Mickey - Toni Basil

Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn wrote the song 'Kitty' for the UK pop group Racey. They recorded the track in 1979. In 1982, Toni Basil, born as Antonia Christina Basilotta on September 22, 1943, recorded the track as 'Mickey'.

Basil had a crush on actor and Monkee Micky Dolenz during her work as a choreographer and dancer on the set of the Monkees 1968 movie 'Head'. It prompted her to change the lyrics to 'Mickey' to better suit her real-life experience, and the gender from female to male. The single reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3217

Found: Record fair, October 12, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Mickey' / 'Thief on the loose'

Alphabet st. - Prince

'Alphabet st.' was the first single from Prince's 1988 album 'Lovesexy'. It peaked at number 9 in the UK and number 5 in the Netherlands. The packaging for this single was quite unique: there was no real sleeve, just a transparent sleeve with a sticker displaying the artist's and track name on it. The next single 'Glam slam' would be packaged in the same way.

The B-side is essentially an instrumental version of 'Alphabet st.' with an added rap by Cat Glover, who choreographed and appeared in several of Prince's videos and his concert film 'Sign 'O' the times', traveled with him as a backing vocalist and dancer on the Sign 'O' the Times Tour and Lovesexy World Tour. Following her work with Prince, she released the EP 'Catwoman' in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 2281

Found: May 6, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Alphabet st.' / 'Alphabet st.'

Paranoimia - The Art of Noise with Max Headroom

'Paranoimia' was released as a single by the group Art of Noise in 1986. The track featured the computer generated television personality Max Headroom on vocals. The original version of the track (without Max Headroom) features on the album 'In visible silence'.

The single reached number 12 in the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 470

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Paranoimia' / 'Why me?'

Labelled with love - Squeeze

Released as the third single from Squeeze's 1981 album 'East Side Story', 'Labelled with love' was the third and last single by Squeeze to reach the UK top 10, peaking at number 4 (the other two being 'Cool for cats' and 'Up the junction', both peaking at number 2 in 1979).

Although 'Labelled with love' itself was a popular song, the single's high chart placing was also partly due to the unexpected popularity of the flip-side 'Squabs on forty fab', a tongue-in-cheek disco medley of Squeeze's greatest hits (in the vein of 'Stars on 45').

My collection: 7" single no. 3701
Found: Empire Records, May 5, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Labelled with love' / 'Squabs on forty fab'

Lenny - Buggles

'Lenny' was another single that did not chart in the UK, but... lo and behold... it did in the Netherlands. It entered the Dutch Top 40 in April 1982 and peaked at number 23 during its five week chart run.

It was an excellent song to play air drums and air keyboards on, I remember playing the cassette on which I recorded this song from the radio over and over again, enjoying it endlessly. Whoever said that hometaping was killing the music? In 1989 I still remembered this song and bought the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 830

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Lenny' / 'Blue nylon'

House of fun - Madness

Released in May 1982, 'House of fun' is to date the only number one hit in the UK for Madness. It was released by Madness in between albums. The track did not appear on any previous or subsequent studio album - although it was obviously included in compilation albums, the first one being 'Complete Madness', released in 1982.

Madness guitarist Chris Foreman commented on the song in 1982: 'I'm not sure about this one... I think it's about coming of age, I cant remember much about because when it happened to me it was a long time ago. You could buy a packet of fags, a pint of beer and a three piece suit for half a crown and still have enough left to go and see Rudolf Valentino at the Gaumont! I can't afford to go to the pictures these days but I hear they talk in them now.'

My collection: 7" single no. 3699

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'House of fun' / 'Don't look back'

This is mine - Heaven 17

'This is mine' was released as the second single from Heaven 17's 1984 album 'How men are', which was their third. The video to this single was a hilarious piece in which the members of the band (Glenn Gregory, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh) played bankrobbers.

Peaking at number 23, this single was the last single to get into the UK top 40 for a while: the next single 'And that's no lie' stalled at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 3689

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'This is mine' / 'Mine'

A million in 1, 2, 3 - Dream Express

Everyone always thinks that Madonna was very original when she bared her navel in 1984. But on this sleeve, there's the ultimate proof that it was not so original: the girls from the Belgian group Dream Express did it already in 1977. It brought them less fame and fortune than the American hag.

Dream Express represented Belgium during the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest. The sisters Bianca, Stella and Patricia Maessen sang 'A million in 1, 2, 3' in English under the relaxed language rules that lasted for a few years in the late Seventies. They were 7th in a field of 18 participants. It was not the first time that the sisters participated: in 1970 they represented the Netherlands as Hearts of Soul, singing 'Waterman'. More about that when I find the single (still looking for that one)...

My collection: 7" single no. 3706

Found: Bought for me by Puck in Oegstgeest, May 5, 2009

Cost: nothing, it was a present!

Tracks: 'A million in 1, 2, 3' / 'Spinning top'

Shine - Frida

'Shine' is the title track from Frida's 1984 album which was produced by Steve Lillywhite. He'd already worked with bands like U2, Rolling Stones and Peter Gabriel despite being only 25 years old at the time. 'Shine' was a deliberate move away from Abba's pop sound that Frida feared to be always connected to. In a recent comment, Frida said that 'maybe this album became a bit too modern for its time'.

'Shine' peaked at number 6 in Sweden, but didn't do so well elsewhere. In the Netherlands, it only made number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 3703

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Shine' / 'That's tough'

Chariots of fire - Vangelis

In 1981, Vangelis wrote the score for the film 'Chariots of Fire', set at the 1924 Summer Olympics. The choice of music was unorthodox as most period films featured traditional orchestral scores, whereas Vangelis' music was modern and synthesizer-heavy. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Vangelis won the Academy Award for Original Music Score.

The opening theme of the film was released as a single in 1982, topping the American Billboard chart for one week after climbing steadily for five months.

My collection: 7" single no. 3691

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Chariots of fire' / 'Eric's theme'

Summer rain - Alphaville

Alphaville were best known for their hits 'Big in Japan' and 'Forever young', when they released this single in 1989. It was a beautiful song, very different from that early material, and so it was 'rewarded' with a total lack of commercial success.

The album from which this single was taken, 'The breathtaking blue', was an experimental sounding album, accompanied by an ambitious video project. Not surprisingly, this also went completely over the heads of the record buying public.

My collection: 7" single no. 969

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Summer rain' / 'Sister sun'

You win again - Bee Gees

The Bee Gees had not been in the charts for four years - an eternity in that time - when they returned in October 1987 with 'You win again'. In the UK it was a number one hit, and in the Netherlands the single peaked at number 5. In America the sales were disappointing: it only reached number 75.

Barry Gibb wrote the melody of the song, while Maurice Gibb created the drum sounds that open the track in his garage.

My collection: 7" single no. 1284

Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'You win again' / 'Backtafunk'

Dors mon amour - André Claveau

André Claveau represented France during the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest. Mind you, that was only the third edition of this annual event. He was born on December 17, 1915 and died on July 4, 2003. 'Dors, mon amour' ('Sleep, my love') was the first entry sung by a male soloist to win the contest.

I bought this single online and received it in the mail today. I had to wonder how this single came out in such good shape after 51 years. It's really great to be able to play this beautiful song after half a century.

My collection: 7" single no. 3707

Found: Marktplaats.nl, received May 6, 2009

Cost: 6,76 euro

Tracks: 'Dors mon amour' / 'Le coeur en plâtre'

Juliana - Kinderen van Nederland

A guest single today, from my friend Puck. Although, when you listen to this you would start to wonder why I have such strange friends. 'Juliana' was an ode to the queen of the Netherlands in 1979, on the occasion of her 70th birthday. I wonder at the lack of taste of people in this country every day, but I'm still amazed that this actually peaked at number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 during its five week run.

The lyric of this song is full of interesting statements. Apparently, queen Juliana singlehandedly took care of prosperity in Holland's post-war years, and 'wakes day and night'. The children hope she will continue to take care of her people for many years to come. Well, the queen listened to this and decided to abdicate in January 1980.

Tracks: 'Juliana' / 'Wilhelmus van Nassauwe'

Food for thought - UB40

'Food for thought' was originally the debut single of UB40 in 1980. It was an attempt to publicize and condemn the Ethiopian famine in Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, a full five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention.

This live version was released in early 1983 and taken from the album 'UB40 live'. It was a big hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 4. It was their first top 5 hit in the Netherlands. A few months later, their next single 'Red red wine' would become a charttopper.

My collection: 7" single no. 3690

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Food for thought (live)' / 'The piper calls the tune (live)'

Popcorn - M and H band

The M&H Band's version of 'Popcorn' was not just released as a 7" single (see it here), but also as a 12" single. This disc adds an extended remix which lasts for over six minutes. It may be one of the first extended remixes of a cover version of 'Popcorn' ever - later cover versions would be remixed as a matter of course.

My collection: 12" single no. 496

Found: Mail order, 2000

Cost: 8 guilders

Tracks: 'Popcorn (Remix version)' / 'Popcorn (Radio version)', 'Ordinopaso'

My bag - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

'My bag' was the first single taken from the 1987 album by Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, 'Mainstream'. Though not a very accessible song, it reached number 46 in the UK singles chart. 'Mainstream' was the last album by Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, produced by the group and Ian Stanley, keyboard-player of Tears for Fears.

My collection: 7" single no. 3700

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'My bag' / 'Jesus said'

Club Tropicana - Wham!

Wham! had made a name for themselves with socially conscious singles like 'Wham rap' and 'Young guns'. When they released 'Club Tropicana' it seemed like a deliberate move away from that. But in reality, the song was a satire of the boom for cheap package holidays for young, single people.

The B-side is what interests me the most on this single. It's the track 'Blue (Armed with love)', which is a bit of a rarity in Wham!'s catalogue. I've known this track for a long time, but I didn't know it was the B-side of 'Club Tropicana'. I'm glad to finally have it on 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3702

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Club Tropicana' / 'Blue (Armed with love)'

Talk it over - Frizzle Sizzle

After representing the Netherlands during the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Alles heeft ritme', Frizzle Sizzle continued their pop career with songs in English. Their first attempt 'Never give up' was not successful, but the next single 'Talk it over', released in January 1987 was an immediate success. It peaked at number 14 in the Dutch Top 40, which made it a bigger hit than their Eurovision song.

Unfortunately it went downhill from there: the next single stalled at number 38 and further singles did not chart. In 1990, Frizzle Sizzle broke up.

My collection: 7" single no. 3698

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Talk it over' / 'Talk it over (instrumental)'

Après toi - Vicky Leandros

Vicky Leandros was born as Vassiliki Papathanasiou on August 23, 1949. In 1958 her parents took her to Germany where she stayed with her father permanently after her parents' divorce. She revealed her talent at a young age while taking guitar, music, dance, ballet and singing lessons. In 1967 she received an offer to sing for Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'L'amour est bleu'. She finished in fourth place but the song became one of the biggest worldwide hits of the year and was covered by many artists.

In 1972 she represented Luxembourg at Eurovision for the second time and won the contest with the song 'Après toi'. It became a number one hit in the Netherlands. Translated into English as 'Come what may' it was also a big hit in the UK reaching number 2 on the charts. Leandros recorded the song in seven languages.

My collection: 7" single no. 3401

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Après toi' / 'La poupée, le prince et la maison'

Little bird / Love song for a vampire - Annie Lennox

While the fourth single from Annie Lennox's album 'Diva' (1992), 'Cold' was not released on 7" vinyl, it was a surprise that the fifth single was. It was a double A-side single, featuring 'Little bird' in a remixed version from the album, plus a new track: 'Love song for a vampire', recorded for the soundtrack of the movie 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2548

Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Little bird' / 'Love song for a vampire'

All of my heart - ABC

Released as the fourth single from their debut album 'The lexicon of love', ABC hit number 5 in the UK and number 19 in the Netherlands with 'All of my heart', a beautiful ballad with orchestral backing. It was one of the standout tracks from the album.

The orchestral theme was visible on the whole of the release: the four members of the band posed as classical musicians on the sleeve and the B-side was 'Overture', essentially a medley of tracks from 'The lexicon of love' played by a full orchestra.

My collection: 7" single no. 1188

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'All of my heart' / 'Overture'

My foolish friend - Talk Talk

Released in 1983, 'My foolish friend' was the first Talk Talk single of that year, in between singles taken from their debut album 'The party's over' (1982) and 'It's my life' (1984). 'My foolish friend' did not appear on any of their albums, but the B-side 'Call in the night boys' would appear on 'It's my life'.

The single was not very successful, stalling at number 57 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2167

Found: Record Exchange, London, September 26, 1994

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'My foolish friend' / 'Call in the night boys'

Your love takes me higher - The Beloved

'Your love takes me higher' was a hit for the Beloved in March 1990, as a single drawn from their debut album 'Happiness'. However, this is not that single: this single was released a year before and features both band members on the sleeve instead of a drawing which featured on the sleeve of the 1990 release.

Jon Marsh and Steve Waddington released this single ten months before 'The sun rising', which would become their first real UK hit. 'Your love takes me higher' was re-released after 'Hello' was their second hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2277

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, May 6, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Your love takes me higher' / 'Paradise (My darling, my angel)'

I'm falling - The Bluebells

The Scottish band the Bluebells was formed in the first half of the Eighties by Bobby Bluebell, David McCluskey, Ken McCluskey, Lawrence Donegan, Craig Gannon, Russell Irvine and Neal Baldwin. 'I'm falling' was their first big hit, peaking at number 11 in the UK singles chart.

I discovered the song after 'Young at heart' made it into the charts later on in 1984. I hated that song and preferred this one. Unfortunately, it was 'Young at heart' that made a revival in 1993, eight years after the band had fallen apart. I still think this song is a lot better.

My collection: 7" single no. 373

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'I'm falling' / 'H.O.L.L.A.N.D.'

The laughing gnome - David Bowie

A full ten years before Dutch singer Father Abraham made his claim to fame with the Smurf song, David Bowie recorded and released 'The laughing gnome', a novelty song which failed to give him the chart recognition he so desperately desired.

The song still became a hit in the UK when it was re-released after Bowie's commercial breakthrough with 'The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' in 1973. Despite the song being totally different from Bowie's material at that time, the single still made number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3170

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, January 18, 2000

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'The laughing gnome' / 'The gospel according to Tony Day'

Colorado - Xandra

Dutch singer Sandra Reemer (born October 17, 1950 in Bandung, Indonesia) participated three times in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her third and last attempt took place in 1979 as Xandra with the song 'Colorado'. While she made fourth place in 1972 together with Andres and ninth place in 1976 singing 'The party's over', this time she only made twelfth place.

Written by Rob and Ferdi Bolland together with Gerard Cox, 'Colorado' was only a minor hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3347

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Colorado' / 'Intercity'

Shake your body (down to the ground) - The Jacksons

When people ask me what music I would like to have played on my funeral, I usually cite titles like 'Down down deeper and down' (Status Quo) and this one by the Jacksons. Released as a single in December 1978, this track became a hit for the group in 1979, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the Netherlands.

The 12" single contains an 8'37 extended remix, which is half a minute longer than the album version on 'Destiny' (1978).

My collection: 12" single no. 333

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1995

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Shake your body (down to the ground)' / 'That's what you get (for being polite)'

Can't stop - Maarten Peters

'Can't stop' was the debut single of Maarten Peters, released in the Netherlands in 1985. The single was produced by Jos Haagmans, with whom Maarten had just worked for a year in the Frank Boeijen Groep, which they were both members of.

The single is a stunning debut, not so much for the A-side, which is a pretty middle of the road affair, but the B-side. Unreleased on any album, 'Don't interfere with a ghost' is a simple, yet effective ballad that deals with a slightly creepy theme, but doesn't exploit this musically. It's a ghost story in a very friendly atmosphere. The single did not chart, but Maarten Peters would get some chart recognition later on in his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 573

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Can't stop' / 'Don't interfere with a ghost'

Heart full of soul - Chris Isaak

Chris Isaak was born on June 26, 1956. In 1984, he signed a recording contract and released his debut album 'Silvertone'. His second album, 'Chris Isaak' was released in 1986 and contained the single 'Heart full of soul'. This track was written by Graham Gouldman and originally recorded by the Yardbirds.

I bought my copy of the single while visiting a record shop together with two friends. They thought my choice was excellent, since the single was so unknown - it had not been a hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1692

Found: Groningen, August 7, 1992

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Heart full of soul' / 'You took my heart'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

Prince wrote and recorded 'I feel for you' on his 1979 album 'Prince'. When Chaka Khan recorded it for her 1984 album 'I feel for you' and released it as a single, it became a massive hit. In the autumn of 1984, the single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder. Also, samples from Wonder's 'Fingertips Part 2' are used.

My collection: 12" single no. 167

Found: Record fair, 1993

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'I feel for you (remix)' / 'Chinatown (LP version)'

Download: here (password: discotrax80s.blogspot.com)

Going down to Liverpool - The Bangles

Kimberley Rew wrote 'Going down to Liverpool' for her band Katrina and the Waves. The Bangles recorded a cover version on their 1984 album 'All over the place', which was released as a single. The video to accompany the single featured Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, which helped a lot in the publicity department.

Still, the single only managed a number 56 placing in the UK singles chart, and didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2585

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Going down to Liverpool' / 'Dover beach'

Radio ga ga - Elaine Paige

Elaine Paige released 'The Queen album' in 1989. It was an album with ten covers of tracks originally performed by Queen, performed with full orchestral backing. I didn't know the album until I found this single, containing great versions of 'Radio ga ga' and 'Love of my life'.

The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, Elaine Paige's voice is pretty good as well, but still I have difficulty deciding whether I find this simply great or just a tad tacky. There is a certain camp element to Queen's work, and it may only get worse by treating it this way. Well anyway: listen for yourself; you decide!

My collection: 7" single no. 3106
Found: Big Company records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Radio ga ga' / 'Love of my life'

Child in time - Deep Purple

I got to know 'Child in time' as the number 1 of the Top 100 of all times, which was played annually on Radio Veronica. It was an extremely interesting track to me, mainly because of the tension and build-up in the first half of the song and the extreme noise at the end.

Deep Purple wrote and recorded 'Child in time' in 1969 for their album 'In rock' (1970). The original album version is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long. For this single release, the track was slightly edited. Vocalist Ian Gillan utilizes his entire vocal range for this song, starting out low and almost whispering, to high-pitched screaming at the end of the song. Since 1993, when Gillan returned to Deep Purple, the band has not played this song live anymore. They only played it once in 2002, and on this occasion high-pitched guitar covered up Gillan's now-limited vocal range.

'Child in time' charted twice in the Netherlands: in 1972 it peaked at number 10 during its 12 week chart run, and in 1975, it reached number 9 during a 10 week chart run. My copy of the single is a re-release from the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 509

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Child in time' / 'Woman from Tokyo'

If you can't stand the heat - Bucks Fizz

Released as the first single from their third album 'Hand cut', 'If you can't stand the heat' was a deliberate attempt by Bucks Fizz to display a tougher image. Having been known for their sweet pop tunes ever since they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, this single showed the band members wearing leather and singing a tune that sounded a lot less 'friendly'. The lyrics of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced wth her own medicine, can't handle it, hence the song's title. In the UK, the single peaked at number 10. This 12" single features a longer version of the track.

My collection: 12" single no. 393

Found: Record fair, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'If you can't stand the heat (12" version)' / 'Stepping out'

We almost got it together - Tanita Tikaram

The 'difficult second album syndrome' hit Tanita Tikaram hard. The first single taken from her second album 'The sweet keeper' (1990) was the upbeat, but slightly contrived 'We almost got it together'. The single peaked at number 52 in the UK and number 34 in the Netherlands.

The single was released in a gatefold sleeve, featuring a photograph of Tanita Tikaram and the lyric of the song on the inside. It was the sleeve that convinced me to buy this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 1145

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 13, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'We almost got it together' / 'Love story'