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'

Jukebox July: Fox The Fox & Time Bandits **UPDATE**

After Jukebox June went by unnoticed, I suddenly received a donation for a re-upload of songs by Fox the Fox and Time Bandits. But which ones? Those who've read this blog will know that I have quite a few songs by these bands, so here goes.

Fox the Fox:
Man on the run, Precious little diamond, Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone remix)

Time Bandits:
1 2 3, Cool world, Cues part 2, Dancing on a string, Dancing on a string (instrumental), Don't let your love go bad, Endless road, Endless road (Special remixed dance version), Fiction, Ginny, How does it feel (my own favourite of this bunch), I won't steal away, I'm only shooting love, I'm only shooting love (US single version), I'm only shooting love (dub version), I'm only shooting love (extended version), I'm specialized in you, I'm specialized in you (extended), In town, Listen to the man with the golden voice, Lookin' out, Only a fool, Only lovers will survive, Pasadena dream world, Reach out, Sister paradise, Star, Star (special remix), Star (instrumental remix), Ushi girl, We'll be dancing, Wildfire, Words, You're not at home.

If you're interested in the stories behind these 7" and 12" singles, read the old entries about Fox The Fox and Time Bandits! You can also look forward to some new entries about Time Bandits later this year, so watch this space....

If you'd like to request a re-upload for yourself, please donate a dollar for each song you'd like to hear.

Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix) - Fox the fox

So I have the 7" single and the 12" single of Fox the fox's 'Precious little diamond' - what else could there be? As it turns out, this 1984 single was re-released in 1986 in a remix made by Shep Pettibone.

A lot has changed in two years: the band, originally consisting of six members on the 1984 sleeve, seems to have been brought down to only two members, and the remix diminishes the beautiful song to a rather substandard collection of beats. Well, maybe I'm a bit harsh, but although I like this remix, I do prefer the original track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4574
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix)' / 'Man on the run'

Precious little diamond - Fox the fox

One of the reasons, besides this blog, for my current singles-buying frenzy is the fact that there are some weird omissions in my collection. And when I get a chance to visit a record store with a list of what I already own, such as today, I finally can fill up some of those weird holes.

Much to my surprise I found out that I don't actually have the 7" single of 'Precious little diamond' by Fox the fox. (I do have the 12" single, as you can see here.) While buying singles for almost nothing, this is a great moment to solve the problem. It was the band's only hit, peaking at number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3907
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond' / 'Man on the run'

Precious little diamond - Fox the fox

The Dutch group Fox the Fox was formed in 1983 by Berth Tamaela and Robbie Brans. They were joined by Silhouette Musmin. Their first single 'Flirting and showing' barely missed the Dutch top 40, but in 1984 they had their first (and only) hit: 'Precious little diamond'. The song is a big success in Europe and South America as well.

'Precious little diamond' was remixed by Ben Liebrand, who had just become a famous dj and remixer thanks to his weekly 'minimix' on Radio Veronica. The remix is an extended version of the original song with extra instrumental breaks. Very attractive.

My collection: 12" single no. 459

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (special remix by Ben Liebrand)' / 'Man on the run'

Download: here