Raw - Spandau Ballet

After a break from recording, during which the Kemp brothers Gary and Martin established themselves as credible actors in the gangster film 'The Krays', Spandau Ballet released the album 'Heart Like a Sky' in 1989.

'Raw' was released as the first single in September 1988. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, but in other territories the single flopped. Meanwhile, internal conflicts caused the band to split up in early 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 3881
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 1989
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Raw' / 'Raw (Flip)'

Total eclipse of the heart - Bonnie Tyler

'Total eclipse of the heart' is one of those singles I thought I had for years, and then one day I discovered I didn't have it. It still didn't get to the top of my want list, because it's also one of those songs that have been played to death on radio and television in the mid-Eighties, the time when I was actually hooked on those media.

The song remains Bonnie Tyler's most successful song, peaking at number 1 in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, surprisingly, it didn't do so well, peaking at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. It's still a radio favourite these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 3893
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Total eclipse of the heart' / 'Take me back'

It hurts - The Lotus Eaters

The single 'It hurts' is an excellent track, and one of my (many) favourites of the Eighties. Finding this 12" single was a happy catch. It features not so much a remix of the song as it is a re-recording, featuring a few added lines. Hence the subtitle: 'There must be a taste of murder in it'.

With 12" singles like this, you have to wonder why remixes are so boring these days.

My collection: 12" single no. 502
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'It hurts (There must be a taste of murder in it)' / 'The evidence', 'It hurts (7" version)'

Rio - Maywood

According to the Dutch duo Maywood, Rio is a 'land of sun, samba and wine'. But of course, Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil. It does make you wonder what Alice May (one half of the duo) was thinking while she was composing the song.

Despite this ignorance, the single became Maywood's second biggest hit, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. Most people don't listen to lyrics anyway...

My collection: 7" single no. 3869
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Rio' / 'It's a different world'

Arizona sky - China Crisis

'Arizona sky' was taken from China Crisis' fourth album 'What price paradise', released in 1986. The single was a minor success in the UK, reaching number 47 in the singles chart.

A few months ago I was frantically searching for China Crisis 12" singles, because there are quite a few extended versions around that have never been released on cd. What better way to get them on one disc than by buying all the original 12" singles myself and then compile them? But finding them is quite hard. You can imagine I was very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon this one.

My collection: 12" single no. 501
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Arizona sky (full length version)' / 'Trading in gold'

(Baby tell me) Can you dance - Shanice Wilson

Shanice Wilson was born in Pittsburgh, USA on May 14, 1973. She was pushed by her mother and aunt who were interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. At the age of eight, she starred in a KFC commercial with Ella Fitzgerald. In 1984, she participated in the TV programme 'Star search' and was signed to A&M Records.

She recorded an album with Teena Marie producing, but the record company shelved the album. 1987 saw the release of 'Discovery', produced by Bryan Loren. The first single, '(Baby tell me) Can you dance' was an immediate hit, peaking at number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3871
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: '(Baby tell me) Can you dance' / 'Summer love'

Cruel summer 89 - Bananarama

Record company executives have brilliant ideas sometimes. Take for instance this single. Bananarama released a compilation album in 1989. Entitled 'The greatest hits collection', it comprised all of the trio's big hits and became their biggest success, peaking at number 3 in the UK albums chart.

The executives wanted to promote the album with a single release. What to do? The recipe was as follows: take a catchy song such as 'Cruel summer', take out all the life and soul, replace it with generic beats and a dull throbbing rhythm, and you've got a potential new hit! Except it wasn't. The single still made number 19 in the UK singles chart, but flopped everywhere else. In short: this is a rather disappointing release by the Bananaramas.

My collection: 7" single no. 3885
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Cruel summer (Swing beat version)' / 'Venus (The greatest remix)'

Together we are beautiful - Fern Kinney

Fern Kinney began singing in the late Sixties. She joined the vocal group The Poppies, replacing the previous singer Patsy McClune. In the early Seventies she also started working as a session musician. Having settled as a housewife, Kinney finally tried to attempt a comeback with 'Groove me'.

The next single 'Together we are beautiful' became a surprise worldwide hit. Originally recorded by British vocalist Steve Allan eighteen months earlier, Kinney made it a sultry disco hit. It didn't reach the chart in her native America, but in the UK it became a number one hit. It also reached number 24 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3870
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Together we are beautiful' / 'Baby, let me kiss you'

Ain't no pleasing you - Chas and Dave

At the age of eleven, just before I was leaving junior education, the school organised a dance for its pupils. The memory of dancing with the girl Francisca had left my mind for a long time, but it came back when I heard this song, because this was the song we danced to. I left school full of hope for the future, but it would take no less than 11 years before I ever danced with a woman again.

It was Chas & Dave's only hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 20 in May 1982. In the UK, where the duo was more successful, this was their biggest hit, peaking at number 2 in the singles chart the month before.

My collection: 7" single no. 3891
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Ain't no pleasing you' / 'Give it some stick Mick!'

Blood on the dancefloor - Michael Jackson

I already wrote about 'Blood on the dancefloor' on an earlier entry. I'd found a rare UK pressing of the single and I assumed it was just about the only 7" vinyl that existed of this title. But how wrong I was! The single was also made in the USA, and what's more: it's got a different B-side! I ordered this copy right away, because those latter day Michael Jackson singles are very appealing to me.

The remix of 'Dangerous' by Roger on the B-side also appeared on the cd-single for 'Blood on the dancefloor', and so it isn't that rare. But circa 1997 all 7" singles were becoming rarities, and so it is still a worthwhile addition to my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3898
Found: eBay.com, received July 22, 2009
Cost: 10 dollars
Tracks: 'Blood on the dancefloor' / 'Dangerous (Roger's Dangerous Edit)'

Follow me - Amanda Lear

Amanda Lear has made a point of being unclear about her childhood. She was alledgedly born as Amanda Tapp in Hong Kong on November 18, 1939, but the stories she told the press have been deliberately conflicting, with her date of birth ranging between 1939 and 1948 and her place of birth reported as Switzerland, Saigon, Hanoi as well as Hong Kong.

After a career in modelling she moved into music in the mid-Seventies. 'Follow me' has become her signature song. It was taken from her second album 'Sweet revenge' and released in the summer of 1978. It reached number 3 in the Netherlands, Germany and South Africa. Amanda later recorded several remakes of 'Follow me' trying to revive her career: in 1987, 1989, 1993, 1998 and one version in the early 2000s.

My collection: 7" single no. 3883
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Follow me' / 'Mother look what they've done to me'

(You really) Rock me - Nick Gilder

Nick Gilder was born on December 21, 1951 in London, England. He began his career in music as the frontman of the glam rock band Sweeney Todd. In 1977, Gilder went solo. His first album, 'You know who you are' (1977) flopped, but the second album 'City nights' (1978) spawned the Canadian number one hit 'Hot child in the city'.

'(You really) Rock me' was taken from Gilder's third album 'Frequency' and reached number 35 in the Canadian singles chart, and number 57 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Netherlands, the single did not chart, but I still vaguely remembered it. Glad I found it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3882
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: '(You really) Rock me' / 'Got to get out'

Tomb of memories - Paul Young

I've resisted it for more than two decades, but this week I finally caved and bought a few Paul Young singles. Well, at this price, who can blame me. Paul Young was my sister's idol, and as she was always criticizing my taste in music I felt I had to be ruthless in my dislike of Paul Young. That was easy at the time: I didn't like his voice and I thought his songs were crap.

Time has been kind to him, even if his voice has deteriorated so much that he really shouldn't perform live anymore. His songs have aged well, and this, the fourth single from his UK number one album 'The secret of association', is proof of that. 'Tomb of memories' is a lively song, backed with a beautiful, ghostly B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3879
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Tomb of memories' / 'Man in the iron mask'

What goes on - Mai Tai

Mai Tai is a Dutch group (named after a tropical cocktail) formed in 1983 by the Dutch record producers Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma. Members were three former backing vocalists Jetty Wheels, Mildred Douglas and Caroline De Windt.

After an unsuccessful debut single 'Keep on dancin'' (1983), their second single 'What goes on' turned out to be a reasonable summer hit in 1984. It was the start of a career that would eventually give them international success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3872
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'What goes on' / 'What goes on (instrumental version)'

Medley - Middle of the Road

In 1981, the Netherlands were gripped by the Stars on 45 phenomenon: a medley of songs by a famous band, for instance the Beatles, performed by session artists and set to an unimaginative disco beat.

This single, which I didn't know existed, uses the concept - but uses the original recordings by the Scottish band Middle of the Road. Dutch producer Piet Souer signed off on the production on this one (whereas the Stars on 45 records were produced by Jaap Eggermont!). The single did not chart. Nice try, goodbye!

My collection: 7" single no. 3880
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Sacramento / Tweedle dee tweedle dum / Yellow boomerang / Chirpy, chirpy, cheep cheep /Soley Soley / Samson and Delilah' / 'Postcard'

Why do fools fall in love - Diana Ross

'Why do fools fall in love' was written by Frankie Lymon and George Goldner (although several court cases have disputed this fact). It was originally a hit for the rock and roll group Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers in 1956.

Diana Ross recorded a cover of the song in 1981 on her album of the same name. It became a number four hit in the UK singles chart and it was her second and last number one hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3876
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Why do fools fall in love' / 'Think I'm in love'

Star - Erasure

'Star' was the fourth and last single taken from Erasure's 1989 album 'Wild!'. It is a straightforward dance track with disco elements, written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke. The single version is a remix of the album version.

It was Erasure's 12th consecutive Top 20 hit on the UK singles chart, peaking at number 11. In Germany, the single peaked at number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 3874
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Star' / 'Dreamlike state'

Non stop dance - Gibson Brothers

When I was six years old, I idolized the Gibson Brothers. They had a number one hit in the Netherlands with 'Non stop dance' in May 1977, and their performances in Seventies disco clothing were probably very interesting for young viewers like myself.

The three brothers Chris, Patrick and Alex were born on Martinique in the West Indies. They debuted in 1976 with the single 'Come to America'. The second single, 'Non stop dance' was a hit all over Europe. I bought a rather dusty copy of this single, but a simple washing up helped clean this record.

My collection: 7" single no. 3873
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Non stop dance' / 'Never said goodbye'

Wham Rap - Wham

'Wham Rap!' was originally Wham!'s debut single. It failed to make any impact. After the duo had achieved their breakthrough with 'Young guns (go for it)', the single was re-released. This time around, it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although rap was still an underground and almost exclusively American phenomenon in the early Eighties, George rapped a number of verses about the joys of living every day to the fullest, which meant that being employed was not an option, and that 'having fun with the boys down the (welfare) line' was a better way to spend the day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3892
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Wham rap!' / 'Wham rap! (Club mix)'

Theme from E.T. - Future World Orchestra

Steven Spielberg directed the movie E.T., which was one of the box office hits of 1982. Longtime Spielberg collaborator John Williams composed the musical score for the movie. Williams described his challenge as creating a score that would generate sympathy for such an odd-looking creature. As with their previous collaborations, Spielberg liked every theme Williams composed and had it included.

When 'E.T.' proved to be a phenomenon, the Dutch group Future World Orchestra decided to cash in on the success as well. Their innovative synthesizer sound was still an attraction, so the single reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. When you listen to it now, it sounds like one of those 'Synthesizer greatest' tracks. But for E.T. fans, this might be a rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3897
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from E.T.' / 'Mister Y'