Vivo cantando / El trovador - Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos

Three years ago I found this colourful single by Luis Alberto del Parana y Los Paraguayos, with a cover version of 'La, la, la'. A year later, the group was at it again, with not one, but two cover versions of Eurovision songs: 'Vivo cantando' (the Spanish entry) and 'El trovador' (the Dutch entry!). 

I was actually aware that the group  had covered 'De troubadour', so I was very happy to find a copy of this single!

My collection: 7" single no. 8306
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 May 2026
Tracks: 'Vivo cantando' / 'El trovador'

Please speak to me of love - Raphael

After the recent acquisition of 'Dis-moi lequel' I felt I had to finally get my hands on 'Please speak to me of love', the English version of 'Hablemos del amor'; one of my alltime favourite Eurovision songs. Raphael recorded his song in English and French, but it was easier to get the English version, as it has been for sale on Discogs for a long time now.

This time I was able to combine this purchase with a few other singles, and so I was a happy man when I received this package a few days ago. Raphael does a decent version of his song, even if his pronunciation of '[what does it] matter' is a bit curious.

My collection: 7" single no. 8298
Found: Discogs.com, received 20 May 2026
Tracks: 'Please speak to me of love' / 'While I live' 

Dis-moi lequel - Raphael

The Spanish singer Raphael is a living legend. Outside of Spanish speaking countries his existence goes mainly unnoticed, except back in 1966 and 1967, when he represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest. And how! Both songs are very impressive.

'Yo soy aquel' was his 1966 entry, and he also recorded the song in French. 'Dis-moi lequel' was given French lyrics by Don Diego, who translated more Spanish songs into French during the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies.

My collection: 7" single no. 8283
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Dis-moi lequel', 'Oui c'est vrai' / 'La cancion del tamborilero', 'Pour toi' 

Du gingst fort ohne Abschied - Alain Barrière

In 1963 Alain Barrière competed in the Eurovision Song Contest, representing France, with 'Elle était si jolie'. As per usual back then, he also recorded the song in different languages, such as the Italian version 'Era troppo carina' and this one, the German version. 

Although 'Du gingst fort ohne Abschied' was released as a single with a picture sleeve in Germany, copies are now changing hands for rather large amounts. Fortunately, the track also appears on this EP with four different tracks from four different artists. And so, this selection also features tracks by Paul Anka, Rita Pavone and Peggy March. It's a good deal, I think, for just a few euros.

My collection: 7" single no. 7934
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 February 2026
Tracks: 'Zwei Mädchen aus Germany' (Paul Anka), 'Mein Jack, der ist zwei Meter gross' (Rita Pavone) / 'Wenn der Silbermond' (Peggy March), 'Du gingst fort ohne Abschied' (Alain Barrière) 

 

Vuggevise - Ellen Winther

Having written three books about the Eurovision Song Contest (in Dutch) that were published last year, I've been buying a lot of Eurovision singles during that time in order to be able to include pictures of the sleeves in those books. I still haven't got them all, but one particularly irritated me, because it was on my wantlist for so long and the only dealer offering it had three copies for extortionate prices. 

But I finally got lucky last month when another dealer offered this single. 'Vuggevise' was the Danish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1962. It was performed by Ellen Winther in that old opera style that was so popular during the early years. Finally I have a copy, so I can cross this one off my wantlist.

My collection: 7" single no. 7930
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 February 2026
Tracks: 'Vuggevise' / 'Vinden går og nynner' 

Sloop John B - The Beach Boys

'Sloop John B' is a Bahamian folk song from Nassau. A transcription was published in 1916 by Richard Le Gallienne, and Carl Sandburg included a version in his The American Songbag in 1927. There have been many recordings of the song since the early Fifties.

In 1966, American rock band the Beach Boys recorded a folk rock adaptation that was produced and arranged by Brian Wilson and released as the second single from their album Pet Sounds. The record peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 2 in the UK singles chart, and topped the charts in several other countries. It was innovative for containing an elaborate a cappella vocal section not found in other pop music of the era, and it remains one of the group's biggest hits.

My collection: 7" single no. 7922
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 18 January 2026
Tracks: 'Sloop John B' / 'You're so good to me'

Hij was maar 'n neger - Zangeres zonder naam

'Hij was maar 'n neger' was written by Johnny Hoes with lyrics by Fred van Dam. The song, which opposes racism, is a modern take on the Christmas story and tells the story of a black man who is not allowed anywhere because he is black. The title could cause offense these days, especially when people don't care to listen to the entire song. 

The sleeve of this single proclaims that the song was performed by 'Mary', but the label mentions 'Zangeres zonder naam' ('Singer without a name'), which is the name Mary Servaes would use throughout her career. The single has become a rarity, so it was especially pleasing to finally find a copy of it earlier this year.

My collection: 7" single no. 7610
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 March 2025
Tracks: 'Hij was maar 'n neger' / 'Het kerstkindje wilden ze zien' 

Romantica - Dario Campeotto

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

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

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

Zwischen Wolga und Don - Edina Pop

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

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

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

Wij waren jong - Rina Pia

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

La notte non lo sa - Nana Mouskouri

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

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

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

Non ho l'eta - Gigliola Cinquetti

Although I already own several copies of 'Non ho l'eta', I never saw this one. It's an EP, released soon after her impressive win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964, featuring four tracks. 'Non ho l'eta' and 'Sei un bravo ragazzo' appear on the original 7" single, and 'Penso alle cose perdute' was the B-side of the Japanese version of 'Non ho l'eta'. 

This EP seems to have been made in Belgium, and the label states that it was distributed across the Benelux. There must have been many copies of this EP, but I have never seen it before.

My collection: 7" single no. 7841
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Non ho l'eta per amarti', 'Quando vedo che tutti si amano' / 'Sei un bravo ragazzo', 'Penso alle cose perdute'

Jedan dan - Dubrovački Trubaduri

I bought a copy of 'Jedan dan' in 2009, the song by Dubrovački Trubaduri from the Eurovision Song Contest 1968. Like I wrote back then, various countries released the single, and they appeared in various different sleeves. 

This Belgian version is a good example. Despite its basic sleeve, the song made it to number 15 in the Flemish Ultratop chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7840
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Jedan dan' / 'Trubadurska serenade' 

Romantica - Marino Marini ed il suo quartetto

Marino Marini was quite invested in the Eurovision Song Contest; in the Fifties and Sixties he recorded several cover versions of the songs Italy sent in to the annual music fest. I already had a copy of his version of 'Uno per tutte', but three years before that he released this EP, featuring a version of 'Romantica', which was a big favourite in 1960 - numerous cover versions exist.

The EP also contains a version of 'Libero', which was the winning song of the San Remo festival in 1960. The original version was performed by Domenico Modugno, who co-wrote the song himself.

My collection: 7" single no. 7839
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Romantica', 'Notte mia' / 'Libero', 'E' vero' 

Se piangi, se ridi - Bobby Solo

I already have an EP and a single featuring 'Se piangi, se ridi', so why buy this one? Well, the answer is simple: because I really prefer this sleeve. It's in colour, for one thing, and Bobby Solo looks a lot like the rock 'n' roll stars of his days on this one. Adding to that, this is the original Italian single, where we find out that the song is recorded with 'orchestra diretta da Gianni Marchetti, con il Coro di Nora Orlandi'. 

'Se piangi, se ridi' was a number 1 hit in Italy and Brazil, and also reached number 2 in Belgium, number 3 in Uruguay (of all places!) and number 4 in Argentina. Why this didn't chart in the Netherlands and the UK I don't know. It's a classic song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7789
Found: Moses Records, Vienna, 13 October 2025
Tracks: 'Se piangi, se ridi' / 'Saro' un illuso'

Thunderball - Tom Jones

Theme song for the fourth James Bond movie Thunderball was called, surprisingly, 'Thunderball'. The song was recorded by Tom Jones, whose biggest claim to fame was the hit single 'It's not unusual' at the start of 1965. 

Composer John Barry teamed up with lyricist Don Black and wrote the song. Tom Jones allegedly fainted in the recording booth after singing the song's final, high note. Jones said of the final note, "I closed my eyes and I held the note for so long when I opened my eyes the room was spinning." The single reached number 35 in the UK singles chart and didn't become as famous as, for instance 'Goldfinger' by Shirley Bassey. Still, it's a rather impressive vocal effort.

My collection: 7" single no. 7769
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, 5 October 2025
Tracks: 'Thunderball' / 'Key to my heart' 

New fashioned waltz - Rita Reys, Rob de Nijs & the Pim Jacobs Combo

Back in 1966, Sweden was represented by Lill Lindfors and Svante Thuresson singing 'Nygammal vals'. I still haven't been able to buy a copy of that song, although I do have a cover version by Gunnar Wiklund. 

However, there was another cover version, and a very interesting one at that. It was recorded in the Netherlands by two artists who both forged decades-spanning careers for themselves. Rita Reys became a celebrated jazz singer, whereas Rob de Nijs had a career that lasted almost exactly until his death earlier this year (with a moving farewell concert in June 2022). They recorded 'New fashioned waltz', an English-language version of the Swedish song. 

I have been looking out for this single for a few years now. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at a record fair, and seeing this very single standing right at the front on one of the dealers' racks. It was in a very good condition - the pushout center wasn't even dinked - and it wasn't even expensive. That was a very nice start for an enjoyable little record fair.

My collection: 7" single no. 7767
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, 5 October 2025
Tracks: 'New fashioned waltz' / 'Side by side'

Deshojada - Simone

In 1969 Simone de Oliveira represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Desfolhada Portuguesa'. In a year when the contest had four winners, Simone landed in penultimate place with her song. 

The event took place in Spain, and it was perhaps logical that Simone also recorded her song in Spanish. 'Deshojada' was released in French as well, but the EP with that version requires a buyer to shell out 750 euros. I wouldn't pay that much for a vinyl disc in 750 years.

My collection: 7" single no. 7760
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 September 2025
Tracks: 'Deshojada' / 'Cinco pedras, cinco quadras'

Excerpts from Bye Bye Birdie, vol. 3 - Various artists

In 1961 the musical Bye Bye Birdie opened in London's West End, after its Broadway debut a year earlier. The role of the titular Conrad Birdie was played by Marty Wilde. Together with Chita Rivera, Peter Marshall and others the story revolved around a popular singer going off to the Army and its effect on a group of teenagers in a small town in Ohio. There were obvious parallels to Elvis Presley being drafted to go to Germany in 1957. The name of the rockstar, 'Conrad Birdie', was word play on the name of the then-popular Conway Twitty.

The EP presents five songs from the musical, two of which were performed by Marty Wilde: 'One last kiss' together with the ensemble, and 'A lot of livin' to do' with Sylvia Tysick and a group of teenagers. With its big band sound, the tracks border on jazz at times.

My collection: 7" single no. 7747
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 August 2025
Tracks: 'Hymn for a Sunday evening', 'One last kiss' / 'What did I ever see in him?', 'A lot of livin' to do', 'Kids'