Warum nur, warum - Udo Jürgens

Udo Jürgens made a name for himself in Eurovision history by winning the 1966 edition with 'Merci Chérie'. What many people don't know or seem to forget is that he actually represented Austria in three consecutive editions. He started in 1964 with 'Warum nur, warum'.

In the song, Jürgens wonders why flowers are dying and the object of his affection is ignoring him. The song finished in sixth place in a field of 16 competitors. This French EP features two songs in German and two in English, showing the multilingual qualities of the singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 6040
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Warum nur, warum', 'Beautiful dreamgirl' / 'Kiss me quick', 'Tausend Träume'

Un día, un niño - Frida Boccara

One of the most beautiful Eurovision melodies of the Sixties must surely be 'Un jour, un enfant' by Frida Boccara. She was one of four winners in the 1969 edition, together with the Spanish, Dutch and UK entries.

Boccara recorded the beautiful ballad in five languages: the original French version, English, German, Italian - and this Spanish version. It is not easy to find these versions for a reasonable price, so I was happy to snap up this Spanish single for the tiny amount of 1 euro.

My collection: 7" single no. 6037
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un día, un niño' / 'Bella de dia'

Que bueno, que bueno - Conchita Bautista

'Qué bueno, qué bueno!' was the Spanish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965, performed in Spanish by Conchita Bautista. This was Bautista's second appearance on the Eurovision stage, in the 1961 Contest she had performed Spain's very first entry, 'Estando contig', then placing ninth in a field of 16.

In 1965, Bautista came through a very convoluted selection process to win the national finals in the end with 'Qué bueno, qué bueno!'. On the Eurovision stage, the song was performed third on the night. At the close of voting, it had received the dreaded nul points, 0 points, placing 15th (equal last together with Germany, Belgium and Finland) in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6029
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Que bueno, qué bueno!', 'Yenca flamenca' / 'Reina por un dia', 'Tienes duende'

Pop corn - Gershon Kingsley and the Moog

So here it is, finally.... the original version of 'Popcorn', the synth-pop instrumental composed and performed by Gershon Kingsley. You have seen and heard many cover versions of this tune on this blog, but the original was only released on 7" vinyl in a few countries. This is the Spanish single, ordered last week from Spain.

Composer Gershon Kingsley (born on October 28, 1922 and apparently still alive) first recorded 'Popcorn' for his 1969 album 'Music to Moog By'. In 1971 the track was re-recorded by Kingsley's band 'First Moog Quartet', later he released a version under the name of The Popcorn Makers, this was the version that was the most successful in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 6028
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Pop corn' / 'For Alisse Beethoven'

Ein Hoch der Liebe - Wencke Myhre

Wencke Myhre was born on February 15, 1947 in Kjelsås, Norway, and became a popular singer after signing her first recording contract at the age of 13. In 1964 and 1966 she participated in the Norwegian national finals for Eurovision, but in the end she appeared on the international Eurovision stage for Germany with the song 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' ('A toast to love'). The song ended up in sixth place in a field of 17 competitors.

After her Eurovision appearance, she managed to have four more top 10 hits in Germany between1969 and 1978. Myhre tried her luck in Norwegian national finals again in 1982 and 1983, and finally in 2009.

My collection: 7" single no. 6025
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' / 'Jägerlatein'

The one that got away - Nana Mouskouri

Collecting Eurovision Song Contest singles is both a joy and a pain. The older the singles are, the more expensive they get. And in the case of artists that became famous, they can get very expensive indeed.

You can imagine my surprise when I found this single by Nana Mouskouri in a thrift store during a day out in Haarlem. Nana famously participated in the Contest in 1963 with 'A force de prier' for Luxembourg, but I haven't found that single until now - at least not for a reasonable price. This single features the English version of that song. After buying the single I checked online what it would cost me... Well that would be at least 30 times as much - not including shipping. My day started well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5998
Found: Rataplan, Haarlem, February 19, 2019
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The one that got away (A force de prier)', 'My colouring book' / 'No moon at all', 'The touch of your lips'

Save your love for me - Marty Wilde

In my ongoing quest for Marty Wilde singles, I have found yet another one. It is slightly damaged as you can see here, but finding a copy of 'Save your love for me' isn't easy to begin with. Released in 1963, it was one of the first singles that didn't end up in the UK singles charts, and also one of the first singles that Marty released for Columbia instead of Philips.

The hits of Marty Wilde have become very wellknown, but I have to say that I heard these two songs for the first time. And I liked them a lot. It's interesting how the music from half a century ago is more captivating than whatever's in the charts right now.

My collection: 7" single no. 5996
Found: Discogs.com, received February 12, 2019
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Save your love for me' / 'Bless my broken heart'

All the love I have - Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde released 'All the love I have' in 1969, after he had some success in Europe with his single 'Abergavenny'. The album 'Diversions' (from which the B-side 'Any day' was taken) had not been as successful, but Marty was still at it, writing great songs and recording them himself. Unfortunately this single did not chart, despite the fact that he revealed himself to be quite the singer once again.

This single and 'The busker' (which I am still searching for) represent probably some of the rarest Marty Wilde singles, because only one run was made and they appear online for fairly high prices if they do at all. This is why I am glad to have obtained this single - I am nearing completion.

My collection: 7" single no. 5969
Found: Discogs.com, received December 24, 2018
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'All the love I have' / 'Any day'

Ne vois-tu pas? - Madeleine Pascal

Born in Paris in 1946, Madeleine Pascal started to sing when she was just 13 years old. Her professional singing career was short-lived: she released five EP's in 1965 and 1966, and then disappeared from the scene.

In the middle of all that was her appearance at the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Switzerland with 'Ne vois-tu pas?', a song written by Pierre Brenner and Roland Schweizer. The song ended up in sixth place.

My collection: 7" single no. 5906
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2018
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ne vois-tu pas?', 'François' / 'Aux amoureux du monde', 'Le jour ou il va m'embrasser'

Ce soir je t'attendrais - Michèle Torr

The 1977 entry Une petite Française by Michèle Torr was not her first appearance on the Eurovision Song Contest stage. She first appeared in the 1966 edition, and while she represented Monaco in 1977, she appeared in the 1966 edition for Luxembourg.

The song was 'Ce soir je t'attendrais', composed by Bernard Kesslair and Jacques Chaumelle. At the close of voting, it had received 7 points, placing 10th in a field of 18. Torr recorded the song in French, German, English, Spanish and Italian. On this EP, the original French version appears. I actually bought this single in April, but it disappeared. I found it last week under my desk, where it has laid for six months. Which only goes to show that I sometimes make a mess in my room...

My collection: 7" single no. 5905
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2018
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ce soir je t'attendrais', 'Notre amour n'est pas mort' / 'J'ai brule ta lettre', 'Je t'aime tant'

When does it get to be love - Marty Wilde

Released in 1961, 'When does it get to be love' was released between Rubber ball, which peaked at no 9 in January, and Hide and seek, which got to no. 47 in July. The fact that this single didn't chart may be because of the slightly overenthusiastic choir girls on this record. It's not down to Marty's voice, because his performance of this song (which was written by Doug Morris and Camille Kaye) is excellent.

The B-side, 'Your loving touch' was penned by Marty himself and was covered by Joe Brown.

My collection: 7" single no. 5945
Found: Recordsale.de, Germany, received November 3, 2018
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'When does it get to be love' / 'Your loving touch'

I loved you (Dansevise) - Grethe og Jørgen Ingmann

The classic song Dansevise won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963. I was always fond of the song, and very glad to find a good copy almost ten years ago. What I didn't know was that there is also an English version of the song. I discovered this just a week ago, when I was ordering singles from Germany. I always search for Eurovision when I do some online ordering and suddenly this one popped up.

'I loved you' is the English version of 'Dansevise' and it is every bit as beautiful as the original - the only difference being that the lyrics of this version are more accessible to those who don't speak Danish.

My collection: 7" single no. 5944
Found: Recordsale, Germany, received November 3, 2018
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'I loved you (Dansevise)' / 'My little boy'

Hits EP - Clive Allen Orchestra & Singers

Another Hits EP by the Clive Allen Orchestra & Singers, and another Marty Wilde composition on this one: Lulu's 'I'm a tiger'. Perhaps the most extraordinary track on this EP is 'Lily the pink', a track originally performed by the UK comedy group The Scaffold. It is a modernisation of an older folk song titled 'The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham'. The lyrics celebrate the 'medicinal compound' invented by Lily the Pink, and chronicle the "efficacious" cures it has brought about, such as inducing morbid obesity to cure a weak appetite, or bringing about a sex change as a remedy for freckles.

Among the covers on this EP are also 'This old heart of mine', a hit for the Isley Brothers and 'Elenore', originally by the Turtles.

My collection: 7" single no. 5876
Found: Discogs.com, received November 8, 2017
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'This old heart of mine', 'Elenore', 'If I knew then what I know now' / 'Mexico', 'I'm a tiger', 'Lily the pink'

Hits EP - Clive Allan Orchestra & Singers

Back in the 1960s, it was a profitable business to release 'Hits EP's' performed by anonymous performers. Singles were selling fast but with six hits on them instead of just one, people tended to choose these EP's over normal singles. It was way before hits compilations like 'Now this is music' flooded the music shops.

The Clive Allan Orchestra & Singers were successful performers on such EP's. They released quite a few of them, and this is an example. Why I bought this EP? Obviously for the cover version of Status Quo's 'Ice in the sun', a song penned by Marty Wilde. But the cover versions of 'Light my fire' and 'With a little help from my friends' are nice bonuses.

My collection: 7" single no. 5875
Found: Discogs.com, received November 8, 2017
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'A day without love', 'Ice in the sun', 'Light my fire' / 'Wreck of the Antoinette', 'M'lady', 'With a little help from my friends'

Boom bang-a-bang (spanish version) - Lulu

In 1969, four artists won the Eurovision Song Contest. This was due to there being not enough rules in case of a draw. Since then, the rules - and the voting system! - have changed so this is not likely to ever happen again.

One of the winners that year was Lulu with her song 'Boom bang-a-bang'. Such was the success, that she recorded the song in German, Italian, French and Spanish. Wikipedia casts some doubts about the existance of a Spanish version sung by Lulu, but I think the listener has to decide whether this is Lulu or not. She certainly pronounces her Spanish very bueno!

My collection: 7" single no. 5901
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2018
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Boom bang-a-bang (cantado en espanol)' / 'Morning dew'

Light my fire - The Doors

It's hard to believe that the debut single of the Doors was released 50 years ago. The band has been around for such a short time - not counting their post-Jim Morrison output - but have impressed every generation since.

This single was made this year to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary, using the Japanese single's original artwork. It is a curious release because Japanese singles didn't come in cardboard sleeves, but this remade single does. Nevertheless, this is a nice little item and I'm pretty satisfied to have picked this up during a visit to London, saving a little on the online price and a lot on postage (although obviously you could argue that a return flight to London is much more expensive. But anyway.)

My collection: 7" single no. 5874
Found: Fopp, London, October 27, 2017
Cost: 8 pounds
Tracks: 'Light my fire' / 'The crystal ship'

No! Dance with me - Marty Wilde

Released in 1963, 'No! Dance with me' was one of the first singles released by Marty Wilde not to chart after his run of hit singles between 1958 and 1962. The song was written by Marty himself, as might well be the B-side, which is incorrectly credited to Gerald Goffin and Carole King. They did indeed write a song with a similar title, but it does not resemble this song here.

This single was one of five Marty Wilde singles I ordered back in May, but for your pleasure I've spread the posting of them a little bit. After all, this is not a Marty Wilde tribute website - although I am quickly completing my collection now. There's still a handful of - rather expensive - singles missing, but I'll get there eventually.

My collection: 7" single no. 5822
Found: Recordsale.de, received May 11, 2017
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'No! Dance with me' / 'Little miss Happiness'

Mean woman blues - Marty Wilde

'Les rois du rock' declares the sleeve of this single, which means that it is some kind of reissue series, released in France. And indeed it is: 14 singles exist in this series, featuring artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and indeed, on vol. 10, Marty Wilde.

'Mean woman blues' and 'So glad you're mine' were never released as a single originally. Both tracks were taken from Marty's 1959 album 'Wilde about Marty'. The release date of the series 'Les rois du rock' is unknown because there is no year stated on the label. One source suggests that volume 1 was released in 1969, so this is most likely a late 1960's release.

My collection: 7" single no. 5855
Found: Ebay.co.uk, received July 19, 2017
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Mean woman blues' / 'So glad you're mine'

Dis rien - François Deguelt

I bought François Deguelt's first Eurovision title, Ce soir-là, three years ago, and here's the second one. In 1962 he returned to the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Monaco for the second time with the song 'Dis rien'. While he finished in third place in 1960, this performance improved on that, because he finished second with this song.This EP presents four songs by Deguelt.

He continued to perform on the nostalgia circuit in French speaking countries, until his death at the age of 81 on January 22, 2014.

My collection: 7" single no. 5840
Found: Discogs.com, received May 2017
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Dis rien', 'Don Juan' / 'Capuccina', 'L'animal blessé'

When day is done - Marty Wilde

I guess I'm not giving away a big secret when I say that Marty Wilde is a big fan of Elvis Presley. Out of all of his recordings, I find it's most evident in this recording: 'When day is done', released as a single in 1964.

The song was originally written in 1924 by Austrian composer Robert Katscher as 'Madonna, du bist schöner als der Sonnenschein'. It was translated into English by Buddy DeSylva and released as 'When day is done' in 1926. The earliest recordings were made by Art Kahn, Harry Archer and his Orchestra and Nat Shilkret. Later the song was covered by artists such as George Benson, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson and indeed Marty Wilde. His version didn't become a hit, although listening to this I can't imagine why not. Simply beautiful!

My collection: 7" single no. 5844
Found: Discogs.com, received June 25, 2017
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'When day is done' / 'I can't help the way that I feel'