The sounds of silence - Simon & Garfunkel

'Hello darkness my old friend' may be one of the most recognized first lines of a pop song. It was recorded by Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel in March 1964 for their debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. An overdubbed electric remix was released the following year and went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

It led the duo to quickly record their second album, which was called Sounds of Silence to profit from the song's popularity. In 1967, 'The sounds of silence' was featured under both the opening and closing credits of the film The Graduate. This Japanese single shows part of the movie poster, making it perfectly clear that this was the song from that movie. It reached number 1 in Japan.

My collection: 7" single no. 8461
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 October 2026
Tracks: 'The sounds of silence' / 'The big bright green pleasure machine' 

Accordeon Potpourri no. 47 - The 3 Jacksons

Since 2021 I have bought a handful of singles by the 3 Jacksons, a trio that worked the accordeons like madmen. Their instrumental versions of hits of their contemporaries were always varied, and they touched on Eurovision classics more than once. This particular selection includes their version of 'Are you sure' by the Allisons, among other, English, Dutch and German hits.  

I found this single in a weird sleeve, but found an authentic Philips sleeve in the same row, so I swapped them around. It always feels better to have a Philips single in an authentic Philips sleeve!

My collection: 7" single no. 8456
Found: Rataplan, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Wheels, Danke für die Blumen, Och was ik maar (bij moeder thuis gebleven)' / 'Corinne Corinna, Are you sure, Kill watch'

Are you sure? - The Allisons

Bernard Colin Day (born 2 February 1941) and Brian John Alford (born 31 December 1939) were marketed as the brothers Bob and John Allison, while in fact they weren’t brothers. The song ‘Are You Sure’ was written by John, inspired by an old girlfriend who broke off their relationship. They were only 18 at the time, so it had an impact. 'Over the next few months, I wrote a succession of very sad songs. One afternoon, about six months later (…) I began to wonder why on earth did she say goodbye? I don’t understand why she finished it. So I kept thinking, would she change her mind? (…) I hadn’t got a tune. Normally when I wrote songs, you get an idea for a tune first of all and then you decide what lyrics, which sort of lyrics would suit that tune. But I had an idea, I had this thought, why are there so many words that mean goodbye. So I wrote them down. Goodbye, farewell, so long, au revoir. And then I thought I could turn that into a verse. So I did.' 

Meanwhile, Bob was in school, finishing his exams. His parents didn’t want him to do anything other than school work, and so the two didn’t meet for two months. In the meantime, John finished the song on his own. When they finally did meet, the created the harmony together. In 1961 they represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song. 

This German single was released in 1987, but with a colour picture sleeve. It was number 54 in a series of hundred 'Hit Come Back' singles. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8454
Found: Reformdrogist de Regenboog, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Are you sure' / 'There's one thing more' 

2+2 - The Supremes

In 1977 EMI released 50 EP's under the series title 2+2. It was an easy way to pick up four hits from a certain artist. Obviously the tracks were from the previous decade, otherwise the price tag would have been too steep probably. 

In the case of the Supremes, you got a brilliant set of songs, all written by the trio Holland, Dozier & Holland. I don't think I've ever seen an EP from this series before, but I guess I will have to look out for some of them. After all, who could resist tracks by the Jackson 5, the Beach Boys or the Beatles?

My collection: 7" single no. 8453
Found: Reformdrogist de Regenboog, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Baby love', 'Stop! In the name of love' / 'My world is empty without you', 'You can't hurry love' 

Jennifer Juniper - Donovan

Donovan Leitch wrote 'Jennifer Juniper' about Jenny Boyd, shortly before she went with The Beatles and Donovan to Rishikesh. She married Mick Fleetwood and was, at one time, the sister-in-law of George Harrison and, later, Eric Clapton. The song was arranged by John Cameron and features a wind section with Cor anglais, flute, French horn and bassoon, plus shaker and harp. The last stanza of the song is sung in French. 

Oddly enough, the sleeve of the single puts the B-side in the spotlight. 'Poor cow' was written and recorded for the Ken Loach movie of the same name. The original title of the song was "Poor Love". The title was changed when the song appeared in the film. 

The single peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and at number 26 in the US Billboard Hot 100. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8426
Found: De Waterput, Bergen op Zoom, 17 September 2026
Tracks: 'Jennifer Juniper' / 'Poor cow' 

Scarborough fair / Love is blue - Andy Williams

This was an unexpected pearl: a Japanese single of Andy Williams's version of 'Love is blue', the Eurovision song originally performed by Vicky Leandros at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967. Andy released his version in 1968, on the B-side of the single 'Scarborough fair'. 'Scarborough fair' is of course the Simon & Garfunkel song based on a traditional Northern English ballad. 

This single appears in a regular single sleeve and not in a record company sleeve with a loose piece of paper, which became so usual for Japanese singles in later years. It's a very beautiful item! 

My collection: 7" single no. 8419
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 September 2026
Tracks: 'Scarborough fair' / 'Love is blue'

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'

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)

Merci, Chérie - Roy Etzel

Roy Etzel appeared on this blog before, when I bought his version of 'Dansevise' (the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964) two years ago. But that wasn't the only Eurovision song he recorded.

In 1966 Udo Jürgens won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Merci, Chérie'. The piano-based melody is recorded surprisingly well with the sound of trumpets by Roy Etzel. For the B-side of this single he also does a version of 'Strangers in the night', the famous Frank Sinatra song. 'Deux succes sur un single', indeed.

My collection: 7" single no. 8385
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Merci, Chérie' / 'Strangers in the night' 

Merci Cherie - Ray Anthony

Ray Anthony (born Raymond Antonini on 20 January 1922) is an American retired bandleader, trumpeter, songwriter and actor. He is best known for his tenure as a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, from 1940 to 1941, and later for successfully leading his own big band. Anthony continued to tour around the United States in big bands before retiring in 1998. At the age of 104, he is the last living member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Back in 1966 he recorded this instrumental cover version of 'Merci Cherie', the famous song by Udo Jurgens. And that is, of course, a great way to end up in my record collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 8354
Found: Discogs.com, received 21 July 2026
Tracks: 'Merci Chérie' / 'Goodbye my love (Il silenzio)' 

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'