F.L.M. - Mel & Kim

Although I have a few editions of Mel & Kim's third single 'F.L.M.', somehow this 12" single eluded me until now. It's the 'Two Grooves Under One Nation' remix of the track, which features elements of 'Le freak' by Chic.

It's an interesting remix, but the disc itself is perhaps even better, pressed on splattered brown/grey vinyl.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Vinylparadijs, Geesteren, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'F.L.M. (Two grooves under one nation remix)' / 'F.L.M. (Two grooves under one nation dub mix)'

Louise (We get it right) - Jona Lewie

There's a certain amount of repetition in this blog when I buy singles in different formats. I bought the 7" single of Jona Lewie's 'Louise (We get it right)' in 2009, but I was lucky enough last week to find the 10" version. On this disc an extended version of the song appears.

On the runout groove the name 'J. Lewie' appears in die-cut. I wonder if this happened with all the 10" singles, or if someone has just had a creative moment with this disc. Who knows...

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered] 
Found: Vinylparadijs, Geesteren, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Louise (We get it right) (extended version)' / 'It never will go wrong' 

Dreiklangs dimensionen - Rheingold

Second hand shops hold their own mysteries, and this item presents one of them. Just how did a Spanish 12" single of Rheingold's 'Dreiklangs dimensionen' end up in a rural area of the Netherlands? It's fascinating.

This 12" single presents an extended version of this techno pop classic, and I was lucky to find this copy, even if the sleeve was falling apart. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Vinylparadijs, Geesteren, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Dreiklangs dimensionen [extended]' / 'Fluss' 

Obscene phone caller - Rockwell

Three decades ago I bought the single 'Obscene phone caller' by Rockwell. It is one of those songs that you would enjoy if you heard it but forget about almost as quickly. Still, when I saw this 12" single it made me buy it instantly.  

The extended version of the song is just a minute longer, and doesn't really add much. But the instrumental version on the B-side of this 12" single is even longer than the extended version, curiously enough. I bet someone could make a really good extended version with just a few smart edits.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Vinylparadijs, Geesteren, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Obscene phone caller (extended club version)' / 'Obscene phone caller (instrumental)'

Schlager cocktail - Various artists

This 'Schlager cocktail' EP is a collection of songs that were popular in the early Sixties. None of the songs are performed by the original artists, but that's what makes it more interesting, I think. Especially when one of the songs is a Eurovision Song Contest track! 

'Zwei kleine Italiener' is performed here by Virginia Markus & Emilio Vallati. Although it doesn't stray too far from the original song by Conny Froboess, it does have a few differences, especially in the vocals. The instrumental 'Claire de lune à Maubeuge' is especially nice to listen to.

My collection: 7" single no. 8400
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: ' Quando quando quando' (Jean Couroyer), 'Tanz mit mir in den Morgen' (Otto Markert), 'Tango Italiano' (Jean Couroyer), 'Zwei kleine Italiener' (Virginia Markus & Emilio Vallati) / 'The lion sleeps tonight' (Jean Couroyer), 'La Chansonette' (Jean Couroyer), 'Michael' (The Streetsingers), 'Claire de Lune à Maubeuge'

Warum, nur warum / Merci Cherie - Udo Jürgens

Udo Jürgens competed in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, but 'Warum, nur warum' and 'Merci, Chérie' were the best known songs of the three. And so they appear on this French single in the Superhits series. 

According to the back of the sleeve, many more of these singles were released, featuring songs by Donovan, The Kinks, Dionne Warwick, Petula Clark and the Isley Brothers, among others. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8399
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Warum, nur warum' / 'Merci, Chérie'

Love story - Nino Tempo & April Stevens

Nino Tempo & April Stevens (Antonino and Carol Vincinette LoTempio) were a brother and sister singing act from Niagara Falls, New York. They signed as a duo in the early sixties. Their biggest hit was the song 'Deep purple' in 1963, for which they earned a Grammy award.

In 1972 they released 'Love Story', a song based on the melody Francis Lai composed for the movie of the same name. Although this song wasn't a hit in the US, it reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 8398
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Love story' / 'Hoochy coochy-wing dang doo'

The Roaring Sixties - Mary Hopkin, The American Breed, Desmond Dekker, Percy Sledge

Times have changed. Banks these days are not about service anymore: they charge you for everything, including your bank account, the pass that goes with it, and when you want to deposit cash. Can you imagine getting any interest on your bank account anymore? Me neither.

Back in 1983 things were different. This single is the proof: 'The Roaring Sixties' was an EP released by the Dutch Amro Bank to promote their "Zilvervloot" savings account. The single came in a cover with photo's and information on the four artist featured, which in its turn was wrapped in a six page folder with information about the "Zilvervloot" account. It featured four tracks from the Sixties, by Mary Hopkin, The American Breed, Desmond Dekker and Percy Sledge. Yes, it was a free EP but these days it is sold second hand for a euro. I guess you can call that inflation.

My collection: 7" single no. 8397
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Those were the days' (Mary Hopkin), 'Bend me shape me' (The American Breed) / 'Israelites' (Desmond Dekker), 'My special prayer' (Percy Sledge)

I'm the one you need - Jody Watley

'I'm the one you need' was released in February 1992 as the second single from her third album, Affairs of the Heart (1991). The song was written by Watley with house music pioneer, David Morales and Alec Shantzis. 

It was Watley's seventh top 20 pop single in the US, peaking at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK singles chart the song reached number 50. The accompanying music video features a topless Watley reciting the song's spoken word intro, and then performing the rest of the song with her backup band.

My collection: 7" single no. 8396
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'I'm the one you need (Driza Bone 7")' / 'I'm the one you need (album version)' 

Papa Pingouin - Sophie & Magaly

The Eurovision Song Contest certainly divides opinions. Some feel it's the best event of the year, whereas others criticize it for its naffness and the opinion that music comes second to shows and effects.

One song that was always an example for the latter category was Sophie & Magaly's 'Papa Pingouin'. During their performance a man in a penguin suit danced across the stage. It looked quite ridiculous, but to be fair, the song was catchy and stayed in your head once you heard it. It's a televised event, after all, so I would say it's just these kind of gimmicks that entertain.  

My collection: 7" single no. 8395
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Papa Pingouin' / 'Tous les enfants du monde' 

Can't help falling in love - Stylistics

You could say that 'Can't help falling in love' is an overly familiar song, as it has been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to UB40. But the version of the Stylistics is quite unique, as it adds a certain uptempo soul touch to it. 

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, but only managed to get to number 7 in the Tipparade, just outside the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8394
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Can't help falling in love' / 'Jenny' 

Swing your daddy - Jim Gilstrap

'Swing Your Daddy' was a single by singer Jim Gilstrap. It became a hit for him in 1975, charting in various countries around the world. It was a track from his album, also titled Swing your daddy. The single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although Gilstrap didn't have many hits, he appeared in the charts more often than you might think. For example, he sang on Stevie Wonder's 'You are the sunshine of my life', and his voice can also be heard on several songs by Boz Scaggs. He is primarily heard in soul-style numbers, though an outlier is his vocal part on an LP by The Who's drummer Keith Moon. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8393 
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Swing your daddy (part 1)' / 'Swing your daddy (part 2)'

 

Daddy's home - Jermaine Jackson

'Daddy's home' is a song by American doo-wop group Shep and the Limelites. The song was written by the three members of the band, James "Shep" Sheppard (1935–1970), Clarence Bassett (1936–2005) and Charles Baskerville. 

Jermaine Jackson covered the song for his 1972 debut solo album, Jermaine, and it was released as the second single from the album. His version featured the rest of the Jackson 5 on backing vocals. The single peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 8392
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Daddy's home' / 'Take me in your arms (Rock me for a little while)' 

Let me change your mind tonight - Johnny hates Jazz

After the recent death of Calvin Hayes, a member of Johnny hates Jazz, it's appropriate to post one of their singles. The Eighties were kind for this band, but the Nineties... not so much. Lead singer Clark Datchler had left the band and the two other members, Hayes and Mike Nocito, went on with their friend Phil Thornally. However, Thornalley and Calvin Hayes were involved in a car accident in 1991 just before the album's release, which left Hayes seriously injured. He spent nearly two years in the hospital, inclduing one year in a full body cast, and required longterm rehabilitation treatment. The album Tall Stories, which coincided with the car accident, was commercially unsuccessful and attracted little attention.

'Let me change your mind tonight' was equally unsuccessful, stalling at no. 101 in the UK singles chart. Still, this single is worth checking out, especially since the instrumental B-side is really catchy!

My collection: 7" single no. 8391
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Let me change your mind tonight' / 'Breaking point' 

Mega hit mix - Fun Fun

After they had a couple of hits in the first half of the Eighties, Fun Fun seemed to have disappeared altogether. And yet, in 1987 they returned with this 'Mega Hit Mix' - a medley of exactly those hits. 

It brings together 'Happy Station', 'Colour my love', 'Baila bolero' and 'Give me your love' in a snazzy megamix fashion that lasts for almost six minutes. It brought them back into the Dutch Top 40 in the first weeks of 1988, peaking at number 5. Of course, this was also their last hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 8390
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Mega hit mix' / 'Gimme some lovin''

Goin' home - Tower

I wrote about Tower a long time ago, during the first few months of this blog, when I wrote about their biggest hit, 'See you tonight'. All these years later I've bought their second biggest hit, the single 'Goin' home'. 

When you compare the two songs you notice that 'Goin' home' is almost a carbon copy of 'See you tonight': the same sounds, the same simple chorus and even a few lines of 'ooooh'. It's not a bad song, it's just not too original.

My collection: 7" single no. 8389
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Goin' home' / 'Spaceman' 

I'll kiss your memory - Barry Gibb

Although the Bee Gees mainly recorded together, the members of the group also had some solo recordings with medium success. 'I'll kiss your memory' was Barry Gibb's first solo single, released in 1970 as a track from his intended debut solo album The Kid's No Good, but the album remained unreleased as it was decided to focus on a new Bee Gees album instead. 

'I'll kiss your memory' was released worldwide, but only charted in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. The song features an orchestra arrangement by Bill Shepherd. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8388
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'I'll kiss your memory' / 'This time' 

Flirting and showing - Fox the fox

Until now, I've only bought various versions of Fox the fox's only hit single, 'Precious little diamond' (7", 12" and remix version). But they did release a few more singles, and one of them was 'Flirting and showing', a single that ended up just outside of the Dutch Top 40, at number 2 of the Tipparade.

I wasn't that familiar with the song but I took a chance on this single and I'm glad I did. It's a great track with an infectious chorus.

My collection: 7" single no. 8387
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Flirting and showing' / 'Stretching out'

Heart and soul - Exile

A very early favourite song of mine is Exile's 'Heart and soul'. The group scored a huge hit with 'Kiss you all over' before it, but the power pop approach of this song appealed to me more.

It was therefore exhilirating that I discovered there was a 12" single of this song. Quite why I never investigated this before will always remain a mystery, but once I found out I ordered a copy right away. This extended version is excellent and does a lot to make the song even more of an anthem.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 August 2026
Tracks: 'Heart and soul [extended]' / 'Your love is everything' 

Tiger - Promises

Promises was a girl trio that recorded three singles on the CBS label in 1976 and 1977. They debuted with 'The old fashioned way', a cover version of the famous Charles Aznavour song. Their last single was a song called 'Love attack'. But before that, they released this single.

'Tiger' is a cover version of an early Abba song. The sleeve of this promotional single confidently proclaims that a chart placing is almost certain, but the single didn't chart.  

My collection: 7" single no. 8386
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 August 2026
Tracks: 'Tiger' / 'Cry baby'