Off the wall - Michael Jackson

'Off the Wall' was the second single released from Michael Jackson's 1979 album of the same name. The track, composed by Rod Temperton, became Jackson's second top 10 single from the album, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part two of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3523
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Off the wall' / 'Working day and night'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Don't stop 'til you get enough - Michael Jackson

'Don't stop 'til you get enough' was the lead single from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. The song was written and composed by Jackson himself and produced by Quincy Jones. It went to number 1 in charts all over the world, including USA, UK and the Netherlands. The track also earned Jackson his first solo Grammy Award for 'Best R&B vocal performance'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part one of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3522
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop 'til you get enough' / 'I can't help it'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Be near me - ABC

ABC had reasonable success with this single, reaching no. 25 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1985. 'Be near me' by ABC was released as a double single in a strictly limited edition. The second single contained remixes of two of ABC's biggest hits from 1982: 'Poison arrow' and 'The look of love'. Previously released as DJ remixes in the USA, those 12" singles were changing hands on the black market for vastly inflated prices - or so the sleeve of this double single claims - and so the record company decided to release them on this double single.

For some time, the - frankly wonderful - remix of 'Poison arrow' was played regularly on local radio in my hometown, and I started searching for this double single. I was overjoyed when I finally saw it and had the opportunity to buy it. I regarded it as a crown jewel in my record collection. In a way, I still do.

My collection: 7" single no. 350

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 14,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Be near me' / 'A to Z' // 'Poison arrow (US remix)' / 'The look of love (US remix)'

Download: here

Nothing's wrong - Mo

The first incarnation of Mo consisted of Clemens and Huub de Lange with Harm Bieger and singer Heili Helder. The group split up in 1981, but Harm Bieger set up a new line-up, consisting of himself, Hans Niewint, Ton van der meer and Linda Bloemhard. The second line-up released two more albums and a handful of singles.

'Nothing's wrong' was the last single released by Mo. It is a slightly melancholy song, which failed to make any chart impact. Unfortunately, the band then folded for good. Mo is still one of the best Dutch bands ever.

My collection: 7" single no. 3515

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Nothing's wrong' / 'Beat the computer'

Download: here

The rhythm divine - Yello and Shirley Bassey

The lyric of 'The rhythm divine' was written by Billy MacKenzie, from the Associates. No wonder, then, that it stands out from Yello's repertoire as a more melodic and passionate song. The lead vocals were performed by Shirley Bassey, which made the track even more memorable.

I got the single as a birthday present from my sister in August 1987. Not long after that the cd-single became the third cd-single I ever bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 561

Found: Birthday present

Cost: nothing

Tracks: 'The rhythm divine' / 'Dr. Van Steiner'

Download: here

Mmm mmm mmm mmm - Crash test dummies

One of the strangest song titles ever has to be 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm'. The Canadian band Crash test dummies had a big hit with this in 1994. It peaked at no. 2 in the UK and no. 4 in the Netherlands. I even went to a concert by this band during that year, because Sarah McLachlan was opening for them (!). During this concert I realised that the Crash test dummies would never have a hit again, because all their other material was so similar. Lead singer Brad Roberts commented during this concert that he stuck with the demo's lyric 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' because the alternative, 'fucking shi-it' didn't sound so commercial.

In a 1994 essay in which he makes the case that modern life is better than life in the past, humorist P.J. O'Rourke wrote 'Even the bad things are better than they used to be. Bad music, for instance, has gotten much briefer. Wagner's Ring Cycle takes four days to perform while 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm' by the Crash Test Dummies lasts little more than three minutes.' Still, I think the music in this track is nothing short of beautiful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2666
Found: Record fair, Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' / 'Here I stand before me'
Download: Album 'God shuffled his feet', including both tracks

Soul Dracula - Hot blood

There is a bad disco song for every occasion, I read somewhere on the web, and I think that's true. Take the lyrics of this single for example: 'Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Do it little baby, hahahaha / Ah, do it / Do it / Hahahahaha / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Hot Blood / Haha More More Hahahahaha / Oh, more / Hahahahaha / Hahahahaha'.

With screaming girls in the background and the 'scary' laugh of the lead vocal this song scared me out of my wits as a child. Nowadays, you just have to giggle when you hear this. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a copy with the original picture sleeve (featuring a drawing of a dracula-type vampire), so I made do with this English disc when I found it. Oh, and this was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands in 1977, would you believe....

My collection: 7" single no. 3079

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Soul Dracula' / 'Dracula's theme'

Download: here

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track from Alphaville's 1984 debut album. Originally a ballad, the 12" single contains a special dance version that changes the song into a dance anthem. Quite a feat for those early days of the twelve inch remix. The track has since been covered by artists such as Laura Branigan, Interactive, Sara Burnett and Youth Group, who had a hit with it in Australia in 2006.

The B-side track 'Welcome to the sun' is a beautifully understated ballad, well worth a listen. And that doesn't happen much to B-side tracks.

My collection: 12" single no. 83
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young (Special dance version)' / 'Forever young', 'Welcome to the sun'
Download: here

Special lady - Ray, Goodman and Brown

Harry Ray, Al Goodman and William Brown worked together as 'The Moments' until 1980, when they switched record companies. They started recording as Ray, Goodman & Brown and their first single, 'Special lady' was an immediate hit. It reached number 1 on the American R&B chart and number 5 on the pop chart. In the Netherlands, they reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. But strangely enough, the single didn't chart in the UK.

I bought this single in Rotterdam, where I was to see Janet Jackson live in concert that night. I'd say this song has a more enduring quality.

My collection: 7" single no. 2254

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, March 22, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Special lady' / 'Deja vu'

Download: here

I'm gonna shoot the deejay - The Press

I wonder if a song like 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' ("'cause he won't play my tunes") would be allowed these days on any record or radio show, under the new anti-terrorism laws. Even a verbal threat is reason enough to have you shipped off to Guantanamo Bay these days. But in 1980, it wasn't a problem. At least, in the Netherlands: The Press reached no. 13 in the Dutch Top 40 in August 1980. The Press were formed in the Netherlands by Rene Innemee, Michel Nita, Floor Minnaert, John Coenen, Walter Nita and Willy Bronzwaer. They were previously active as The Walkers, but they assumed the new band name in 1980 for this single and the album 'Press here'. In 1981, they had another hit, 'Cantara pepe', and after that the band quit.

My collection: 7" single no. 3396

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' / 'Meet the press'

Download: here

It's going to happen! - The Undertones

The Undertones formed in Derry in 1976. Members were John O'Neill, Diamian O'Neill, Michael Bradley, Billy Doherty and Feargal Sharkey. They released four albums between 1979 and 1983, of which 'Positive touch' (1981) was the third. This album contained the single 'It's going to happen'.

'It's going to happen!' is the only song by the Undertones that made it to the lower regions of the Dutch charts. Other singles fared pretty well in the UK, but outside of the UK they were pretty unknown. Singer Feargal Sharkey left the band in 1983, to pursue a more successful solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 3024

Found: September 19, 1998

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'It's going to happen!' / 'Fairly in the money now'

Download: Album 'Positive touch', including both tracks (password: hangoverhard.blogspot.com)

I'm alive - Electric Light Orchestra

Taken from the soundtrack of the movie Xanadu, this track by Electric Light Orchestra sound kindof familiar. It is almost a pastiche of earlier Electric Light Orchestra tracks. It was the second single taken from the soundtrack, after the title track 'Xanadu' (with Olivia Newton-John) had been a big hit all over Europe. By comparison, this single fared less well.

The film's version of the song contains a fairly lengthy instrumental introduction, a small segment of which is used for the album and single versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 3516

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I'm alive' / 'Drum dreams'

Download: Album 'Xanadu' (with bonus tracks), including both tracks

Whenever you need somebody - Rick Astley

'Whenever you need somebody' was Rick Astley's second single. It followed up his debut single 'Never gonna give you up', which was a worldwide number one hit. Expectations were high, and they were met. This too was a top three hit in the UK.

I bought this picture disc single together with that other single when I was completing the collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3498
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Whenever you need somebody' / 'Just good friends'
Download: here

Arrival - Mike Oldfield

'Arrival' was composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from Abba, and recorded on their album of the same name. Mike Oldfield covered the track for his 1980 album 'QE2'. When 'Arrival' was released as a single, Oldfield created a parody of the Abba album sleeve, posing in his own Agusta Bell 47G helicopter.

Oldfield is good at making music, but unfortunately his opinions are less gifted. In 2007 he criticized Britain for being too controlling and overprotective, specifically concentrating on the smoking ban which England and Wales introduced that year. As if the world should make way for an addiction.

My collection: 7" single no. 3203

Found: Record fair, September 30, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Arrival' / 'Polka (live)'

Download: here

Another weekend - Five star

Five Star returned in 1988 with a raunchier image for their fourth album, 'Rock the world'. They'd had big success with their three previous albums, but they felt that they'd gone as far as they could with the sound they'd had ever since their debut. 'Another weekend' reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, but it also signalled the end of their three year reign of the charts: further singles couldn't equal their previous successes.

Since I have most of Five Star's 12" singles, I was happy to find this one. It almost completes my collection - but I will obviously write about the other ones on this blog later.

My collection: 12" single no. 479

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Another weekend (Friday Night mix)' / 'Another weekend (Friday Night Dub mix)', 'The mews'

Download: here

Doot doot - Freur

Freur was formed in the early 1980s in Cardiff, Wales by Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, Alfie Thomas, John Warwicker and Bryn Burrows. In 1983 they got a contract with CBS Records. Originally the band's name was a graphic squiggle (see also the sleeve pictured here), but the label insisted on a pronounceable name. Thus Freur was chosen as the band name.

Their first single 'Doot doot' was their only hit, although it only peaked at no. 59 in the UK singles chart. The extended version of 'Doot doot' was a great find. I bought the 7" single soon after it came out, but this 12" only turned up a decade later.

My collection: 12" single no. 154

Found: Record fair, 1992

Cost: [unknown]

Tracks: 'Doot doot (special extended 12" mix)' / 'Hold me mother'

Download: here

Situation (remix) - Yazoo

Yazoo has always fascinated the eighties techno generation. Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet only recorded two albums together in the early eighties before going their separate ways. Since then, there have been many compilation albums. Sometimes these compilations were promoted with remixed singles, such as this one. The 1990 'Deadline mix' is an uncredited remix which tries to update the sound to 1990. Remixes are always interesting to me when I like a song enough. In this case, my verdict is undecided.

My collection: 7" single no. 2312

Found: Record fair, Leiden, May 27, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Situation (Deadline mix - edit)' / 'State farm (Madhouse mix - edit)'

Download: here

Torch songs for the heroine - Peter Godwin

One of the tracks on 'Dance emotions' is an extended version of 'Torch songs'. The single was released in 1981 under the title 'Torch songs for the heroine'. The single version and the ballad version (on the B-side) were both produced by Midge Ure, which explains the romantic, almost metallic, dreamy Ultravoxesque sound of this.

I bought this single because his later singles 'Emotional disguise' and 'Images of heaven' were so good. I never liked this single much until recently. Sometimes, like wine, music needs to wait a while before being appreciated fully.

My collection: 7" single no. 1906

Found: Groningen, May 15, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Torch songs for the heroine' / 'Torch songs for the heroine (Ballad version)'

Download: here

Flowers in December - Mazzy Star

I got to know Mazzy Star when they released 'Fade into you' (1994), a beautiful dreamy pop song. It was the group's biggest hit, peaking at no. 48 in the UK singles chart, until they released this single. 'Flowers in December' was released in 1996 and peaked at no. 40. In the Netherlands, they remained totally unknown.

I bought this single on the strength of 'Fade into you', hoping that this song would be equally wonderful. In short: it is.

My collection: 7" single no. 2777

Found: HMV, London, October 31, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Flowers in December' / 'Tell your honey', 'Hair and skin'

Download: here

Beetlebum - Blur

Like 'The day before yesterday's man', I bought this single during a weekend trip to London. It was a colourful buy, because where the other single was pressed on yellow vinyl, this one was released on orange vinyl. I knew 'Beetlebum' already before I went to London, so it was great being able to buy this single.

'Beetlebum' was Blur's second number 1 single in the UK. It is believed that the song is about the experiences with drugs singer Damon Albarn had with his then-girlfriend, Justine Frischmann (from the band Elastica). Albarn has stated in an interview with MTV that the song describes a complicated emotion, sort of 'sleepy' and sort of 'sexy'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2836

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, February 9, 1997

Cost: 2,29 pounds

Tracks: 'Beetlebum' / 'Woodpigeon song'

Download: here