Voi-Voi - Nora Brockstedt

In 1988, Nora Brockstedt re-recorded 'Voi Voi', the song with which she represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. The reason for thsi re-recording is unknown, but it does have all the trademarks of an Eighties recording, and sounds more 'modern' than the 1960 version.

In her last years, Brockstedt focused more on the jazz genre, with successful albums like As Time Goes By (JazzAvdelingen, 2004) and Christmas Songs (JazzAvdelingen, 2005). She sang jazz in the 1960s, but was more known for her 'conventional' pop songs. She died after a short illness at Ullevaal Hospital in Oslo on 5 November 2015, aged 92.

My collection: 7" single no. 7324
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 September 2024
Tracks: 'Voi-Voi' / 'Oslo - Oslo'

Come-Comedie - Nicole Josy & Hugo Sigal

Nicole Josy and Hugo Sigal represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 (with 'Goeiemorgen morgen') and in 1973 (with 'Baby baby'). In 1972 they didn't compete, because in Belgium the Flemish and Walloon broadcasters take turns when they represent their country. Still, the Eurovision bug was scratching the duo, and so they decided to record a Flemish cover of the French entry of 1972: 'Come-comedie', originally performed by Betty Mars.

The lyrics for this version were written by Ernie Frank, a prolific songwriter in Belgium during the Sixties and Seventies.

My collection: 7" single no. 7323
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 September 2024
Tracks: 'Come-comedie' / 'Hello my love'

Marcel - Margot Eskens

Although Heidi Brühl was selected internally to sing five songs for the German national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963, other artists were quick to jump on that bandwagon. The winning song, 'Marcel', which Heidi went to London with, was quickly covered by Margot Eskens, in the hopes of having a hit with it as well.

While Heid Brühl recorded 'Das grosse Spiel' as the B-side, a song she didn't perform at the national final, Margot did a smarter thing and recorded 'Ein schöner Tag' on the B-side - the song that was the runner-up during the national final. In the end, both versions of 'Marcel' only reached number 36 in the German chart during a one week run.

My collection: 7" single no. 7322
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 September 2024
Tracks: 'Marcel' / 'Ein schöner Tag'

Mijn moesje - Annie

A lot has been written about Annie on this blog, particularly the lyrics of her Eighties singles which were a bit morbid at times. Those lyrics can't be followed by those of you who can't understand Dutch, which is why I try to describe them.

'Mijn moesje' ('My mum') is very different from previous singles, because it is a bit of a tribute to mothers. The singer expresses her love and gratitude to her mum, but in the last verse it turns out that mum is old and parked in a retirement home. The B-side, 'Je bent toch mijn zoon' ('You're still my son') sounds like a lament of a mum who has a son that never comes to visit. "Why don't you come and see me?", she complains.

This was Annie's last single, released in 1986. Annie passed away in 2013.

My collection: 7" single no. 7258
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 July 2024
Tracks: 'Mijn moesje' / 'Je bent toch mijn zoon'

Linoleum smooth to the stockinged foot - The The

The The have released three singles from their new album Ensoulment until now, but unfortunately the first and third one have eluded me until now. Not strange when you realize the 7" singles sold out within a day online. 

'Linoleum smooth to the stockinged foot' was number two, and I managed to order that one from an online vendor recently. Matt Johnson - the only permanent member of The The - wrote the lyrics in a hospital bed, under the influence of morphine whilst recovering from a life-saving operation. As fate would have it, Johnson’s weeks in hospital had nothing to do with Covid, but occurred at precisely the time Covid reached crisis proportions, making for an even more surreal ordeal. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7317
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: 'Linoleum smooth to the stockinged foot' / 'Mycelium muse'

Under attack - Abba

Although war crept in to some Abba tracks from time to time (most notably 'Waterloo' and 'Fernando'), the feeling of paranoia and fear was never more obvious than on 'Under attack', a real Cold War song. It was released as Abba's last single - or so we thought. After 'Under attack' there were endless re-releases of singles until the band surprised us in 2021 with 'I still have faith in you'. 

'Under attack' was not a commercial success upon its release. ABBA's popularity was in decline and the two preceding singles ('Head over heels' and 'The day before you came') had failed to reach number 1 anywhere. Although a Top 5 hit in Belgium and the Netherlands, and a Top 20 single in a couple of other European charts, it did not become a major hit anywhere else. It peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7311
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Under attack' / 'You owe me one'

The day before you came - Abba

After a short break, Abba returned to the studio in the spring of 1982. The first results were deemed disappointing: the tracks 'Just like that' was never released (a snippet appeared on the box set Thank you for the music in 1994), 'I am the city' only made it out in 1993 on More Abba Gold and 'You owe me one' would become a B-side later in 1982. Concluding that a new full length album was not a realistic prospect for 1982, Polar Music decided instead to release a double-album compilation of ABBA’s most successful singles in autumn 1982, in which would be included some new recordings which could also be released as singles.

The group went back in the studio in August and recorded 'Cassandra' and 'Under attack'. Under the working title ‘Den lidande fågeln’ (‘The Suffering Bird’) they also started on what would become 'The day before you came'. The song was based on "a single melodic fragment that lent itself to being repeated in a series of ascending and descending phrases over several key changes", according to Benny. 

Björn wrote the lyrics at and following the session. His first task was to decide on a theme, and here he was inspired by the characteristics of the melody he and Benny had written: "The tune is narrative in itself, and relentless. That almost monotonous quality made me think of this girl who was living in a sort of gloominess and is now back in that same sense of gloom." His idea for a theme therefore was "a woman recounting all the dull, ordinary things she “guessed she must have done” the day before she had a highly charged encounter with a man" and began a relationship that would end unhappily: "He has left her, and her life has returned to how it ‘must have been’ before she met him.”

Many years after the song was recorded, Michael Tretow recalled Agnetha performing the lead vocals with dimmed lights and said that the mood had become sad and everybody in the studio knew that 'this was the end'. Although 'Under attack' would be released after 'The day before you came', this song certainly sounds like Abba's last great moment, and it remains one of my absolute favourite songs of the band. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album The Visitors in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7310
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'Cassandra'

Head over heels - Abba

'Head over heels' was released in March 1982 as the second single from the album The Visitors.  Agnetha Fältskog sang the lead vocals, singing about her "very good friend", played in the music video by Anni-Frid Lyngstad, an overactive high-society woman who rushes through the shops, with her hapless and exhausted husband (played by Ulvaeus) following behind and being forced to carry the shopping bags. 

The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40, while it stalled at number 25 in the UK singles chart. No further singles were released from the album - in Europe at least, because the B-side 'The Visitors' was released as a single in the USA in April 1982, with 'Head over heels' added on the other side.

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album The Visitors in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7309
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Head over heels' / 'The visitors'

One of us - Abba

At the start of the 1980s, Abba was slowly falling apart. After the divorce of Björn and Agnetha (which some felt was documented in 'The winner takes it all'), Benny and Frida followed suit and the album The Visitors, released in 1981, was definitely a more sombre affair when compared to previous albums.

The lead single was 'One of us', one of a number of tracks that explored the darker territory of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson's songwriting, as the two men's divorces were beginning to influence their musical output. The message of the song is about a woman trying to revive a relationship she had ended. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album The Visitors in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7308
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'One of us' / 'Should I laugh or cry'

Oude wonden - Annie

Having released one album and six singles on the WEA/Arti label, Dutch singer Annie found herself without a recording contract. No wonder: all of her releases failed to chart, as her repertoire was probably just too depressing for most.

But she persevered. 'Oude wonden' ('Old wounds') was released in 1985 on the small 'Audio records' label. The material she sang was as depressing as ever: 'Old wound never heal' she sings on the A-side, and the B-side, 'Waarom ging je heen' ('Why did you leave') is an ode to someone who committed suicide. It was another remarkable addition to an already remarkable repertoire. Unsurprisingly, this single, too, wasn't a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 7229
Found: Discogs.com, received 21 June 2024
Tracks: 'Oude wonden' / 'Waarom ging je heen'

Wild hearted woman - All About Eve

My recent post about All About Eve's 'Wild hearted woman' was one part of the story. There's another part to it, of course, because back in 1988 the band released many different formats and configurations of their singles.

Take for instance this limited edition version of the same 12" single. It comes in a box, which includes the 12" single in a completely different sleeve plus an enamel badge. That's all. No posters or postcards, just a badge. However, the 12" features an extra track compared to the 'regular' 12" single. The fourth track is a 'reprise' of 'What kind of fool' - a song that would get a single release some months later after the chart success of 'Martha's harbour'. 

It's a nice package, which I managed to buy at a record fair some time after its release.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, 1990
Tracks: 'Wild hearted woman [extended]', 'What kind of fool (Reprise)' / 'Appletree man', 'Like Emily'

Lay all your love on me - Abba

'Lay all your love on me' was not intended to be a single but after a remixed version gained popularity in nightclubs, the song was released as Abba's final single from the album Super Trouper - but only as a 12" single.  At the time, it was the highest selling 12-inch record in UK chart history, where it peaked at No. 7. 

The song is known for a descending vocal sound at the end of the verse immediately preceding the refrain. This was achieved by sending the vocal into a harmoniser device, which was set up to produce a slightly lower-pitched version of the vocal. In turn its output was fed back to its input, thereby continually lowering the pitch of the vocal. Andersson and Ulvaeus felt that the chorus of the song sounded like a hymn, so parts of the vocals in the choruses were run through a vocoder, to recreate the sound of a church congregation singing, slightly out of tune.

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Super Trouper in 2020. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7319
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 September 2024
Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me' / 'On and on and on'

Super trouper - Abba

I've always viewed 'Super trouper' as an Abba-by-numbers track. Sure, the melody is there and the vocals are spot on, but the lyrics seem a bit uninspired. Being the big pop stars they were at that time, it seemed a bit too 'easy' to get inspired by a super trouper - the kind of spotlight used during live performances - and telling the story of a singer who waits for her lover to appear.

But still, the audiences loved it. The single was actually Abba's last number 1 hit in the UK. It also topped the charts in a handful of European countries. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Super Trouper in 2020. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7318
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 September 2024
Tracks: 'Super trouper' / 'The piper'

The winner takes it all - Abba

Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson started writing 'The winner takes it all' in the summer of 1979 in a cottage on the island of Viggsö. The demo had an original title of 'The story of my life' and the first arrangement for the song was uptempo with a constant beat. However, they felt their first effort "much too stiff and metrical", so they left the song for a few days while they worked on other songs. 

Four days later they returned to the song, and Andersson came up with the idea of using a French chanson-style arrangement with a descending piano line and a looser structure. Ulvaeus then recorded a demo using nonsense French words for lyrics, and took the recording home to write the lyrics. According to Ulvaeus, he drank whiskey while he was writing, and it was the quickest lyric he ever wrote. He said, "I was drunk, and the whole lyric came to me in a rush of emotion in one hour." Ulvaeus said that when he gave the lyrics to Fältskog to read, "a tear or two welled up in her eyes. Because the words really affected her." Ulvaeus denies the song is about his and Fältskog's divorce, saying the basis of the song "is the experience of a divorce, but it's fiction. 'Cause one thing I can say is that there wasn't a winner or a loser in our case. A lot of people think it's straight out of reality, but it's not". However, Ulvaeus admitted that the heartache of their breakup inspired the song, but noted that the words in the song should not be taken literally. These days, 'The winner takes it all' is recognized as one of Abba's strongest tracks. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Super Trouper in 2020. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7312
Found: Abba Fanclub, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: 'The winner takes it all' / 'Elaine'

Voulez-vous (extended dance remix) - Abba

The extended dance remix of 'Voulez-vous' on this 7" single was originally released on a promotional 12" single in the USA only. In 2001, the track resurfaced on the 2001 compilation album The Definitive Collection. And then, of course, Abba being Abba, the track was re-released several times. In 2005 it was included in the 'blue' box set The Complete Studio Recordings and in 2012 it was released on a blue sparkling 12" single for Record Store Day.

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Voulez-Vous in 2019. It is actually the first release of this remix on a 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7315
Found: Abba Fanclub, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: 'Voulez-vous (extended dance remix)' / 'If it wasn't for the nights'

Voulez-Vous - Abba

Although 'Voulez-Vous' was definitely the most recognized song of the two, this single was originally conceived as a double A-side, as is reflected in the artwork. But the appeal of the disco-infused song with the French title was simply much bigger. 

A songwriting trip to the Bahamas saw the birth of this melody, and the proximity to Miami made it convenient to record the backing track at Criteria Studios with members of the disco group Foxy. 'Voulez-Vous' is the only ABBA song (other than live recordings) to be recorded outside of Sweden. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Voulez-Vous in 2019. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7314
Found: Abba Fanclub, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: 'Voulez-vous' / 'Angeleyes'

I have a dream - Abba

Perfect for that end-of-year melancholy feeling, 'I have a dream' was released a few weeks before Christmas 1979. The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus circa March 1979 and was taken from the album Voulez-Vous. Anni-Frid Lyngstad sang the lead vocals. The recording includes a final chorus by 28 children from Stockholm International School. The track is also notable for the extensive use of an electric sitar, an unusual instrument in Abba's recordings. 

The B-side featured a live recording of 'Take a chance on me', recorded at Wembley in London. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Voulez-Vous in 2019. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7320
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 September 2024
Tracks: 'I have a dream' / 'Take a chance on me [live]'

Does your mother know - Abba

Some were surprised when the song 'Does your mother know' featured lead vocals by Björn Ulvaeus, after so many singles with female lead vocals. The subject matter was quite different too: the song was roughly about cross-generational flirting in big city night clubs. The inspiration for the lyrics came from a newspaper article, whilst the title was a phrase Ulvaeus had seen in a book or magazine. The demo featured his guide vocal and it was decided to keep this during the recording process.

While a top 10 hit in several countries, 'Does your mother know' only topped the charts in Belgium. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Voulez-Vous in 2019. Although this single features one of the best photographs of the group, the quality of this picture disc leaves a bit to be desired, unfortunately: the faces look almost unrecognizable.

My collection: 7" single no. 7313
Found: Abba Fanclub, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: 'Does your mother know' / 'Kisses of fire'

Chiquitita - Abba

One of the songs recorded by Abba during sessions for their album Voulez-Vous was the syrupy ballad 'Chiquitita'. It's one of those songs you either love or hate, and for me, it's always tended towards the latter. However, the last few seconds of the song are great, which is kindof a weird twist.

'Chiquitita' was a charttopper in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa and Rhodesia. It was a top 5 hit in ABBA's native Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, West Germany and Norway. These sales makes it the most successful single from the album Voulez-Vous in terms of global charts and one of the more famous charity songs ever. To this day, 50% of the proceeds from the song go to UNICEF in recognition of the 'International Year of the Child' in 1979. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of a series accompanying the re-release of the album Voulez-Vous in 2019. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7321
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 September 2024
Tracks: 'Chiquitita' / 'Lovelight'

Wild hearted woman - All About Eve

I haven't mentioned All About Eve's 'Wild hearted woman' since the 7" single in 2009. While I bought that single for just 1 guilder (0,45 euro in this day and age), the 12" singles I bought were considerably more expensive. Actually I don't really remember how much I paid for the 'original' 12" single, because it was a very long time ago. I am sure, however, that it was a second hand copy. There's a little bit of sticker residue on the back cover to remind me of that fact.

The 12" single features an extended version as well as two B-sides, adding 'Like Emily' to the 'Appletree man' which already appears on the 7" single. Both tracks appear on the band's debut album, released the same year.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: [unknown], 1989
Tracks: 'Wild hearted woman [extended]' / 'Appletree man', 'Like Emily'

$1 one vote - The The

'$1 one vote' is a single by The The, released last year as a strictly limited 7" single. According to Matt Johnson: “It is a song that has been percolating – in various versions – for a number of years. For some reason I was always having trouble finding the right words to finish it off. But the nascent dystopia of the last couple of years has certainly opened eyes, sharpened minds and clarified thoughts.”

It's no surprise that Johnson issues criticism on today's society, having done the same on his albums 'Infected' and 'Mind Bomb' three decades ago. It's good to have The The back - the new album Ensoulment was released two days ago.

My collection: 7" single no. 7316
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 September 2024
Tracks: '$1 one vote' / 'Mrs Mac'

Honey Honey - Abba

'Honey Honey' was released as the second single from Abba's second studio album, Waterloo, after the success of the title track at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. Although some people believe that the group was instantly successful all over the world, this single was actually not the huge success that 'Waterloo' was. It reached the top 10 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but in other countries it fared less well. Some assumed that the Swedish group would be a one hit wonder.

This edition is a picture disc released as part of this year's 50th anniversary celebrations, along with the album Waterloo. It's the last of three picture disc 7" singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 7305
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Honey Honey' / 'King Kong song'

Waterloo - Abba

While Abba performed 'Waterloo' in English at the Eurovision Song Contest, it was originally performed in Swedish at the national final for Eurovision. This Swedish version was also released as a single in Sweden, where it was very popular. 

Meanwhile, 'Honey honey' was the last official recording by the group in their own Swedish language, and was released as the B-side of the 'Waterloo' single. 

This edition is a picture disc released as part of this year's 50th anniversary celebrations, along with the album Waterloo. It's the second of three picture disc 7" singles, but the only one featuring a colour picture.

My collection: 7" single no. 7306
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Waterloo (Swedish version)' / 'Honey Honey (Swedish version)'

Waterloo - Abba

Unless you've spent the last 50 years under a rock, you will be familiar with the Abba song 'Waterloo'. It was their international breakthrough after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. The song has been re-released many times, and in my collection there are several copies: the original Swedish version, the 30th anniversary version, the 40th anniversary picture disc, the German version and of course this year's celebratory 10" single.

This edition is a picture disc released as part of this year's 50th anniversary celebrations, along with the album Waterloo. It's the first of three picture disc 7" singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 7307
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Waterloo' / 'Watch out'

Love isn't easy (but it sure is hard enough) - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

'Love isn't easy' was one of the last songs to be recorded for the album Ring Ring, released by the quartet of Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Anni-frid in 1973. The song was also released as a single, but not in Sweden: only Danish pressings exist and the single was released in Norway, Finland and Denmark only (although copies would probably have reached other countries too). The song describes the common phenomenon of a quarrel between lovers.

This edition features the original A- and B-side, but on a picture disc. It's the last of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7302
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Love isn't easy (but it sure is hard enough)' / 'I am just a girl'

Ring RIng - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

Besides the Swedish version, 'Ring Ring' was also recorded in English. Translation into English lyrics was helped by Neil Sedaka and his collaborator Phil Cody. On 10 January 1973, the song was recorded at the Metronome Studio in Stockholm. Studio engineer Michael B. Tretow, who later collaborated with Andersson and Ulvaeus on many singles and albums, had read a book about record producer Phil Spector (Richard Williams' book Out of His Head: The Sound of Phil Spector), famed for his "Wall of Sound" treatment to the songs that he produced. While Spector used several musicians playing the same instruments in the same recording studio at the same time, such a technique would be far too expensive for the recording of 'Ring Ring'. Tretow's solution was to simply record the song's backing track twice in order to achieve an orchestral sound. Changing the speed of the tape between the overdubs, making the instruments marginally out of tune, increased the effect. This was unlike anything that had been done before in Swedish music.

The English version of 'Ring Ring' reached number 2 in the Swedish charts, just behind the Swedish version.

This edition features the original A- and B-side, but on a picture disc. It's the fourth of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7300
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Ring Ring' / 'She's my kind of girl'

 

Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal) - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

Björn & Benny, along with their manager Stig Anderson, were invited to enter a song into Melodifestivalen 1973, whose winner would represent Sweden in the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest. After several days, Andersson and Ulvaeus came up with the music for the Swedish version of 'Ring Ring', with the working title 'Klocklåt' (Clock Tune). Anderson wrote the lyrics with the intention of making a pop-oriented song, trying to remove the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest at the time. 

When Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Anni-frid performed 'Ring Ring' in the Swedish Eurovision selection competition on 10 February 1973, it was a simpler version arranged by Lars Samuelson and backed by his orchestra, losing the "wall of sound" production sound. The song finished third. Nevertheless, when the studio recording of the song was released it fared much better in the Swedish charts, peaking at the top.

This edition features the original A- and B-side of the Swedish version, but on a picture disc. It's easily the ugliest of the five, replicating the original 'Polar record company sleeve and label', but they could have opted for a photograph instead, one might think. It's the third of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7299
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal)' / 'Ah, vilka tider'

He is your brother - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

'He is your brother' was originally released as the second single by the quartet Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-frid, continuing the lyrical theme of reaching out to your fellow man. While Björn & Benny were originally a duo, the success of 'People need love' was so big that the decision was soon made to continue as a quartet. 

The B-side of the single, 'Santa Rosa' had the working title 'Grandpa's Banjo' and was originally recorded in 1972 with the intention of releasing it as single in Japan. It was considered a Bjorn & Benny track. The writers have explained their dislike of the song, saying that the lyrics were clumsy due to the fact they only put the name Santa Rosa in because it fit the song; they actually came from Stockholm. 

This edition features the original A- and B-side, but on a picture disc. It's the second of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7303
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'He is your brother' / 'Santa Rosa'

People need love - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

There's no reason for music lovers to dislike Abba. The Swedish band have consistently produced melodic music that appeals to almost everyone who likes pop. The only reason that would put people off might be their relentless re-releasing and re-packaging of their albums and singles. Since the band stopped in 1982, over a hundred compilation albums have been released, and all of their albums have been re-released many times over. 

Even the singles got the re-release treatment. In recent years, the resurgence of the vinyl format has prompted Abba to release a singles box set, and now there are these picture disc re-releases from the last few years. Last year they re-released their earliest material, when they were simply called Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-frid. Curiously, on the sleeve they're called Björn Benny & Agnetha Frida, which is a minor revision of the past. 

Anyway, the debut single of the quartet was called 'People need love', and it was originally released in June 1972. This picture disc edition features the original A- and B-side, but on a picture disc. It's the first of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7301
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'People need love' / 'Merry-go-round'

Trail of destruction - Kim Wilde

A new single by Kim Wilde is always an event, but more recently it has become more of an event because finally they're being released on 7" vinyl again. 'Trail of destruction' is a powerful song with strong lyrics that should grab you by the throat upon first listen. Unfortunately in my case the single came out while I was on holiday and so my first listen happened on a mobile phone that is becoming a bit geriatric.

So I was happy to receive this physical copy. The only criticism I would venture is the lack of a B-side. Kim has delivered strong B-sides throughout her career, but this particular disc only contains an etching of the 'Kim Wilde' logo and her autograph. It's a nice touch, of course. The new album Closer is out in January, but at the end of this month there are deluxe editions of her three 90s albums on MCA, so plenty of stuff to listen to in the meantime.

My collection: 7" single no. 7297
Found: Cherry Red website, received 24 August 2024
Tracks: 'Trail of destruction'

A hard day's night - Peter Sellers

It's probably 30 years ago when I first heard Peter Sellers' interpretations of Beatles songs. My friend Puck had them on a CD-single, and not too much later I had the CD-single as well - plus a second one. It never really crossed my mind that the songs were also released on 7" singles, but it is logical, since the recordings were made in the Sixties.

And so I was pretty delighted when I saw this single of 'A hard day's night'. It was re-released in the Netherlands in 1981, after his untimely death the year before. I don't even mind that this version doesn't come with a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 7304
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'A hard day's night' / 'Help'

Summer night city - Abba

Being into picture discs combined with being into Abba has become a bit of a nightmare over the past few years. Their record company has re-released the majority of their singles on the 7" picture disc format, and usually they're not very cheap either. I've refrained from buying them for exactly that reason, but fortunately some deals have crossed my passed recently, and that was exactly the incentive I needed.

'Summer night city' was the Swedish band's non-album single, recorded during sessions for the album Voulez-Vous (1979), but not included on that album. However, it was released as a single prior to the album, and reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7298
Found: Revin Records, received 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'Summer night city' / 'Medley: Pick a bale of cotton, On top of old Smokey, Midnight special'

Shout - Tears for fears

Quite possibly the last 10" single by Tears for fears to feature on this blog, this is the legendary 'Shout', one of the band's biggest hits and also the song that I grew very tired of back in the Eighties. It is, of course, an anthemic song which I actually bought on 7" single while it was in the Dutch Top 40. 

This 10" single followed a couple of months later, when my interest in this format first started. It doesn't present much more than the 7" single, although the title track is 15 seconds longer!

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Free Record Shop, 1985
Tracks: 'Shout (full version)' / 'The big chair'

Every angel - All About Eve

Of course I have the 7" single of 'Every angel', but the 12" single offers an extended mix of the track and an extra track called 'Candy tree', which is actually one of the band's best offerings at that point in time. All About Eve often buried great tracks on 12" singles (and later CD-singles), and in fact their entire output pleased me a lot through the years.

Lead vocalist Julianne Regan confessed years ago that she couldn't take any credit for a song like 'Every angel', because such speedy little nuggets were usually the specialty of fellow band members Tim Bricheno or Andy Palmer.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, 1989
Tracks: 'Every angel (extended version)' / 'Wild flowers', 'Candy tree'

Breaking glass - David Bowie

'Breaking glass' originally appeared on David Bowie's 1977 album Low. It was co-written by Bowie, bassist George Murray and drummer Dennis Davis in September 1976. A reworked version of the song was performed live and released as the lead track on a 7-inch EP to promote his second live album, Stage in 1978. 

The EP reached number 54 on the UK singles chart in December 1978. In the US, the track "Star" was chosen as the lead track for the live EP (with 'What in the world' and 'Breaking glass' as B-sides), but failed to chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7296
Found: Record hunter, Stockholm (Sweden), 21 August 2024
Tracks: 'Breaking glass' / 'Art decade', 'Ziggy Stardust'

Heartland / Slow train to dawn - The The

In order to get people to notice the band The The, a free single was distributed in America via various channels. One of them was the record shop Tower Records, although there were also versions for Nobody Beats The Wiz, J&R Music World and Record World, apparently. 

The single presents two tracks from the album Infected; 'Heartland' and 'Slow train to dawn'. I actually noticed the existence of this single on Discogs some time ago and it was on my wantlist, but finding a copy in a record store is always better of course - it saves postage. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7295
Found: Nostalgipalatset, Stockholm (Sweden), 21 August 2024
Tracks: 'Heartland' / 'Slow train to dawn'

Vad än sker - Ann-Louise Hanson

When in Sweden, it's always nice to find something Swedish. Especially when it's connected to the Eurovision Song Contest - an event that is very close to the Swedish hearts. This single isn't particularly rare, but it is a curiosity nonetheless: it features cover versions of two Eurovision songs from 1972. 

The A-side is taken up by Ann-Louise Hanson, a Swedish singer, born 4 April 1944 in Kristianstad, singing 'Vad än sker', which is a Swedish version of 'Apres toi'. The B-side is taken up by the Glenmarks, singing 'Ler, ber och bönar', a Swedish version of 'Beg, steal or borrow'. The interesting thing is that Ann-Louise was actually married to Bruno Glenmark, one of the members of the Glenmarks, along with Karin Glenmark and herself. And so this combined single starts to make even more sense.

My collection: 7" single no. 7294
Found: Nostalgipalatset, Stockholm (Sweden), 21 August 2024
Tracks: 'Vad än sker' / 'Ler, ber och bönar'

Dansevise - "Roy" Etzel Sextet

In 1963, a truly timeless classic won the Eurovision Song Contest. It was 'Dansevise' by Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann for Denmark. It was inevitable that other artists would want to profit from the success, and so several cover versions were released.

This one is an instrumental take on the song, performed by the Roy Etzel Sextet. It takes a few liberties in the arrangement, which makes it slightly more interesting. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7292
Found: Nostalgipalatset, Stockholm (Sweden), 21 August 2024
Tracks: 'Dansevise' / 'Trompeters afsked'

Glittering prize - Simple Minds

Sometimes buying singles is just something that 'has to happen'. You scour through the boxes in a record store and nothing decent comes up. Well... almost. I found this Simple Minds single, and although I never had a deep longing to own 'Glittering Prize' on 7" single this copy looked decent enough (and, to be honest, with beautiful artwork) to take home.

The song reached number 16 in the UK singles chart, but was more successful in Australia, New Zealand and Norway, where it reached the top 10. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7291
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 17 August 2024
Tracks: 'Glittering prize' / 'Glittering prize (theme)'

Spies like us - Paul McCartney

Spies Like Us is a 1985 American spy comedy film directed by John Landis, and starring Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Forrest, and Donna Dixon. The film presents the comic adventures of two novice intelligence agents sent to the Soviet Union. 

The title song was written and performed by Paul McCartney. The recording peaked at number 7 on US Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1986; The song was McCartney's last to reach the top ten in the USA until 2015. It also reached number 13 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7290
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 17 August 2024
Tracks: 'Spies like us' / 'My carnival'

Road to your soul - All About Eve

While I was going through my All About Eve 12" singles (partly for this blog, as you have been noticing recently), I noticed that one was missing. 'Road to your soul' was released in 1989 and I bought the single just after it came out. The CD-single followed swiftly, but I never bought the 12" single. As interesting as the 'art print' seemed, there was nothing new on the disc - or so I thought.

It turns out that the 12" single actually features an extended version of 'Road to your soul', which doesn't appear on the CD-single at all. I did find out about this years ago, but it didn't prompt me to buy the disc immediately. However, I recently found out that a shop in my neighbourhood could get it for me, and so I ordered it. As it turns out, the disc is in near mint shape and the art print is still in there! I am one happy customer.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 17 August 2024
Tracks: 'Road to your soul [extended]' / 'Pieces of our heart', 'Hard Spaniard'

Ooh shooby doo doo lang - Aneka

Aneka was very successful with her debut single 'Japanese boy', but the song saddled the single up with an image that she couldn't really shake. Her second single 'Little lady' only reached number 50 in the UK singles chart.

A third single was released in early 1982. This was 'Ooh shooby doo doo lang', which told a light-hearted tale of a singer bemoaning the fact that she has been relegated to backing vocals; the lyrics go on to mention Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder and both 'Japanese boy' and 'Little lady'. The song missed the UK chart; however in Europe it gave her a third hit. After a few more unsuccessful singles, Aneka then dropped the Aneka title and continued with the folk-singing career she had begun before her fame. She has since confirmed her retirement from music, and was last known to be working as a part-time tour guide for the Scottish city of Stirling.

My collection: 7" single no. 7289
Found: Plato, Leiden, 15 August 2024
Tracks: 'Ooh shooby doo doo lang' / 'Could it last a little longer'

House of the rising sun - Frijid Pink

'House of the rising sun' is a traditional American folk song, but it was made famous by the Animals, who made it a charttopper in the UK and USA in 1964. It's the version most people probably know best.

In 1969 the Detroit band Frijid Pink recorded a psychedelic version of "House of the Rising Sun", which became an international hit in 1970. Their version was almost as successful; peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It's an interesting twist of fate that I haven't even got a copy of the Animals single yet, but this one by Frijid Pink only cost half a euro, so I couldn't leave it in the shop.

My collection: 7" single no. 7288
Found: Plato, Leiden, 15 August 2024
Tracks: 'House of the rising sun' / 'Drivin' blues'

Horse race - Mo

It was a big surprise to find a single by the band Mo that I didn't own already. I thought my collection was complete, but this was literally the first time I ever saw the single 'Horse race'. Back in 2009 when I wrote about 'Nothing's wrong' I stated that it was their last single - but I was wrong: this one is! 

Like 'Nothing's wrong', 'Horse race' is taken from Mo's final album Stop Staring, released in 1984. Apparently a 12" single of 'Asia' was released a few months ago, but it is now impossible to find a copy. After all these years, the band hasn't been forgotten.

My collection: 7" single no. 7286
Found: Plato, Leiden, 15 August 2024
Tracks: 'Horse race' / 'In love there's pain'

Egyptian reggae - Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers

It's no wonder, I guess, that I never really knew who recorded 'Egyptian reggae', because who could remember the band name 'Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers'? So I was lucky to find this single by chance, after many years subconsciously searching for it. 

In the 1970s, Jonathan Richman experiments with different musical styles. Inspired by North African and reggae music, he comes up with this instrumental song, which he records together with the band The Modern Lovers. Although Richman initially claimed to have written the song himself, he later retracted this. The song has very strong similarities to Jamaican musician Earl Zero's 1973 hit 'None shall escape the judgement'. In reissues of 'Egyptian reggae', Zero is explicitly credited as co-writer of the song. Not on this original single from 1977, though!

My collection: 7" single no. 7285
Found: Record fair, Leiden, 15 August 2024
Tracks: 'Egyptian reggae' / 'Rollercoaster by the sea'

Face to face - Real life

The band Real life is best known for their hit 'Send me an angel'. Some years ago I bought the 88 version of that track, and I thought that would be the last of their singles I'd ever buy. But I was tempted yet again by a red vinyl single, and I guess you can't go very wrong with an Eighties band anyway.

'Face to face' was released in 1985 as the first single from the Australian band's second album 'Flame'. It reached number 32 in the Australian singles chart, and the red vinyl version also helped them get to number 52 in the German singles chart. Elsewhere this single remained unnoticed. The band soldiered on until 1990 without a lot of success. Later reunions didn't come with any chart success either.

My collection: 7" single no. 7284
Found: Record fair, Leiden, 15 August 2024
Tracks: 'Face to face' / 'Flame (instrumental)'

Martha's harbour - All About Eve

All About Eve were very busy after releasing their debut album. Having already released a few singles in advance, the singles kept coming after the album was out, and in various formats too. Their best known single 'Martha's harbour' wasn't just released on CD-single, 7" and 12", a special edition of the 12" single came in a box and featured a large colour poster and two exclusive live tracks.

You could say it's a nightmare for collectors, but all these years later it's still a major joy to look back and go through all these different versions.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, 1989
Tracks: 'Martha's harbour', 'Another door' / 'In the clouds (live)', 'Shelter from the rain (live)'

Augustin - Siw Malmkvist

There's something odd about the sleeve of this single. With Siw & Lilian Malmkvist prominently on it with their names above, the song 'Augustin' seems to have been recorded by both. But upon further inspection it becomes clear that the sisters only recorded the two songs on the B-side of this EP, and Siw Malmkvist actually sings 'Augustin' on her own.

'Augustin' is of course a cover version of Sweden's 1959 entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, originally performed by Brita Borg. Which should tell you all you need to know why I wanted to have this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7281
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2024
Tracks: 'Augustin', 'Det Är Min Melodi' / 'Cocktail Tango', 'Nya Fågelsången'

Not the only one - Fiction Factory

Fiction Factory were very successful with their debut album and the hit single '(Feels like) Heaven'. They toured Europe as support for OMD, but the same year Eddie Jordan, Graham McGregor and Mike Ogletree departed from the band, leaving Kevin Patterson and Chic Medley to record the next studio album with session musicians, including keyboardist Paul Wishart and brothers Graham and Neil Weir of OMD. The first single from the second album Another Story was 'Not the only one'. Unlike the previous singles, this one didn't chart at all. 

This copy of the single was made in Germany. The disc has a label saying 'Ungeprüftes muster / Unverkäuflich', which means basically that it is some sort of promotional single. It's a nice find.

My collection: 7" single no. 7282
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2024
Tracks: 'Not the only one' / 'Let me be a part'

Les illusions de nos 20 ans - Peter, Sue & Marc

'Les illusions de nos vingt ans' was the Swiss entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 in Dublin performed by Peter, Sue and Marc. This was the first of four attempts at the contest for the trio, and they became the first group to ever perform at Eurovision with the allowance of groups no more than six people on stage. The song finished in 12th place in a field of 18 competitors.

While the other efforts of the trio were pretty easy to find - especially 'Io senza te' which pops up in many a second hand shop in Europe - this single is a rarity. I was happy to finally find a copy online. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7280
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2024
Tracks: 'Les illusions de nos 20 ans' / 'Legende de mon pays'