Another man - One 2 Many

The band One 2 Many consisted of Dag Kolsrud (keyboard), Camilla Griehsel (vocals) and Jan Gisle Ytterdal (guitar). They formed in Norway in the mid-eighties and signed to A&M Records. Their debut album 'Mirror' spawned four singles, of which 'Another man' was the second. The single did less well than the debut single 'Downtown', which became a hit in various territories. 'Another man' didn't chart outside of Scandinavia.

The 12" single contains only an instrumental version of 'Another man', no further remixes. But the sleeve alone would persuade many men to buy it. Including me.

My collection: 12" single no. 410

Found: Record Exchange, London, 2002

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Another man' / 'You're the reason', 'Another man (instrumental)'

Download: here

When love breaks down - Prefab Sprout

'When love breaks down' was released four times by CBS Records before it finally reached the UK Singles chart in November 1985. And even then it managed to peak at number 25. Why it was so difficult for this single to become a hit, I'll never understand. The record company did their best, anyway. There are several different sleeves around for this single, and the double single which I found recently should also have helped. It includes four tracks spread over two discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 3465

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 29, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'When love breaks down' / 'Diana' // 'The yearning loins' / 'Donna Summer'

Download: here

Winter song - Angel

The American heavy metal band Angel always dressed in white. They were discovered by Kiss's Gene Simmons and were signed to their record label Casablanca. Angel never achieved mass commercial success but did get a cult following. Their single 'Winter song' was released in early 1978 and reached no. 20 in the Netherlands. One thing is obvious: this band ain't so tough. They recorded 'Winter song' with the California Boys Choir...

My collection: 7" single no. 2600

Found: Grammofoonplatenwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Winter song' / 'Can you feel it'

Download: Album 'An Anthology', including both tracks

Telegraph - OMD

'Telegraph' was the second single taken from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1983 album 'Dazzle Ships'. After the success of 'Maid of Orleans' a year earlier, the singles from 'Dazzle Ships' did considerably worse. 'Genetic engineering' only made no. 20 in the UK singles chart, while this single only reached no. 42.

When I see that Esprit Mailorder is currently selling this picture disc for almost 13 euros, I'm glad I found my copy last weekend for a quarter of that price.

My collection: 7" single no. 3509

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Telegraph' / '66 and fading'

Download: here

Why? - Bronski Beat

Bronski Beat released 'Why?' as the follow-up single to 'Smalltown boy'. The song was recorded at RPM Studios, New York City and pursued an energetic musical formula. The lyrics focused more centrally on anti-gay prejudice. It became the trio's second Top 10 success in the UK and the Netherlands, peaking at number 6 in the former and number 2 in the latter. These days it is still considered to be a popular gay anthem.

My collection: 7" single no. 2126

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Why?' / 'Cadillac car'

Download: here

The wild places - Duncan Browne

Duncan Browne was born on March 25, 1947. Together with Peter Godwin he formed the band Metro in the mid-70s. In 1978, he released his solo album 'The Wild Places'. Having had a hit in the UK in 1972 with 'Journey', much was expected from the title track, but surprisingly, it was only a hit in the Netherlands. Duncan Browne died of cancer on May 28, 1993.

I found the picture disc in 1989 in London. Contrary to a previous copy I had, pressed in Holland, this picture disc features an edited version of 'The wild places'. I didn't know this when I bought this single - the fact that this was a picture disc was reason enough for me.

My collection: 7" single no. 87

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'The wild places' / 'Camino Real parts 2 & 3'

Download: here

The sweetest taboo - Sade

Sade released their second album 'Promise' in 1985, after the very successful debut album 'Diamond life'. The 'difficult second album' syndrome didn't apply to the band: the second album did just as well as its predecessor.

Lead single was the catchy 'The Sweetest Taboo'. The 12" single featured an extended mix of the track, which kept the tension of the original version intact. I loved the single, so I bought the 12" single pretty soon afterward. It's strange that the extended versions of Sade have never been released on cd.

My collection: 12" single no. 22

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 14,95 guilders

Tracks: 'The sweetest taboo (extended version)' / 'You're not the man'

Download: here

Chain reaction - Diana Ross

Diana Ross employed a few big names for her 1985 album 'Eaten alive'. All of the songs were written by the Bee Gees, while the title track was written by Michael Jackson - and he provided backing vocals too. 'Chain reaction' was Ross's first number one hit in the UK since 'I'm still waiting' (1971). According to the Gibbs biography, the brothers had initial reservations about offering the song to Diana in case it was too Motown for her.

In 2001, the British pop group Steps recorded a cover version of 'Chain reaction', which made it to no. 2 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3502

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Chain reaction' / 'More and more'

Download: Album 'Eaten alive', including both tracks

Love pains - Liza Minelli

Liza Minelli recorded an album with the Pet Shop Boys entitled 'Results' in 1989. From this album, four singles were drawn. This was the third one: 'Love pains', a cover version of a song performed previously by Yvonne Elliman in 1982. Steve 'Silk' Hurley was commissioned to create several mixes for 'Love pains', all of which were released on this American 12" single.

As a fan of the Pet Shop Boys, it's easy to like Liza Minelli's 'Results' album. And once I bought that album, I had to have the singles and remixes as well. I found my copy during a holiday in London.

My collection: 12" single no. 283

Found: Record Exchange, London, 1994

Cost: 6 pounds

Tracks: 'Love pains (Hurley's Remix)', 'Love pains (Hurley's Radio Edit)', 'Love pains (Hurley's Instrumental)' / 'Love pains (Deep House Pains)', 'Love pains (Deep Dub)'

Download: here

Tragedy - John Hunter

From what little I have found on the web, I can gather that John Hunter used to be a member of the American band The Hounds, before he released his solo album 'Tragedy'. From that album comes this single, the title track.

I bought this single in 1984 soon after I heard it often on local radio. They were playing it before it became a hit - the only problem was that it didn't become a hit. And it didn't become a hit in the UK, either. These days, John Hunter has faded into anonymity, but when you hear this you have to wonder why.

My collection: 7" single no. 275

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Tragedy' / 'Aphrodisia here'

Download: here

Chenko - Red Box

Simon Toulson-Clarke formed his first band at age thirteen with school friend Paddy Talbot, playing covers of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple as well as some self-penned material. On leaving school he moved to Middlesborough and formed another band in the vein of the New York Dolls. In the late Seventies he went to study at The Polytechnic of Central London, where he formed a band with Julian Close. This band took on the name Red Box after a while and included further band members Paddy Talbot, Rob Legge and Martin Nickson. The group released their debut single 'Chenko' on the Cherry Red label in 1983.

I bought the single in 1996, after having collected all the later releases on WEA Records. This version is very different from the one that ended up on their 1986 debut album 'The circle and the square', which makes it all the more interesting.

My collection: 7" single no. 2783

Found: London, November 1, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Chenko' / 'Valley'

Download: here

Ain't no sunshine - Michael Jackson

'Ain't no sunshine' is best known by most people in the version of Bill Withers. A young Michael Jackson recorded his version in the summer of 1972 and had a hit with it too. Despite his age (Michael was only 13 years oid when he recorded this), the song is performed in a believable way.

I actually didn't know Michael Jackson's version until I bought this single, which is pretty recently.

My collection: 7" single no. 3505

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshine' / 'In our small way'

Download: here

Dreaming - Blondie

'Dreaming' was the lead single from Blondie's fourth album 'Eat to the beat'. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, but did less well in other territories. In their homeland America, it stalled at no. 27.

Personally, I felt this was one of Blondie's best tracks when it came out. During a holiday in Paris, this single was the one I requested from my parents as a souvenir. And that is why to this day I own a French pressing of this single...

My collection: 7" single no. 30

Found: Paris, 1979

Cost: nothing (present)

Tracks: 'Dreaming' / 'Sound asleep'

Download: here

I have a dream - Abba

'I have a dream' was released in December 1979, but it wasn't a Christmas song. Still, the European sleeve of the single states that it is a 'Special Christmas Souvenir edition'. It may have originated from the 'Special Souvenir edition' pictured here. The folded sleeve, released in the UK, contains a special statement from the members of the band, saying that 'November 1979 will always be full of fond memories of our UK tour. Releasing this single gives us the opportunity to thank the thousands of you who made our visit so memorable. In 1979, The Year Of The Child, 'I have a dream' had a special meaning for us and enabled us to perform the song with choirs of British schoolchildren who joined us on stage each night.'

Together with a live recording of 'Take a chance on me' as performed in Wembley, London, this single was not so much a Christmas Souvenir as a UK Tour souvenir.

My collection: 7" single no. 3245

Found: London, 2000

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I have a dream' / 'Take a chance on me (live)'

Download: here

I've been to a marvellous party - The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy contributed a cover version of Noel Coward's 'I've been to a marvellous party' to the 1998 compilation album 'Twentieth Century Blues' to benefit the Red Hot AIDS Charitable Trust. Subsequently, the track was remixed by Trouser Enthusiasts, Sharp South Park, Floorgazm and Pink Noise for a promotional 12" single release, which was never made available commercially. As such, this 12" set was hard to come by.

Having become a fan of the remixes by Trouser Enthusiasts, it didn't take me long to order the set up from England. Within a week I was the proud owner of this set, which, aside from that Trouser Enthusiasts remix, consists mainly of loud bouncing noises...

My collection: 12" single no. 399

Found: Esprit Mail Order, UK, 1999

Cost: 15 pounds

Tracks: 'I've been to a marvellous party (Trouser Enthusiasts Formaldehyde Spritzer mix)' / 'I've been to a marvellous party (Sharp South Park Remix)' // 'I've been to a marvellous party (Floorgazm remix)' / 'I've been to a marvellous party (Pink Noise remix)'

Download: here

Bad times - Ellis Beggs and Howard

After Kajagoogoo split in 1986, bassist Nick Beggs started to work with several other musicians. He formed Ellis Beggs & Howard in March 1987, together with Simon Ellis and Austin Howard. They quickly found success in Europe, thanks to debut single 'Big bubbles, no troubles'. This single, 'Bad times', was the second single, which failed to make any impact in the charts. The album 'Homelands' underwent a similar fate.

My collection: 7" single no. 3513

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Bad times' / 'One tongue'

Download: here

Carmen Brasilia - Bob Callaghan and co.

This single was released in 1972 at the same time as other versions of 'Carmen Brasilia' by Anarchic System and Revolution System. The Moog synthesizer was getting popular under the influence of Gershon Kingsley's 'Popcorn' tune. Like the other versions, 'Carmen Brasilia' is an instrumental track, performed on a Moog synthesizer, based on the most famous part of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The B-side of this single is based on the old traditional 'Amazing grace'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3501

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Carmen Brasilia' / 'Il gabbiano infelice'

Download: Album 'Instrumental Moog Synthesizer', including both tracks

Highly Strung - Spandau Ballet

Just like on previous 12" single 'I'll fly for you', Spandau Ballet fans got their money's worth when they got the 12" single of 'Highly Strung': it contained two remixes of that track. The A-side was called 'Highly Re-Strung' and on the B-side there was an extended version of 'Highly Strung'. It was the third single taken from their million-selling album 'Parade', which would be their last album on the Chrysalis label. 'Highly strung' reached number 15 in the UK singles chart.

I bought this 12" single yesterday during a shopping spree in Amsterdam. It's good to know that old vinyl is still on the market when you know where to look.

My collection: 12" single no. 473
Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Highly re-strung' / 'Highly strung (extended version)'

Cheers then - Bananarama

'Cheers Then' appeared on Bananarama's debut album 'Deep Sea Skiving' and was released as the third single in December 1983. After having had three consecutive top-ten hits, 'Cheers Then' peaked at a disappointing number 45 in the UK singles chart.

The music video was a recreation of the musical film The Sound of Music. The girls re-enact many of the scenes from the film, including the step-jumping scene for 'Do-Re-Mi' and running in the hills.

My collection: 7" single no. 2565

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, November 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Cheers then' / 'Girl about town'

Download: here

Hello friend - Chris Rea

Chris Rea has made some beautiful music during the course of this 30 year career. Recently there have been rumours of him retreating from the music scene, but he is still at it. In 1986, he released the album 'On the beach', from which this single, 'Hello friend' was taken. 'Driving home for Christmas', which would be released as a single on its own in 1988, makes its first appearance here on the B-side of the single. But there was more: the copy I bought in London in 1994 featured a second single with two lengthy live tracks, recorded in Montreux.

In August 2008, it was reported that Rea had donated 25,000 pounds to the Conservative Party. Fortunately, he's got more knowledge about making music than he has about politics.

My collection: 7" single no. 2185

Found: London, September 28, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Hello friend' / 'Driving home for Christmas' // 'It's all gone (live)' / 'Steel river (live)'

Download: here