Blue world - The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues were in the business forever, it seemed. I grew up with the fact that 'Nights in white satin' was an old classic song from before I was born. Still, there they were in 1983 with a new album. I was never really impressed with those old-timer songs (I grew to appreciate old recordings when I was older) but the new single 'Blue world' made a big impression on me. I couldn't understand why it didn't make the Dutch Top 40. Meanwhile, it was a modest hit in the UK, making number 35 in the singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1892
Found: May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Track: 'Blue world' / 'Going nowhere'

Black stations white stations - Martha and the Muffins

Martha and the Muffins's 1984 album 'Mystery walk' featured a sticker crediting the band as 'M + M o/k/a (once known as) Martha and The Muffins'. The album was produced with Daniel Lanois. The album gave the band - whatever they were called then - their biggest hit in years in their native Canada. 'Black Stations/White Stations' was an anti-racist anthem whose first verse took radio stations to task for refusing to play a song about mixed-race romance, a story that Martha Johnson had heard related on the radio while driving in her car.

I remember I was really intrigued by this song in 1984, especially because of the interesting video. When I bought the single years later, the song was not as special as I'd remembered.

My collection: 7" single no. 2607

Found: January 27, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Black stations/White stations' / 'Xoa Oho'

Download: here

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley has to be one of the biggest hits of 2006. It was a number one hit in the UK for nine weeks, until the band and their record company decided to remove the single from the stores so that people would 'remember the song fondly and not get sick of it'.

Of course in 2006 cd-singles and digital downloads were much popular than 7" vinyl singles, which is why I was pleasantly surprised to find this 7" picture disc during a visit to London's HMV store. I bought it on the spot.

My collection: 7" single no. 3437

Found: HMV, London, 2006

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Crazy' / 'Just a thought'

Download: Album 'St. Elsewhere', including both tracks

History never repeats - Split Enz

There aren't that many records around that were laser etched. A&M Records introduced the laser etched records with Split Enz's 1980 album, 'True colours'. They hoped that laser-etching would lead to economical protection from unauthorized copying of its products. Subsequently, the singles 'I hope I never' and 'History never repeats' were also released on laser etched vinyl.

I found this single in a second hand shop and bought it, despite the fact that the previous owner had blacked out the label of the etched A-side with a black marker. It was a shame, but on the other hand, I never saw this single again, so sometimes even a damaged item is worth having. As for the music: the word Beatles-esque comes to mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 1243

Found: Den Haag, June 9, 1990

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'History never repeats' / 'What's the matter with you'

Download: Album 'History never repeats: the best of Split Enz', including both tracks

Doctor, doctor - Baba and Roody

The couple responsible for the curious song 'Hacka-Tacka music' tried to have another hit with this second single, 'Doctor, doctor'. It's a reggae music version of the 'playing doctor' rites that children go through at an early age. By then, it was obvious that the couple were playing on the funny/sexy market, and the audience literally didn't buy it.

As for me, it was curiosity more than anything. The first single had managed to make me laugh quite a lot, and so I expected something from this one. But as always, the sequel disappointed.

My collection: 7" single no. 3216

Found: October 12, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Doctor, doctor' / 'Docteur, venez ausculter mon coeur'

Download: here

Love is a battlefield - Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar asked Mike Chapman to write her a hit song. He worked with his songwriting partner Holly Knight to come up with 'Love is a battlefield'. The song, which was included on Benatar's album 'Live from earth', was promoted with a powerful video, in which she played a teenage runaway. This video was on high rotation on television back in 1984.

The song was a number one hit in the Netherlands. I soon found out that the 7" single featured a heavily edited version of the song, so I opted for the 12" single. It was one of the first 12" singles I ever bought - but rightfully so: the extended version is much better.

My collection: 12" single no. 3

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 14,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Love is a battlefield (extended version)' / 'Hell is for children (live)', 'Love is a battlefield (instrumental)'

Download: here (password: DjPaulT )

Non ho l'eta per amarti - Gigliola Cinquetti

Gigliola Cinquetti was born on December 20, 1947 in Verona, Italy. She won the 1964 San Remo festival singing 'Non ho l'eta per amarti' ('I'm not old enough to love you'). As was usual for Italy, the winner of the San Remo festival also represented the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. She won this contest as well, making it the first ever victory for Italy in Eurovision. What's more, the single made no. 17 in the UK singles chart, usually a no-go area for Italian music. In the Netherlands, it reached number three.

The single which I bought recently was made in Belgium, but only states that Cinquetti was '1st price Festival SAN REMO'. Presumably the sleeve was created after an Italian original.

My collection: 7" single no. 3503

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Non ho l'eta per amarti' / 'Sei un bravo ragazzo'

Download: here

Eenvoud - Goede Doel (het)

Sometimes within a blog one has to push its boundaries. One of the boundaries I had set in the beginning was that I wasn't going to discuss music in Dutch. After all, no-one understands this language, and more often than not the quality of Dutch-language music leaves a lot to be desired. But then I thought: I only buy the good stuff, and there are more strange languages on this blog (like for instance Turkish, Italian and Spanish). So here goes...

The group Het Goede Doel ('The good cause') hails from Utrecht, one of the four biggest cities of the Netherlands. Their seventh single was 'Eenvoud' ('Simplicity'), containing the recurring like 'Alles draait om de eenvoud' ('Everything revolves around simplicity'). With its powerful music it is one of the more energetic songs of 1983. It reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3514

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Eenvoud' / 'Simpel'

Download: here

Shy boy - Bananarama

Bananarama's first single without the Fun Boy Three (with whom they recorded 'It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it' and 'Really saying something') was this single: 'Shy boy'. It was another top 5 hit for them in the UK, and it reached number 12 in the Netherlands. It was taken from their debut album 'Deap sea skiving', which was full of cheerful pop tunes. The B-side was called 'Don't call us', but appeared on the album as 'Boy trouble'.

I bought this single recently, realising what fun the music of these three girls was in the first half of the eighties. When they hooked up with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, it all became more serious and less bubbly.

My collection: 7" single no. 3510

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Shy boy' / 'Don't call us'

Download: Album 'Deep sea skiving', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Moonlight and muzak - M

Although 'Popmuzik' was his biggest hit, 'Moonlight and muzak' was the song that always intrigued me more. The mysterious sound, the understated vocals and the angelic background vocal were very appealing to me. A lot of people didn't agree: whereas the former made number 2 in the UK, the latter only reached number 33. In the Netherlands, it didn't go any better: a number 3 for 'Popmuzik' and number 12 for 'Moonlight and muzak'.

My collection: 7" single no. 558

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Moonlight and muzak' / 'Woman make man'

Download: here

All fall down - Five Star

'All fall down' was Five Star's first hit in the Netherlands in the summer of 1985. They were described as the UK's new supergroup. I don't know, to me the five youngsters didn't seem that remarkable. The song was not so good either. It was only later, when I started liking their singles, that I thought I might as well buy their earlier pop songs. Most Five Star tracks follow a formula: it's a catchy rhythm, a nice melody and unremarkable lyrics. But that's pleasant every once in a while.

My collection: 12" single no. 461

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2004

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'All fall down [extended]' / 'All fall down (instrumental)', 'First Avenue'

Download: here

Your love is king - Sade

Sade's debut single 'Your love is king' made me shout out 'boring!' every time I saw it on TV. This was during the time when I was watching Music Box and Sky Channel on a daily basis. Her second single, 'When am I going to make a living' interested me more, and gradually I got into Sade. At some point I decided I wanted to have the first single as well, and it sounded a lot less boring by that time. So eventually I even got the 12" single.

Some will be surprised to find 'Smooth operator' on the B-side of this. It is actually a version that is very alike the album version on Sade's debut album 'Diamond life', but the instrumental track that follows immediately after that, 'Snake bite', is a one time thing. It was never released anywhere else, except on this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 483

Found: 2001

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Your love is king' / 'Smooth operator', 'Snake bite', 'Love affair with life (recorded live)'

Download: here

'cause cheap is how I feel - Cowboy Junkies

The Canadian band Cowboy Junkies were formed in 1985 by Michael, Margo and Peter Timmins with Alan Anton. They have always been popular in Canada, but were unable to gain popularity in other territories.

I heard about the band when I hung out with some friends in the early nineties who were very into alternative music. Artists like Tori Amos, Happy Rhodes, Sarah McLachlan, Cocteau Twins and the like filled the room when we were together. I picked up this single because I liked the song a lot, but I never pursued the band any further.

My collection: 7" single no. 1612

Found: March 28, 1992

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: ''cause cheap is how I feel' / 'Thirty summers'

Download: Album 'Caution horses', including both tracks

This world of water - New Musik

New Musik was an English synthpop group, formed in 1979 in London by Tony Mansfield, Clive Gates and Cliff Venner. Their debut album 'From A to B' contained four hit singles, of which 'This world of water' was the only one to reach the Dutch Top 40, peaking at no. 30 in the summer of 1980. This is also how I found out about the band. Now, decades later, I can say that I own all of their singles. But this one was the first that I bought!

My collection: 7" single no. 911

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'This world of water' / 'Missing persons', 'Tell me something new'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

So this is the 12" single I found almost a quarter of a century after it was released. I didn't even know this version existed, but when I saw this record I was very excited. The original song is exciting enough, but an eight minute extended version would be even better. This 12" single delivers on all fronts: it's got a different sleeve, the remix is fantastic and the quality of the vinyl, like most discs from RAK records, is excellent.

My collection: 12" single no. 315

Found: Record fair, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong [extended]' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

I got to know the group Exile because of their hit ballad 'Kiss you all over'. When shortly afterwards the released this exciting disco-inspired rock song 'How could this go wrong', I was slightly confused. Of course I was only a child, so I didn't realise that a group that made ballads could also make uptempo tracks. But my premonition was not off: I thought this would never be a hit after such a beautiful song. It only reached number 37 in the Dutch Top 40. I like to think I contributed to that fact, by waiting until it left the charts until I bought it. But then again, my pocket money didn't stretch far enough for me to be able to buy chart single at that time...

My collection: 7" single no. 22

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

Puppet on a string - Sandie Shaw

Sandie Shaw won the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Puppet on a string'. It subsequently spent three weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. On the national final on UK television, Shaw performed five songs, of which one would be selected to represent the UK. Shaw was very disappointed when this song was chosen. 'I hated it from the very first oompah to the final bang on the big bass drum. I was instinctively repelled by its sexist drivel and cuckoo-clock tune.' Despite all this, she won the Eurovision Song Contest convincingly, although she put it down to her existing popularity on the European continent.

When I bought this single, two versions were staring at me from the shelf. I chose this one, because of the sleeve that contains a photograph from the actual Song Contest performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 3542

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 3,5 euro

Tracks: 'Puppet on a string' / 'Tell the boys'

Download: Album 'Princess of Britpop', including both tracks (password: www.freesoftwarealliance.com )

Like flames - Berlin

Berlin was formed in Orange County, California in the late Seventies. The band consisted of John Crawford, David Diamond and Terri Nunn. Their big break came in 1987, when they recorded 'Take my breath away' for the hit movie 'Top Gun'. It brought them a number one hit in many countries including the Netherlands and the UK. The band then tried to build on this success with this single, 'Like flames'. This single, and other ones, couldn't match the success with 'Take my breath away', and so the band disbanded within a year.

My collection: 7" single no. 3371

Found: London, December 2002

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Like flames' / 'Trash' // 'Take my breath away' / 'No more words'

Download: Album 'Count three and pray', including these tracks (password: =(J+E)= )

Black man Ray - China Crisis

China Crisis's third album was produced by Walter Becker, of Steely Dan fame. Named 'Flaunt the imperfection', the album was preceded by the single 'Black man Ray', which became an international hit.

I bought a limited edition set of two picture discs during a holiday in London. It was a strange find: each shaped picture disc contained one side, one disc holding the 'A-side' ('Black man Ray') and the other holding the 'B-side' ('Animalistic').

My collection: Picture disc (unnumbered)

Found: London, 2001

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Black man Ray' // 'Animalistic'

Download: here

Me and my foolish heart - Johnny hates Jazz

'Shattered dreams', 'I don't wanna be a hero', 'Turn back the clock'... These were the singles that made Johnny hates Jazz's fame in 1987. But before they signed to Virgin records and released the debut album that yielded these hits, they recorded their debut single on RAK records, the label owned by the father of band member Calvin Hayes: Mickie Most. This single did not chart, but the track would end up on their debut album anyway.

I found this 12" single during a record fair and because I knew the album, I also knew this track. It was great to have an extended mix, because it never resurfaced on any other format since. Until last year's re-release of the debut album 'Turn back the clock', that is. For Johnny hates Jazz fans, this is a real must have item. And for music lovers like me, too.

My collection: 12" single no. 340

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Me and my foolish heart (12" mix)' / 'Living in the past', 'Me and my foolish heart (7" mix)'

Download: here