collection: LP no. 99
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Such a shame (USA 12" mix)', 'Living in another world (USA 12" mix)' / 'Life's what you make it (USA 12" mix)', 'It's my life (USA 12" mix)', 'Talk Talk (USA 12" mix)'

We'll be together - Sandra

2011-12-30T22:46:00.002+01:00

The last record I'm describing this year is also the last 12" single by Sandra I have to describe. After 'We'll be together' a few more 12" singles were released, but as they were also available on cd-single with the same content, I preferred buying those for some reason.

'We'll be together' was released in 1989, almost a year after the release of the album 'Into a secret land', and so got the 'trendy' label "'89 remix". The extended and dub versions certainly add some punch to the pop song. It's a lovely sentiment to end the year with... We'll be together!

My collection: 12" single no. 612
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, 2002
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'We'll be together (extended version)' / 'We'll be together (dub version)', 'We'll be together (single version)'

Live-in world - Anti-Heroin Project

2011-12-28T20:58:00.002+01:00

Fish, Nik Kershaw, Cliff Richard, Dave Stewart, Holly Johnson, Robin Gibb, Kim Wilde and many others contributed their voices and music to the Anti-Heroin Project in 1986. It was one of many charity projects in music that took place in the mid-Eighties, following the lead of Band Aid and Live Aid.

The single 'Live-in world' was lifted from a double album that contained tracks from various artists. This was the track that contained vocals from over fifty artists on a new song written by Charley Foskett. The Anti-Heroin Project was not very successful: neither the single nor the album charted. This 12" single adds two tracks to the two included on the 7" single release: one by Lenny Henry and one by Ringo Starr.

My collection: 12" single no. 392
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Live-in world' (Anti-Heroin Project), 'On the street' (Lenny Henry) / 'Something better' (Anti-Heroin Project), 'You know it makes sense' (Ringo Starr)

Montuno - Gloria Estefan

2011-12-26T15:21:00.002+01:00

'Montuno' was the fourth single released by Gloria Estefan on her first Spanish album 'Mi Tierra'. It was released only in the UK, while 'Tradición' was released in the United States and 'Si Señor!...' in selected European countries.

A limited edition 7" single was released, featuring two B-sides: the single remix of 'Go away', taken from her 'Greatest hits' album, and the then-unreleased 'This Christmas', which was a track from her album 'Christmas through your eyes'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5254
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Montuno' / 'This Christmas', 'Go away (single remix)'

Rockin' around the Christmas tree - Mel & Kim

2011-12-26T14:47:00.000+01:00

Mel Smith and Kim Wilde were asked to record a song for Comic Relief, to be released just in time for Christmas 1987. At the time, Mel and Kim Appleby were storming the charts as Mel & Kim, so this 'Mel & Kim' release was quite an original invention.

The 12" single features extra comedy dialogues by Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones, who were wellknown for their comedy TV series 'Alas Smith & Jones'. Kim Wilde still sings 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree' live whenever an appropriate occasion comes up, such as this month's Quofestive tour together with Roy Wood and Status Quo.

My collection: 12" single no. 61
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree (The Mega Merry Magimix)' / 'Deck the blooming halls' (The Mel Smith Yuletide Choir)

Experiment IV - Kate Bush

2011-12-26T13:09:00.002+01:00

Kate Bush released 'Experiment IV' in October 1986 as a single from the compilation album 'The whole story'. The song tells a story about a secret military plan to create a sound that is horrific enough to kill people. The ending of the story is unclear, but in the music video nearly every person working on the project is killed by the horrific sound, which is personified by Bush herself as she changed from an angelic woman into a banshee (a horrifying screaming apparition of Irish lore).

The 12" single features an extended mix which highlights the violin solos by Nigel Kennedy even more than in the single version. An extra bonus is the track 'December will be magic again' on the B-side, which gives this disc some relevance for Christmas.

My collection: 12" single no. 37
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Experiment IV (12" mix)' / 'Wuthering heights (new vocal)', 'December will be magic again'

Cheers then - Bananarama

2011-12-26T12:51:00.002+01:00

'Cheers then' appears on Bananarama's 1983 debut album 'Deep sea skiving' and was released as its third single. The song was the first Bananarama single to be written by group members Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward and also their first ballad release.

The 12" single remix has a decidedly seasonal flavour to it, with added jingle bells. The song was originally recorded in January 1982, but the single was released in December of that year.

My collection: 12" single no. 611
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, December 5, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Cheers then (extended version)' / 'Girl about town (extended version)'

Merry Christmas darling - The Carpenters

2011-12-25T19:26:00.003+01:00

The voice of Karen Carpenter is almost universally lauded as one of the loveliest ever recorded. No wonder, then, that the Carpenters tried their hand at a Christmas recording. 'Merry Christmas darling' was originally recorded in 1970. The single reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

In 1978, The Carpenters issued their 'Christmas Portrait' album, which contained a new remix of 'Merry Christmas Darling'. The original 1970 mix continued to be used for all single releases, however. The major difference between it and the 1978 version is a newly recorded vocal by Karen Carpenter on the latter. Richard Carpenter himself calls the original recording one of his sister's very best.

My collection: 7" single no. 5008
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Merry Christmas darling' / 'Ticket to ride', 'Saturday'

Christmas through your eyes - Gloria Estefan

2011-12-25T15:50:00.000+01:00

Gloria Estefan was very popular in the second half of the Eighties, but it seemed she lost her touch in the Nineties somehow. She remained popular for her solid fanbase, of course, but the rest of the world didn't seem to care as much anymore.

Maybe her music became too predictable. Even 'Christmas through your eyes', released in 1992 in time for the Christmas season, never became a seasonal classic, which for most artists is very easy once they have become a household name. The song is nice enough, but the Megamix on the B-side is a nice treat, too.

My collection: 7" single no. 4996
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Christmas through your eyes' / 'Megamix'

Saturday night - The Blue Nile

2011-12-24T16:30:00.002+01:00

I bought this 12" single of 'Saturday night' a few years after its release. When I spotted it, I wasn't entirely sure whether a cd-single of this release also existed - and so I snapped it up. Of course, a few years later I would find the cd-single with exactly the same track listing. Still, it is nice to showcase this disc here - and on a Saturday too.

On the B-side an instrumental piece called 'Our lives' appears, divided in three parts, entited 'Lost', 'Bolivia' and 'New York'.

My collection: 12" single no. 209
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1994
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Saturday night (edit)', 'Saturday night (album version)' / 'Our lives'

The big sky - Kate Bush

2011-12-23T21:37:00.002+01:00

The last release from Kate Bush's milestone album 'Hounds of love' was 'The big sky'. The track was remixed for the single release and the 12" single featured an extended remix of the track plus a previously unreleased B-side called 'Not this time', a euphoric singalong track that remains quite rare in Kate's musical output.

I remember having a hard time deciding to buy this disc. Of course I was very much into Kate Bush but the constant flow of singles meant a drain on my pocket money. In the end, I bought this disc a few months after its release - just before it became unavailable in fact.

My collection: 12" single no. 31
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'The big sky (Metereological mix)' / 'Not this time', 'The morning fog'

I'm not scared - Eighth wonder

2011-12-23T20:42:00.002+01:00

The Pet Shop Boys produced 'I'm not scared' for Eighth Wonder, the group with frontwoman Patsy Kensit. She appeared in the BBC programme 'Saturday kitchen' earlier this month, with some people commenting that she looked like she'd had some cosmetic surgery done. Shame, because she always looked so great in the past and cosmetic surgery rarely does anything to enhance looks. Just ask Pete Burns.

The single 'I'm not scared' was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Phil Harding. This 12" single features an extended 'disco mix'. I looked for the cd-single for ages, but it's very hard to find a copy for a reasonable price. So in the mean time, this disc will have to do.

My collection: 12" single no. 433
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 2003
Cost: 1,4 pounds
Tracks: 'I'm not scared (disco mix)' / 'I'm not scared', 'J'ai pas peur'

Secret land - Sandra

2011-12-22T20:57:00.003+01:00

Personally I consider 'Secret land' to be one of Sandra's best ever tracks. The 12" single was particularly interesting for its inclusion of both an extended remix (called the 'reverse mix') and a dub version. The melody of the track and the rhythms are engaging enough to keep the listener interested throughout the length of the entire disc.

'Secret land' was taken from Sandra's third album, which again I consider to be her best. After this album, her music became increasingly 'Enigma'-ish, and less pop.

My collection: 12" single no. 204
Found: Marik, Vienna, July 1994
Cost: 99 Schilling
Tracks: 'Secret land (Reverse mix)' / 'Secret land (single version)', 'Secret land (dub mix)'

Hounds of love - Kate Bush

2011-12-21T22:28:00.003+01:00

The third single from Kate Bush's classic album 'Hounds of love' (1985) was the title track. Released in February 1986, the single came with an unreleased B-side: the near-acapella 'The handsome cabin boy'.

The 12" single featured an alternative version of 'Hounds of love', apparently created by Kate in the autumn of 1985. With less lyrics and a different backing track, it was a real treat for fans who had been waiting for the album for three years. It seemed an eternity back then, but later in life fans would learn that Kate wouldn't always be as prolific as she's been in 1978 or 2011.

My collection: 12" single no. 25
Found: Free Record Shop, 1986
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Alternative Hounds of love' / 'Jig of life', 'The handsome cabin boy'

Love pains - Liza Minelli

2011-12-07T21:13:00.003+01:00

After the American and European 12" single of Liza Minelli's 'Love pains', I should probably confess that I have the UK 12" single as well. It's the least interesting of the three, since all tracks can be found on the other two, but the truth is, the sleeve is so different from the other two even my photographic memory didn't help much when I thought of whether I had this one or not.

Or at least, that's how I remember it. But in fact, this was the first one I bought, so the other two discs were improvements on this one.

My collection: 12" single no. 186
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love pains (Steve 'Silk' Hurley's remix)' / 'Love pains (Deep dub)', 'Rent'

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

2011-12-07T20:31:00.003+01:00

The American 12" single of Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting' was released a year after the European one. EMI had just released 'The whole story', a compilation album of Kate's biggest hits between 1978 and 1985, and used this album as a vehicle to promote her music Stateside.

'Cloudbusting' appears on this disc as the 'Meteorological mix', which is actually a mislabeling: it is the 'Organon remix', whereas the single 'The big sky' was released in Europe in a 'Meteorological mix' a few months before this disc. A cd-single of 'Cloudbusting' was also released in the USA - and I'm still looking for a copy...

My collection: 12" single no. 15 (2)
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Cloudbusting (Meteorological mix) [= The Organon remix]' / 'The man with the child in his eyes', 'Sat in your lap'

Heaven can wait - Sandra

2011-12-07T20:20:00.003+01:00

Sandra released 'Heaven can wait' as the first single from her third studio album 'Into a secret land'. Sandra had just gotten married to her producer Michael Cretu and they had moved to Ibiza. The album would showcase a more open sound, and stronger melodies than in the two previous albums.

The 12" single contained three versions of the song, all of them quite similar to the album version that appeared shortly afterwards.

My collection: 12" single no. 203
Found: Marik, Vienna, July 1993
Cost: 99 Schilling
Tracks: 'Heaven can wait (extended version)' / 'Heaven can wait (dub mix)', 'Heaven can wait (single version)'

Bon Anniversaire - Guesch Patti & Encore

2011-12-07T13:32:00.003+01:00

'Bon anniversaire' was released as the fourth and final single from Guesch Patti's 1988 album 'Labyrinthe'. The single failed to chart, although the song was a good single choice in my humble opinion.

This 12" single features a remix version of the track, which is 90 seconds longer than the original version.

My collection: 12" single no. 458
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Bon anniversaire (version remix)' / 'Bon anniversaire', 'Backstage d'une star'

Here it comes again - Black

2011-12-07T13:16:00.003+01:00

'Here it comes again' was the second single from Black's third album, released in 1991. I never bought the 12" single because at the time the cd-single was becoming the dominating format and I didn't particularly want to spend money buying the same music twice. Of course, recently I realised that it's silly to have a complete Black collection bar a handful of 12" singles.

This disc features an alternative version of Black's biggest hit 'Wonderful life' plus two B-side tracks: a new song called 'Every waking hour' plus 'Shades', a cover of the Iggy Pop track, written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie. With Black's beautiful voice, I reckon it's better than the original...

My collection: 12" single no. 590
Found: Discogs.com, received October 8, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Here it comes again', 'Every waking hour' / 'Shades', 'Wonderful life (Chritsmas '88 recording)'

Ghost of love - Fiction Factory

2011-12-06T23:12:00.004+01:00

Readers of this blog have been able to follow the course of my Fiction Factory collection over the years. I had the 12" single of '(Feels like) heaven' for a long time, then I bought the 7" single of 'Ghost of love' in April 2009, a year later I found the 7" single of '(Feels like) heaven' and now I finally have the 12" single of 'Ghost of love' as well.

This disc features a nice extended version of the title track as well as two B-sides. It's made in the best Eighties traditions: big drums, clear melodies and a remarkable vocal. The band released four more singles plus two albums, so it looks like there's some more collecting to do in future years. At this rate, it should take me about two decades.

My collection: 12" single no. 610
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, December 5, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ghost of love (extended)' / 'The other side of grey', 'Old game blue flame'

Only happy when it rains - Garbage

2011-12-06T22:53:00.003+01:00

'Only happy when it rains' was written, recorded and produced by Garbage at their own recording studio in Madison, Wisconsin. The song was released as the third single from the band's debut album 'Garbage'. Shirley Manson explained that the song was 'a dig at ourselves because we like records that don't make us feel very happy, and at this so-called 'alternative' scene of 'we're so weird and more wonderful than everybody else'.'

Continuing their theme of collectible 7" vinyl releases, which had seen 'Vow' packaged in an aluminium sleeve and 'Subhuman' in black rubber, Mushroom packaged the 7" format for "Only Happy When It Rains" in a "Prismaboard" (rain-effect) die-cut card sleeve, with a hologram logo sticker on the inner jacket. The B-side was pressed with a double groove, so that either 'Girl don't come' or 'Sleep' played, depending on where the stylus landed; the songs were shorter on the vinyl than they were on the CD or cassette formats to accommodate both on one side of the disc. This pressing was limited to 5,000 copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 5268
Found: Discogs.com, received December 6, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Only happy when it rains' / 'Girl don't come', 'Sleep'

Walking wounded - Everything but the girl

2011-12-06T22:41:00.003+01:00

'Walking wounded' was released as the first single from Everything but the Girl's ninth studio album of the same name, their first album to showcase a more electronic and dance style, after the success of the remixed version of their song 'Missing' from the previous album 'Amplified heart'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Irish chart.

I didn't know this song was released as a 7" single until I did a little research on EBTG 7" releases recently. Fortunately, a copy was available online so I ordered it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 5267
Found: Discogs.com, received December 6, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Walking wounded (Main vocal mix edit)' / 'Walking wounded (Hard vocal mix)'

Heart of glass - Blondie

2011-12-04T21:45:00.003+01:00

Blondie's 'Heart of glass' was released in January 1979. Almost immediately after its release, it became the subject of controversy because of its disco sound. At the time, Blondie was one of the bands at the forefront of New York's growing New Wave music scene and were accused of "selling out" for releasing a disco song. The band itself has jokingly taken to referring to the song as "The Disco Song" in interviews.

This 12" single features an instrumental version of the song as well as an extended remix. The song 'Rifle range' was originally released in 1976 on Blondie's debut album.

My collection: 12" single no. 182
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart of glass (extended)' / 'Heart of glass (instrumental)', 'Rifle range'

Flowers in our hair - All about Eve

2011-12-04T21:26:00.003+01:00

I got to know All about Eve thanks to a TV special on a satellite channel. On that occasion I saw short clips of 'Every angel', 'Martha's harbour' and 'Flowers in our hair'. I hadn't had much of a chance to find out more about them, but within weeks I spotted this 12" single in a discount record store. A once in a lifetime chance, as I found out later. At least, this 12" single became quite expensive in later years, although the price seems to have dropped in recent years.

Besides an extended version of the title track, this disc features a cover version of the Cliff Richard track 'Devil woman'. Cliff Richard? Well it's hard to imagine him singing this lyric I have to say, but he did.

My collection: 12" single no. 77
Found: Haags Modehuis, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Flowers in our hair (extended)' / 'Devil woman', 'Paradise'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

2011-12-04T20:36:00.003+01:00

Although most people are familiar with the unattractive 'Hip hop mix' of Climie Fisher's 'Rise to the occasion', originally it was actually a very nice song. One should consider that remix as a misguided attempt to attract a new audience for the pop duo, as if regular pop audiences aren't worthwhile.

This 12" single features an extended remix of the original version, still free from the random mumblings of someone hailing from one 'hood' or another.

My collection: 12" single no. 370
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion (extended mix)' / 'Rise to the occasion', 'Mental block'

Never let me down - David Bowie

2011-12-04T17:56:00.003+01:00

'Never let me down' was released as the third single from David Bowie's album of the same name in the summer of 1987. The song is about Bowie's long-time personal assistant, Coco Schwab. Bowie described their relationship, saying 'It's platonic. But there is a romance in it, I guess, inasmuch as it's hard for two people to feel totally at ease in each other's company for that period of time and not expect too much from each other. Always being prepared to be there if the other one needs someone, you know? There's not many people you find in life that you can do that with, or feel that way with.'

This 12" single features an extended remix of the track, as well as a dub and acapella version.

My collection: 12" single no. 352
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down (extended dance remix)' / ''87 and cry', 'Never let me down (dub)', 'Never let me down (acapella)'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

2011-12-04T16:31:00.003+01:00

This 12" single features the so-called '312 mm version' of 'Genetic engineering', a single released by the band as the first single from their fourth album 'Dazzle ships'. The single was a commercial disappointment for the band, as it peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart, thus ending a run of four consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK.

This remix clocks in at 5'18 minutes and as such adds 90 seconds to the original version of the song. It mostly consists of added instrumental passages.

My collection: 12" single no. 287
Found: Record exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering (312 mm version)' / '4 Neu'

Our lips are sealed - The Visitor featuring Roxanne Wilde

2011-11-30T13:58:00.003+01:00

Although Kim Wilde's younger sister Roxanne Wilde has an equally captivating voice and stage presence, she never quite manage to lift her career off the ground in the way her older sister did. Along the way, she did record several interesting records. First with her own band Dimestars, and later with some dance producers.

Her hit with Darren Tate, 'Destination' became a chart hit in May 2003 and soon after that she recorded 'Our lips are sealed' with The Visitor, a.k.a. Jon Pleased. This 12" single features two versions of the track as well as a rather interesting instrumental dance track. Roxanne later became a backing vocalist for Kylie Minogue, so she did alright for herself anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 440
Found: HMV, London, December 2003
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed', 'Our lips are sealed dub' / 'A month of Sundays'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

2011-11-30T13:35:00.002+01:00

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Take on me - A-ha

2011-11-29T21:59:00.002+01:00

A-ha did their farewell tour last year, causing some grief among their fans, who are coming together this weekend for a fan reunion. Personally I think it's a matter of time before the three Norwegians reunite for another tour and/or album. It may take some years, but in the mean time, there's loads of old records to enjoy.

Such as this one, the original 12" single of 'Take on me', released in 1984 - a year before the single was re-released for the third time and finally became a hit. It's 'Take on me', but not as you know it. I've always liked this version a little better, also because of the exclusive track 'Stop! and make your mind up' which was never released since.

My collection: 12" single no. 19
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (long version)' / 'And you tell me', 'Stop! and make your mind up'

Private dancer - Tina Turner

2011-11-29T21:46:00.003+01:00

Although I was never much of a fan of Tina Turner's vocals, I have to admit that her voice was quite suitable for 'Private dancer'. She sounds old and disillusioned enough to carry the lyric of the song, and the fact that she doesn't exactly have a pretty or smooth voice really is a plus here.

This 12" single features the full length version of the song, plus two live tracks of old Ike & Tina Turner chestnuts, recorded live in Chicago on August 2, 1984.

My collection: 12" single no. 134
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 0,5 pound
Tracks: 'Private dancer (Full length version)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)', 'Nutbush city limits (live)'

Our summer - All about Eve

2011-11-29T21:37:00.002+01:00

Collectors items can be very frustrating to a collector, as sometimes you think you may never get hold of them. When I became interested in the band All about Eve, I quickly became aware of their early 'indie' releases. 'Our summer' was released in 1987 as the band's third indie release on 12", and it was one of those frustrating items for me for years.

I finally found a copy during a visit to one of those record exchanges in London, and the price had dropped to an almost acceptable level. I'm still very happy to have found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 175
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 9 pounds
Tracks: 'Our summer (extended mix)' / 'Lady moonlight', 'Shelter from the rain'

We close our eyes - Go West

2011-11-29T21:30:00.002+01:00

Go West's debut single was 'We close our eyes', a great rhythmic track that lends itself well to an extended remix. This 12" single does not disappoint: this six minute remix of the track delivers well in every aspect. The remix was later included on the 1985 compilation album 'Bangs & Crashes'.

Thanks to those wonderful Here & Now Tours at the beginning of this century I've had the pleasure of seeing Richard Drummie and Peter Cox live a couple of times. Thankfully they were still as powerful as two decades earlier.

My collection: 12" single no. 28
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'We close our eyes (Total overhang club mix)' / 'We close our eyes', 'Missing persons'

Hey little girl - Icehouse

2011-11-28T21:04:00.002+01:00

The UK single of 'Hey little girl' was already in my possession when I found this 12" single. I wasn't too surprised, then, by the sleeve which was different from the European one. I was, however, quite surprised by the track listing of this disc, as it featured an extended remix of the title track and a remix of the earlier hit single 'Can't help myself'. A good deal, I felt, since I like both tracks.

The design and painting of the sleeve was done by David Storey, who also did artwork for artists as diverse as Blondie, Elton John and The Specials.

My collection: 12" single no. 280
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hey little girl (Australian Disco Mix)' / 'Hey little girl (single mix)', 'Can't help myself (Disco club mix)'

Atomic - Blondie

2011-11-27T17:36:00.002+01:00

Blondie released 'Atomic' in February 1980 and as such it was their first single of the Eighties. The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 39 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This 12" single contains a live version of David Bowie's 'Heroes' featuring Robert Fripp on guitar, recorded at London's Hammersmith Odeon on January 11, 1980. The track was later included on 1993's rarities compilation 'Blonde and Beyond'.

My collection: 12" single no. 394
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Atomic' / 'Die young stay pretty' / 'Heroes (live)'

So excited - Janet Jackson

2011-11-27T15:47:00.002+01:00

'So excited' was taken from Janet Jackson's ninth album '20 Y.O.' and features a sample of Herbie Hancock's 1984 hit single 'Rockit'. That is a very good addition, however the addition of the inarticulate ramblings of a rapper named Khia is a less fortunate choice.

Although 'So excited' was remixed by Junior Vasquez, Bimbo Jones and Eddie Baez, this 12" single features four slightly predictable versions of the song: an album version, a radio edit, an instrumental version and an acapella version, all drawn from the regular album mix. The radio edit is laughable because of its random removal of certain 'shocking' words. You can't listen to - lyric - certain words - blocked. And what's so shocking about the word 'inside' anyway?

My collection: 12" single no. 601
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'So excited (album version)', 'So exicted (radio edit)' / 'So excited (instrumental)', 'So excited (a cappella)'

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

2011-11-27T15:35:00.002+01:00

Kate Bush released 'Cloudbusting' in October 1985 as the second single from her fifth album 'Hounds of love'. The 12" single featured two B-side tracks and an extended remix of the title track, entitled the 'Organon Remix'.

In 'Burning Bridge', a woman desperately pleads with her lover to step up his level of commitment to her. 'My Lagan Love' is a traditional Irish melody with lyrics by John Carder Bush, Kate Bush's brother.

My collection: 12" single no. 15
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Cloudbusting (The Organon Remix)' / 'Burning bridge', 'My lagan love'

Stop for a minute - Sandra

2011-11-27T15:27:00.002+01:00

'Stop for a minute' was released after Sandra's first two albums as a new track on her first compilation album 'Ten on one'. It was a surprisingly strong track, it sounds a lot less dodgy than a lot of her early work.

This 12" single features an interesting extended version of the track, as well as the A- and B-side of the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 223
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop for a minute (extended version)' / 'Two lovers tonight', 'Stop for a minute'

Tinseltown in the rain - The Blue Nile

2011-11-27T14:56:00.002+01:00

The Blue Nile's 'A walk across the rooftops' was one of the most remarkable albums of 1984, featuring seven beautifully crafted tracks. It featured two singles: 'Stay' and 'Tinseltown in the rain'. The album version of the latter track appears on this 12" singles, as well as an instrumental version of another album track, 'Heatwave'.

This 12" single is however most notable for the otherwise unreleased track 'Regret'. 'One of the saddest songs I know', I wrote on a mailing list a decade ago and I still stand by those words. The track was later included on a rare compilation cd which I never found, but fortunately there's an mp3 floating around which I've included here for your listening pleasure. After all, sometimes the crackles and pops of vinyl tend to distract the listener a bit.

My collection: 12" single no. 143
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tinseltown in the rain' / 'Heatwave (instrumental)', 'Regret'

Escapade - Janet Jackson

2011-11-26T21:57:00.003+01:00

Although I have two cd-singles of Janet Jackson's 'Escapade', each featuring three remixes of the track, I was surprised to find that four remixes on this 12" single don't appear on them. And I'm not even counting the LP version which also appears on this 12".

Wikipedia lists 15 different remixes of 'Escapade', but since only two remix teams were involved one could assume that these versions are all a bit 'samey'. The remixes on this 12" single were all made by Shep Pettibone, whereas a lot of other remixes were made by producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It's always amusing to hear different remixes of one track, but it can get a little too much sometimes.

My collection: 12" single no. 609
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Escapade (Shep's Good Time mix)', 'Escapade (The Get away dub)', 'Escapade (LP version)' / 'Escapade (Shep's Housecapade mix)', 'Escapade (Housecapade dub)', 'Escapade (I can't take no more dub)'

Eaten alive - Diana Ross

2011-11-26T21:46:00.004+01:00

It's a strange combination, the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson, but they both appear on this track, and it's a track by Diana Ross! Originally produced and written by Barry and Maurice Gibb, it was not until Michael Jackson heard the demo of it that he suggested the chorus could be improved. He worked with the Gibb brothers on the track and contributed his vocals to the chorus as well.

On this 12" single you can hear three versions of the track. In the instrumental version in particular you can hear the vocals by Jackson and the Gibb brothers very well.

My collection: 12" single no. 608
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Eaten alive (extended remix)' / 'Eaten alive (edited remix)', 'Eaten alive (instrumental)'

If you think you know how to love me - Smokie

2011-11-26T21:22:00.002+01:00

As a listener of Kim Wilde's weekly radio show 'Secret Songs' (on Magic 104.5 FM in the UK), I always listen to her own special choice of the week with some extra attention. Loads of choices are from the Seventies, an era that I like but I don't know very much about.

In March this year she chose the song 'If you think you know how to love me' by Smokie. It's a beautiful song, and a bit more tasteful than the stuff they did towards the end of the Seventies. The song was taken from their second album 'Changing all the time' and was their first hit, reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart in August 1975.

My collection: 7" single no. 5266
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If you think you know how to love me' / ''Tis me'

Ring Ring - Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda

2011-11-26T21:09:00.003+01:00

'Ring Ring' was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Their manager Stig Anderson wrote the lyrics with the intention of making a 'poppy' song and to make it more accessible to a universal audience, Anderson asked American songwriter Neil Sedaka to pen the lyrics for an English version, together with his songwriting partner, Phil Cody. Recorded in January, the song was submitted to the Swedish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest - and it finished third.

Nevertheless, the song fared much better in the Swedish charts, both in its Swedish and English language incarnations, where it hit number one and number two respectively. Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda had an international hit on their hands and decided to re-enter for Eurovision the next year - and the rest is history. I never managed to buy this legendary single, but finally picked up a copy last weekend.

My collection: 7" single no. 5265
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Rock 'n' roll band'

Abergavenny - Marty Wilde

2011-11-26T20:56:00.003+01:00

Marty Wilde's 'Abergavenny' is one of those songs that never fails to get me in a good mood. I love its kitsch appeal and the pure craftmanship of the songwriter. Marty entered the 1968 Knokke festival in Belgium with this song. This single is a Belgian pressing of 'Abergavenny', released on the occasion of that festival. Subsequently Marty had a European hit. Meanwhile, 'Abergavenny' was criminally overlooked in the UK.

A similar fate befell the album 'Diversions', also released in 1968. It features 14 tracks that are equally fascinating, including the melancholy B-side 'Alice in blue' and the songs 'Ice in the sun' and 'Jesamine', hits for Status Quo and the Casuals respectively. So when is this album finally released on cd? One can only hope.

My collection: 7" single no. 5263
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Abergavenny' / 'Alice in blue'

Empty rooms - Gary Moore

2011-11-26T20:42:00.003+01:00

Gary Moore wrote 'Parisienne walkways' together with Phil Lynnott. It was released as a single in May 1979, and it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. A live track was recorded in 1985, during a live concert of Gary Moore with guest vocals by Phil Lynnott.

The live version of 'Parisienne walkways' appears in this limited edition double single of 'Empty rooms', a track released by Gary Moore in the summer of 1985. It could be the best seven minutes of live music ever recorded: with those vocals, the amazing guitar work of Moore and a very responsive audience, it is always a pleasure to hear this.

My collection: 7" single no. 5261
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Empty rooms (Summer '85 version)' / 'Out of my system' // 'Parisienne walkways (live)' / 'Murder in the skies (live)'

The ink in the well - David Sylvian

2011-11-26T20:35:00.002+01:00

David Sylvian released his first solo album in 1984, after the breakup of his band Japan. The album featured the hit single 'Red guitar', but two further singles were released. The second single, 'The ink in the well' was released in August 1984 and reached number 36 in the UK singles chart.

A limited edition featured a foldout sleeve with photography by Anton Corbijn. The song itself is a wonderfully textured, organic kind of track, the kind of music David Sylvian would continue to make with ever less chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 5260
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The ink in the well' / 'Weathered wall (instrumental)'

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

2011-11-26T18:31:00.003+01:00

Growing up in the Seventies, I have rather vivid memories of my sister playing records to me. She's six years older than me and so she had a record collection while I was still dreaming of having one, one day. 'Mr. Blue Sky' was one of the songs she played a lot back in 1978, when it was in the charts. Ten years later I bought a copy of the single, and twenty years after that I bought the album 'Out of the blue' which is quite a fascinating album.

However, last weekend I found this new copy of 'Mr. Blue Sky', pressed on blue vinyl. I didn't think much about it: I simply had to have it. It's still one of the most fabulous songs I know.

My collection: 7" single no. 5258
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mr. Blue Sky' / 'One summer dream'

For everyone - Wind

2011-11-26T18:24:00.003+01:00

The German band Wind entered the Eurovision Song Contest three times, but their debut took place in 1985, when they represented Germany with the song 'Für alle'. They finished second in a field of 19 competitors.

The band recorded the song in three other languages: French ('Pour tout le monde'), Swedish ('Så många människor' and English ('For everyone'). This single features the English version. The B-side of the original German single, 'Feuer und eis' also appears in an English version here as 'Fire and ice'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5255
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'For everyone' / 'Fire and ice'

19 (German version) - Paul Hardcastle

2011-11-26T18:15:00.002+01:00

Paul Hardcastle had a surprise hit with '19' in 1985, a song about America's involvement in the Vietnam war and the effect it had on the soldiers who served, using sampled dialogue from an American television documentary about the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by veterans. He quickly recorded versions in French and German as well.

While I knew about these versions, I never realised a 12" version might also exist. But here it is: an extended remix of the German version of '19', featuring sampled dialogue entirely in German.

My collection: 12" single no. 607
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: '19 (German version) (12" mix)' / '19 (German version) (7" mix)', 'Eat your heart out'

Your love is so good for me - Diana Ross

2011-11-25T23:04:00.002+01:00

'Your love is so good for me' was released in 1978 as a single from Diana Ross's 1977 album 'Baby it's me'. The album was produced by Richard Perry and the single was written by Ken Peterson. The album also contained songs written by Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, but for some reason those were not selected for a single release.

This slightly repetitive song reached number 49 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing comes from France, but unfortunately I have no information what the single did in the charts in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 5227
Found: Record fair, utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Your love is so good for me' / 'Baby it's me'

Miss you much - Janet Jackson

2011-11-25T22:25:00.003+01:00

Here's another good example of the Puck-trick I employed so successfully last Saturday. In April I spotted this promotional 7" single of Janet Jackson. Interesting, since I've become a bit of a Janet Jackson collector lately. But I already owned the 'normal' single of 'Miss you much', so I wasn't prepared to spend 3 euros on this one.

But fortunately the same dealer returned this month, with a special discount on all of his 7" singles. Now the single had become very cheap, and it was still the collector's item I wanted to have. It's mine now!

My collection: 7" single no. 5233
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Miss you much' / 'You need me'

Who do you wanna be - Luv'

2011-11-25T22:06:00.003+01:00

'Who do you wanna be' was the eighth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1979 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This song was taken from the group's debut album 'With Luv'' and released as a contract-fulfilling single just before they left the label and switched to CNR/Carrere Records. The single was only released in the Netherlands.

The girl group didn't promote the song as they focused on their new releases with Carrere, which is why it failed to reach the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5264
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who do you wanna be' / 'I.M.U.R.'

It could happen to you - Robert Palmer

2011-11-25T21:54:00.003+01:00

'It could happen to you' was released in 1989 as the sixth and last single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. His first album for EMI Records after a 15-year association with Island Records (both with Vinegar Joe and as a solo artist), it followed Palmer's very popular album 'Riptide'. The name Heavy Nova derives from Palmer's love of both heavy metal and bossa nova rhythms.

The single only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but was not released in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5262
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'It could happen to you' / 'Change his ways'

I can't escape from you - Act

2011-11-25T21:48:00.002+01:00

'I can't escape from you' was written by Claudia Brücken and Thomas Leer. It was the fourth and final single from Act. ZTT Records withdrew the previous single 'Chance' and hurriedly released 'I can't escape from you' on 7 March 1988. The single only managed to reach number 90 in the UK singles chart.

A 12" single and cd-single also appeared, featuring a cover of the Smiths' single 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5259
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't escape from you' / 'Dear life'

Don't drop bombs - Liza Minelli

2011-11-25T21:33:00.002+01:00

'Don't drop bombs' was released as the second single from Liza Minelli's 1989 album 'Results'. Like the album, the single was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelssohn. The track was written by the Pet Shop Boys and featured background vocals by Tessa Niles. The single was a club favourite, but stalled at number 46 in the UK singles chart.

This limited edition of the single features a poster sleeve. Disappointingly, the same photograph was used for the poster, but it's still a collector's item. And you know how much I love those.

My collection: 7" single no. 5257
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't drop bombs' / 'Don't drop bombs (instrumental)'

Do re mi - Jahn Teigen

2011-11-25T21:22:00.003+01:00

Jahn Teigen is known as a three time representative for Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1978, 1982 and 1983. For some reason, the adjective 'unsuccessful' always seems to spring to mind, but in fact, his last attempt was quite successful. 'Do re mi' was written by Teigen with his wife Anita Skorgan and ended up in ninth place at the Contest.

Although Teigen appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, he participated in no less than fourteen(!) Norwegian national finals: in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 and once again as late as in 2005. In addition to this, Teigen has been the host of Melodi Grand Prix and provided the interval act of the Melodi Grand Prix on a number of occasions. He has also acted as commentator for Norwegian television in 1991 in Rome, together with Jon Andreassen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5256
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Do re mi (English version)' / 'Do re mi (Norwegian version)'

Ring ring - Dollar

2011-11-25T20:49:00.002+01:00

Released in 1982, 'The very best of Dollar' was a compilation album released by the duo's first label Carrere at a time when the duo was successful with Trevor Horn-produced singles on the WEA label. The old tracks were repackaged and re-released, with Carrere probably hoping for similar success.

Such schemes rarely work, and this case was no exception. 'Ring ring', recorded in 1979, was re-released as a single in 1982, and failed to reach the UK singles chart. Even if the B-side, 'Star control', is an intriguing piece of work, clocking in at 6 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5252
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Star control'

Jet - Paul McCartney & Wings

2011-11-25T20:25:00.002+01:00

'Jet' is a song by Paul McCartney & Wings from their album Band on the Run. The song peaked at number 7 in both the British and American charts in 1974. Whereas most of the album was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, 'Jet' was recorded entirely at EMI Studios in London after the group's return.

Reviewers have reported that the subject of the song is McCartney's Labrador Retriever dog named 'Jet'. However, in a 2010 interview on the UK television channel ITV1 for the program Wings: Band on the Run (to promote the November 2010 CD/DVD re-release of the album) McCartney explained that 'Jet' was the name of a pony he had owned, although many of the lyrics bore little relation to the subject.

My collection: 7" single no. 5251
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Jet' / 'Let me roll it'

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

2011-11-24T22:23:00.003+01:00

'Sweet Caroline' was written and performed by Neil Diamond and released in September 1969. In a 2007 interview, Diamond revealed the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" was President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time.

The song reached number 4 on the Billboard chart and eventually went platinum for sales of one million singles. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 8 in 1971.

My collection: 7" single no. 5250
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Sweet Caroline' / 'I am the lion'

Instant replay - Dan Hartman

2011-11-24T22:05:00.004+01:00

'Instant Replay' is a disco song performed by Dan Hartman from the album of the same name. The single reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978. In the UK, the song peaked at number 8.

The single was successfully covered in 1990 by the UK pop duo, Yell!, who reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Instant replay' / 'Instant replay (replayed)'

Disco queen - Hot Chocolate

2011-11-24T21:50:00.002+01:00

Released in early 1975, 'Disco queen' was Hot Chocolate's first big hit since 'Emma', released a year earlier. Three singles were released in the mean time, of which only 'Cheri babe' managed to reach the UK and Dutch top 40.

'Disco queen', written about the most popular music genre of those days, reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the US Billboard Hot 100 - their second American hit since 'Emma'. Later in the year Hot Chocolate would immortalise themselves with the single 'You sexy thing'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5248
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Disco queen' / 'Bump and dilly down'

Say you do - Janet Jackson

2011-11-24T21:40:00.002+01:00

'Say you do' was the third single from Janet Jackson's self-titled debut album 'Janet Jackson' (1982). There are three versions of the song: an edit of 3'48, an album version of 5'20 and the 12" remix version, which clocks in at 6'49.

Janet performed this song live for the first time during her 2008 'Rock Witchu tour'.

My collection: 12" single no. 606
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Say you do [extended version]' / 'You'll never find (a love like mine)'

For America - Red Box

2011-11-23T22:18:00.003+01:00

When Red Box released 'The circle and the square' as their debut album on WEA records, it was critically acclaimed. The record company worried about the lack of mainstream appeal of the band's material and was further provoked by the song 'For America', written by Simon Toulson-Clarke after WEA's request for something to appeal to American radio.

The lyric lambasted what he saw as the style-over-content approach of the American media. The song also alluded to the American military involvement in Grenada and Nicaragua. The song was not a hit in the USA, though it did worldwide outsell the previous single 'Lean On Me', reaching number one in six countries and the top ten in several others including the UK, where it spent twelve weeks in the chart including two at number nine.

My collection: 7" single no. 5253
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For America' / 'R 'n A'

One more chance - Diana Ross

2011-11-23T22:13:00.004+01:00

'To love again' is a 1981 compilation album by Diana Ross, produced by Michael Masser. Following the success of 1980's 'Diana', produced by Chic, the set was released in early 1981 and consisted of old and newly recorded love songs by the Motown diva. Two of the three new recordings were issued as singles.

The first of them, 'One more chance' was the only one of the two to reach the charts, although it wasn't a very big hit. It reached number 79 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart. 'To love again' was to be Ross' last album of new material for Motown (before her return in 1989) after signing a $20 million contract with RCA.

My collection: 7" single no. 5246
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'After you'

Trouble - Heaven 17

2011-11-23T22:04:00.002+01:00

Heaven 17 had their biggest success with their first three albums, 'Penthouse and pavement' (1981), 'The luxury gap' (1983) and 'How men are' (1984). When they released 'Pleasure One' in 1986, their popularity seemed to have vanished. The first single, 'Contenders' only reached number 80 in the UK singles chart and 'Trouble', the second and last single from the album, peaked at number 51.

A promotional video was created for the single, becoming one of the band's last music videos to date.

My collection: 7" single no. 5245
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Trouble' / 'Move out'