Stay - Hurts

I wasn't the first to discover the band Hurts this year, but when I did, I was glad. They have been described as a modern version of Black and the Blue Nile, and in a way there are - although the most obvious links would have to be the song titles ('Wonderful life' and 'Stay' respectively).

'Stay' was recently released as the third single from their debut album and it's a very nice slice of Eighties pop - although it was recorded more recently than that. As far as I know, this is their first single to be released on 7" vinyl. It includes an exclusive remix of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4978
Found: Amazon UK, received December 14, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Stay' / 'Stay (Groove Armada remix)'

Something in your eyes - Dusty Springfield and Richard Carpenter

Dusty Springfield's collaboration with Richard Carpenter must have seemed a strange move after she gained street credibility with the Pet Shop Boys. The single, taken from Carpenter's album 'Time', his first project since the death of his sister Karen, didn't repeat the success of 'What have I done to deserve this?' when it was released in October 1987. It only managed one week in the UK singles chart, at number 89.

If it was released several years later, when the Carpenters were back in vogue again, it's quite possible that it would have been a bigger hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4966
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Something in your eyes' / 'Time'

Are you gonna go my way - Lenny Kravitz

I was not impressed when 'Are you gonna go my way' was released in 1993. It was a reasonable chart hit at the time, but the rocky sound of the track put me off. It was at a time when most chart music was putting me off - I'd already moved into more obscure territory.

It was some time later, when I was in the car with Puck - his first car, if I remember correctly - and he played the track, that the ridiculously catchy guitar riff caught my ear. We were headbanging our way to my home, and I suddenly appreciated this track. I only found the 7" vinyl single now, because vinyl singles were already hard to come by at that time.

My collection: 7" single no. 4956
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Are you gonna go my way' / 'My love'

Alejandro - Lady Gaga

If nothing else, the songs by Lady Gaga are infectuous. I don't think they will really stand the test of time, as this kind of overproduced pop rarely sounds fresh a decade later. In the case of 'Alejandro', it sounds a bit like a rejected Ace of Base track from circa 1990, which is quite remarkable in itself.

That's not to say it's a bad track per se: after just one listen you find yourself humming the simple (and thus memorable) chorus. The fact that all of Lady Gaga's singles so far have been released as a 7" picture disc adds to the appeal.

My collection: 7" single no. 4967
Found: HMV, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 3,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Alejandro' / 'Alejandro (Bimbo Jones remix)'

Bittersweet - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is best known for her 2001 hit 'Murder on the dancefloor'. But she's still going strong, as is evidenced by this picture disc 7", released earlier this year. Produced by the Freemasons, this track sounds a lot like the Eighties classic 'Blue Monday' by New Order, yet sounds very contemporary.

'Bittersweet' was released on May 2, 2010 and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4963
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Bittersweet' / 'Bittersweet (Freemasons 7" mix)

Oxygene IV - Jean Michel Jarre

'When 'Oxygene IV' was first released in 1977, it was an instant chart success around the world. Such much, created entirely on synthesizers, had never been heard before and Jean-Michel Jarre acquired a reputation as being a master of technology.' The press info sheet included with this single stretches historical facts a bit: long before 'Oxygene' was released, the German masters of technology Kraftwerk were already at it. But we go on...

'Time has passed and, as the 1990's approach, Jarre shares the same concerns of us all for our environment and the ways in which it is being endangered by the very technology we created.' How interesting... The truth, of course, is that there was some money to be earned by re-releasing this classic. On environment-damaging vinyl, no less.

My collection: 7" single no. 4960
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Oxygene IV (remix)' / 'Industrial revolution (overture)'

Me myself I - Joan Armatrading

'Me myself I' was a single taken from Joan Armatrading's 1980 album of the same name. She had made a name for herself with the hit single 'Rosie', but subsequent singles weren't as successful as that one. It's undeniable, however, that the lady packed a lot of power in this song.

Still, it's one of those singles I only buy when it's very, very cheap. And it was.

My collection: 7" single no. 4952
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Me myself I' / 'When you kissed me'

Farewell mr. Sorrow - All about Eve

This 12" single was released as a numbered limited edition, this being number 3608. The edition must have been 5000 or 10,000 copies. Besides the free colour poster included in the package, this 12" was notable for its cover version of 'Silver song', a track originally recorded by the folk group Mellow Candle. As you can hear in the video below, the original is also a beautiful recording, but it can't hold a candle (sorry for that pun) to All about Eve's beautiful cover.

Much of the appeal of the cover version has to be attributed to Julianne Regan's beautiful and passionate voice. I hear she is recording an album with The Mission's Wayne Hussey, so finally there's something to look forward to.



My collection: 12" single no. 112
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Farewell mr. Sorrow', 'Silver song' / 'Elizabeth of glass', 'All the rings round Saturn'

Whenever you're ready - Five Star

Five Star were an essential pop group in the middle of the Eighties. The Pearson siblings were able to score hit after hit under the guidance of their father Buster, and their newfound fame came with loads of money, which was invested in a mansion somewhere in England.

Part of their success must have been the attractive 12" single packages. Almost without exception, the discs contained four tracks, three of which were remixes. This 12" of 'Whenever you're ready' packs two remixes of the title track, a Shep Pettibone remix of an album track and the obligatory instrumental B-side track.

My collection: 12" single no. 553
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Whenever you're ready (New York mix)', 'Whenever you're ready (Crazy dub jammy)' / 'Are you man enough (Shep Pettibone remix)', 'Forever yours'

The man I love - Kate Bush and Larry Adler

The 80th birthday of harmonica player Larry Adler was celebrated with an album called 'The glory of Gershwin'. It was released in 1994 and produced by George Martin. Several guest musicians made an appearance on the album, including Kate Bush, who sang the Gershwin song 'The man I love'. Released as a single on July 18, 1994 it climbed to number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.

The B-Side of the 7" single was an edited version of Adler and Martin's rendition of 'Rhapsody in Blue'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2155
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 3, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'The man I love' / 'Rhapsody in blue'

Love resurrection - Alison Moyet

I was very disappointed when Yazoo broke up, and I had a hard time forgiving Alison Moyet for starting up a solo career and recording songs that were so different from the synth-driven pop tracks composed by her and Vince Clarke. But in time I had to concede that Moyet was a pretty damn good singer in her own right and her voice fits pretty much with every style of music.

Last week she was one of the stars during a concert dedicated to Kirsty MacColl, along with Kim Wilde, Amy MacDonald and Andrea Corr amongst others, and I hear she is now a slim, beautiful woman. Back in 1984, she was big and quite scary to watch. One thing never changed, though: the voice. This 12" single features a longer version of her debut solo single, 'Love resurrection'.

My collection: 12" single no. 411
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Love resurrection (long version)' / 'Baby I do'

Heart of the sun - Red Box

This picture disc version of the 12" single of 'Heart of the sun' by Red Box must have been confusing at the time for fans: the A-side of the disc (shown here) carried a picture that was also used on the sleeve of the album 'The circle & the square'.

The disc itself was a good package: interesting remixes of both 'Heart of the sun' and the previous single 'Lean on me', plus a weird B-side. Red Box fans should rejoice: a new album has just been released by Cherry Pop records.

My collection: 12" single no. 552
Found: Esprit Mailorder, received 2000
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Heart of the sun (Slash & Burn)' / 'Enjoy (Solid Gold Easy Amex)', 'Lean on me (Vera's Husband's mix)'

Get outta my way - Kylie Minogue

'Get outta my way' was released last week as the second single from Kylie's current album 'Aphrodite'. Like the previous single 'All the lovers', it was released on two cd-singles and a 7" picture disc. It has already peaked at the number 12 spot in the UK singles chart - and is unlikely to get any higher than that.

The song was written and produced by Lucas Secon, Damon Sharpe, Peter Wallevik, Daniel Davidsen and Cutfather, and co-produced by Stuart Price. He said the song wasn't written for any particular artist and at one point four different artists wanted to cut it as their first single before it was claimed by Kylie.

My collection: 7" single no. 4951
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received October 8, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Get outta my way' / 'Get outta my way (Bimbo Jones piano mix - radio edit)'

Star - Time Bandits

There was a time when I thought 'Star' by the Time Bandits was one of the greatest tracks of all time. That feeling has subsided, but it is a pretty nifty pop song nonetheless. It wasn't a hit, which was kindof a shame, but I never actually knew there was a 12" single of this. And that the special remix on it was mixed by Ben Liebrand is a real treat too.

Ben Liebrand made a name for himself during the Eighties with his weekly remix on radio Veronica, and also managed to score a few hits of his own with remixes of oldies (some of which have featured on this blog in the past). This mix is certainly not one of his best, however it is quite a rarity.

My collection: 12" single no. 551
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Star (special remix)' / 'Star (instrumental remix)'

Starlight - Risqué

I hope Jos is still reading this blog, because I know he will be very excited by this record. It's the 12" single of Risqué's 'Starlight', a disc so rare that it isn't even listed in many discographies on the web. Released in 1982, it's from a time when 12" singles weren't a standard yet, and certainly not for Dutch groups.

The song itself isn't very exciting as the girls always seemed to sing in unison. This 'extended long dance version' is slightly longer than the single version, but that doesn't add a lot.

My collection: 12" single no. 550
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Starlight (extended long dance version)' / 'Starlight (instrumental)'

Get out of your lazy bed - Matt Bianco

'Get out of your lazy bed' was the debut single from UK band Matt Bianco, released in 1984. The song became the band's first Top 20 hit, peaking at number 15 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was used as the theme tune by long running New Zealand children's breakfast show 'What now', and is now firmly linked to Saturday morning cartoons, in the minds of many New Zealanders that grew up during the Eighties and Nineties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4950
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Get out of your lazy bed' / 'Big Rosie'

Took the last train - David Gates

I didn't know this single when I bought it. I almost didn't buy it, because of the fact it didn't have a picture sleeve - and I always prefer to have those. But then I figured this might never have been released with a picture sleeve and I was curious enough to hear this song upon the strength of David Gates' name alone. The former Bread frontman has been responsible for several great songs.

Boy, was I glad that I bought this single! It's a great upbeat track, very melodic. By contrast, the B-side is a wonderful ballad. It was David Gates' only single to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 50 in the summer of 1978.

My collection: 7" single no. 4949
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Den Haag, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Took the last train' / 'Ann'

Somebody to love - Queen

Although it lacks the innovation and intricacy of 'Bohemian rhapsody', I've always loved 'Somebody to love' more. It's a beautiful melody and the lyric is very simple: the search for someone to love can be quite desperate.

The single became the band's second number 1 hit in the Netherlands and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4948
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Somebody to love' / 'White man'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran. This version of the single comes in a gatefold sleeve with lots of pictures of Robert Palmer, it's quite an interesting sleeve design!

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 4947
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Tall story teller - Arabesque

Sometimes I buy a single because the sleeve is different. It's always interesting to compare. In the case of Arabesque's 'Tall story teller', I already had the German version, but this here is the Dutch version. The record company took a chance, because Arabesque never had a hit in the Netherlands, and this single didn't change much of that.

My collection: 7" single no. 4946
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tall story teller' / 'Caballero'

Is she really going out with him? (acapella live version) - Joe Jackson

In 1988, the double album 'Live 1980-1986' by Joe Jackson was released. It was an impressive compilation of live performances by the man who gave us so many great pop songs during the Eighties.

The acapella live version of 'Is she really going out with him' was released as a single. It is one of those inexplicable omissions in my 7" single collection: I bought the cd-single at the time but 'forgot' about the vinyl version. It was Joe Jackson's biggest hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 3 in the Dutch top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4945
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Is she really going out with him? (acapella live version)' / 'A slow song (live)'

Is dit alles - Doe Maar

The Dutch band Doe Maar had their first top 10 hit 'Doris Day' in early 1982. The follow-up was the laid back 'Is dit alles' ('Is this all'), released in June 1982. It shot to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40, just months before the band would have their first number 1 hit, cementing their position as the country's favourite pop act.

The song is about a relationship that seems to drag out in routine, and the singer wonders if this is all there is.

My collection: 7" single no. 4944
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Is dit alles' / 'Tijd genoeg'

Jump - Van Halen

One of my favourite games when I am reflecting on my record collection, is finding out which artist has the lowest and highest registration number, i.e. which is the furthest apart. Van Halen is the winner at this point: I only have two singles by the band, 'Running with the devil' being number 51 and 'Jump' has just become number 4943. Breaking this record is quite hard, unless I am ever going to buy another single by Oliver, Patrick Hernandez or Peaches & Herb (which seems unlikely) or the Jam (which is very likely).

'Jump' is one of those Eighties anthem that pretty much everyone knows. It is not representative of the band's style, who usually have a harder sound.

My collection: 7" single no. 4943
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jump' / 'House of pain'

Love and pride - King

Those of you who have followed this blog since the beginning will remember that I already own a copy of King's 'Love and pride'. It was a limited edition version featuring a different sleeve and a poster. This is the original release from 1984 with a beautiful sleeve. I had to have this beautiful version as well, featuring a totally undamaged UK sleeve.

'Love and pride' became a number 2 hit in the Netherlands in 1985, a year after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4942
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love and pride' / 'Don't stop'

Belle Hélène - Doe Maar

A song like 'Belle Hélène' would be totally unacceptable these days. Back in 1984, the record company had no qualms about releasing a song that contained lyrics describing a love affair with an underage girl. The fact that Doe Maar was the Netherlands' most popular band at the time also helped, of course: they could do no wrong.

It is interesting, however, to note that this single did not become a hit. I have no idea when this single was actually released: it might have been after their breakup that year, when disillusioned fans didn't bother buying their records anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 4941
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Belle Hélène' / 'Bella Donna'

Who's that girl - The Flying Pickets

My friend Puck, who's into acapella stuff, will be delighted to hear this version of the Eurythmics' hit single 'Who's that girl'. The Flying Pickets had a hit with an acapella version of Yazoo's 'Only you' in 1984, and followed it up with this single. It was not a hit, although it was equally inventive.

The band of six was founded by Brian Hibbard in 1982. The group chose the name The Flying Pickets as band members had played a part in the UK miners strikes of 1972 and 1974. The Flying Pickets came up with the then novel concept of perfoming contemporary pop hits in acapella versions. The height of the group's fame coincided with the 1984 Miners Strike. The Flying Pickets were very vocal in their support of the miners during the dispute and came to blows with the record label Virgin after they picketed Drax Power Station in Yorkshire. They also performed benefit gigs for the miners. Hibbard himself claimed that their political beliefs probably had a detrimental effect regarding the group's mainstream image but it was a sacrifice they were willing to make.

My collection: 7" single no. 4940
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who's that girl' / 'Remember this (Jara mix)'

State of independence - Jon and Vangelis

If you know anything about Eighties pop music, you will remember Donna Summer's hit single 'State of independence' from 1982. Jon and Vangelis, who wrote the song, recorded the song in 1981 on their album 'Friends of Mr. Cairo', but it turns out they also released it as a single in 1984.

It was released on the occasion of a 'greatest hits' compilation album, and failed to become a hit. Such is the fate of talented composers...

My collection: 7" single no. 4939
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'State of independence' / 'The friends of Mr. Cairo'

Whole lotta love - Blonde on blonde

Page three girls Nina Carter and Jilly Johnson formed the duo Blonde on blonde, releasing a disco-inspired cover version of Led Zeppelin's classic track 'Whole lotta love' in 1979. This picture disc proves that the appeal of the girls was not so much their sound, but rather visual.

Still, it's an interesting cover of the track because it's very different from the 'rock hard' original. The single did not become a hit, but perhaps it should have been.

My collection: 7" single no. 4938
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Whole lotta love' / 'Make me smile'

Master and servant - Depeche Mode

I never bought the 7" single of Depeche Mode's 'Master and servant', and I only found this out a couple of months ago. Therefore it's a lot of fun to find this single for a very reasonable price.

The overtly sexual, SM-themed lyrics of 'Master and servant' - complete with synthesized whip-and-chain sound effects - reportedly got the song banned by many radio stations in the United States. The song narrowly avoided a radio ban by the BBC as well, and might have been banned if the one BBC staffer who wanted to ban the record had not been away on holiday at the time the other staffers voted on whether to add the single to their playlist. Despite all this controversy, the single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4937
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Master and servant' / '(Set me free) Remotivate me'

Alle dagen dorst - Toontje Lager

Released in January 1984, 'Alle dagen dorst' was the second consecutive single by the Dutch band Toontje Lager to narrowly miss the Dutch top 40. 'Alle dagen dorst' ('Thirsty every day') was less inspired than the band's biggest hits and failed to capture the imagination of the record buying public.

The track 'Ben jij ook zo bang', released as a single in 1982, appears on the B-side of this single in a live version.

My collection: 7" single no. 4936
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Alle dagen dorst' / 'Ben jij ook zo bang (live)'

People are strange - Echo and the Bunnymen

The Doors recorded 'People are strange' in the Seventies, one of those Jim Morisson compositions that stays in your head when you've heard it just once. In 1987, the British band Echo & the Bunnymen recorded a cover version of this track for the soundtrack of the movie 'The lost boys'. The song was produced by The Doors' keyboard player, Ray Manzarek.

The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Irish Singles Chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4935
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'People are strange' / 'Run, run, run (live)'

Fly too high - Janis Ian

Like 'At Seventeen', 'Fly too high' was re-released in 1991 to promote the compilation album 'Up 'til now'. I already own the original release of 'Fly too high' but since this single contains the full length 5 minute album version of the song, I decided I had to have this one as well. The B-side was recorded live at the Circustheater in Den Haag on October 23, 1991.

Produced by Giorgio Moroder, this is the one and only worldwide hit for Janis Ian, who has continued to make music until today. In addition to being a musician, Ian writes science fiction. Her works have been published in an assortment of anthologies.

My collection: 7" single no. 4934
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fly too high' / 'Here comes the night'

'n Beetje - Teddy Scholten

I already owned a copy of Teddy Scholten's winning Eurovision song 'n Beetje but when I found this copy I had to have it too. Not because of the A-side, but because of the B-side: it's a cover version of 'Sing little birdie', as performed by the husband and wife duo Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, representing the United Kingdom.

Teddy Scholten also used her husband to perform a Dutch version of this song, translated by Daan Hooykaas. The quality of the vinyl on this one isn't the best, but the single, being 51 years old, has become very hard to find after half a century.

My collection: 7" single no. 4933
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: ''n Beetje' / 'Zing, kleine vogel'

Why worry - Clannad

'Why worry?' was released in 1991 as the second single from Clannad's 1990 album 'Anam'. Being the masters of breezy Celtic pop, it's another of their trademark songs that seems to woosh by without too many memorable hooks.

My collection: 7" single no. 4932
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Why worry?' / 'Gaothbearra'

Amor - Rod McKuen

Rod McKuen had been no stranger to the singles charts: in 1971 he had two number 1 hits in the Netherlands with 'Soldiers who want to be heroes' and 'Without a worry in the world'. After one more hit single in 1972, he disappeared until the release of 'Amor' in 1978, at the height of the disco craze.

It was an unusual song during this time, but it was an instant success: it reached number 10 in the sweaty summer of 1978.

My collection: 7" single no. 4931
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Amor' / 'Don't drink the orange juice'

Where were you - Flash and the Pan

'Where were you' by Flash and the Pan is one of those songs that seems so familiar but you can't quite remember where you know it from. It was a track on the band's third album 'Headlines' and released as a single in certain territories only (which might explain why it's not listed in the discography on the band's Wikipedia page).

The single was not a hit - but it is a song that stands up well, even after almost three decades.

My collection: 7" single no. 4930
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Where were you?' / 'Don't vote'

People, people - Donna Summer

'People, people' was released as a single from Donna Summer's 1983 album 'She works hard for the money'. The song was produced by Michael Omartian and written by Donna Summer, Michael Omartian and B. Sudano.

The single was not a chart success in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4929
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'People, people' / 'Tokyo'

Lay your love on me - Racey

Racey formed in 1976 in Weston-super-Mare by singer Phil Fursdon and Clive Wilson. In 1979 they released their debut album 'Smash and grab', which sold about 500,000 copies worldwide. Their hit singles were written by the famous duo Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. Their biggest hit was 'Lay your love on me', which became a number 3 hit in the UK and a charttopper in the Netherlands.

The band formally split in 1985, and since then two separate groups named Racey exist, one featuring band member Richard Gower and the other featuring Clive Wilson, Phil Fursdon and Pete Miller, the original bass player. Several albums and CDs with re-recordings of the original hits as well as new material are available from both of the versions of the group.

My collection: 7" single no. 4928
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lay your love on me' / 'I believed you'

Wild places - Ian Matthews

Duncan Browne wrote and recorded 'The wild places' in 1978 and had a reasonably big hit with it. Six years later, Ian Matthews thought he might have similar success with his cover. Ian Matthews? Who? Well, I didn't know him either. Turns out it's Ian Matthews who was previously part of Fairport Convention and the band Matthews Southern Comfort.

'Wild places' comes from his 1984 album 'Shook'. Neither single nor album made any impact in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4927
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wild places' / 'Work on all this'

Vincent - Don McLean

'Vincent' was written and recorded by Don McLean as a tribute to the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. The song includes references to his landscape works, in lines such as 'sketch the trees and the daffodils' and 'morning fields of amber grain' - which describe the amber wheat that features in several paintings. Several lines may allude to Van Gogh's self-portraits: perhaps in 'weathered faces lined in pain / are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand', McLean is suggesting that van Gogh may have found some sort of consolation in creating portraits of himself. There is, too, a single line describing van Gogh's most famous set of works, Sunflowers. 'Flaming flowers that brightly blaze' not only draws on the luminous orange and yellow colours of the painting, but also creates powerful images of the sun itself, flaming and blazing, being contained within the flowers and the painting.

McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of the artist. The following year, the song became the number one hit in the U.K. and No. 12 in the U.S.

My collection: 7"single no. 4926
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 6, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Vincent' / 'Castles in the air'

Strange way - All about Eve

All about Eve had a habit of releasing as much formats of their singles as possible. Just before the invention of chart rules limiting formats to three, some of their singles were released on 7", two different 12" singles, a cassette single and a cd-single (or two). It was very interesting for their fans because more often than not these different formats would have exclusive tracks on them.

One of the last of these collectable 12" singles was 'Strange way', the second single from their third album 'Touched by Jesus'. It featured the B-side 'Drawn to earth', a weird track that was divided in two distinctive sections, plus two tracks unavailable elsewhere: 'Nothing without you' and 'Light as a feather'. Both tracks were quite rough and rocky, a sound that the fans had been missing on their rather polished and well-produced album. The 12" was released in a numbered limited edition: this is number 1981.

My collection: 12" single no. 119
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Strange way', 'Drawn to earth' / 'Nothing without you', 'Light as a feather'

And so is love - Kate Bush

'And so is love' was released as the fourth and final single from Kate Bush's 1993 album 'The red shoes'. The track features Eric Clapton on guitar and was released on cd-single and 7" single. The 7" single was a special pack: it featured a picture disc (pictured here) and a giant poster folded to 12" size.

Released on 7 November 1994, the single climbed to number 26 in the UK singles chart. Its entry in the Top 40 resulted into Bush's first appearance on Top of the Pops in nine years - and also her last to date. This single was the last release before a gap of almost 11 years in which Bush got married, had a son and recorded her last album to date: 'Aerial', released in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 2217
Found: HMV mailorder, London, received November 15, 1994
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'And so is love' / 'Rubberband girl (US remix)'

Yesterday once more - Carpenters

When I was young I'd listen to the radio waiting for my favourite songs. I can't remember if the Carpenters were ever played back then, but if they were, I doubt if I would have really appreciated them much. Their songs would have been a tad too syrupy for me.

Flash forward 30 years and behold, the Carpenters have made their way into my record collection. I first heard their songs again about a year ago on Kim Wilde's excellent radio show 'Secret Songs' on Magic FM, and since then I've grown to like them. One of their big hits is the sentimental 'Yesterday once more'. It starts with the line: 'When I was young I'd listen to the radio waiting for my favourite songs'...

My collection: 7" single no. 4924
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 2, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Yesterday once more' / 'Road ode'

Still a thrill - Jody Watley

My last post about Jody Watley was about the 7" single of 'Still a thrill', which I bought almost six months ago. I've had the 12" single for a lot longer, although my records don't show exactly when I bought it. A sexy sleeve coupled with three very danceable remixes is a good proposition, especially when the disc is cheap, which it was.

According to some of the response on this blog recently there were some rumours about my untimely death. I can assure you that this event will not happen anytime soon. However, having written about all of my 7" singles (bar a handful) and most of my 12" singles, my posts will be less regular as of now. Don't worry, I will still be buying records too - so who knows what happens before the year is over. I have to say that making entries on this blog is 'still a thrill'.

My collection: 12" single no. 549
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Still a thrill (radio edit)' / 'Still a thrill (extended version)', 'Still a thrill (bonus beat)'

The taste of your tears - King

Having collected all of the 7" singles by King, it was soon a matter of finding the accompanying 12" singles. My sister owned all of them before I did, so I was familiar with most of the tracks, especially the extra B-side track on this one: the reprise of 'Alone without you'. I remember making a compilation tape starting with the original version and ending with this reprise version. The tape had a great buildup, as the A-side was full of uptempo tracks and the B-side had mostly ballads. It provided me with 90 minutes of extreme listening pleasure - and it's a shame I don't have that tape anymore.

Years later I found this 12" single and obviously I bought it immediately. As far as I know, this reprise version has not been released on cd, but the remix of 'The taste of your tears' has. And quite rightfully too, because it's very well made.

My collection: 12" single no. 82
Found: All that music, Leiden, 1992
Cost: 7,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The taste of your tears (Breaker heart mix)' / 'Crazy party', 'Alone without you (Reprise)'

All the lovers - Kylie Minogue

You have to have a big ego if you call your album 'Aphrodite' and pose as if you are the Greek goddess of love herself. But then Kylie has been successful for two decades now and then your ego is bound to grow. Fortunately, her tunes aren't half bad these days, as the mentioned album proves.

'All the lovers' was released a few months ago on two different cd-singles and a picture disc 7" single - something one has to applaud in this era where digital downloads seem to rule the world. The Spanish version of the title track is an added bonus not available on the cd-singles, and so this 7" single is worth owning.

My collection: 7" single no. 4921
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received July 1, 2010
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'All the lovers' / 'Los amores'