Thursday 21 January 2010

Regrets - Mylene Farmer and Jean-Louis Murat

Already in 1989, Mylene Farmer said that she liked Jean-Louis Murat's songwriting. They corresponded for two years until they finally recorded the duet 'Regrets' in 1991. It is a love song in which two lovers are answering tenderly and with melancholy, while they are separated by the death of one of them. Only memories allows the one that is left behind to savour the well-being of the past relationship.

The song was released as the third single from Farmer's third album 'Ainsi soit je...', reaching number 3 in France and number 2 in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 2221
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Regrets' / 'Regrets (Classic bonus beats)'

Lessons in love - Level 42

'Lessons in love' was released in April 1986 as the first single from Level 42's seventh studio album 'Running in the family'. It was the first of five singles from that album, and paved the way for international success for the band.

For the first time they reached the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 12 in 1987. In the UK, the single reached number 3, while in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 2. Level 42 scored their first hit with this in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1333
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Lessons in love' / 'Hot water (live)'

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Sexcrime (1984) - Eurythmics

When the British film '1984' was made in the UK, the Eurythmics were contacted to make the soundtrack. They agreed, and so the album of the same name came to be. 'Sexcrime (1984)' was the first single lifted from the album, released in October 1984.

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, becoming Eurythmics' sixth song in a row to enter the Top 10. It was also a big hit throughout Europe and became one of the duo's biggest selling singles in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2024
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Sexcrime (1984)' / 'I did it just the same'

Arizona sky - China Crisis

'Arizona sky' was released in 1986 as the first single from China Crisis' fourth album 'What price paradise'. The single was a minor success in the UK, reaching number 47 in the singles chart.

I bought the 12" single quite recently, but I've had the 7" single for almost two decades now.

My collection: 7" single no. 1456
Found: Record fair, June 27, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Arizona sky' / 'Trading in gold'

Aloha-oe, until we meet again - Goombay Dance Band

Germany has been responsible for quite a few dodgy acts through the years, and Goombay Dance Band can be considered as one of them. They formed in the late Seventies, and styled their music to combine Caribbean soca and calypso with western pop.

'Aloha-oe, until we meet again' was released in 1980 as the follow-up to their debut hit 'Sun of Jamaica'. The track was inspired by a traditional Hawaiian song. This single reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 60
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Aloha-oe, until we meet again' / 'Conga man'

Can you feel it - The Jacksons

Michael Jackson and his brothers formed the Jacksons, a successful group that made hit singles until the Eighties, after which solo careers took preference over the group effort. 'Can you feel it' is arguably the band's last big hit, released on the 1980 album 'Triumph' and released as a single in early 1981. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40, while it only reached number 77 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The accompanying music video was noted for its remarkable special effects created by Robert Abel and Associates. Michael created the video's concept and Tito's sons Taj and Taryll appeared as extras.

My collection: 7" single no. 844
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Can you feel it' / 'Wondering who'

I'm not afraid - Black

Through the years I have heard some horrendous single edits, but none have been as monstrous as the 7" edit of Black's 'I'm not afraid'. Someone took a blunt knife and started hacking into this track, particularly during the last few minutes. You can hear the voice being cut during singing, each and every cut is audible. And all this to bring down the length of this track with one minute. Perhaps they should just have released the five minute version.

Consequently, this single, the follow-up to Black's biggest hit 'Wonderful life', did not chart. What's interesting about the sleeve is that the German version, pictured here, features the entire lyric of the song on the front, whereas on the UK single (which I don't own, unfortunately) only the refrain, printed in blue, is shown.

My collection: 7" single no. 589
Found: Gé Hofenk, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid' / 'Have it your own way'

Let's dance - Chris Rea

Chris Rea released his ninth studio album 'Dancing with strangers' in 1987. The single 'Let's dance' was taken from this album: a bouncy pop song about, well, dancing.

Released in June 1987, 'Let's dance' became Rea's biggest hit up to that point, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart during a 10 week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 931
Found: July 6, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Let's dance' / 'I don't care anymore'

Verkeerd om terug te kijken - Boeijen en Pennings

You can bet that there are loads of people in the Netherlands desperately searching for this single, willing to pay a small fortune for it too. Meanwhile, I accidentally found it in a second hand shop in 1991 for the equivalent of 1 euro.

'Verkeerd om terug te kijken' ('Wrong to look back') is the only single released by the Dutch duo Frank Boeijen and Wout Pennings. They met in 1977 and recorded and released one album in 1978. They were picked up by the Dutch record label CNR, which enabled them to re-record the album, which like this single was released in 1979. Both the album and the single flopped, but Frank Boeijen went on to form the Frank Boeijen Groep and had a lot of success during the Eighties, after which he went solo, founding a career that is still going strong now.

My collection: 7" single no. 1494
Found: H. v.d. Horst, Den Haag, July 18, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Verkeerd om terug te kijken' / 'De zee'

The rain - Oran 'Juice' Jones

The 12" single of Oran 'Juice' Jones' 'The rain' featured the album version, and as such the longest version that exists of this track. Both sides were taken from his debut album 'Juice', which was a modest success in America but failed to make much of an impression in Europe.

After Jones failed to have significant follow-up success, he left the music industry to tend to his terminally ill mother and raise his family.

My collection: 12" single no. 51
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'The rain' / 'Your song'

The rain - Oran 'Juice' Jones

Oran 'Juice' Jones was born in 1959 in Houston, Texas and raised in Harlem, New York. He was the first artist who was signed to OBR Records, a subsidiary of Def Jam. In 1986 he released his debut album 'Juice', which spawned the hit single 'The rain'. This single was promoted with a music video that was based on the album version of the song, even though the single was shortened by two minutes, omitting a speech to a girl who has committed foul play.

The single reached number 9 in the BIllboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 503
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The rain (short version)' / 'Your song'

Only when you leave - Spandau Ballet

'Only when you leave' was the first single from Spandau Ballet's fourth album 'Parade'. The previous album, 'True', had brought the band a lot of success, and so the new album explored the territory of smooth and commercial pop songs a little further, without taking too many chances.

The strategy paid off: without much trouble the single reached its peak position of number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. It was all downhill from there.

My collection: 7" single no. 1033
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Only when you leave' / 'Paint me down (live)'

It started with a kiss - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate was very popular in the Seventies with several top 3 hits, but in the Eighties, things weren't as good for them. 'It started with a kiss', released in the summer of 1982, would turn out to be their last big hit, after which they would still have several chart hits in the UK, but the majority would land outside the top 10.

'It started with a kiss' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was written by frontman and lead singer Errol Brown.

My collection: 7" single no. 385
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It started with a kiss' / 'Emotion explosion'

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Rocket man - Elton John

This single has the unique distinction to be the inspiration for two very recognisable women in music: Kate Bush and Tori Amos. Kate Bush recorded a cover of 'Rocket man' in 1994, whereas Tori Amos performed 'Tiny dancer' during her concert tour in the same year.

The song 'Rocket man' was conceived when Bernie Taupin saw a shooting star or a distant airplane. The lyric describes a Mars-bound astronaut's mixed feelings at leaving his family in order to do his job. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 2552
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rocket man' / 'Tiny dancer'


Monday 18 January 2010

Thin line between love and hate - The Pretenders

'Thin line between love and hate' was written by the brothers Robert and Richard Poindexter with Jackie Members and first performed in 1971 by the New York City-based vocal group The Persuaders. It became the group's biggest hit in the autumn of 1971, reaching number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Pretenders recorded a cover version of the track in 1984 on their album 'Learning to crawl'. Featuring Paul Carrack on keyboards and backing vocals, their version reached number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 912
Found: June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Thin line between love and hate' / 'Time the avenger (live)'

Never trust a stranger - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde recorded 'Never trust a stranger' as a track on her sixth album 'Close'. It was released as the third single from the album in the autumn of 1988 in a remixed version, made by Ricky Wilde, Kim's brother.

The single became another big hit for Kim, reaching number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, a limited edition gatefold sleeve of this single was available.

My collection: 7" single no. 662
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, October 7, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Never trust a stranger' / 'Wotcha gonna do'

Horoscopes - Sheeba

The Irish girlgroup Sheeba was formed in 1977 by Maxi, Marion Fossett and Frances Campbell. In 1981 they represented Ireland during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Horoscopes'. It finished fifth in a field of 20 contestants.

Following their exposure in the 1981 contest, they signed a recording contract in the UK and released the singles 'The next night' and 'Mystery', neither of which found success. In 1982 they were involved in a road accident in the West of Ireland that brought their career to an eventual halt due to their reluctance to continue touring. Today, Maxi is a successful broadcaster with RTE in Dublin; Marion Fossett is ring-mistress of the well-known family circus, Fossetts; and Frances Campbell is a broadcaster in Northern Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 4406
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Horoscopes' / 'You came through love with me'

Emma my dear - The Bolland Project feat. Colin Blunstone

Having released singles and albums as Bolland & Bolland and as Bolland throughout the Seventies and Eighties, Rob and Ferdi Bolland renamed themselves The Bolland Project for their 1991 album 'Darwin - the evolution'.

One of the tracks on the album was released as a single. It was the beautiful ballad 'Emma my dear', recorded with the aid of Colin Blunstone, who did vocal duties. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1665
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 13, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Emma my dear' / 'For a moment in time'

Bumped - Right said Fred

'Bumped!' was the first single from Right said Fred's second album 'Sex and travel'. It combined Nineties rhythms with a rather forgettable melody and lyric. I mainly bought this single out of curiosity - but I have to say I haven't played it much since I bought it.

The single was a succes in the UK and the Netherlands, peaking at number 32 and number 30 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 2035
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Bumped!' / 'Turn me on (Re-wrap version)'

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

'Everywhere' was the fifth single taken from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. Released in February 1988, it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where the single was released in November 1987, it reached number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This single was also the first cd-single release by the band in most territories. I bought the cd-single at the time of its release, and only bought the 7" single 12 years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 3196
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Everywhere' / 'When I see you again'

The unforgiven - Metallica

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained that the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad - instead of the standard melodic verse and heavy chorus, the band opted to reverse the dynamic, with heavy, distorted verses and a softer, melodic chorus, played with classical guitars. The song describes a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it.

The single became another hit for the band, peaking at number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1553
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The unforgiven' / 'Killing time'

Paisley Park - Prince

The proceeds of the very successful album and movie 'Purple rain' enabled Prince to build his recording studio Paisley Park Studios. So what came first, the studio or this song? Well, the song was recorded before 'Purple rain' was completed, so you do the math.

'Paisley Park' was included on Prince's 1985 album 'Around the world in a day'. It has a psychedelic feel, similar to some of The Beatles' later work with echoed guitar and finger cymbals. The lyrics describe a Utopian place that one can feel in their heart, despite the chaos of the world around them. The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 301
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Paisley Park' / 'She's always in my hair'

Somebody / Blasphemous rumours - Depeche Mode

I've always considered this EP to be great value for money: not only did you get a double A-side with 'Somebody' and 'Blasphemous rumours', this disc also contained two live tracks, of which especially 'Everything counts' is quite fabulous. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Somebody' is a soft, gentle love song in which Martin Gore sings of his desire to find a lover and confidant. The lyric does suggest a hint of sarcasm with the final lines: 'Things like this make me sick. In a case like this, I'll get away with it'. The song was reportedly sung in the studio by Gore without his clothes on.

By contrast, 'Blasphemous rumours' is a loud, angry song. The lyric tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl's failed attempt to kill herself by slitting her wrists. This story is continued when the girl is 18. She renews her faith in God only to be struck by a car, end up on life support, and dying shortly afterwards. The conclusion: 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours but I think that God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die, I expect to find Him laughing.' The song was considered offensive and was banned on some American radio stations. In the UK, although the song was not banned, it also aroused a firestorm of controversy, leading even the Church itself to speak out against the song. Well, of course... God forbid that people would even think about these things!

My collection: 7" single no. 254
Found: Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Somebody', 'Everything counts (live)' / 'Blasphemous rumours', 'Told you so (live)'

Laat mij maar alleen - Klein orkest

Here's another nice track from the Netherlands for your listening pleasure. 'Laat mij maar alleen' ('Just leave me alone') by the Klein orkest ('Little orchestra') is a charming piece of pop from the summer of 1982. Stating 'Even if loneliness is hard, sometimes it's worse when you're together', it's one of those 'Can't live with you, can't live without you' statements, set to upbeat music.

The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and was the first of only three hit singles for the group that existed for seven years, between 1978 and 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 161
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Laat mij maar alleen' / 'Het leed versierd'

A groovy kind of love - Phil Collins

'A groovy kind of love' was written by Toni Wine and Carol Bayer Sager. It is heavily based on the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major, op. 36 no. 5 by Muzio Clementi. The song was first recorded by Diane & Annita in 1965.

Phil Collins recorded his cover of the song in 1988. He decided to record it when he took a starring role in the film 'Buster', which had a Sixties setting. The song first appeared on the soundtrack of the movie, while it was also released as a single. It hit number 1 in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 799
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 17, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'A groovy kind of love' / 'Big noise (instrumental)'

What's love got to do with it - Tina Turner

Tina Turner was famous for her big hits in the Sixties, but by 1984, she was totally forgotten. She released a new album 'Private dancer' in 1984, from which this single, 'What's love got to do with it' was taken. The song was originally written for the R&B singer Phyllis Hyman.

No-one expected this single to become the great success it became. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1008
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'What's love got to do with it' / 'Don't rush the good things'

Come undone - Duran Duran

Duran Duran's guitarist at the time, Warren Cuccurullo, is credited with developing the instrumentation for 'Come undone', most importantly its guitar hook, which he developed while trying to do a re-interpretation of 'First Impression' from their 1990 album Liberty. The lyrics were written by vocalist Simon Le Bon as a birthday gift for his wife, Yasmin le Bon.

The single reached number 13 in the UK and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. By contrast, it did not chart in the Netherlands at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1915
Found: Record fair, May 22, 1993
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Come undone' / 'Ordinary world (acoustic)'

Rebel yell - Billy Idol

Although the rebel yell was a battle cry used by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War, Billy Idol reportedly refers to the whiskey brand of the same name, a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled at the Bernheim distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. During an event he attended, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones were taking swigs of 'Rebel Yell'; Billy decided and stated that he would set off to write a 'Rebel Yell' song.

The song was co-written by guitarist Steve Stevens. The instrumental introduction, which sounds like a combination of electric guitar and electronic keyboard, is performed by Stevens on guitar alone, who intended it to sound this way. The single was originally released in 1984, but re-released in a gatefold sleeve in the UK in 1985 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart on that occasion.

My collection: 7" single no. 1740
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rebel yell' / '(Do not) Stand in the shadows'

Sunday 17 January 2010

Black cat - Janet Jackson

As the years went by, it was easy to accuse Janet Jackson of using a formula for her albums: there were always a few ballads, some dance songs and one obligatory rock-oriented track. In the case of her 1989 album 'Rhythm Nation 1814', it was 'Black cat', released as the sixth single from the album.

The B-side of the single features 'The 1814 Megamix'. Remixed by Alan Coulthard, it includes snippets of Jackson's previous hit singles 'Alright', 'Escapade', 'Rhythm nation', and 'Miss you much'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1330
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Black cat' / 'The 1814 Megamix'

Joyride - Roxette

'Hello, you fool, I love you'. It was the message Per Gessle's girlfriend left on his piano - and a chorus was born. 'Joyride' was the first single release from Roxette's 1991 album 'Joyride'. The single topped the charts across Europe (including the Netherlands), Australia, Canada and the United States. In the UK, 'Joyride' peaked at number 4.

The B-side, 'Come back (before you leave)', reappeared on Roxette's next album, 'Tourism'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1437
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 26, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Joyride' / 'Come back (before you leave)'

Change of heart - Cyndi Lauper

'Change of heart' was the second single taken from Cyndi Lauper's second album, 'True colours' (1986). The Bangles sang background vocals on the track. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart the single reached number 3. In Europe, audience reaction was much less enthousiastic: in the UK singles chart the single stalled at number 67, whereas it didn't chart in the Netherlands at all.

I had to search for quite a long time for this single: when it was released, it didn't appear in Dutch record shops at all. I found a 12" single a few years later, and only in 1991 I found the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1483
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, July 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Change of heart' / 'Witness'

Un fait divers et rien de plus - Le Club

Exactly a year ago, I wrote about the 12" single of 'Un fait divers et rien de plus' by Le Club. As I said then, Le Club was a very anonymous group, which according to the credits of the song consisted of André Monet, Jacky Dieme and Olaf Zalcman.

I bought the 7" single eleven years before the 12" single during a record fair the day before I had a holiday in London. It was like the first course in a six course meal: I spent those days in London visiting numerous record shops.

My collection: 7" single no. 1986
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Un fait divers et rien de plus' / 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (remix)'

The dream - The Nits

In the second half of the Eighties, the Dutch band The Nits was lauded by critics and bought by the audience: a perfect combination.

They won an Edison (the Dutch version of the Grammy's) in 1987 after their album 'In the Dutch mountains'. A year later, they released the mini-album 'Hat'. 'The dream' was the first single taken from the album, which peaked at number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. They won another Edison for this album.

My collection: 7" single no. 723
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 24, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The dream' / 'The house'

So far away - Dire Straits

'So far away' was released as the first single from Dire Straits' 1985 album 'Brothers in arms'. The single reached number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

The B-side of this single is 'Walk of life', which was subsequently released as the fourth single from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 908
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'So far away' / 'Walk of life'

If I say yes - Five Star

'If I say yes' was released in 1986 as the fourth single from Five Star's second album 'Silk and steel'. The single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

The sleeve of this single featured a few photographs taken during the filming of the accompanying music video. Although Five Star never reached the kind of popularity they found in the UK, it was through music videos that I still got to know most of their singles, as music stations were all broadcasting from the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2174
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'If I say yes' / 'Let me down easy'

Air disaster - Albert Hammond

Albert Hammond was born in London on May 18, 1944. He is one of the more successful songwriters to come out of England during the Sixties and Seventies, and has also enjoyed a long career as a recording artist.

One of his hit singles is the 1974 track 'Air disaster'. It appeared regularly on the radio in the Eighties as a 'golden oldie', which is how I found out about this song. I bought this single at the first opportunity. Perhaps I shouldn't have: in more recent years I have seen this single with a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 307
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Air disaster' / 'Candle light, sweet candle light'

Hungry eyes - Sniff 'n' the Tears

'Hungry eyes' is a rather unknown single by the British band Sniff 'n' the Tears. Core member of the band is Paul Roberts, who is also a noted painter. He is responsible for much of the band's singles, and it was the sleeve of this single more than anything else that made me buy this single. I liked the picture, and in fact I still do.

The song, meanwhile, is not much to write home about. Maybe that's why it didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 2592
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hungry eyes' / 'Fight for love'

Run for your life - Bucks Fizz

'Run for your life' was one of the single releases from Bucks Fizz's third album 'Hand cut'. It suffers from all the hallmarks of Eighties production values: loads of synths, loads of echos and a much too busy arrangement. And still it is a nice pop song, somehow.

The song's lyric talks about feelings of paranoia and insecurity. The single eventually rose to a peak of number 14 in the UK singles chart during a 7 week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 3230
Found: London, November 2001
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Run for your life' / 'Shot me through the heart'

Walking down your street - The Bangles

It didn't happen very often - even in the UK - that a single was released in two different limited editions, but in the case of the Bangles, it did happen. 'Walking down your street' was first released as a double single featuring the previous single 'Walk like an Egyptian' as disc number 2, but then there was also this edition: a gatefold sleeve with a 'highlights of the year' foldout.

The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2663
Found: Record fair, June 30, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post'

I want to know what love is - Foreigner

Foreigner had a worldwide number 1 hit with 'I want to know what love is', a powerballad written by Mick Jones, with some degree of uncredited contribution by Lou Gramm. It was the first single from their 1984 album 'Agent provocateur'.

The single features backing vocals from the New Jersey Mass Choir, which soon after Foreigner's single topped the charts, released its own, similar-sounding version of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 250
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, December 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I want to know what love is' / 'Street thunder'

Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana

It wasn't until 'Weird Al' Yankovic released 'Smells like Nirvana' that I became interested in Nirvana's 'Smells like teen spirit'. When it was released, I just thought it was a lot of noise - infernal racket to be precise - and I didn't want to listen to it at all. Tori Amos also made a very beautiful ballad version of this song, and so in the end I had to concede there was some merit to this track after all.

'Smells like teen spirit' can be considered as the one single that introduced the world to the Seatlle grunge scene. Ironically, Kurt Cobain commented about the song: 'I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. (...) We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.' The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1786
Found: Record fair, November 7, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Smells like teen spirit' / 'Even in his youth'

Saturday 16 January 2010

I knew you were waiting (for me) - George Michael and Aretha Franklin

To say that two legendary artists recorded 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' in 1986 would be a little far-fetched, but I bet that's how this single will be perceived in a few decades from now. Aretha Franklin is often called the queen of soul, whereas George Michael was still working on his status as a songwriter and performer - but nowadays he can be considered quite the legend himself.

The single was a number 1 hit for the duo in the UK, the USA, the Netherlands and Australia. In Canada, 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' reached number 4. I bought the 12" single four years after I found this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2440
Found: August 26, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' / 'I knew you were waiting (for me) (instrumental)'

Sailing / Da ya think I'm sexy? - Rod Stewart

This single was made in 1980, combining two of Rod Stewart's biggest hits of the Seventies on one disc. 'Sailing' was written by Gavin Sutherland and originally recorded by his band, Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. Stewart recorded his version in 1975, giving him a number 1 hit in the UK and the Netherlands, among other countries.

'Da ya think I'm sexy' is basically, according to Carmine Appice, who played drums on the track: 'a story of a guy meeting a chick in a club. If you listen to the lyrics, 'She sits alone, waiting for suggestions, he's so nervous...' it's the feelings of what was going on in a dance club. The guy sees a chick he digs, she's nervous and he's nervous and she's alone and doesn't know what's going on, then they end up at his place having sex, and then she's gone.' Again, Stewart hit number 1 in the UK, and peaked at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 with this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 452
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sailing' / 'Da ya think I'm sexy?'

Tu - Mecano

The Spanish pop group Mecano released their album 'Aidalai' in 1991: an eclectic mix of intimate ballads, technopop and traditional Spanish music. The album was released amidst rumours of the band splitting up because of creative differences between the band's main songwriters, Nacho Cano and José Maria Cano.

The single 'Tu' was released in the autumn of 1991 and gave them their second and last hit in the Netherlands: it reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. As you can hear, this is a mispressing of the single, as it warbles like a madman.

My collection: 7" single no. 3177
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 19, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tu' / '1917'

A simple little song - Bandjo with Anne Cathrine Herdorf

Anne-Cathrine Herdorf was born on July 10, 1967. She represented Denmark during the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Bandjo, performing 'En lillle melodi'. The song finished in fifth place in a field of 22 contestants.

This single features the English version of the song, 'A simple little song', plus the instrumental version. Surprisingly, this single was made in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4405
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A simple little song' / 'En lille melodi (instrumental)'

Night fever - Bee Gees

'Night fever' was another song written and recorded by the Bee Gees for the soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever'. Originally the movie was going to be called 'Saturday night', but Robin Gibb expressed hesitation at that title. When the song 'Night fever' was made, the two titles were combined, hence 'Saturday night fever'.

The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed at that position for two months. The single also topped the chart in Canada, the UK, Spain, Ireland and Brazil. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Night fever' reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 1478
Found: July 3, 1991
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Night fever' / 'Down the road'

They dance alone - Sting

In 1987, Sting was going through his messiah phase, thinking that his status as a rock star could give him the power to save the world. He toured around the world with an indian with a plate in his lower lip, while also trying to stop the Chilean regime of Augusto Pinochet.

He did so by composing 'They dance alone', a track on his second solo album '...Nothing like the sun' and subsequently released as a single. The song is a metaphor referring to mourning Chilean women who were dancing the Cueca, the national dance of Chile, alone with photographs of their disappeared loved ones in their hands. Sting explained his song as a symbolic gesture of protest against Pinochet, whose regime killed thousands of people between 1973 and 1990. Of course, this didn't move Pinochet to immediately stop his actions. Sting did reach number 29 in the Dutch Top 40, but the single flopped in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1009
Found: London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'They dance alone' / 'Ellas danzan solas'

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