Billy Idol's third studio album 'Whiplash smile', released in 1986, contained the midtempo ballad 'Sweet sixteen', which was subsequently released as a single in 1987. At the time of its release, I bought a cassette single in London, and only got around to buying the 7" single two years later.
The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 17 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1086 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Sweet sixteen' / 'Beyond belief'
'Reasons to be cheerful, part 3' can be described as a 'shopping list song'. It is a simple list of a number of reasons to be cheerful. The list of reasons to be cheerful includes Buddy Holly, equal voting rights for men and women, Piccadilly Circus in London, porridge oats, wine, Elvis Presley, a cure for smallpox, going to the toilet, National Health Service's free glasses, Woody Allen, the song 'Volare', Smokey Robinson and nudity.
The single was released in July 1979 and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. How apt.
My collection: 7" single no. 1601 Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Reasons to be cheerful, part 3' / 'Common as muck'
Izhar Cohen returned to the Eurovision Song Contest for Israel in 1985 after winning the 1978 edition with 'A-ba-ni-bi'. He performed the song 'Ole, ole!' together with four unnamed band mates. At the close of voting, the song finished 5th in a field of 19 competitors.
I already have the English release of 'Olé olé' for a few months now, but it was a great relief to find this version, as it contains the original Hebrew version of the song as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 4389 Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Ole, ole! (English version)' / 'Ole, ole! (Hebrew version)'
'Escapade' was inspired by the Martha & the Vandellas 1965 single 'Nowhere to run', which Jackson originally intended to remake, but instead choose to record a new song with a similar feel after a suggestion from producer Jimmy Jam.
When released as the third single from her 1989 album 'Rhythm Nation 1814', the song peaked at number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in March 1990. The single also reached number 17 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1191 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 2, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Escapade' / 'Escapade (instrumental)'
When 'Can't stay away from you' was released in the autumn of 1988, it was credited to Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, effectively phasing out the band name. The album 'Let it loose', from which the single was taken, was re-released as 'Anything for you', also reflecting this change of name.
Meanwhile, the ballad 'Can't stay away from you' became a big hit for Estefan, reaching number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 743 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 11, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Can't stay away from you' / 'Let it loose'
After his daughter Kim had some success with her first two albums, father Marty decided to get back into the game as well. He signed with Kaleidoscope Records, a small subsidiary of Epic Records, and released this cover of the Roy Orbison track 'In dreams'.
The single did not become the success he may have hoped for. The problem is, while this is a good version of the song, it was a bit out of time. It mystifies me why he didn't try out a song of his own - after all, Marty Wilde was one of the best songwriters in the UK at the time, with many hit singles under his belt.
My collection: 7" single no. 3434 Found: Esbjerg, June 17, 2006 Cost: 10 Danish crowns Tracks: 'In dreams' / 'Hard to find, easy to lose'
It's interesting how record companies sometimes think they know better than the artist. For the second single of the Dutch Frank Boeijen Groep, the record company re-edited the track 'Vrijdagavond' ('Friday night'), including the chorus not two, but four times. The cuts are audible and frankly only make the song repetitive.
No wonder, then, that 'Vrijdagavond' did not chart in the Netherlands. It subsequently became a very rare single, which many fans are searching for even now. I found my copy almost 20 years after its release in 1981.
My collection: 7" single no. 3188 Found: eBay.nl, received September 12, 2000 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'Vrijdagavond' / ''s Nachts wanneer ik waak'
Released in 1985, 'Found my girl' was dedicated to Charlotte. The song was written by Leee John and Ashley Ingram, so without any additional information I can only assume that the girl meant something to one of them - or both. However passionate the message in the song, it left the audiences cold, as the single didn't chart in any territory.
The 12" single adds two live tracks into the mix, and if you think Imagination live is quite a boring affair, think again: the live arrangement of the earlier single 'In and out of love' is quite, er, imaginative.
My collection: 12" single no. 525 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Found my girl' / 'In and out of love (live)', 'I gave it all (live)'
This limited edition 'scratch 'n' sniff' sleeve still works after 15 years: there is a sweet strawberry/cherry smell coming from the front when you rub it. It's a good gimmick, but fortunately the music on the disc is very good too.
Duran Duran recorded an album of covers in 1995, entitled 'Thank you'. Lou Reed called Duran Duran's version of 'Perfect day' 'the best cover ever done of one of my songs', and rightfully so. The song was notable for a rare appearance by Roger Taylor. He had been Duran Duran's first drummer, but left the band at the height of their fame in 1986, and had had little contact with them in the ten years since. He rejoined Duran Duran in the studio to record 'Perfect day', 'Watching the detectives' and 'Jeepster'. 'Perfect day' reached number 28 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2258 Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'Perfect day' / 'Femme fatale (alternative mix)'
Released in late 1984, 'Johnny come home' was the debut single by the British band Fine Young Cannibals, taken from their self-titled debut album. The lyric of the song tells the gritty realistic story of a runaway youth, and alternates from the first-person narrative, explaining how his arrival in the big city has not turned out as he expected, to the view of the parents in the chorus, expressing their wish that he would come home.
The single reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but was a big hit in Europe, peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 323 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Johnny come home' / 'Good times and bad'
Sting commented about 'Every breath you take': 'I woke up in the middle of the night with that line in my head, sat down at the piano and had written it in half an hour. The tune itself is generic, an aggregate of hundreds of others, but the words are interesting. It sounds like a comforting love song. I didn't realise at the time how sinister it is. I think I was thinking of Big Brother, surveillance and control.'
Sting later said he was troubled by how many people think the song is more positive than it is. He insists it's about unrequited love (the song was written at the time he and his then wife divorced), about the obsession with the lost lover, the jealousy and surveillance that followed. It went on to become the Police's signature tune. As of 2003, Sting was still taking in an average of $2000 per day in royalties. In October 2007, Sting was awarded a Million-Air certificate for 9 million airplays of 'Every breath you take' in the United Kingdom.
My collection: 7" single no. 763 Found: Den Haag, 1988 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Every breath you take' / 'Murder by numbers'
'Sunday girl' was the fourth single to be taken from Blondie's album 'Parallel lines'. Two versions of the song were included on the single: one in English and one in French. My copy of the single unfortunately didn't come in a picture sleeve - and so I'm still searching for one that does.
The single reached number 1 in the UK, Australia and Ireland, while also reaching number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 176 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Sunday girl' / 'Sunday girl (French version)'
Although the intro of 'Shiny happy people' is a lovely melody, it doesn't sit well with the rest of the song, which is a pretty straightforward rock song. I've always had mixed feelings towards this song, but still felt positive enough to buy it when I did.
'Shiny happy people' was the second single from R.E.M.'s 1991 album 'Out of time'. The song features guest backing vocals by Kate Pierson of the B52's who also appeared in the song's music video. The single peaked at number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1510 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 17, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Shiny happy people' / 'Forty second song'
Last week, my wife came home from the local Kringloop shop with two singles, one of them being 'Save your love (for #1)' by René and Angela. The other one was 'Pass the dutchie' by Musical Youth. Although the sleeve was in perfect shape, unfortunately it contained the wrong single. When I went shopping yesterday, I found the single once more, and so I now own it.
Musical Youth recorded 'Pass the Dutchie' in 1982. It was a major hit, reaching number 1 in the UK and the Netherlands in the autumn of 1982. It was a cover version of the song 'Pass the Koutchie' by The Mighty Diamonds, which deals with the recreational use of cannabis. For the cover version, the song's title was changed to 'Pass the Dutchie', and all obvious drug references were removed from the lyrics.
My collection: 7" single no. 4454 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'Pass the Dutchie' / 'Please give love a chance'
At the time of its release in February 1983, I thought that Christopher Cross's 'All right' was one of the dullest songs on the planet. But 27 years later, you can see that I've changed my mind. The fact is, these days it's hard to find any melodic pop songs anymore and it's good to be able to travel back to the early Eighties via singles like this.
'All right' is a track from the album 'Another page', also released in 1983. It reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 51 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4453 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'All right' / 'Long world'
According to Phil Collins, 'Sussudio' is the result of an improvisation. He was just playing around with a drum machine, and the lyric 'sus-sussudio' was what came out of his mouth. 'So I kinda knew I had to find something else for that word, then I went back and tried to find another word that scanned as well as 'sussudio', and I couldn't find one, so I went back to 'sussudio',' Collins explained. The lyrics are about a schoolboy crush on a girl at school.
The single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4452 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'Sussudio' / 'The man with the horn'
Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker from The Arrows wrote 'I love Rock 'n Roll' in 1975. They recorded the track on RAK Records, produced by Mickie Most. Although not a chart hit because the label did not promote the song, it did catch the attention of Joan Jett when the Arrows performed the song on their weekly television series The Arrows Show.
She first recorded the song in 1979 with two of the Sex Pistols: Steve Jones and Paul Cook. This first version was not released until 1993 on the album 'Flashback'. In 1982, Jett re-recorded the song, this time with her band, The Blackhearts, and this recording became a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 single for seven weeks. The single also hit number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 4 in the UK singles chart. Let us forget about the lifeless version by Britney Spears in 2002, shall we?
My collection: 7" single no. 4451 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'I love Rock 'n Roll' / 'Love is pain'
Leif Garrett was born as Leif Per Nervik on November 8, 1961. He started his career in entertainment at just five years old, acting in several television series in America. In 1976, he signed a recording contract and released his self-titled debut album. His second album 'Feel the need' spawned the single 'I was made for dancin'', which became his first worldwide hit single, reaching number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. Subsequent singles and albums couldn't match this succcess however.
I bought a copy of this single - a UK pressing with a custom record company sleeve - already in 1979 during a holiday in London, which would have placed it among the first 30 singles in my current collection. However, not long after that holiday, my sister talked me into swapping the single for a different one out of her collection, and as I didn't play that single often enough, I agreed. Now, 30 years later, the single is back in my possession: an American pressing in a picture sleeve.
My collection: 7" single no. 4450 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'I was made for dancin'' / 'Living without your love'
This is one single I almost didn't buy because I thought I already had it. I didn't, but the sleeve looks awfully familiar. I just can't work out where I might have seen it.
Anyway: 'Worn down piano' is one of the most interesting songs from 1977. Split into two parts, the full length of the song is over eight minutes. The lyric tells a story of an old piano that's about to be auctioned off, while a poor man plays the most beautiful melodies on it. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4449 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,7 euro Tracks: 'Worn down piano (part 1)' / 'Worn down piano (part 2)'
Lipps Inc. (pronounced like 'lip sync') was a studio band that is quite basically the very definition of the term 'one hit wonder'. The group was formed in Minneapolis by Steven Greenberg, who wrote and produced all of the group's music, and who also played several musical instruments. The lead singer was Cynthia Johnson, and the rest of the group consisted of a changing group of session musicians.
The group released their debut album 'Mouth to mouth' in 1980. The single 'Funkytown' was taken from this album and became a number 1 hit in the USA, the Netherlands and several other European countries. In the UK singles chart it reached number 2. Their further singles failed to chart, and so Lipps Inc. gradually faded from view. They actually released four albums between 1980 and 1983, none of which attracted much attention.
My collection: 7" single no. 4448 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Funkytown' / 'All night dancing'
Petra De Steur was born in Gent, Belgium on June 20, 1972. She was discovered in 1988 and scored a series of hits in Belgium between 1989 and 1992 as Petra & Co. 'Jij daar', a dance song produced by wellknown producer Phil de Wilde (who's worked with Kabouter Plop, K-Otic and Kate Ryan) and low on substance, was their second hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.
She reinvented herself in 2006 and is known since then as La Sakhra.
My collection: 7" single no. 4447 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Jij daar!' / 'Where and when'
The biggest hit of 1982 in the Netherlands was 'Someone loves you honey' by June Lodge and Prince Mohammed. This reggae version of a country and western tune topped the charts in Jamaica and went on to chart all over Europe.
Although the record was a big hit, it bankrupted producer Joe Gibbs, as he had failed to pay royalties to the songwriter. An album of the same name, featuring the deejay talents of Prince Mohammed was released in 1982.
My collection: 7" single no. 4446 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Someone loves you honey' / 'Stay in tonight'
'Hot love' is the second single from Five Star's self-titled 1990 album. The single was, like the album, recorded in their new studio built in the grounds of their family home in Ascot, Berkshire. When the single only reached number 68 in the UK singles chart, the press were quick to declare Five Star's bankruptcy, although the band refuted those claims, saying that they were in fact very happy and wealthy, after all the fortunes their previous hits had brought them.
Still, bad times were ahead as the album was shelved by the record company after the disappointing result of the single. The album was released in the USA, and only available as an import in the UK. The band subsequently left Epic and pursued a career in the United States.
My collection: 7" single no. 4445 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Hot love' / 'Act one'
The singing aspirations of the actors from the popular evening drama 'Dallas' has led to some pretty embarrassing results. Readers of this blog have already heard the single by Charlene Tilton, and here is another shocking example.
Mireille Mathieu and Patrick Duffy recorded 'Together we're strong' in 1983 when Duffy appeared in Mathieu's French television show. The song, which was written by Ralph Siegel and Richard Palmer James, was released as a single and, unbelievably, became a hit all over Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Together we're strong' landed at number 5. I bought this single strictly for its comedy value.
My collection: 7" single no. 4444 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Together we're strong' / 'Something's going on'
Producer Hans van Hemert formed Veronica Unlimited on the occasion of the 12,5 year jubilee of the Dutch broadcaster Veronica's Dutch Top 40. His idea to make a disco medley of old hits, combined with jingles from Radio Veronica, was realised by singers such as Margriet Eshuijs and Sandra Reemer, although the line-up soon changed to include four German singers: Manfred Kohler, Edna Bejarano, Gabi Kreutz and Angie Kreutz.
'What kind of dance is this' was the group's first single and also their biggest hit. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1977. The B-side of this single features a disco version of the classic melody 'Für Elise'. Subsequent releases couldn't match this success, and ultimately the group broke up in 1981.
My collection: 7" single no. 4443 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'What kind of dance is this' / 'Ferme la porte'
The band Grace, then without apostrophe, is founded in 1968 by Henk van der Burgh and his two brothers Frans and John, together with Ronald Dobber and Guido Collard. The band plays predominantly covers. In 1970, John and Frans van der Burgh leave the band, and they are replaced by Ed Kemperman and Peter de Wijn. Their debut single 'I hear music' is released in 1975, but it doesn't chart. Two further singles also flop.
In 1979, singer Gerda van den Outenaar joins the band. It ultimately results in a change of the band name in 1983 to G'Race and a contract with a bigger record company. G'Race's first single 'Manhattan' is released and peaks at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It's the first of three hit singles, after which the band keeps trying for success without results.
My collection: 7" single no. 4442 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Manhattan' / 'Manhattan (part 2)'
Arthur Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 22, 1955. During the Seventies he started working as a DJ in the Boston area. In 1981, he moved to New York, where he continued to work as a DJ, while also moving into production. He produced amongst others Afrika Bambaataa and Planet Patrol.
In the late Eighties and early Nineties, Baker worked with soul star Al Green, writing and producing the international hit 'The message is love'. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 38 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4441 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'The message is love' / 'The message is love (Cupid mix)'
'Gonna make you a star' was released in the autumn of 1974 as a single by David Essex. The song was written by himself and produced by Jeff Wayne. The record features a prominent use of the synthesizer.
The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, spending three weeks at the top in November 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, where it entered in January 1975, it peaked at number 12.
My collection: 7" single no. 4440 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Gonna make you a star' / 'Window'
'Everything I own' was written by David Gates to be recorded by his band Bread in 1972 on their album 'Baby I'm a want you'. Although the song is frequently interpreted as a romantic love song, Gates actually wrote the song as a tribute to his late father. It quickly became a popular standard, recorded by artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Rod Steward, Chrissie Hynde... and Boy George.
Boy George's version was a reggae treatment of the song, released as his debut solo single after Culture Club split up in 1987. Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin it provided a major boost to his career. It was a number 1 in many countries, including the UK, Italy, Norway, Canada and South Africa. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 3 - Boy George's only top 10 hit in the Netherlands to this day.
My collection: 7" single no. 4439 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Everything I own' / 'Use me'
When Barbra Streisand asked Barry Gibb to write an album for her, he not only contributed his songs, but also his voice, as well as producing the whole thing. The title track, 'Guilty', was actually recorded as a duet between Streisand and Gibb, and subsequently released as a single too.
The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4438 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Guilty' / 'Life story'
'Lost in music' was originally a track on Sister Sledge's 1979 album 'We are family'. I've had the 1984 release of the single for almost 10 years now, but this is the original release from 1979. It features a version of the track 'Thinking of you' on the B-side.
The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4437 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Lost in music' / 'Thinking of you'
The Floaters was formed by the former Detroit Emeralds singer James Mitchell, with his brother Paul Mitchell, Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark, and the unrelated Ralph Mitchell. Most of The Floaters were from the Sojourner Truth housing project, on Detroit's Eastside.
James Mitchell apparently came up with the idea and tune for their one major hit, 'Float on' in a dream. The lyrics spotlighted each member of the band, who introduced themselves with their name and astrological sign. The single became a world wide hit in 1977, reaching number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in the UK Singles Chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 5.
My collection: 7" single no. 4436 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Float on' / 'Everything happens for a reason'
Lisa was born as Lisa Schulte Nordholt in Breda, the Netherlands on January 26, 1956. As Lisa Boray she forged a career as a singer in the Seventies as a member of the Houseband and the band Navel. As a session singer she can be heard on most Dutch albums of the first half of the Eighties. In 1982 she is part of the background choir during the Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, Bill van Dijk's 'Jij en ik', and again in 1988 when Gerard Joling represents the Netherlands with 'Shangri-la'.
'Break it out' is a single taken from her solo album 'Searchlight', credited simply to Lisa. The single reached number 9 during an eight week chart run in the Dutch Top 40. In 1991, she sings the theme song for the Dutch soap opera 'Goede tijden slechte tijden' ('Good times bad times') together with Louis de Vries. When this is released as a single, it again reaches number 9 during an eight week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 4435 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Break it out' / 'Break it out (instrumental)'
'A good heart' was written by Maria McKee about her relationship with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboard player Benmont Tench. The track was recorded in 1985 by Feargal Sharkey and produced by David A. Stewart from the Eurythmics. It was released as Sharkey's debut solo single, after having been in the band the Undertones for seven years.
It was a very successful debut, topping the charts in the UK and the Netherlands in November 1985 and February 1986 respectively.
My collection: 7" single no. 4434 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'A good heart' / 'Anger is holy'
Bardo represented the United Kingdom during the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with 'One step further'. That song sounded a bit like a poor man's Bucks Fizz, and that was even more obvious with this follow-up single, 'Talking out of line'. The song was even written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin, who were responsible for bringing together both Bucks Fizz and Bardo, so that's no real surprise then.
While 'One step further' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, this single, released just two months later, did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4433 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Talking out of line' / 'Always thinking of you'
'What kinda boy you're lookin' for (girl)' was the twelfth top 10 hit for Hot Chocolate in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 10 in the spring of 1983. In the Dutch Top 40, it was the group's penultimate hit single, peaking at number 21.
Written by lead singer Errol Brown and produced by Mickie Most, the track used a formula that had become familiar by 1983: a catchy refrain and soulful vocals.
My collection: 7" single no. 4432 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'What kinda boy you're lookin' for (girl)' / 'Got to get back to work'
I've always ignored Lenny Kravitz singles in the Nineties, mainly because I felt they were quite repetitive: they seemed to be remakes of his debut hit 'Let love rule'. In later years, I discovered a few songs that I still find worthwhile to own. 'It ain't over 'til it's over' is one of them.
The song was released as the second single from Kravitz's second album 'Mama said' (1991). The horn line at the end of the song is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. 'That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today', Lenny Kravitz commented in 2000. The title of the song is based on a quote from the Baseball player and manager Yogi Berra.
My collection: 7" single no. 4431 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'It ain't over 'til it's over' / 'The difference is why'
'Arabian affair' sounds a bit Middle Eastern, but in fact it was made by a Dutch group. Behind the scenes, Dutch musician and producer Hans van Eijck was experimenting with Eastern melodies, combined with disco beats for the fun of it. He enlisted some session musicians to create the single 'Arabian affair', which became a big hit in the Netherlands: the single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.
When the success crossed over to Germany, the project turned out to be lucrative enough to warrant a complete album, which you can find here.
My collection: 7" single no. 4430 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Arabian affair' / 'Desert dance'
Andrea True was born on July 26, 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduation, she sought fame and fortune in the showbusiness, but wasn't very successful. She moved into the hardcore porn industry instead. During this time, she was hired by a real estate business in Jamaica to appear in their commercial ads. While there, a political crisis gripped Jamaica, and no one was allowed to leave with any money. True asked her friend, record producer Gregg Diamond, to travel to the island and produce a track for her, which she would finance locally. Diamond arrived with a composition in hand, to which True added lyrics. The result of their collaboration was 'More more more'.
The track became a favourite in discotheques and nightclubs. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Germany. An album, also titled 'More more more' soon followed. After three albums, True briefly returned to porn, but soon realized that there were significantly fewer opportunities in the porn industry for a woman in her late Thirties. She was also unable to return to music, because of a goiter that developed on her vocal cords requiring surgery, which in turn ended her singing ability. And so she went on to live a more private life.
My collection: 7" single no. 4429 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'More more more (part 2)' / 'More more more (part 2)'
Although this 7" single is in no way different from the 12" single except for the size of the disc and sleeve, I still had to have it. I'm primarily a singles collector, of course!
The track, which is an alternative version of Tears for Fears's 1989 hit single 'Sowing the seeds of love', originally appeared as the B-side to their 1990 single 'Advice for the young at heart'. The song was later remixed by producer/DJ Fluke and released as a single in 1991. The single did not chart in the UK and has since become quite a collectors item among Tears for Fears fans.
My collection: 7" single no. 3072 Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 1)' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 2)'
Eurovision entries by Scandinavian countries have regularly had a certain Abba-esque quality to them. The duo Dollie de Luxe represented Norway in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Lenge leve livet', a great example of this fact.
The song is a modern ballad, with the duo singing the praises of life. They explain that it makes sense to live to the full, because nobody knows for sure what the future may bring. The song finished 17th in a field of 19 competitors. For the single, the English version was promoted to the A-side, which is probably a wise choice. The limited vocal qualities of the duo meant that the single didn't chart outside of Scandinavia.
My collection: 7" single no. 4388 Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Life was made for living' / 'Lenge leve livet'
There's a certain bombastic quality to 'Can't let go', the 1992 single by Mariah Carey. As much as I hate the woman's voice, which seems to be inspired mainly by constipation, I couldn't pass up on this single when I saw it for half the price around the time it was released.
The single was a big success in the USA and Canada, peaking at number 2 and 7 respectively, and also reached number 20 in the UK singles chart. In mainland Europe, the single was largely ignored.
My collection: 7" single no. 1571 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 12, 1992 Cost: 3,5 guilders Tracks: 'Can't let go' / 'To be around you'
Renée was originally called René and the Alligators, and only changed names when Anja Nodelijk joined the band. Before they moved into the pop scene, they released a few singles that were true to their rock 'n' roll roots.
'Sweet nothings', released in July 1978, was their first hit single, peaking at number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side is a firm reminder of the band's previous incarnation.
My collection: 7" single no. 3283 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Sweet nothings' / 'Alligator boogie'
John Miles was born as John Errington on April 23, 1949 in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, England. He started his career in music in the Sixties, as a drummer with Roxy Music and his own band, the John Miles Set. In 1971, he went solo. During the Seventies, he released four albums and 18 singles.
His most successful song was 'Music', a track on his 1976 album 'Rebel'. The track features several 'movements', both classic and rock-oriented. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1976. In the Netherlands, the song was re-released in 1982, reaching number 5 on that occasion.
My collection: 7" single no. 296 Found: Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Music' / 'Putting my new song together'
Most people know the classic melodramatic song 'Ne me quitte pas', a song written and performed by Jacques Brel in 1959. The English lyrics were written by Rod McKuen as part of a project to translate Brel's work. Entitled 'If you go away', it has become a pop standard, recorded by artists like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Marc Almond, Emiliana Torrini, Alison Moyet, Dusty Springfield and Cyndi Lauper.
This version by Canadian musician Terry Jacks was released in 1974. It reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 890 Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'If you go away' / 'Me and you'
Most people assume that Sheena Easton's career basically consisted of two main periods: working in Europe and working with Prince in America. The truth, of course, is more complicated than that. Easton collaborated with Prince on her 1984 album 'A private heaven' and in 1987 on his track 'U got the look', but in 1985, she released the album 'Do you', which was produced by another musical legend, Nile Rodgers.
It's easy to understand why this album was overlooked, as it was only successful in America. In Europe, the album and this single 'Do it for love' was a flop.
My collection: 7" single no. 1765 Found: London, October 20, 1992 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Do it for love' / 'Can't wait till tomorrow'
Billy Idol's third studio album 'Whiplash smile', released in 1986, contained the midtempo ballad 'Sweet sixteen', which was subsequently released as a single in 1987. At the time of its release, I bought a cassette single in London, and only got around to buying the 7" single two years later.
