Hurricane - Athlete

Part one of 'Hurricane' was already featured on this blog, so here is part two. I bought this one earlier in fact, so the search was on since then. This second part of the double single features a new track, which did not appear on the album 'Beyond the neighbourhood'. The single was pressed on orange vinyl, to add to the collectability even more.

As written before, the single only managed to reach number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3486
Found: eBay, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Hurricane' / '09/05 Speyside'

Stop for a minute - Sandra

'Aus dem Tatort 'Salü Palü'', says this sleeve, which means that Sandra's 'Stop for a minute' was used in the soundtrack of an episode of the German detective series 'Tatort'. The song was a new one, not having appeared on Sandra's two albums that were released up to that point. The track would appear as a new track on her first compilation album 'Ten on one', which was meant to close the gap between Sandra's second and third album.

I didn't know this song when I bought the single - I was simply attracted by the beautiful (and glossy) sleeve. It's one of Sandra's stronger pop tracks, so I have no regrets.

My collection: 7" single no. 1607

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, March 28, 1992

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Stop for a minute' / 'Two lovers tonight'

Pearl in the shell (live) - Howard Jones

The Howard Jones fanclub released three different live singles in the course of a few years. This second single was recorded by Radio Clyde, but a date and venue are not mentioned on the label.

The live tracks are 'Pearl in the shell' (originally released on Howard Jones' debut album 'Human's lib') and 'Things can only get better' (originally released on Howard Jones' second album 'Dream into action').

My collection: 7" single no. 2792

Found: Howard Jones fanclub, received November 28, 1996
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Pearl in the shell (live)' / 'Things can only get better (live)'

Shout - Tears for fears

'Shout' is commonly referred to as Tears for fears' signature song. Roland Orzabal commented: 'A lot of people think that 'Shout' is just another song about primal scream theory, continuing the themes of the first album. It is actually more concerned with political protest. It came out in 1984 when a lot of people were still worried about the aftermath of The Cold War and it was basically an encouragement to protest.'

The single was a big success, topping the charts in Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. In the UK, the single peaked at number 4. I bought the single when it was brand new, right before I would become sick of hearing it. But it's still a great song.

My collection: 7" single no. 253

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, December 1984

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Shout' / 'The big chair'

Niemand weet dat jij bestaat - Het Goede Doel

Although I pretty much kept up to date with the releases by het Goede Doel, I completely missed the release of this single. Presumably, 'Niemand weet dat jij bestaat' ('No-one knows that you exist') was released in early 1990 as the third and last single from their 1989 album 'Souvenir'. The single did not chart.

I only found out about this release because I bought a stack of Goede Doel singles from a private seller. I completed my collection of this group all at once!

My collection: 7" single no. 3770

Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Niemand weet dat jij bestaat' / 'Niemand weet dat jij bestaat (instrumental)'

Lovetown - Peter Gabriel

The soundtrack of the motion picure 'Philadelphia' contained a famous Bruce Springsteen track, 'Streets of Philadelphia'. But strangely enough it is less well known that the soundtrack also contained a new Peter Gabriel track, entitled 'Lovetown'.

That's unfortunate, because the track is simply mesmerizing. The single only managed a number 47 placing in the UK, and did not chart in most other territories. The B-side was taken from Peter Gabriel's then-current album 'Us'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2506

Found: Record fair, October 30, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Lovetown' / 'Love to be loved'

Pretty good year - Tori Amos

Released as the second single from Tori Amos' second album 'Under the pink', 'Pretty good year' was an emotional ballad, quite different from her previous singles. By this time, Tori's cult following had grown into thousands and they followed her every move almost religiously. The cd-singles of 'Pretty good year' contained four different bonus tracks, one of which appeared on the B-side of this 7" vinyl single: 'Honey'. Tori has often stated that in hindsight she regretted not including that track on the album.

The single peaked at number 7 in the UK, but was not released in America. Around this time, Tori Amos was touring Europe - and I've got a signed cd-single of 'Pretty good year' to prove that I, too, was there. Her concerts in Nijmegen and Scheveningen are still amongst the best concerts I've ever witnessed.

My collection: 7" single no. 2084

Found: Record fair, March 26, 1994

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Pretty good year' / 'Honey'

Head over heels - Abba

'Head over heels' was the second single taken from Abba's 1981 album 'The visitors'. The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The lead vocal was sung by Agnetha Fältskog, singing about her 'very good friend', played in the accompanying 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.

The single was not the big success previous singles were, only managing a top 10 placing in France, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium. In the UK, the single only peaked at number 25, breaking a run of 18 consecutive top 1o hits in that country.

I bought the single as soon as it came out, as had become usual for Abba singles around that time. Fourteen years later, I found the UK edition with a different - but beautiful - picture sleeve (pictured below).

My collection: 7" single no. 107 / no. 2700
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982 / House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Head over heels' / 'The visitors'

Ploem ploem jenka - Trea Dobbs

After a few unsuccessful years in Eurovision, the Dutch broadcaster decided to organise the National final in a different way. Between February 8 and 12, every night a different artist sang three songs. A jury selected the songs for the final on February 13. Conny van den Bos won the national selection with ''t Is genoeg'.

The concept proved to be a successful one, as various songs from that week were popular. One of them was Trea Dobbs' 'Ploem ploem jenka', released by Decca as a single. While this was a rather simple song, 'Stad' ('City') on the B-side, a melancholy ballad about lost love, was thoroughly impressive.

My collection: 7" single no. 3753

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ploem ploem jenka' / 'Stad'

I love the heaven's solo - Tanita Tikaram

'I love the heaven's solo' was already a B-side of Tanita Tikaram's 1990 single 'Little sister leaving town', before it was re-recorded for her 1991 album 'Everybody's angel'. This version was released as the second single from that album.

The single did not chart, and so no further singles were taken from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2550

Found: Record exchange, London, November 2, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'I love the heaven's solo' / 'Only in name'

Together in electric dreams - Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey

The film 'Electric dreams' was director Steve Barron's first full feature film. Barron had made a name for himself conceiving and directing music videos, such as the Human League's 'Don't you want me'. For his film, Barron enlisted Giorgio Moroder as director of music. He wrote most of the score. Barron wanted the end credits to roll to 'an emotional song'.

Moroder wrote 'Together in electric dreams' which was to be a male solo vocal. When he asked who Barron would like to sing the lyrics, Barron immediately thought of his former associate Philip Oakey. When Oakey recorded the song it was over very quickly, after the first full recording Moroder told Oakey that the first take was 'good enough, as first time is always best'. Oakey who thought he was just rehearsing insisted on doing another take. Moroder let him but to this day Oakey is convinced that Moroder still used the first take on the final production.

The song soon overshadowed the success of the film. Oakey states that it is ironic that a track that took literally ten minutes to record would become a worldwide hit, while some of his Human League material that took over a year to record didn't.

My collection: 7" single no. 492

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Together in electric dreams' / 'Together in electric dreams (instrumental)'

Forbidden city - Electronic

'Forbidden city' was the first single taken from Electronic's second album 'Raise the pressure'. It was written by Bernard Sumner, Johnny Marr and ex-Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos.

The song was not a huge hit, peaking at number 14 on the UK singles chart, but did receive substantial radio play in Britain. It remains one of Johnny Marr's favourite Electronic songs and opened up their best of compilation in 2006, with stills from its Tom Merriton-directed video used for the front cover and inside the booklet.

My collection: 7" single no. 2713
Found: HMV, London, July 4, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Forbidden city' / 'Imitation of life'

The plastic age - The Buggles

'The plastic age' was the second single by the Buggles. Hopes were high, since 'Video killed the radio star', their debut single, was a worldwide hit. The futuristic song only charted in the UK and the Netherlands, peaking at number 16 and 27 respectively.

The song alludes to plastic surgery and the stress of modern culture. The Buggles also created an unusual, futuristic and illusion-like music video to promote the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1096

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'The plastic age' / 'Island' [mistitled 'The plastic age' on the label]

One love to give - Stephanie

More than the previous single 'Ouragan/Irresistible', 'One love to give' showed the vocal inadequacies of Princess Stephanie of Monaco. With a synth-heavy backing (which was so popular in the Eighties) and a rather strong composition, Stephanie wasn't able to keep up. But still she was rewarded with a number 1 hit in Sweden and a number 10 placing in the German singles chart.

French speaking countries preferred the version in their own language: 'Flash' went to number 4 in France and number 28 in Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 2999

Found: June 20, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'One love to give' / 'Le sega Mauricien'

Winter in America - Doug Ashdown

Whenever a Dutch artists covers a beautiful song, my heart breaks. Unless, of course, I don't know it's a cover. This happened in 1988, when Rene Froger had a top 5 hit in the Netherlands with 'Winter in America'. I liked the song but couldn't stand the voice of the man. And then I found out that the original was recorded in 1978 by Doug Ashdown. What a relief!

Doug Ashdown was an Australian singer/songwriter, who only had this one hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 13. His version is, of course, far superior.

My collection: 7" single no. 771

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989

Cost: 1 guilders

Tracks: 'Winter in America' / 'Skid row'

Won't you hold my hand now - King

While everyone remembers 'Love and pride' by King, the next single 'Won't you hold my hand now' is less wellknown. In the Netherlands, it didn't even chart, whereas in the UK it only managed a number 24 placing in the singles chart.

I bought this limited edition 4 track double single as part of a deal where the seller offered a discount on five singles bought together. (One of those 'buy 5 pay 4' deals). I already had four singles I really wanted to have, and then spotted this double single. Well, double singles are always nice to have - even if the live tracks aren't all that great.

My collection: 7" sigle no. 913

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Won't you hold my hand now' / 'Fish (reprise) (live)' // 'Won't you hold my hand now (live)' / 'And as for myself (live)'

Fix you - Coldplay

'Fix you' was the second single taken from Coldplay's third album 'X&Y'. Chris Martin said about the song: 'My father-in-law Bruce Paltrow bought this big keyboard just before he died. No one had ever plugged it in. I plugged it in, and there was this incredible sound I'd never heard before. All these songs poured out from this one sound. Something has to inspire you, and something else takes over. It's very cloudy.'

The single was a big success, reaching number 4 in the UK and Canada, number 59 in the USA and number 8 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 3415

Found: hmv.co.uk, 2005

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Fix you (edit)' / 'The world turned upside down'

The beat(en) generation - The The

In hindsight, I was always surprised that The The introduced their new album 'Mind bomb' with one of the less surprising tracks, 'The beat(en) generation'. For lack of a better description, I would qualify it as a straightforward rock track. But the strategy did pay off: the single peaked at number 18 in the UK singles chart.

Meanwhile, The The was an actual band again, Matt Johnson having recruited ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, ex-Nick Lowe bassist James Eller and ex-ABC drummer David Palmer as members.

My collection: 7" single no. 811

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 12, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'The beat(en) generation' / 'Angel'

Dancing in the dark - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde always got a lot of criticism for singing the songs that were written and composed by her father Marty and her brother Ricky. So for 'Dancing in the dark', help was brought in. Nicky Chinn and Paul Gurvitz wrote the song, and it was included on Kim's third album 'Catch as catch can'.

The single was the biggest flop of her career so far, reaching only number 69 in the UK singles chart. It was still a top 10 hit in Denmark and Switzerland, but it didn't help matters much. Despite a pretty cover and a nice rocking B-side, this single was the first signal that there was a crisis at hand. And rather than just sit and wait, the Wilde team decided to take matters into their own hands. RAK Records was about to be abandoned.

My collection: 7" single no. 217
Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Dancing in the dark' / 'Back street driver'

Amiga Quartett - A-ha

Amiga was the state record company in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany, before the wall came down. They released four track EP's of 'western' artists, as long as the songs were deemed 'clean' enough. The infectuous pop music of the Norwegian band A-ha apparently was innocent enough to be released in the country.

This Amiga Quartett (as the series of EP's was called) featured four tracks from A-ha's debut album 'Hunting high and low'. I really like the idea of owning records made in a country that does not exist anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 2842

Found: Record fair, April 5, 1997

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Take on me', 'Train of thought' / 'The sun always shines on TV', 'And you tell me'

Download: Album 'Hunting high and low', including these tracks (password: http://newalbums2007.blogspot.com/)