Thriller - Michael Jackson

The title track from the album 'Thriller' was released as the fifth single. 'Thriller' is one of Jackson's signature songs, in no small part because of its music video, a 14 minute epic which features extra parts of acting and lots of impressive crowd dance scenes.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part nine of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983. The singles 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' and 'Human nature' were not included in this package.

My collection: 7" single no. 3530

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Thriller' / 'Things I do for you (live)' (The Jacksons)

Download: here

Wanna be startin' somethin' - Michael Jackson

'Wanna be startin' somethin'' was the fourth single taken from the album 'Thriller'. It was originally intended for the album 'Off the wall' but was not recorded until the sessions for 'Thriller' in 1982. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The song ends with a chorus repeatedly singing 'Ma ma-se, ma ma-sa, ma ma-coo-sa', which is an African chant. This chant was later re-used in Rihanna's 2007 single 'Don't stop the music'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part eight of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3529

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Wanna be startin' somethin'' / 'Rock with you (live)' (The Jacksons)

Download: here

Beat it - Michael Jackson

The third single from 'Thriller', 'Beat it', won two Grammy Awards for 'Record of the year' and 'Best male rock vocal performance'. Eddie Van Halen guested for the guitar solo on this track, which was again produced by Quincy Jones. The lyrics are an immediate, frightful warning to avoid fighting and violence at all costs, especially when honor seems to be at stake.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part seven of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3528

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Beat it' / 'Burn this disco out'

Download: here

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Released as the second single from his album 'Thriller', Michael Jackson met international acclaim with 'Billie Jean'. The groundbreaking video and the exciting music caused critics to be overwhelmingly positive. Jackson started writing the first demo of the song in his home in 1981. When he presented the song to his co-producer Quincy Jones, Jones had problems with the title and wanted to call the song 'Not My Lover'. He thought when audiences heard it they would assume Jackson was referring to tennis superstar Billie Jean King.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part six of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3527

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Billie Jean' / 'It's the falling in love'

Download: here

The girl is mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

This duet by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney was the first single taken from the album 'Thriller'. Following its release, some observers assumed 'Thriller' would only be a minor hit album. At the time of recording, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney were still on speaking terms. This would change some years later, when Michael acquired the rights over Beatles songs.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part five of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3526
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The girl is mine' / 'Can't get outta the rain'
Download: here

She's out of my life - Michael Jackson

'She's out of my life' was the fourth and final single taken from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. Unlike the previous singles, this song was a slow ballad. The song was written by Tom Bahler after Karen Carpenter broke up with him upon discovering he had fathered a child with another woman.

At the end of the song, Jackson appears to break down in tears. He tried many takes of the last few minutes of the song, but always ended the same way – breaking down in tears. Producer Quincy Jones finally decided to leave the recording 'as is'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part four of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3525
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'She's out of my life' / 'Push me away' (The Jacksons)
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including 'She's out of my life'

Rock with you - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's third single from 'Off the wall' was written by Rod Temperton. It was one of the last big disco hits by Jackson, since in 1980, disco was starting to lose its appeal to the general public in favour of punk rock and new wave. The song was produced by Quincy Jones. It would later appear on one of his own albums, 'Jook joint' in a cover version by singer Brandy in 1995.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part three of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3524

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Rock with you' / 'Get on the floor'

Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Off the wall - Michael Jackson

'Off the Wall' was the second single released from Michael Jackson's 1979 album of the same name. The track, composed by Rod Temperton, became Jackson's second top 10 single from the album, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part two of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3523
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Off the wall' / 'Working day and night'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Don't stop 'til you get enough - Michael Jackson

'Don't stop 'til you get enough' was the lead single from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. The song was written and composed by Jackson himself and produced by Quincy Jones. It went to number 1 in charts all over the world, including USA, UK and the Netherlands. The track also earned Jackson his first solo Grammy Award for 'Best R&B vocal performance'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part one of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3522
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop 'til you get enough' / 'I can't help it'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Be near me - ABC

ABC had reasonable success with this single, reaching no. 25 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1985. 'Be near me' by ABC was released as a double single in a strictly limited edition. The second single contained remixes of two of ABC's biggest hits from 1982: 'Poison arrow' and 'The look of love'. Previously released as DJ remixes in the USA, those 12" singles were changing hands on the black market for vastly inflated prices - or so the sleeve of this double single claims - and so the record company decided to release them on this double single.

For some time, the - frankly wonderful - remix of 'Poison arrow' was played regularly on local radio in my hometown, and I started searching for this double single. I was overjoyed when I finally saw it and had the opportunity to buy it. I regarded it as a crown jewel in my record collection. In a way, I still do.

My collection: 7" single no. 350

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 14,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Be near me' / 'A to Z' // 'Poison arrow (US remix)' / 'The look of love (US remix)'

Download: here

Nothing's wrong - Mo

The first incarnation of Mo consisted of Clemens and Huub de Lange with Harm Bieger and singer Heili Helder. The group split up in 1981, but Harm Bieger set up a new line-up, consisting of himself, Hans Niewint, Ton van der meer and Linda Bloemhard. The second line-up released two more albums and a handful of singles.

'Nothing's wrong' was the last single released by Mo. It is a slightly melancholy song, which failed to make any chart impact. Unfortunately, the band then folded for good. Mo is still one of the best Dutch bands ever.

My collection: 7" single no. 3515

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Nothing's wrong' / 'Beat the computer'

Download: here

The rhythm divine - Yello and Shirley Bassey

The lyric of 'The rhythm divine' was written by Billy MacKenzie, from the Associates. No wonder, then, that it stands out from Yello's repertoire as a more melodic and passionate song. The lead vocals were performed by Shirley Bassey, which made the track even more memorable.

I got the single as a birthday present from my sister in August 1987. Not long after that the cd-single became the third cd-single I ever bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 561

Found: Birthday present

Cost: nothing

Tracks: 'The rhythm divine' / 'Dr. Van Steiner'

Download: here

Mmm mmm mmm mmm - Crash test dummies

One of the strangest song titles ever has to be 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm'. The Canadian band Crash test dummies had a big hit with this in 1994. It peaked at no. 2 in the UK and no. 4 in the Netherlands. I even went to a concert by this band during that year, because Sarah McLachlan was opening for them (!). During this concert I realised that the Crash test dummies would never have a hit again, because all their other material was so similar. Lead singer Brad Roberts commented during this concert that he stuck with the demo's lyric 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' because the alternative, 'fucking shi-it' didn't sound so commercial.

In a 1994 essay in which he makes the case that modern life is better than life in the past, humorist P.J. O'Rourke wrote 'Even the bad things are better than they used to be. Bad music, for instance, has gotten much briefer. Wagner's Ring Cycle takes four days to perform while 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm' by the Crash Test Dummies lasts little more than three minutes.' Still, I think the music in this track is nothing short of beautiful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2666
Found: Record fair, Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' / 'Here I stand before me'
Download: Album 'God shuffled his feet', including both tracks

Soul Dracula - Hot blood

There is a bad disco song for every occasion, I read somewhere on the web, and I think that's true. Take the lyrics of this single for example: 'Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Do it little baby, hahahaha / Ah, do it / Do it / Hahahahaha / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Hot Blood / Haha More More Hahahahaha / Oh, more / Hahahahaha / Hahahahaha'.

With screaming girls in the background and the 'scary' laugh of the lead vocal this song scared me out of my wits as a child. Nowadays, you just have to giggle when you hear this. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a copy with the original picture sleeve (featuring a drawing of a dracula-type vampire), so I made do with this English disc when I found it. Oh, and this was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands in 1977, would you believe....

My collection: 7" single no. 3079

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Soul Dracula' / 'Dracula's theme'

Download: here

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track from Alphaville's 1984 debut album. Originally a ballad, the 12" single contains a special dance version that changes the song into a dance anthem. Quite a feat for those early days of the twelve inch remix. The track has since been covered by artists such as Laura Branigan, Interactive, Sara Burnett and Youth Group, who had a hit with it in Australia in 2006.

The B-side track 'Welcome to the sun' is a beautifully understated ballad, well worth a listen. And that doesn't happen much to B-side tracks.

My collection: 12" single no. 83
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young (Special dance version)' / 'Forever young', 'Welcome to the sun'
Download: here

Special lady - Ray, Goodman and Brown

Harry Ray, Al Goodman and William Brown worked together as 'The Moments' until 1980, when they switched record companies. They started recording as Ray, Goodman & Brown and their first single, 'Special lady' was an immediate hit. It reached number 1 on the American R&B chart and number 5 on the pop chart. In the Netherlands, they reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. But strangely enough, the single didn't chart in the UK.

I bought this single in Rotterdam, where I was to see Janet Jackson live in concert that night. I'd say this song has a more enduring quality.

My collection: 7" single no. 2254

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, March 22, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Special lady' / 'Deja vu'

Download: here

I'm gonna shoot the deejay - The Press

I wonder if a song like 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' ("'cause he won't play my tunes") would be allowed these days on any record or radio show, under the new anti-terrorism laws. Even a verbal threat is reason enough to have you shipped off to Guantanamo Bay these days. But in 1980, it wasn't a problem. At least, in the Netherlands: The Press reached no. 13 in the Dutch Top 40 in August 1980. The Press were formed in the Netherlands by Rene Innemee, Michel Nita, Floor Minnaert, John Coenen, Walter Nita and Willy Bronzwaer. They were previously active as The Walkers, but they assumed the new band name in 1980 for this single and the album 'Press here'. In 1981, they had another hit, 'Cantara pepe', and after that the band quit.

My collection: 7" single no. 3396

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' / 'Meet the press'

Download: here

It's going to happen! - The Undertones

The Undertones formed in Derry in 1976. Members were John O'Neill, Diamian O'Neill, Michael Bradley, Billy Doherty and Feargal Sharkey. They released four albums between 1979 and 1983, of which 'Positive touch' (1981) was the third. This album contained the single 'It's going to happen'.

'It's going to happen!' is the only song by the Undertones that made it to the lower regions of the Dutch charts. Other singles fared pretty well in the UK, but outside of the UK they were pretty unknown. Singer Feargal Sharkey left the band in 1983, to pursue a more successful solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 3024

Found: September 19, 1998

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'It's going to happen!' / 'Fairly in the money now'

Download: Album 'Positive touch', including both tracks (password: hangoverhard.blogspot.com)

I'm alive - Electric Light Orchestra

Taken from the soundtrack of the movie Xanadu, this track by Electric Light Orchestra sound kindof familiar. It is almost a pastiche of earlier Electric Light Orchestra tracks. It was the second single taken from the soundtrack, after the title track 'Xanadu' (with Olivia Newton-John) had been a big hit all over Europe. By comparison, this single fared less well.

The film's version of the song contains a fairly lengthy instrumental introduction, a small segment of which is used for the album and single versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 3516

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I'm alive' / 'Drum dreams'

Download: Album 'Xanadu' (with bonus tracks), including both tracks

Whenever you need somebody - Rick Astley

'Whenever you need somebody' was Rick Astley's second single. It followed up his debut single 'Never gonna give you up', which was a worldwide number one hit. Expectations were high, and they were met. This too was a top three hit in the UK.

I bought this picture disc single together with that other single when I was completing the collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3498
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Whenever you need somebody' / 'Just good friends'
Download: here

Arrival - Mike Oldfield

'Arrival' was composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from Abba, and recorded on their album of the same name. Mike Oldfield covered the track for his 1980 album 'QE2'. When 'Arrival' was released as a single, Oldfield created a parody of the Abba album sleeve, posing in his own Agusta Bell 47G helicopter.

Oldfield is good at making music, but unfortunately his opinions are less gifted. In 2007 he criticized Britain for being too controlling and overprotective, specifically concentrating on the smoking ban which England and Wales introduced that year. As if the world should make way for an addiction.

My collection: 7" single no. 3203

Found: Record fair, September 30, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Arrival' / 'Polka (live)'

Download: here

Another weekend - Five star

Five Star returned in 1988 with a raunchier image for their fourth album, 'Rock the world'. They'd had big success with their three previous albums, but they felt that they'd gone as far as they could with the sound they'd had ever since their debut. 'Another weekend' reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, but it also signalled the end of their three year reign of the charts: further singles couldn't equal their previous successes.

Since I have most of Five Star's 12" singles, I was happy to find this one. It almost completes my collection - but I will obviously write about the other ones on this blog later.

My collection: 12" single no. 479

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Another weekend (Friday Night mix)' / 'Another weekend (Friday Night Dub mix)', 'The mews'

Download: here

Doot doot - Freur

Freur was formed in the early 1980s in Cardiff, Wales by Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, Alfie Thomas, John Warwicker and Bryn Burrows. In 1983 they got a contract with CBS Records. Originally the band's name was a graphic squiggle (see also the sleeve pictured here), but the label insisted on a pronounceable name. Thus Freur was chosen as the band name.

Their first single 'Doot doot' was their only hit, although it only peaked at no. 59 in the UK singles chart. The extended version of 'Doot doot' was a great find. I bought the 7" single soon after it came out, but this 12" only turned up a decade later.

My collection: 12" single no. 154

Found: Record fair, 1992

Cost: [unknown]

Tracks: 'Doot doot (special extended 12" mix)' / 'Hold me mother'

Download: here

Situation (remix) - Yazoo

Yazoo has always fascinated the eighties techno generation. Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet only recorded two albums together in the early eighties before going their separate ways. Since then, there have been many compilation albums. Sometimes these compilations were promoted with remixed singles, such as this one. The 1990 'Deadline mix' is an uncredited remix which tries to update the sound to 1990. Remixes are always interesting to me when I like a song enough. In this case, my verdict is undecided.

My collection: 7" single no. 2312

Found: Record fair, Leiden, May 27, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Situation (Deadline mix - edit)' / 'State farm (Madhouse mix - edit)'

Download: here

Torch songs for the heroine - Peter Godwin

One of the tracks on 'Dance emotions' is an extended version of 'Torch songs'. The single was released in 1981 under the title 'Torch songs for the heroine'. The single version and the ballad version (on the B-side) were both produced by Midge Ure, which explains the romantic, almost metallic, dreamy Ultravoxesque sound of this.

I bought this single because his later singles 'Emotional disguise' and 'Images of heaven' were so good. I never liked this single much until recently. Sometimes, like wine, music needs to wait a while before being appreciated fully.

My collection: 7" single no. 1906

Found: Groningen, May 15, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Torch songs for the heroine' / 'Torch songs for the heroine (Ballad version)'

Download: here

Flowers in December - Mazzy Star

I got to know Mazzy Star when they released 'Fade into you' (1994), a beautiful dreamy pop song. It was the group's biggest hit, peaking at no. 48 in the UK singles chart, until they released this single. 'Flowers in December' was released in 1996 and peaked at no. 40. In the Netherlands, they remained totally unknown.

I bought this single on the strength of 'Fade into you', hoping that this song would be equally wonderful. In short: it is.

My collection: 7" single no. 2777

Found: HMV, London, October 31, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Flowers in December' / 'Tell your honey', 'Hair and skin'

Download: here

Beetlebum - Blur

Like 'The day before yesterday's man', I bought this single during a weekend trip to London. It was a colourful buy, because where the other single was pressed on yellow vinyl, this one was released on orange vinyl. I knew 'Beetlebum' already before I went to London, so it was great being able to buy this single.

'Beetlebum' was Blur's second number 1 single in the UK. It is believed that the song is about the experiences with drugs singer Damon Albarn had with his then-girlfriend, Justine Frischmann (from the band Elastica). Albarn has stated in an interview with MTV that the song describes a complicated emotion, sort of 'sleepy' and sort of 'sexy'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2836

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, February 9, 1997

Cost: 2,29 pounds

Tracks: 'Beetlebum' / 'Woodpigeon song'

Download: here

Owner of a lonely heart - Yes

'Owner of a lonely heart' by Yes is one of the great classics of the eighties. The rock band teamed up with Trevor Horn for their album '90125' and created a track that is powerful and memorable. According to a 1991 interview with Yes, 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' was originally written as a ballad. Jon Anderson convinced producer Trevor Horn to speed it up and add some guitar riffs to make it stand out and be more 'upbeat'.

The 1991 re-release of this track featured a remix by Martyn Phillips on the B-side. I bought this single for that remix, curious to hear how it turned out. It is a very intriguing version of a wonderful classic.

My collection: 7" single no. 2349

Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Owner of a lonely heart' / 'Owner of a lonely heart (Wonderous mix - edit)'

Download: here

The politics of dancing - Re-flex

Re-Flex was an English band formed in 1981 by John Baxter, Paul Fishman, Nigel Ross-Scott and Roland Kerridge. They released their debut single 'The politics of dancing' in 1983. It reached the American Billboard chart in 1984, peaking at number 24. They were one of the first English bands to reach number one in the US dance chart. The album 'The politics of dancing' was also released in 1983, but the band failed to make further dents in the charts. They were soon labelled one hit wonders after they didn't follow up their debut album at all. Their 1985 album 'Humanication' remains unreleased.

My collection: 7" single no. 3519

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 1,5 euro

Tracks: 'The politics of dancing' / 'Cruel world'

Download: here

Somebody (Hey girl) - Video

'Somebody (Hey girl)' was one of those radio hits from 1984 you just couldn't get out of your head. I recorded the track from the radio, only to buy the single when everyone else had forgotten about it years later (Who says that hometaping is killing the music?). I bought the 12" single out of curiosity, just to hear whether the extended version was interesting. Well, it is longer...

The vocals in this track were performed by George Aaron, who, according to this interview, is still making music these days.

My collection: 12" single no. 480

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Somebody (vocal version)' / 'Somebody (instrumental version)'

Download: here

God thank you woman - Culture Club

'God thank you woman' was the last single from the Culture Club before they broke up in 1986. Lacking the immediate appeal of their early singles, it has actually stood the test of time better than those big hits. At least, that's what I think now that I've heard this track for the first time in a long time. It is a positive, uplifting song with a few strange and surprising turns.

The B-side of this single is the track 'From luxury to heartache', which was the title of their 1986 album. This track, however, was only available here, on this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3521

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 1,5 euro

Tracks: 'God thank you woman' / 'From luxury to heartache'

Download: here

Soul kiss - Olivia Newton-John

In 1985, Olivia Newton-John released her comeback album 'Soul kiss' and the title track was also the lead single. She'd been out of the limelight since 1982 when she had a worldwide hit with 'Physical'. 'Soul kiss' was a steamy popsong performed by Olivia while pregnant. It limited her ability to do promotion for the album, which stalled at no. 66 in the UK albums chart. The single didn't even chart. In the Netherlands, it was only a small hit.

The extended remix version of 'Soul kiss' is a beautifully arranged version, which actually improves on the original shorter version. A great find.

My collection: 12" single no. 478

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Soul kiss (extended remix version)' / 'Soul kiss (dub mix)', 'Electric'

Download: 12" single 'Soul kiss', including these tracks

Sign of the times - Belle Stars

In January 1983 the Belle Stars, an all-female group consisting of Stella Barker, Sarah-Jane Owen, Miranda Joyce, Penny Leyton, Judy Parsons, Lesley Shone and Jennie Matthias, released 'Sign of the times'. It peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, and would become their signature song.

I bought the 12" single today, being rather surprised because I'd never seen a 12" single of this track before. This 12" single was made in America.

My collection: 12" single no. 477

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Sign of the times (Remixed extended 12" version)' / 'Madness'

Download: here

Eve's volcano - Julian Cope

'Eve's volcano' was taken from Julian Cope's 1987 album 'Saint Julian', which also included the hit singles 'World shut your mouth' and 'Trampolene'. After the top 40 success in the UK of these two singles, 'Eve's volcano' did less well by comparison, only reaching no. 41. Still, I loved this single, which was played a lot on Dutch radio at the time. I bought the single soon after it came out. During that year's holiday in London, this was also the first cd-single I ever bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 521

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Eve's volcano' / 'Almost beautiful child (I & II)'

Download: Album 'The followers of Saint Julian', including both tracks

Eaten alive - Diana Ross

Last week I wrote about Diana Ross's second single from her 1985 album 'Eaten alive', 'Chain reaction'. I was a bit surprised when I came across a copy of the first single and title track from that album today. I couldn't resist buying it, I hadn't heard it for more than a decade. The song was written by the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson, with the latter and Barry Gibb doing backing vocals on the track. Jackson sings the lead vocals with Diana Ross here and there.

My collection: 7" single no. 3520

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 1,5 euro

Tracks: 'Eaten alive' / 'I'm watching you'

Download: Album 'Eaten alive', including both tracks

Barco a venus - Mecano

The Spanish group Mecano started as a synthpop outfit in 1981 in Madrid. Mecano consisted of brothers Nacho and Jose Maria Cano and singer Ana Torroja. Their debut album 'Mecano' (1982) was a hit in Spain despite criticism of their overt commercial sound. The follow-up album '¿Dónde Está El País De Las Hadas?' ('Where is fairyland?') featured this single, 'Barco a venus'. It is a slice of cheerful synthpop that attracted my attention almost a decade later.

I found this single during a daytrip in Brussels. It's always nice to stumble upon a single you've been searching for a long time, and this time was no exception.

My collection: 7" single no. 1536

Found: Brussels, October 11, 1991

Cost: 40 Belgian Francs

Tracks: 'Barco a venus' / 'Este chico es una joya'

Download: Album '¿Dónde Está El País De Las Hadas?', including both tracks

Monté la rivié - Kali

In 1992, France decided to send a reggae king to the Eurovision Song Contest. Kali's 'Monté la rivié' was a beautifully arranged reggae track, sung in French and Haitian Creole. The lyrics are full of metaphors about the river, which the listener should 'go up'. The listener is told that 'One day you'll see the source of the river'. Thus, the lyrics deal with the need to find peace and love in the modern world.

The b-side of the single contains a live cover of the Bob Marley track 'One drop'. I bought my copy of the single in Vienna during a holiday. Not the most predictable place to find a French single...

My collection: 7" single no. 1931

Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993

Cost: 55 Austrian Schilling

Tracks: 'Monté la rivié' / 'One drop (live)'

Download: here

Nearly there - One 2 Many

Well, at least they were optimistic. After the failure of previous single 'Another man', One 2 Many followed up with another single, 'Nearly there'. Like its predecessor, it didn't trouble the charts. The 12" single is an attractive proposition, nonetheless, because it features an extended version of 'Nearly there'. I didn't know about this single, so I was very surprised when I found this 12". It was 1990, a year after it was released. I was even more surprised a couple of years later when I found out that there was even a cd-single. Strangely enough, I never found a 7" single of this!

My collection: 12" single no. 101

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Nearly there (extended version)' / 'In my heart'

Download: here

Message in the box - World Party

World Party is a British pop/rock band, consisting of only one member, Karl Wallinger. He started World Party after he left the Waterboys in 1985. In 1987, he released the first album titled 'Private Revolution', but it wasn't until 1990, when he released 'Goodbye Jumbo', that his music got more widespread notice. 'Message in the box' was the first single taken from the album. It reached number 39 in the UK singles chart.

I bought this single box set in 2004, when I visited London. The box included, besides the single, a button and a large poster, both promoting the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 3408

Found: Record Exchange, London, December 2004

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Message in the box' / 'Nature girl'

Download: here

Mad world - Tears for fears

These days, 'Mad world' is considered to be a ballad performed by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules, but I am old enough to remember the original version, released by Tears for fears in 1982. The single reached no. 3 in the UK singles chart, making it the band's first hit. Roland Orzabal said about the song: 'That came when I lived above a pizza restaurant in Bath and I could look out onto the centre of the city. Not that Bath is very mad - I should have called it 'Bourgeois World'!'

I bought the single of 'Mad world' in 1990. It wasn't until 1999 that I found the double single version, which included the rare 'World remix' of the track. The second single featured 'Suffer the children' and 'Ideas as opiates', both in versions that were different from the ones that would be recorded for Tears for fears's debut album 'The Hurting' (1983).

My collection: 7" single no. 1334 / 7" double single no. 3163

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990 / Record fair, Utrecht, 1999

Cost: 50p / 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Mad world' / 'Ideas as opiates'

Tracks (double single): 'Mad world' / 'Mad world (World remix)' // 'Suffer the children' / 'Ideas as opiates'

Download: here

I'll keep on loving you - Princess

This beautiful 12" picture disc appeared on a record fair a couple of years ago. I bought it because it was really cheap, but also because remixes of Stock/Aitken/Waterman tracks in the mid-80's were usually worth a listen. This one, fortunately, is no exception. The disc includes an extended version and a US remix by Bruce Forest - who, for a change, made a remix that was actually quite good.

Princess was one of many faces who were a success in the heydays of Stock/Aitken/Waterman. This single, released in April 1986, was her biggest hit since her debut 'Say I'm your number one', reaching no. 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 12" single

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I'll keep on loving you [extended]' / 'I'll keep on loving you (US Remix by Bruce Forest)'

Download: here

Can't stand losing you - The Police

The Police's 1978 single 'Can't stand losing you' was banned by the BBC in the UK because of the sleeve pictured here. According to Sting, in an interview in the magazine Revolver: 'The reason they had a problem with 'Can't Stand Losing You' was because the photo on the cover of the single had Stewart standing on a block of ice with a noose around his neck, waiting for the ice to melt'. The single was released on blue vinyl. I thought it was more attractive to own this single than the later version with an alternate cover, and so I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3019

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 5, 1998

Cost: 15 guilders

Tracks: 'Can't stand losing you' / 'Dead end job'

Download: Album 'Message in a box, disc 1', including both tracks

Kiss you all over - Exile

Most people, including me, got to know the group Exile because of this single. 'Kiss you all over' went to number 4 in the Dutch Top 40, and peaked at number 6 in the UK. It would prove to be their biggest hit, with further single reaching only the lower regions of the charts.

I liked the song a lot in 1978, when it was in the charts, but at the time I didn't have the budget to buy all the singles I liked. A decade later, it still became part of my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 1099

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Kiss you all over' / 'There's been a change'

Download: Album 'Mixed emotions', including both tracks

Dance emotions - Peter Godwin

I don't often write about albums on this blog because mostly the lp's I own have been neatly re-released on cd at some point. But I'll gladly make an exception for Peter Godwin's 1982 mini-lp 'Dance emotions'. Basically a collection of alternative versions of his single releases, this album comprises six tracks, including two versions of his most wellknown track 'Emotional disguise', a dance mix of 'Images of heaven', and extended versions of 'Torch songs' and 'Luxury'.

I bought this mini-lp during a record fair. Having never seen a 12" single by Peter Godwin I was very pleased to see all these extended versions collected on one disc.

My collection: LP no. 87

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 7, 1991

Cost: 7,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Emotional disguise (extended version)', 'Torch songs (extended version)', 'French emotions' / 'Images of heaven (dance mix)', 'Cruel heart', 'Luxury (extended version)

Download: here

Funkin' for Jamaica - Tom Browne

Tom Browne was introduced in the Netherlands by the influential TV chart programme Toppop. They recorded a clip of him and his band performing 'Funkin' for Jamaica', which subsequently became a number 3 hit for him in the Netherlands. Originally, Tom Browne is a jazz trumpeter, who worked with Sonny Fortune. His debut album 'Browne Sugar' did not trouble the charts, but the second album, 'Love approach', was more successful. 'Funkin' for Jamaica' features lead vocals by Tonni Smith.

I bought this single during a record fair. My copy of the single was pressed on blue vinyl, a great collector's item.

My collection: 7" single no. 1424

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 7, 1991

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Funkin' for Jamaica' / 'Her silent smile'

Download: Album 'Love approach', including both tracks

Gotta have more love - Climax Blues Band

The Climax Blues Band formed in 1968. They released their twelfth album 'Flying the flag' in 1980. From this album, the single 'Gotta have more love' was drawn. It was a minor hit in the Netherland, reaching no. 38 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1981.

I bought this single at first while I was ill. My mother went to a record store to buy me this single because I really wanted to have it. Unfortunately, the single wasn't in the best state, so a few years later I bought a new copy. Contrary to the original one, this one came in a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 78

Found: Rapsody, Den Haag, 1981 / Parkpop, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 3 guilders / 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Gotta have more love' / 'One for me and you'

Download: Album 'Flying the flag', including both tracks (password: awangarda)

Ain't nobody - Rufus and Chaka Khan

'Ain't nobody' was recorded as a bonus studio track on Rufus & Chaka Khan's live album 'Stompin' at the Savoy'. It was released as a single and reached no. 8 in the UK singles chart and no. 29 in the Dutch top 40. It has become one of Khan's best-known and most-played songs. In 1989, she released a remix of this track as a single, but that version was a lot weaker than the original, which has become an R&B/Soul standard.

I went looking for this single in the late nineties, suddenly remembering how I liked it a decade earlier. I still remember asking for it at Beanos in 1997, but it was sold out. I went back there a year later - while still searching for it in the mean time - and... there it was.

My collection: 7" single no. 2988

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 27, 1998

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Ain't nobody'

Download: here

Half a minute - Matt Bianco

'Half a minute' was the third single taken from Matt Bianco's debut album 'Whose side are you on' (1984). The video was on television almost daily in 1984, when the single came out. It reached no. 23 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

I found the 12" single in London and bought it because it was very cheap. It should be: the sleeve was torn and folded, and the disc wasn't in the best condition. But I was curious to find out what the extended version was like. It's still a lovely, summery song.

My collection: 12" single no. 431

Found: Big Company records, London, 2001

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Half a minute (extended version)' / 'Matts Mood I', 'Matts Mood II'

Download: here

Song 2 - Blur

'Song 2' was the second single released from Blur's self-titled fifth album (1997). The riff-based track, known for its overdriven chorus, is among the most well-known songs. The song was called 'Song 2', according to Damon Albarn, because the working title ended up sticking. It ended up, coincidentally, peaking at no. 2 in the UK singles chart, and lasts for exactly two minutes and two seconds.

The 7" single was released on purple vinyl. This is the main reason why I bought it: I didn't know the track yet, I did however like its predecessor, 'Beetlebum'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2862

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, September 20, 1997

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Song 2' / 'Get out of cities'

Download: cd-single 'Song 2', including both tracks

No more "I love you's" - The Lover Speaks

The Lover Speaks consisted of David Freeman and Joseph Hughes. They formed in 1985 after working in the punk band The Flys. They got a recording contract with A&M Records via Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. After releasing their debut album and this single, they toured with the Eurythmics in 1986. They returned to the studio in 1988 and recorded another album, The Big Lie with Iovine, Stewart and Daniel Lanois producing - only to face A&M Records not wanting to release it. The duo then split. Freeman went on to release a few solo albums in the 1990s.

'No more "I love you's"' got some belated praise when it was covered by Annie Lennox on her album 'Medusa' (1995). I liked that cover and went searching for the original version. I found it on the second to last day of the year!

My collection: 7" single no. 2589

Found: Grammofoonplatenwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'No more "I love you's"' / 'This can't go on'

Download: 'No more "I love you's"' / 'This can't go on'