Clannad recorded 'The hunter' as a new track on their 1989 compilation album 'Past present'. It is a re-worked version of the song 'Herne' from their 1984 album 'Legend'. The track was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World studios in Bath.
The single did not chart in the UK, unlike the album 'Past present', which reached number 5 in the UK albums chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4164 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The hunter' / 'Atlantic realm (The theme from)'
The Belle Stars made a name for themselves in the London club circuit when they started performing in 1981. Within a few months they appeared on the front cover of Sounds magazine. They were signed by Stiff Records.
The band's debut single, 'Hiawatha' was released in the late spring of 1981. This single failed to chart, just like the follow-up 'Slick trick'. Their third single was this EP, with the lead track 'Another latin love song'. Again, it failed to break into the charts. The band finally found success with their fourth single, a cover of the song 'Iko Iko'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4163 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Another latin love song', 'Miss world' / 'Stop now', 'Having a good time'
I wrote about 'I owe you nothing' once before, as I already owned the single for a long time. But this weekend, I managed to find three more copies of the single. Three more? Yes, because the single was actually released with four different sleeves. One was a compilation of the three others, featuring one member on the front sleeve each. Such was the popularity of Bros, that the single was not only released this way in the UK, but also in Europe.
When 'I owe you nothing' was released as Bros's debut single a year earlier, it failed to chart. The re-release was much more successful, as it managed to climb to the top of the UK singles chart this time around. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 4.
Finding these singles - the German pressings of them, by the way - saw me confronted with an administrative question: would I catalogue them as three separate singles? In the end, I decided to give them all the number 4162. After all, all three singles contain the same two tracks.
My collection: 7" single no. 4162 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro each Tracks: 'I owe you nothing' / 'I owe you nothing (The voice)'
Bananarama write and recorded 'Robert de Niro's waiting' on their self-titled second album, which was released in 1984. The track was apparently originally called 'Al Pacino's waiting', but was changed to 'Robert de Niro's waiting' because it fitted the music better. According to Siobhan Fahey: 'At Jolley [and] Swain's insistence the line 'Talking Italian' was added to add a 'romantic' edge.;
The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. When Robert de Niro heard of the 'tribute' song, he arranged to meet the girls from Bananarama for drinks and dinner.
My collection: 7" single no. 4160 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Robert de Niro's waiting' / 'Push!'
After the release of the compilation album 'Absolutely' in 1990, ABC moved to a new record company and started recording their sixth studio album 'Abracadabra'. Just like with all previous albums, they radically changed their sound. This time, they opted for early Nineties techno sounds with a rather unemotional, distanced production.
The first single from the album was 'Love conquers all', which was received without much enthusiasm. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.
My collection: 7" single no. 4158 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Love conquers all' / 'What's good about goodbye?'
The album 'Homelands' by Ellis, Beggs & Howard was not a successful one, despite the fact that their debut single 'Big bubbles, no troubles' was a hit in some European countries. The second single from the album, 'Bad times', was a flop.
Despite this, a third single was released, the uptempo 'Where did tomorrow go?'. Unfortunately, this single also failed to make the chart. The trio started to record a second album in 1989, but it was not released in the end. The tracks did surface several years later as 'The lost years volume 1', including contributions from Warren Cuccurullo and Robert Fripp.
My collection: 7" single no. 4157 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Where did tomorrow go?' / 'Nobody knows'
In 1978, the soundtrack album for the movie 'The Wiz' was released. Chiefly produced by Quincy Jones, the soundtrack features cast performances by the stars of the movie, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross, amongst others.
This quartet also starred on the first single taken from the soundtrack, 'A brand new day', which was released as a single in the summer of 1979. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. The soundtrack marks Jones' first collaboration with Michael Jackson; he would go on to produce Jackson's hit solo albums 'Off the wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4155 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'A brand new day' / 'Liberation ballet: a brand new day'
You know a single is rare when it is offered on eBay for enormous amounts of money. It is even more rare when it isn't offered on eBay at all. Ever since I knew about the existance of New Musik's single 'The planet doesn't mind' (which really isn't that long ago) I have been searching for this single to no avail. A copy recently popped up on discogs.com, offered on sale for the amount of 20 euros.
How lucky I was to find this copy of the single for one tenth of that amount. It means that I am very close to completing my collection of New Musik singles. The only one I am looking for now is the title track of their third album, 'Warp'. For a reasonable price, of course. After all, all these singles flopped.
My collection: 7" single no. 4151 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'The planet doesn't mind' / '24 hours from culture (part 2)'
Novi Fosili (English: The new fossils) was a Croatian pop band, one of the most popular music acts in former Yugoslavia. They formed in Zagreb in 1969. They found success when composer Rajko Dujmić joined the band in 1976. That same year the band played at the Split Festival, where their song 'Diridonda' became a hit throughout the country. Their next several albums sold millions of copies and delivered many hits that are still aired on radios in Croatia today. The first female singer was Đurđica Barlović, in 1984 replaced by Sanja Doležal. The group's male vocalists were Vladimir Kočiš Zec and Rajko Dujmić.
In 1987 the band represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest. With their song 'Ja sam za ples' they reached fourth place. The single was released all over Europe, but this didn't bring them international success. The band disbanded when the former Yugoslavia fell apart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4150 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'I wanna dance' / 'Ja sam za ples'
The synthesizer wizards of Nova recorded two albums, but they will always be remembered for their debut single 'Aurora'. It's as if they never recorded anything else! But they did.
'Cygnus' was the first single from their second album 'Quo vadis', released in 1983. The single did not make a dent in the charts, although it didn't sound very different from the material on their first album. But perhaps that was the problem...
My collection: 7" single no. 4149 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Cygnus' / 'Jig'
'Starchild' was written by Wally Badarou, Mark King and Phil Gould. It was released in 1981 as a track on Level 42's debut studio album. It was subsequently released as a single.
The single peaked at number 57 on the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4148 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Starchild' / 'Foundation and empire part 1'
In 1989, Imagination released a compilation album entitled 'Like it is: revised and remixed classics'. To promote the album, this Megamix was released. The single did not chart in any territory.
I don't know many megamixes that were chart hits. Perhaps it's because, as this single demonstrates quite effectively, a megamix makes the entire catalogue of an artist sound like they've only made one song: everything blends together too much. Still, it is amusing to hear four Imagination tracks within five minutes.
My collection: 7" single no. 4147 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Megamix' / 'Burning up'
'Young 'n' Russian' was the debut single of the Korgis, back in 1979. The label Rialto records, on which it was released, was owned by their managers Nick and Tim Heath.
The single did not chart, but it would appear on their self-titled debut album, released a few months later.
My collection: 7" single no. 4146 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Young 'n' Russian' / 'Cold tea'
Things got rather confusing circa 1985. While James Warren recorded a solo album entitled 'Burning questions' in 1986, singles from this album were released under the band name 'The Korgis'. The title track was already released in 1985 as 'Burning questions' by the Korgis. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4145 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Burning questions' / 'Waiting for Godot'
'Around and around' was another unsuccessful single by Frizzle Sizzle, which failed to reach the Dutch charts when it was released in September 1988. The song was written and produced by the Dutch duo Van Tijn and Fluitsma.
Frizzle Sizzle broke up in 1990, after releasing a terrible football-related single. The girls remained active in the entertainment business.
My collection: 7" single no. 4144 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Around and around' / 'Around and around (instrumental)'
Frizzle Sizzle continued releasing singles until the end of 1988, although their last hit single was 'Second chance', released in August 1987. 'Daddy' was the follow-up to that one, but it did not chart at all.
Lyrically, the song is about divorce from the perspective of a couple's child. In a way, this puts the girl group firmly back to their roots, as they were previously members of a Dutch children's choir.
My collection: 7" single no. 4143 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Daddy' / 'Look at the stars'
'The bed's too big without you' was originally written by Sting and recorded by the Police on their 1979 album 'Reggatta de Blanc'. The song was covered in 1981 by Sheila Hylton, who reached number 35 in the UK singles chart with it.
However, this cover version by Julie Roberts was released a year earlier. Not much is known about the artist, all I know is that this one did not become a chart hit. It is a reasonably good cover of the Police track.
My collection: 7" single no. 4142 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The bed's too big without you' / 'Since you've been gone'
For some strange reason, the track 'School' from Supertramp's 1974 album 'Crime of the century' was never released as a single. It achieved a cult status in the Netherlands, as it appeared in Radio Veronica's Top 100 of all times every year.
When the Dutch record company Arcade released a compilation album of Supertramp tracks in 1989, they decided to release 'School' as a single. It proved to be a good idea: the single reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. At the time, I only bought the cd-single. Now I've found the 7" single that was released back then as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 4141 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'School' / 'School (live)'
Donna Summer's 1979 album 'Bad girls' continued to produce successful singles. Donna Summer had fulfilled her contract with Casablanca records with this albums, and while she was moving on with Geffen Records, recording and releasing a new album with them, Casablanca continued to release singles from this album.
'Sunset people' was one of them. It was released in May 1980, and reached number 46 in the UK singles chart. Three months later, Summer would release her first album with Geffen.
My collection: 7" single no. 4140 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Sunset people' / 'Our love'
Brenda Russell wrote 'Dinner with Gershwin', which was recorded in 1987 by Donna Summer. It was the first single from her album 'All systems go', Summer's first album of new material in four years. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.
Brenda Russell recorded her own version of her song for her 1990 album 'Kiss me with the wind'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4139 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Dinner with Gershwin' / 'Dinner with Gershwin (instrumental)'
'I'm cryin'' was another single from Shanice Wilson's 1991 album 'Inner child'. It's a typical American ballad, produced by Narada Michael Walden, who co-wrote the song with Wilson.
I've never been very impressed with the vocal part of this song, as it lacks emotion and sounds too much like a child trying to sing, but the music had a certain appeal - and because of the instrumental version on this single I bought it.
My collection: 7" single no. 4138 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I'm cryin'' / 'I'm cryin' (instrumental)'
'Si tu aimes ma musique' ('If you like my music') was the Belgian entry for the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Stella. The song finished 4th in a field of 18 competitors.
Stella Maessen was born in Zandvoort, the Netherlands on August 6, 1953. She previously competed for the Netherlands in 1970 with her sisters in a group called Hearts of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium in the group Dream Express.
My collection: 7" single no. 4137 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Si tu aimes ma musique' / 'Renegade'
Beatriz Teresa 'Betty' Missiego was born January 1, 1945 in Lima, Peru. She began her career as a dancer in Peru, but had to stop this career after an injury. In 1969 she moved to Spain to pursue a singing career. She took on Spanish citizenship in 1972.
In 1979, she represented Spain in the 24th Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Su canción'. She ended up in second place, behind Israel's Milk and Honey with the song 'Hallelujah'. The single was (obviously) a hit in Spain, but it was also released elsewhere in Europe. To this day, copies of this single pop up everywhere as it didn't chart in most countries. I finally bought my copy of the single this weekend.
My collection: 7" single no. 4136 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Su canción' / 'Contrastes'
This French version of the single 'Honey honey' by Abba features a photograph of their performance of 'Waterloo', the song that gave them a Eurovision victory earlier on in 1974. 'Honey honey' was released as the followup to that hit around the world, with the exception of the UK.
The single reached number 2 in Germany and number 4 in Austria and Switzerland. Elsewhere in Europe, it was less successful, peaking at number 16 in the Netherlands and number 12 in Belgium. However, it was a hit for Abba in the USA, peaking at number 27.
My collection: 7" single no. 4135 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Honey honey' / 'King Kong song'
Robin Scott, a.k.a. M, released his debut album 'New York, London, Paris, Munich' in 1979. The best known single (as well as the first one) from the album is 'Popmuzik', but 'That's the way the money goes' was another single taken from that album - the third one.
Not that it was as successful: it did not chart in most of Europe, and only reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4134 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'That's the way the money goes' / 'Satisfy your lust (before you go bust)'
A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes was the initial inspiration for 'Souvenir'. Although very displeased with the original version, the band decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it. The song features a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. He was satisfied with his attempt at singing and would continue to sing lead vocals for some other OMD songs later on.
'Souvenir' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. This single is the European version of the single, which features a different sleeve when compared to the UK original.
My collection: 7" single no. 4133 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Souvenir' / 'Motion & heart (Amazon version)'
'Lovin' you' was originally released in 1975 by Minnie Riperton. The sugary sweet song reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a worldwide hit.
Shanice Wilson recorded a cover version of the song on her 1991 album 'Inner child'. It was released as the second single from the album after the successful single 'I love your smile'. It could not match the success; it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, while it didn't chart in the Dutch Top 40. Shanice recorded the song for a second time on her 2006 album 'Every woman dreams'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4132 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Lovin' you' / 'I love your smile (Driza Bone single remix)'
In 1987, Fältskog travelled to Malibu, California, to record the album 'I stand alone', produced by Peter Cetera and Bruce Gaitsch. Released in November of that year, it spent weeks at number 1 in Sweden, but was only a minor success in the rest of Europe.
When the first single 'The last time' appeared in the shops, I didn't buy it on account of Agnetha's strange hair on the sleeve photograph and the fact that the single was produced by Peter Cetera (whom I only knew from his boring middle of the road ballads at the time). 'The last time' was not a hit: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 4131 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The last time' / 'Are you gonna throw it all away'
Being a collector of Eurovision Song Contest singles, I was always quite surprised that it was so hard to find the two contributions of Cliff Richard to the Contest - for a reasonable price. But I've finally tracked down a copy of 'Power to all our friends', Cliff's 1973 song for Eurovision.
He represented the United Kingdom at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. He finished third, but did end up at fourth place in the UK singles chart and at number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4130 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2,5 euro Tracks: 'Power to all our friends' / 'Come back Billie Joe'
Released in 1982, 'New gold dream' was the fifth album of the Simple Minds. The single 'Promised you a miracle' was the first one taken from the album, released in April 1982. It was their first single to generate success on the European continent, as it reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.
In the UK, it was their fifth chart single, although it was the first one to actually break the top 40, peaking at number 13.
My collection: 7" single no. 4129 Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Promised you a miracle' / 'Theme for great cities'
You can't tell from the sleeve design of this single - which is absolutely horrible - but with 'The day before you came' Abba arguably reached the creative peak of their career. It's a very melancholy song, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson while they took time off in 1981 to write new material for Abba as well as beginning to create their first musical, 'Chess'.
'The day before you came' was recorded in August 1982. To date, this song was the last song the group ever recorded together in the studio. Agnetha performed the lead without the lights on and said that the mood had become sad and everybody in the studio knew that 'this was the end'.
My collection: 7" single no. 164 Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'Cassandra'
This song sounds incredibly dated now, but back in 1982 it was a huge hit, reaching number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart! It was Eddy Grant's first number one hit in the UK since 'Baby come back' by the Equals (of which he was a member) in 1968.
The track was recorded in Barbados for his album 'Killer on the rampage', which reached number 7 in the UK albums chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 975 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'I don't wanna dance' / 'I don't wanna dance (acapella)'
Paul Hardcastle's biggest hit '19' was released on two 12" singles, of which this was the first one. As far as extended remixes go, this one really isn't that shocking. It does contain some new material, but on the whole it's just a slightly longer version of the familiar track that appeared on the 7" single.
Although the remixer is not credited, it's safe to assume Paul Hardcastle created this extended version himself.
My collection: 12" single no. 520 Found: Record fair, 2000 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: '19 (extended version)' / 'Fly by night', 'Dolores'
'Alone without you' was the first single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart but fared less well in other territories. Still, it launched the album well in the UK. 'Bitter sweet' ended up reaching number 16 in the UK albums chart.
A slow ballad version, entitled 'reprise', was featured on the 12" single of the next release, 'Taste of your tears'.
My collection: 7" single no. 324 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Alone without you' / 'I kissed the spikey fridge (Rock hard mix)'
It was not their debut single, but the biggest hit of Nena's career did come early on in their career. The lyric of the song was written by the band's guitarist Carlo Karges after he was at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin. He noticed that balloons were being released. As he watched them move toward the horizon, he noticed them shifting and changing shapes, to the point of looking a lot like some UFO. He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet sector. The lyric speaks of an apocalyptic overreaction by military forces.
When the song was released as a single from Nena's debut album in early 1983, it was an immediate hit not only in German-speaking countries, but also in the Netherlands, where it topped the Dutch Top 40 for a few weeks.
My collection: 7" single no. 444 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 9, 1986 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: '99 Luftballons' / 'Ich bleib' im Bett'
Nils Lofgren released his first album with Rykodisc in 1991. It was titled 'Silver lining' and featured the single 'Valentine'. The track featured Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals. For most artists, this is quite a feat, but Nils Lofgren had already been in Springsteen's E-Street band for almost a decade. The arrangement must have been really easy.
It meant a hit for Lofgren, at least in the Dutch Top 40 where the single reached number 16. The single did not chart in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 1645 Found: May 3, 1992 Cost: 4 guilders Tracks: 'Valentine (edit)' / 'Valentine (album version)'
'Don't look back in anger' was written by Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis. He commented: '[It] reminds me of a cross between 'All the young dudes' and something the Beatles might have done.' And: 'I don't actually know anybody called Sally. It's just a word that fit, y'know, might as well throw a girl's name in there. It's gotta guarantee somebody a shag off a bird called Sally, hasn't it?'.
The single reached number 1 in Irelandand the UK, but stalled at number 55 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 2634 Found: April 13, 1996 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Don't look back in anger' / 'Step out'
'When I think of you' was released as the third single from Janet Jackson's third album, 'Control'. The song was written by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who also produced the track.
It is Janet Jackson's first number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1642 Found: May 3, 1992 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'When I think of you' / 'Pretty boy'
'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was one of the rare instances where Elton John himself wrote much of the lyric. The track was released in 1976 as a track on his album 'Blue moves'. When it was released as a single, it reached number 11 in the UK singles chart, number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.
In 2007, Marty Wilde released a cover version of this track on a compilation cd to commemorate his 50 years as a performing artist. It was a duet with his daughter Kim, a successful artist in her own right. Although their version is commendable, nothing beats the beauty of the original.
My collection: 7" single no. 612 Found: All that music, Leiden, 1988 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' / 'Shoulder holster'
I think this 7" single is quite rare. As far as I know, 'Cherish the day' was only released on this format in Spain. And even then, it was just a promotional single. I guess I was lucky to find a copy.
'Cherish the day' was the fourth and final single from Sade's fourth album 'Love deluxe'. Despite the fact that it was remixed for the single release, it was not a very successful single. It only reached number 53 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2444 Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Cherish the day (Sade remix short version)' / 'No ordinary love'
'Get here' was originally written and performed by Brenda Russell on her 1988 album of the same name.
The solo career of American singer Oleta Adams, who made a name for herself by working with the British band Tears for Fears, took off when she released her cover version of the song as a single in the autumn of 1990. It reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1353 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 10, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Get here' / 'I've got to sing my song (live)'
After the death of Freddie Mercury, the remaining members organised a concert featuring the songs of Queen, performed by them and various guest vocalists. Arguably the best of them was George Michael. His performance of 'Somebody to love' and 'These are the days of our lives' (the latter together with Lisa Stansfield), augmented with some other live tracks from other performances were put together on the 'Five Live' mini album. This EP represent four of the five tracks.
The EP reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1912 Found: Record fair, May 22, 1990 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Somebody to love', 'Killer/Papa was a rolling stone' / 'These are the days of our lives', 'Calling you'
Just like in Europe, 'When your heart is weak' was also the debut single for Cock Robin in the UK. But for some reason, it was released with a different sleeve and a different B-side! Whereas the European sleeve resembled the album sleeve a lot, the UK version featured a different colour photograph of the band and a unique band logo (which was only used on UK releases).
Intriguingly enough, the single did not chart in the UK. Perhaps if they'd used the European sleeve...?
My collection: 7" single no. 1596 Found: March 28, 1992 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'When your heart is weak' / 'Peace on earth'
Belle and the Devotions represented the United Kingdom with the Motown pastiche 'Love games' during the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. The 12" single featured on this blog some time ago, but obviously I've got the 7" single as well.
The song ended up on seventh place in the Eurovision Song Contest and peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3174 Found: Record fair, January 18, 2000 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Love games' / 'Rock me'
For some reason, I've listened to the 12" extended remix of 'La femme accident' a lot more than the original single version over the last ten years. So it was delightful to play this single again after such a long time.
'La femme accident' is a great lightweight pop track from the synthpop masters OMD. It was the third and last single release from their 1985 album 'Crush'. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.
My collection: 7" single no. 352 Found: V&D, December 1985 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'La femme accident' / 'Firegun'
'Strangers when we meet' was originally recorded by David Bowie for his 1993 album 'The Buddha of Suburbia'. He re-recorded the song in 1995 for his album '1. Outside'. It was released as the second single from the album, as a double A-side with a reworked version of Bowie's 1970 song 'The man who sold the world'. While this was announced as a 'live' track, it was actually recorded in the studio, based on a reworked version as performed on the Outside Tour.
The single reached number 39 in the UK singles chart during a two week chart run. The 7" single was pressed on the ugliest shade of fluorescent green the record company could find.
My collection: 7" single no. 2719 Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, August 10, 1996 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'Strangers when we meet' / 'The man who sold the world (live)'
I have to say that I think the Pet Shop Boys were not particularly inspired when they recorded two new tracks for their 1992 compilation album 'Discography'. If 'DJ Culture' was a bit boring musically, 'Was it worth it' was uninspired both musically and lyrically.
As a result, it became the first single not to reach the UK top 20 since they signed to Parlophone records in 1984. This was the main reason why the song was not included on their later hits compilation 'PopArt'.
My collection: 7" single no. 1586 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 22, 1992 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Was it worth it' / 'Miserablism'
'Material girl' is of course one of the songs that made Madonna famous in the early Eighties, and also the song that gave her the nickname Material girl.
In 1991, Achinoam Nini (known internationally as Noa) and Gil Dor recorded their debut album 'Live', which featured a lot of original songs but also a few cover versions. 'Material girl' was one of them, and this track in turn was released on a one-sided promotional 12" single in Israel. Through amazing luck, I found a copy in 2000, which was shipped to me from Israel. The record was pressed on very thin vinyl and is bended quite a lot unfortunately. But it's still a unique item to own. And a great cover version, of course!
My collection: 12" single no. 518 Found: eBay.com, received December 2000 Cost: 20 guilders Tracks: 'Material girl'
Clannad recorded 'The hunter' as a new track on their 1989 compilation album 'Past present'. It is a re-worked version of the song 'Herne' from their 1984 album 'Legend'. The track was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World studios in Bath.
