Back in 1983, the late Ofra Haza participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with Hi. Readers of this blog will know that I managed to buy the original version and the German version Frei in 2000 and 2011 respectively. I recently managed to add one more version to the collection: 'Vas vas vas', which is the French version.
I have to be honest: I almost didn't buy this single. Through the years I've seen this sleeve so often, that I almost believed I'd already bought it. But usually the price was too high, causing me to leave the single with the various suppliers. This time around, though, I got lucky. And it's a pristine copy too!
My collection: 7" single no. 5605 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Vas vas vas' / 'Hi'
It's getting late in the evening, so it's time for the ultimate moan and groan track of all times. 'Je t'aime... moi non plus' is one of those songs almost everyone with a minor interest in pop music knows. It achieved some notoriety because of its extensive inclusion of heavy breathing.
The lyrics are written as a dialogue between two lovers during sex. Phrases include: 'I go and I come between your loins', 'You are the wave, I the naked/deserted island', 'Physical love is a dead end'. Gainsbourg claimed the song was actually an "anti-fuck" song about the desperation and impossibility of physical love. That message somehow got lost a bit, as the single reached number 1 in many countries mostly on the strength of its face value: it sounded very sexual. Well, I hope you will have a good night after listening to this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 5601 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Je t'aime moi non plus' / 'Jane B.'
'L'amour est bleu' was the 1967 Eurovision entry by Vicky Leandros, representing Luxembourg that year. She actually won the contest with the song, prompting chart success all over Europe - and a flurry of cover versions.
The most famous cover version is the one by Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra, although his version was entirely instrumental. It didn't bother the audiences in Europe, where it became a hit in 1968. Amazingly, his version became the best known version in the United States, where it ranked as the second best sold song of the year.
My collection: 7" single no. 5603 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'L'amour est bleu' / 'A banda'
'Can we still be friends' was written and originally recorded by Todd Rundgren. It appears on his 1978 album 'Hermit of Mink Hollow'. It was the only hit single from that album, reaching number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Robert Palmer was quick to cover the song, releasing it just a year later. He included it on his album 'Secrets'. Despite the fact that this is a very decent version, the single didn't chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5601 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Can we still be friends' / 'Too good to be true'
It's hard to believe that this single was released in the summer of 1978, because the Human League's 'Being boiled' sounds a lot like early Eighties synthpop. But actually, it was one of the first pieces of electronic pop music produced in the UK. It was recorded on a domestic tape recorder, in mono, in an abandoned factory at a cost of £2,50.
The song was written by Martyn Ware and Ian Craig-Marsh before Philip Oakey joined the band. They gave him the music to listen to, and he returned two days later with lyrics for the track. Ware and Marsh liked the lyrics, and the song was born. The song was re-recorded in 1980, but this single contains the original version.
My collection: 7" single no. 5600 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Being boiled' / 'Circus of death'
'The man who sold the world' was written by David Bowie and recorded as the title track of his third album in 1970. The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974. Bowie invited her to a concert he gave after which he met her in his hotel room saying: "I want to make an MF of a record with you [because] you're a great singer." She didn't think Bowie would follow up, but a short time later she was actually in the studio, recording tracks with David Bowie and Mick Ronson producing.
When 'The man who sold the world' was released as a single, it reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and also top 10 in the Netherlands and Ireland.
My collection: 7" single no. 5698 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The man who sold the world' / 'Watch that man'
Well, the following could become complicated... Dries Holten was born on January 30, 1936 in Cimahi, Dutch East Indies. He represented the Netherlands as Andres in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Sandra Reemer. Sandra en Andres, as they called themselves, performed Als het om de liefde gaat. They were a duo until 1975, when Andres said he wanted to work behind the scenes more.
Sandra went on to participate in the Dutch national final in 1976 and was surprised to learn that Andres had teamed up with Rosy Pereira to form Rosy & Andres. Together they sang 'I was born to love', the song that is presented on this single. They were unsuccessful: Sandra won the national final with The party's over and went on to represent the Netherlands in The Hague.
My collection: 7" single no. 5596 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I was born to love' / 'Why don't you phone me'
Frida Boccara used the melody of Vivaldi's Concerto for two mandolins in G major for 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour', a single released in 1970. It was the year after her impressive Eurovision win with 'Un jour, un enfant', one of the most melancholy Eurovision winners ever.
It's never fun and games with Frida Boccara, so this song sounds almost upbeat in comparison. Classical music can lend itself to modern interpretations, and this one is a good example.
My collection: 7" single no. 5693 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 9, 2015 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour' / 'La croix, l'étoile et le croissant'
'Right in the socket' was the third and last single taken from Shalamar's 1979 album 'Big fun'. While the album was Shalamar's third album, it was the first to feature the band's 'classic' line-up of Jeffrey Daniel, Howard Hewett and Jody Watley. Hewett had replaced Gerald Brown early on in 1979 after conflicts over lack of payment from Dick Griffey and Solar Records.
This single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 44 in the singles chart. It isn't entirely inconceivable to interpret the lyrics in a sexual manner, but that's all up to the listener of course.
My collection: 7" single no. 5689 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Right in the socket' / 'Girl'
Pascalis Arvanitidis, Marianna Toli, Robert Williams and Bessy Argyraki managed to get to fifth place in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest with Mathema Solfege. I bought the single back in 2010, but as it turns out, there are several different versions of this single.
In the UK, this single without a picture sleeve was released, featuring an English version called 'A music lesson'. The original version appears on the B-side. There is also a German single, which features the German version 'Freunde der Nacht' and 'A music lesson'. It commands prices that are quite impressive, starting at 15 euros.
My collection: 7" single no. 5688 Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'A music lesson' / 'Mathema solfege'
Almost six years ago, I bought L'oiseau et l'enfant by Marie Myriam. The 1977 Eurovision winner is still the last song in French to win the Contest. However, it turns out that there is an English language version of the song, and it can be found on this British release.
The single didn't come in a picture sleeve, unfortunately, but the track is on the B-side, and out of the many different releases of 'L'oiseau et l'enfant', this single is the only one to include this version on the B-side.
My collection: 7" single no. 5587 Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'L'oiseau et l'enfant' / 'The bird and the child'
Singing actors... there is plenty of evidence that it is not a good idea. Bruce Willis, Don Johnson and (shudder) Meryl Streep have all proved that they were better on the screen than they are on vinyl. With the exception of the latter of course, as she cannot even act.
This single by John Travolta was, of course, released at the time of 'Grease', one of the biggest 'musical films' of all time. I wasn't impressed with this song when it was a hit, and hearing it now, I still am not. But the fact that this single was the only 'Grease' release my collection was lacking, and the fact that this was pressed on clear vinyl were great reasons to acquire this record anyway.
My collection: 7" single no. 5686 Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Sandy' / 'Rainbows'
Chocolate, Menta, Mastik ('Chocolate, mint, gum') was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the Seventies, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria (1972-1973) or Leah Lupatin. The trio performed both in Israel and Internationally, especially after being the 1976 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in The Hague with 'Emor Shalom'.
Founded in 1948, Israel was a 28-year-old country in 1976, giving the line "I've been alone for almost thirty years" an extra meaning- since it gained independence Israel was isolated in the Middle East, surrounded by hostile Arab countries (Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel since then).
At the close of voting, it had received 77 points, placing 6th in a field of 18 competitors. This single presents the German and English versions of their song.
My collection: 7" single no. 5680 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Komm' heut zu mir' / 'Say hello'
Swedish singer Harpo is best known for his worldwide hit 'Moviestar', which was a hit in 1975. He followed that single up with this one: 'Motorcycle mama', a song with a lyric that mentions various Sixties phenomena, such as Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Ravi Shanker. Still, it only charted in Sweden and Denmark, peaking at number 8 and 9 respectively.
This single is memorable (or should be) because of the B-side, as it gives us a Christmas song, and one that hasn't been played to death. 'Beautiful Christmas' was written by Harpo himself. You won't find it on most of the Christmas compilation albums, so I consider this to be a rather exclusive Christmas experience. Enjoy!
My collection: 7" single no. 5399 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Motorcycle mama' / 'Beautiful Christmas'
Ireen Sheer was born on February 25, 1949 in Basildon, Essex, England. She has competed in several Eurovision Song Contests over the past four decades. She married another musician, Gavin du Porter, in 1976.
'Feuer' ('Fire') was the German entry in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest. This was Sheer's second Eurovision entry, in 1974 she had represented Luxembourg with Bye Bye I Love You, then singing in French.
The song was performed thirteenth on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 84 points, placing 6th in a field of 20 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5663 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Feuer' / 'Oh, mon amour'
'Diese Welt' ('This world') was the German entry in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in German by Katja Ebstein. This was Ebstein's second consecutive Eurovision entry; she had represented Germany at the 1970 contest with 'Wunder gibt es immer wieder', which finished 3rd in a field of 12 competitors.
At the close of voting, this song had received 100 points, placing 3rd in a field of 18 competitors.
The song deals with the wonder of the world, with Ebstein singing that it 'is a gift which life gave us' and reminding her listeners that what becomes of it is up to its inhabitants. Ebstein also recorded the song in English (as 'River run, river flow'), French ('Une autre rivière') and Spanish ('Este mundo').
My collection: 7" single no. 5639 Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Diese Welt' / 'Alle Menschen auf der Erde'
Jürgen Marcus was born as Jürgen Beumer on 6 June 1948 in Herne, Germany. The schlager singer was most successful during the Seventies, when he had 14 chart hits in Germany. He is also known for his participation on behalf of Luxembourg in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest.
'Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment' ('Songs for those who love each other') was performed fifth on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 17 points, placing 14th in a field of 18 competitors. By the later Seventies, Marcus' recording success had declined and he parted ways with his record company in 1979. Following a last minor hit in 1981, plans and collaborations came to nothing and Marcus largely dropped from sight. His first album for over 20 years ('Ich glaub an die Welt') was released in 2004, followed by a Christmas collection in 2006. Another album of new material ('Für immer'), his last to date, came out in 2008.
My collection: 7" single no. 5634
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment' / 'Kinder die auf Regen warten'
'Red' Vincent Hurley was born on September 11, 1949. He's one of Ireland's
most enduring popular singers whose career has spanned several decades
from the Seventies to the present day. He is principally known as a
solo artist, although he has performed with various bands and pop groups,
most notably, 'The Nevada', with whom he enjoyed his first series of
number one records at the beginning of his career.
He represented Ireland in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'When'. The song was performed seventh on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 54 points, placing 10th in a field of 18 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5629 Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'When' / 'Just a little love'
Vicky Leandros competed in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest for Luxembourg with Apres toi. The single was a big hit in Europe, and even managed to chart in the UK. This was helped by the fact that Leandros recorded an English version of her song, entitled 'Come what may'. It appears on this single, along with another English-language track on the B-side.
She turned out to be quite the language wizard, as she also recorded the song in Italian ('Dopo te'), German ('Dann
kamst du'), Spanish ('Y despues'), Greek ('Mono esi') and Japanese
('Omoide ni ikiru'). I'm still looking for those singles, though...
My collection: 7" single no. 5598 Found: Discogs.com, received August 5, 2014 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Come what may' / 'Takes a little time'
'Satellit' ('Satellite') was the Swedish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, performed in Swedish by Ted Gärdestad.
Gärdestad's first four albums were produced by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, featured backing vocals by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and were released on the Polar Music label.
This song, which was arranged and produced by guitarist Janne Schaffer, features a guitar and bass riff influenced by Toto's 1978 hit 'Hold the Line', and four of the band members - Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, David Hungate and Steve Lukather - were in fact among the musicians playing on Gärdestad's preceding album Blue Virgin Isles, recorded in Los Angeles, and released in late 1978. The English-language version of the track, 'Satellite', was included on subsequent editions of the album, which was issued in both Europe, Australasia and Japan.
The song was performed as entry number fifteen on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 8 points, placing it 17th in a field of 19 competitors, making it Sweden's second lowest placing in the contest at that point in time. Despite this, the Swedish version of the song was a Top 10 hit on the singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5561
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Satellite' / 'Blue virgin isles'
