Rod Stewart released 'Infatuation' in 1984. The music video is never played on television anymore, but at the time it was a memorable clip. Stewart acted a lot like a voyeur and a male chauvinist pig - a role that fit him like a glove I think.
This 12" single features a full length version of the track plus two B-sides. A good deal for Rod Stewart fans.
My collection: 12" single no. 546 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Infatuation (full length version)' / 'Tonight's the night (live)', 'Three time loser'
Producer and DJ Darren Tate was born in London on October 22, 1972. In the early Noughties he started working under the pseudonym DT8. The DT8 project involved dance tracks with various guest vocalists.
One of them was Roxanne Wilde, the younger sister of Kim Wilde. The track 'Destination' was released on several different 12" singles - and this is one of them. It was a hit for the two, peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart in May 2003.
My collection: 12" single no. 439 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Destination (Darren 'DT8' Tate's original mix)' / 'Destination (instrumental)'
In the Eighties not only dance tracks got the 'extended remix' treatment, but also ballads. Sometimes this resulted in very beautiful tracks, such as this version of 'How can I fall' by Breathe. With some instrumental additions, the track is extended to great effect.
What's more, this 12" single was released in a limited edition poster package. The 24"x36" photograph is the same as the one on the front sleeve, but it's still a nice gesture.
My collection: 12" single no. 139 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1991 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'How can I fall? (extended remix)' / 'How can I fall? (single version)', 'All this I should have known'
The Dutch band Time Bandits were always able to release their hit singles with attractive 12" single alternatives. Their 1985 hit 'Endless road' was released with a 'special remixed dance version' included on this disc.
My collection: 12" single no. 390 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Endless road (special remixed dance version)' / 'Fiction'
I still remember the day in March 1990 when my sister walked into my room with the newest single by Kate Bush, 'Love and anger'. She pronounced the title wrong and then showed me that the single was released in a gatefold booklet sleeve. I was green with envy, almost literally. When she added that the shop only had one copy, no love was left inside me, just anger.
The two weeks it took for the shop to get the single back in stock were among the longest weeks of my life. My fandom of Kate Bush had taken on gigantic proportions - and having an item like this pass me by was simply too much to bear. But fortunately in this case, all's well that ends well.
My collection: 7" single no. 1192 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 1990 Cost: 7 guilders Tracks: 'Love and anger' / 'Ken'
The single 'Stay out of my life' was successful in the UK only at a time when Five Star were at the peak of their popularity in their home country. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart.
This 12" single features a remix of 'Stay out of my life' as well as a remix of previous hit single 'If I say yes'. Where many Five Star 12" singles just seem to fall flat, this package is quite a lively one.
My collection: 12" single no. 457 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Stay out of my life' / 'If I say yes (Lew Hahn US dub mix)', '(How dare you) Stay out of my life'
I never managed to turn my friend Puck into a Tori Amos fan, however hard I tried. While I bought all of her albums and singles, he remained insensitive to the beauty of her Nineties work. Admittedly, Amos creatively burned out after the turn of the century, but before she did, she created some magical music.
In 1999, I was pleasantly surprised when Puck actually liked the 'Wedding cake club mix' of 'Jackie's strength'. Originally a moving ballad on Tori Amos' 1998 album 'From the choirgirl hotel', Warren Rigg turned it into a 'hands in the air' dance anthem. Quite an achievement and I actually liked this remix myself too. I bought this American double 12" single mainly for the sleeve, because all the tracks were released on the American cd-single as well.
The ballad 'It's over' was released as the fourth single from Level 42's album 'Running in the family' in 1987. I bought the 7" single in 1991, but it took me some years to find and buy the 12" single after that.
When I did, I only bought it because it was very cheap. The extended version isn't that extended and I already had the B-side, a live track. The instrumental version of 'It's over' is a nice bonus, though. Instrumental versions are ideal to make you own extended versions with.
My collection: 12" single no. 262 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1998 Cost: 30p Tracks: 'It's over (extended version)' / 'Physical presence (live version)', 'It's over (instrumental)'
I've always liked the track 'The captain of her heart' by the band Double. I bought the single as soon as it was released, but I never really thought there was a 12" single. When I found it a decade later, I was interested to find that there was a 'full version' of the track.
This full version adds an impressive 35 seconds to the track, which I have to agree ain't much. But I took it home anyway.
My collection: 12" single no. 434 Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1997 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'The captain of her heart (full version)' / 'Your prayer takes me off part 2 (dub)'
I bought the 7" single of 'Paris latino' in 1997, a few years before I found this 12" single. The 12" version is slightly longer than the single version, and as such isn't a remix but just an extended version.
The B-side contains two very latin sounding tracks, good for any party.
My collection: 12" single no. 546 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Paris latino' / 'Tango tango', 'El bandido caballero'
'Cruel summer' was a hit for Bananarama, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart in August 1983. In 1989, the record company decided on releasing a remix of the track as a single, which wasn't a brilliant idea to begin with.
This 12" single adds some more misery to the whole idea. I didn't know this when I bought it, of course, otherwise I would never have done it. The remixes of three Bananarama hits are all abyssmal. A crash course in ruining great pop songs.
My collection: 12" single no. 420 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Cruel summer '89 (Swing beat dub)', 'I heard a rumour (Corporation of Bananarama mix)' / 'Venus (The Greatest remix)'
I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...
The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.
My collection: 12" single no. 545 Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010 Cost: 5 euro Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'
Before the 'Anglia remix' was created, which spawned the hit single version of 'Catch me' by Marsha Raven, she released the track without the sound effect of Big Ben in it.
This 12" single is the extended version of the original single version, and it features no clocks whatsoever. Without that, it loses a lot of its appeal although it's still a very danceable track.
My collection: 12" single no. 542 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2001 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Catch me' / 'Catch me (instrumental mix)'
Kajagoogoo were scorned in the Eighties (and after) became they were considered to be naff. But when you listen to their music now, it holds up very well. The song with the nonsensical title 'Ooh to be aah' is a great piece of breezy pop that has stood the test of time better than you'd think.
This 12" single features an extended remix of 'Ooh to be ah' plus a B-side track that was not featured on the 7" single.
My collection: 12" single no. 544 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Ooh to be ah (The Construction mix)' / 'Ooh to be ah', 'Interview rooms'
Back in November 2008, I featured the 7" single of Fiat Lux's 'Secrets' on this blog. The song cannot be downloaded from there anymore as I never reupload tracks (so don't ask, please).
However, since I have this 12" single as well, both tracks are available once more. And it's just as well, since 'Secrets' is one of the best songs of the Eighties, I dare say. It's a shame that this 12" single does not include an extended version of the track, but there is an extra B-side - which I have to say is a bit of a throwaway track...
My collection: 12" single no. 248 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Secrets' / 'Comfortable life', 'Aqua vitae'
This is not the best 12" remix in the history of mankind - in fact, it's rather lame. It features the single version of UB40's 'Don't break my heart', which fades out at the end while a different track fades in: it's an instrumental roughly based on the tempo and key of the song but doesn't really belong here. I think many people must have felt a bit cheated when they played this record after buying it.
My collection: 12" single no. 376 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Don't break my heart (12" version)' / 'Mek ya rok (12" version)'
What a shame. Trevor Horn produced Yes's 'Owner of a lonely heart' in 1983, creating a great and innovative rock track - but then decided to make a remix as well. The result is on this 12" single, and I repeat: what a shame. The remix is not much more than a random collection of noises that becomes increasingly grating as time progresses and no verse or chorus appears.
The B-side, fortunately, offers the A- and B-side of the 7" single, so owners of this 12" single can always take their refuge to that side.
My collection: 12" single no. 543 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Owner of a lonely heart (Special remix dance version)' / 'Owner of a lonely heart', 'Our song'
Kate Bush recorded 'This woman's work' for the movie 'She's having a baby', directed by John Hughes. The song is played during the dramatic climax, when Jake (Kevin Bacon) learns that the lives of his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and their unborn child are in danger. As the song plays, we see a montage sequence of flashbacks showing the couple in happier times, intercut with shots of him waiting for news of Elizabeth and their baby's condition. Bush wrote the song specifically for the sequence, writing from a man's viewpoint and matching the words to the visuals which had already been filmed.
Kate included the song in her 1989 album 'The sensual world'. The song was re-edited from the original version featured on the film soundtrack. When the song was chosen as the second single from the album, the song was mixed differently for another time.
The single was released in two different formats: a 'regular' 7" single and a picture disc. While failing to chart in most territories, it reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in Ireland. The song should be considered one of Kate Bush's signature songs.
My collection: 7" single no. 1123 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 19, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'This woman's work' / 'Be kind to my mistakes'
This promotional jukebox single from Italy is evidence that the Italians were a bit slow in picking up one of Kim Wilde's biggest hits, 'You keep me hangin' on'. While the Bee Gees' 'You win again' was released in September 1987, Kim's single was originally released a year earlier.
I have no documentation on the chart history of 'You keep me hangin' on' in Italy, but I suspect it only charted when this promo was circulated. By that time, it had already reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - no mean feat for a female singer from the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 4866 Found: eBay.co.uk, received May 15, 2010 Cost: 6 pounds Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' (Kim Wilde) / 'You win again' (Bee Gees)
I wonder if I'll ever find out if there's a 7" single of Lys Assia's winning Eurovision song 'Refrain' from 1956. I'm still looking for it and it's the only Eurovision winner that's missing from my collection!
Lys Assia returned to the Contest in 1957 and 1958, and this is her entry from 1958: 'Giorgio'. Representing Switzerland, she very nearly won the Contest again, earning 24 points, but finished second behind Andre Claveau with 'Dors mon amour', who earned 27 points. It's surprising that a 52 year old single can still be in such pristine condition.
My collection: 7" single no. 4865 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Giorgio' / 'Louella'
Susan Fassbender's 1981 single 'Twilight cafe' was a hit in the UK, but subsequent recordings failed to match that success.
This single, 'Merry-go-round' was released the same year, but failed to chart despite some appearances in TV programmes like 'Cheggers plays pop' and 'Swap shop'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4863 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Merry-go-round' / 'Reasons'
In 1984, Dutch DJ Rutger Kroese created the Anglia Remix, a medley of two songs with sounds of Big Ben. The two songs that were used were 'Earthquake' by the Flirtations and 'Catch me' by Marsha Raven. The latter had been released unsuccessfully earlier that year, but this remix gave it a new lease of life.
An edited version of this remix would be released as a single and give Marsha Raven a top 10 hit in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, this full length remix became quite sought after.
My collection: 12" single no. 541 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2001 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Hi-Energy Anglia Remix' / 'Primitive desire' (Eastbound Expressway)
'Chains of love' was released in May 1988 as the second single from Erasure's third studio album 'The innocents'. The album version was produced by Stephen Hague and was slightly remixed for its single release. Most notably the album version starts 'cold', while the single version contains a short synthesizer pattern as an intro.
The single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4859 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Chains of love' / 'Don't suppose'
'Jackie Wilson said (I'm in heaven when you smile)' was written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1972 on his album 'Saint Dominic's preview'. It was inspired by a line in Jackie Wilson's song 'Reet petite'.
In 1982, British pop band Dexys Midnight Runners recorded and released a cover version of 'Jackie Wilson said' on their album 'Too-rye-ay'. It was released as the follow-up single to their UK number 1 hit 'Come on Eileen' and reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. It also got to number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4858 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Jackie Wilson said' / 'Let's make this precious'
The single 'Only a fool' was taken from the Time Bandits' 1985 album 'Fiction'. While the previous single 'Dancing on the string', also taken from the album, reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40, this single failed to chart.
The song, written by frontman Alides Hidding, sounds a bit like a cheap Bee Gees imitation. I guess too many people didn't appreciate this unintended tribute.
My collection: 7" single no. 4857 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, June 14, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Only a fool' / '1 2 3'
This remix of the classic song 'The wild places' by Duncan Browne is a mystery. I can't find any information as to why this remix was released. What's more, the remix doesn't seem to add or change much from the original - except the great instrumental bit at the end of the song seems to have been chopped off. What a shame.
Amazingly, this single managed to chart again in the Dutch Top 40. Whereas the original version reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 in the Spring of 1979, this version managed to get to number 28.
My collection: 7" single no. 4864 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The wild places '91' / 'Fauvette'
After working with Julian Marshall for a few years as Marshall Hain, Kit Hain pursued a solo career. This resulted in two solo albums, the first one of which was 'Spirits walking out' (1981). This album featured the single 'Danny' plus this one, 'Looking for you'.
The best way to sum up this single is probably: great sleeve, unremarkable music. At least, the general public didn't buy this.
My collection: 7" single no. 4861 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Looking for you' / 'Hundreds and thousands'
How times have changed. When the Eurovision Song Contest was just a new invention, the Netherlands were actually very successful. Between 1956 and 1975, the country won four times - and they never managed this after 1975. The first time the Netherlands won was in the second year of Eurovision, 1957.
Corry Brokken sang 'Net als toen' ('Just like the old days'), a song that featured a violin solo by Sem Nijveen and was almost three and a half minutes long. In this year's contest the Italian entry lasted for five minutes, whilst the UK's entry lasted for almost two minutes. It was because of songs like the former that a rule was eventually introduced restricting each song to a maximum of three minutes; this rule still applies today.
This single, meanwhile, is a true rarity. It simply cannot be found - although I did buy this copy in a shop without any trouble. I was very surprised with it, even if the vinyl wasn't pressed perfectly.
My collection: 7" single no. 4860 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 5 euro Tracks: 'Net als toen' / 'Wees maar niet boos'
Although the Time Bandits basically still exist (at least, frontman Alides Hidding still uses the name when he performs solo or with a band), they split up in 1989. 'Wildfire' was the last single to be released by the band, but it failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
The single was taken from the band's 1987 album 'Can't wait for another world', which contained a few songs written by Alides Hidding with American singer/producer Dan Hartman. This single contains two of them.
My collection: 7" single no. 4856 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Wildfire' / 'You're not at home'
After the breakup of the duo Dollar, Thereza Bazar released one solo album in 1985 called 'The big kiss', which she co-wrote. The album reportedly cost half a million pounds to produce and generated media attention, but according to Bazar, the album's circulation was poor due to a mix-up at the record company, with the album unavailable at the time of its advertised release. Today Bazar mentions the incident as the most upsetting of her career.
The first single from the album was the title track was released in the summer of 1985. It didn't chart in any territory.
My collection: 7" single no. 4855 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'The big kiss' / 'Give yourself up'
For a little while in the Eighties, the Dutch group 'Toontje Lager' were very hot. After the very successful albums 'Erop of eronder' (1982) and 'Stiekem dansen' (1983) the band suddenly failed to attract lots of attention. Their singles flopped and they didn't even record an album anymore.
In 1985, the band decided to call it quits. 'Als ik 'n meisje was' ('If I were a girl') was their last single release - and this one too failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4853 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1,5 euro Tracks: 'Als ik 'n meisje was' / 'Hart van goud'
Attentive readers of this blog will recall I posted a 1989 remix of M's 'Popmuzik' on this blog back in August 2009. I bought that one in the UK. It appears that the Netherlands also released a remix of 'Popmuzik' that same year, except this one was made by Ben Liebrand, the Dutch DJ who had become a household name during the Eighties.
Indeed, his remix is very different from the one on the other single - but less unsuccessful. While the UK version reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, this single did not chart in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 4852 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1,5 euro Tracks: 'Popmuzik (Ben Liebrand single edit)'
I think 'Someone somewhere (in summertime)' is my favourite Simple Minds song of all times. Still, it took me this long to find a copy of the single. Fortunately, it is a UK pressing so that's made it worthwhile waiting.
The track was released as the third and final single from the bands' 1984 album 'New gold dream'. It reached number 36 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in Ireland. In Europe, the single was ignored. How very strange.
My collection: 7" single no. 4851 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Someone somewhere (in summertime)' / 'King is white and in the crowd'
The British doo-wop revival band Darts were very successful in the Seventies. The eight piece band had three successive number 2 hits in the UK singles chart with covers of early U.S. rock and roll and R&B songs.
'It's raining', released in July 1978, was the last of them. It was also the band's last hit in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4850 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 1,5 euro Tracks: 'It's raining' / 'Messing shoe blues'
'Love games' was the first single taken from Level 42's debut album and their first chart success. This 12" single features the full length version of the track, which is over seven minutes long.
According to a blurb on the back of the sleeve, 'Having grown up with influences such as Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Stevie Wonder, John McLaughlin plus George Benson the blend was right for one of the most exciting developments in British music for years.'
My collection: 12" single no. 428 Found: Record Exchange, London, 2002 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Love games (full length version)' / 'Forty two'
The British band King were very successful in the UK in 1984, and so it didn't take long for the record company to realise that they could also have a shot at launching the band in the USA. That's where this 12" single was made, and this copy was released for promotion as a gold stamp on the back of the sleeve proves.
This 12" single features three remixes of the track 'Won't you hold my hand now', one of the heavier tracks on the band's debut album. The sleeve design features a photograph by Sheila Rock, who made many beautiful portraits of Eighties artists.
My collection: 12" single no. 361
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Won't you hold my hand now ('Heavy times' mix)' / 'Won't you hold my hand now ('85 Reasons to hold hands mix)', 'Won't you hold my hand now (dub mix)'
I have a copy of the single by K-Ram called 'Menage a trois'. Some time after buying the single I found this 12" single and I decided I wanted to hear the remix - especially since I could buy the 12" single for a low price.
K-Ram sounds a lot like Wham!, but it tries too hard to do so without being able to match the quality of the duo's lyrics.
My collection: 12" single no. 337 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Menage a trois (Whopper chopper mix)' / 'Menage a trois', 'Menage a trois (instrumental)'
Japan member Mick Karn released his solo single 'Sensitive' in 1982. On the track, he collaborated with Ricky Wilde, who had just had his production debut on his sister's debut album 'Kim Wilde' in 1981. Ricky produced the track and also performed guitar and keyboards on it.
This 12" single features a remix of 'Sensitive', as well as the atmospheric B-side 'The sound of waves'.
My collection: 12" single no. 327 Found: Record fair, 1995 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'Sensitive (remix)' / 'The sound of waves'
Tori Amos has made some beautiful music during the Nineties, but her career took a bizarre turn in 1996 when her record company thought it would be a great idea to remix her songs from the album 'Boys for Pele'. The remix of 'Professional widow' sounded nothing like the original and was a random collection of noises put together by one Armand van Helden, but it gave her a number 1 hit in the UK.
This 12" single features two further remixes: a beautiful version of 'Hey Jupiter' and an awful version of 'Talula'. Proof that remixes can add or detract from a track is given on this disc in equal measures, although the two awful remixes are considerably longer than the beautiful one.
My collection: 12" single no. 540 Found: unknown, 1996 Cost: 15 guilders Tracks: 'Professional widow (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix)' / 'Hey Jupiter (The Dakota version - radio edit)', 'Talula (BT's Synethasia mix)'
Probably the biggest asset of the British band The Mission is that sometimes they used the angelic voice of Julianne Regan from All about Eve for their backing vocals. They did this, for instance, on their 1987 single 'Severina'. It was great that this 12" remix of 'Severina' highlights her voice even more.
The 12" single became an even more attractive package because of the limited edition poster included with it. Not that the men from the Mission were so handsome, but anything extra is always fun to have.
My collection: 12" single no. 323 Found: Record fair, 2000 Cost: 25 guilders Tracks: 'Severina (Aqua-marina mix)', 'Wishing well' / 'Tomorrow never knows (Amphetamix)'
In 1981, Kim Wilde debuted with the single 'Kids in America'. It was a big hit all over Europe, but in the USA it took almost a year for it to be released. When it was released, it did reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 25.
This promotional 7" single was released in the USA to help along radio promotion. This rare single features the track on both sides, so as to avoid DJ's playing the B-side by mistake. It was quite extraordinary to find this single in pristine condition almost 30 years after its release.
My collection: 7" single no. 4849 Found: eBay.com, received May 11, 2010 Cost: $7 Tracks: 'Kids in America' / 'Kids in America'
The fourth single from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') was the track 'Onschuld' ('Innocence'). It was re-recorded in June 1992, which didn't help its chart performance incidentally: like the other three singles from the album, it didn't chart in the Netherlands.
The B-side was recorded for the album together with Henny Vrienten, frontman of the popular Dutch Eighties band Doe Maar.
My collection: 7" single no. 1704 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Onschuld' / 'Het ijs'
To this day, I am still mystified as to why the Banderas only ever recorded one album. Their music was accessible, the voice of Caroline Buckley sounded a lot like Madonna's - except better - and their album 'Ripe' was one of the best records of 1991 - in my opinion of course.
'May this be your last sorrow' was the third and last single drawn from that album, and this promotional 12" single features one remix that wasn't included on the commercially available cd-single. The 'Jimmy Phensic mix' isn't that wonderful, but still, it's an exclusive track.
My collection: 12" single no. 220 Found: Big Company Records, London, October 1992 Cost: 3 pounds Tracks: 'May this be your last sorrow (7")', 'May this be your last sorrow (Less Stress 12") / 'May this be your last sorrow (Smith & Mighty - The Original Plan mix)', 'May this be your last sorrow (Smith & Mighty - The Jimmy Phensic mix)'
Not only did Billy Ocean record different versions of his song 'Caribbean queen', entitled 'African queen' and 'European queen', but there were also different edits of those songs. This single of 'European queen' features an edit which is shorter by 30 seconds when compared to the album version, but also an instrumental version which is actually longer than the album version! It's only 10 seconds longer, but still...
Having heard this song too often back in 1984, I never bought it, but now, more than a quarter of a century later, it's actually fun to hear this again.
My collection: 7" single no. 4848 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'European queen' / 'European queen (instrumental)'
'Caribbean queen' was recorded by Billy Ocean in 1984 with Robert John 'Mutt' Lange co-writing and producing the track. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.
The song was recorded with different titles for different parts of the world - resulting in versions such as 'European queen' and 'African queen'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4847 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Caribbean queen' / 'European queen'
Following on from their hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap', the Thompson Twins experienced some troubles with their follow-up, 'Here's to future days' (1985). Frontman Tom Bailey was diagnosed with nervous exhaustion just before the release of the album and holding off on its release eventually led to reconsideration of the whole project. After Bailey's recovery, they re-recorded the album with producer Nile Rodgers taking over from Alex Sadkin.
Still, the album turned out to be less successful than its predecessor. The singles, too, disappointed commercially. 'King for a day' flopped in many territories and only reached number 22 in the UK - although it still made number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4846 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'King for a day' / 'Rollunder'
Rod Stewart released 'Infatuation' in 1984. The music video is never played on television anymore, but at the time it was a memorable clip. Stewart acted a lot like a voyeur and a male chauvinist pig - a role that fit him like a glove I think.
