Uncertain smile - The The

When The The signed to CBS Records in 1982, their first single on that label was a version of 'Uncertain smile'. This track would appear on their first album for CBS, 'Soul Mining', released a year later, but in a different version. The album version featured a lengthy piano solo, whereas the single version from 1982 featured saxophone and flute solos.

The album version of 'Uncertain smile' was released on single in 1984, and that version even made the Dutch Top 40, peaking at no. 31. At that time, the original version was often played on a local radio station, causing me to search for this single for years. Obviously it had become very rare. But finally, in 1991, I succeeded: I found it during a record fair in Amsterdam.

My collection: 7" single no. 1518

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1991

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Uncertain smile' / 'Three orange kisses from Kazan'

Download: here

This is the day - The The

Matt Johnson are an English band that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson as the only constant band member. In 1982, The The recorded their debut album 'The Pornography of Despair', which was not released. A year later, the album 'Soul mining' did see the light of day, to much critical acclaim'. This single, 'This is the day' was taken from 'Soul mining' and released in a limited edition double single format. The second single featured two tracks from the unreleased debut album.

I found out about this double single in the eighties, but had to wait until 1997 when I finally found my own copy. As a fan of The The and a sucker for limited edition releases, I didn't even mind the inflated price for this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 2839

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 5, 1997

Cost: 20 guilders

Tracks: 'This is the day' / 'Mental healing process' // 'Leap into the wind' / 'Absolute liberation'

Download: here