Lucky number - Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich released her debut album 'Stateless' in 1978. The album reached number 35 in the UK albums chart, largely on the back of the success of the album's lead single, 'Lucky number'. That single came about when Lovich met DJ and author Charlie Gillett, who presented her recording of 'I think we're alone now', a cover of the 1967 Tommy James & The Shondells hit to Stiff Records boss Dave Robinson.

He immediately agreed to release the track, but a B-side had to be written. That was 'Lucky number', which was then released as a single instead and reached number 3 in the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3918
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Lucky number' / 'Home'

Still - Commodores

Taken from their 1979 album 'Midnight magic', 'Still' was the last hit single for the Commodores before Lionel Richie, who sings lead vocals on this track, went solo.

The ballad was a huge hit in America, topping the US BIllboard Hot 100. The single also reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3917
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Still' / 'Such a woman'

Another silent day - The Adventures

There's something really alluring to early Eighties remixes: they are always based on the original recording, they are just longer. Echo effects, instrumental passages, and sometimes extra choruses are used to give the listener that extended listening experience.

The Adventures released 'Another silent day' in 1984, which was the time when these extended versions were still made. I've been searching for this 12" single for a long time, so I was really glad to have finally found it.

My collection: 12" single no. 508
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Another silent day (extended)' / 'Another silent day', 'Happy depression'

The woman in you - Bee Gees

'The woman in you' is one of five new songs the Bee Gees contributed to the movie 'Staying alive' (1983), the unsuccessful sequel to 'Saturday night fever' (1977). In interviews following the release of the movie and soundtrack, the brothers expressed their displeasure at the way their songs were edited in the movie and revealed that their hearts were not in the music. By 1983, The Bee Gees were focusing their talents on solo projects and productions of other artists, so it is not surprising that they were not all enthusiastic about the 'Staying alive' movie.

The single was still a reasonable success, peaking at number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3920
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'The woman in you' / 'Stayin' alive'

She works hard for the money - Donna Summer

'She works hard for the money' was released as the first single from Donna Summer's 1983 album of the same name. During a contract dispute with Geffen Records over creative control, Summer released the album on a different label, Mercury. The song was written by Summer herself and was based on an encounter she had with an exhausted bathroom attendant.

The version found on the 7" single was edited from the over 5 minute version on the album. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3919
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'She works hard for the money' / 'I do believe (I fell in love)'

Het stoomlied - Ed en Willem Bever

The Dutch children's programme 'De fabeltjeskrant' ('The newspaper of little fables') was extremely popular in the late Sixties and early Seventies. It was made in such a way that the 5 minute broadcasts always told a little story for the children, but also contained literary references and double entendres for adults.

Meanwhile, the merchandise range was impressive: there were puppets, puzzles and schoolbags - and then there were some very popular singles. This was the first one: 'Het stoomlied' ('The steam song') as performed by Ed and Willem Be(a)ver. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1970. Why did I buy this? Why, it's a tribute to my own childhood, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 3910
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Het Stoomlied' (Ed en Willem Bever) / 'Lied van Momfer de Mol' (Momfer de Mol)

Would I lie to you? - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics changed their musical style from synthpop to a more rock-oriented sound in 1985, with the album 'Be yourself tonight' and the single 'Would I lie to you?'. The single peaked at number 17 in the UK singles chart, number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

I didn't buy the single at the time because I thoroughly disliked the song. Having grown accustomed to Eurythmics' synth-heavy tracks, this one was too boring for me to get through. Even now I don't think it's one of their best songs, but for 25 eurocents... What the hell. The single was very dusty but I cleaned it up while doing the dishes. It really helps, as you can hear.

My collection: 7" single no. 3916
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Would I lie to you?' / 'Here comes that sinking feeling'

You and me - Spargo

Spargo was founded by Ellert Driessen, Jef Nassenstein and Leander Lammertink, all three from Amsterdam. At the end of the Seventies the the American singer Lilian Day Jackson joined the band. With her performing lead vocals the band developed their own sound.

Their debut single 'You and me' was the best selling record in the Netherlands in 1980. It reached number 1. The single was also a hit in other European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 3908
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'You and me' / 'Worry'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

So I've got the 7" single of 'The locomotion' by Stewart and Gaskin, a synthpop version of the 1962 song by Little Eva. I didn't know there was actually also a 12" single with two remixes of that track. What's more, the B-side is also included in an extended version!

Naturally, I had to have it. So when I saw it in the shop yesterday for the first time ever, I bought it immediately.

My collection: 12" single no. 509
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'The locomotion (extended version)', 'The locomotion (derailed version)' / 'Make me promises (extended)'

Locomotion - OMD

'Locomotion' was the first single taken from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1984 album 'Junk culture'. The track was a departure from the group's synth-based tracks and was, according to critics, a deliberate step towards a more commercial 'mainstream' sound.

It was a success. Where previous single 'Telegraph' only managed to reach number 42 in the UK singles chart, this one peaked at number 5. In the Netherlands, it reached the exact same position. Things were looking up for OMD!

My collection: 7" single no. 3909
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Locomotion' / 'Her body in my soul'

The old fashioned way - Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour was born in Paris, France on May 22, 1924. Often described as the 'Frank Sinatra of France', he's one of that country's most popular and enduring singers and also one of the most wellknown singers in the world. One of his signature songs is this romantic track, 'The old fashioned way'.

It is the English version of Aznavour's French song 'Les plaisirs demodes'. The single, released in 1973, reached number 38 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. Aznavour also performed the track in an episode of the Muppet Show in 1976.

My collection: 7" single no. 3911
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'The old fashioned way' / 'What makes a man'

Breathless - Viktor Lazlo

Viktor Lazlo was born as Sonia Dronier on October 7, 1960 in Lorient, France. She studied in Belgium, where she is best known. She took her stage name from Paul Henreid's character in the 1942 film Casablanca.

In 1987, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest which was held in Brussels after Sandra Kim won the competition the year before. The programme started with Lazlo's new single 'Breathless', which subsequently became a hit in some European countries. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 27.

My collection: 7" single no. 3914
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Breathless' / 'Don't say no'

Goody two shoes - Adam and the Ants

So is this a collectors item or not? All the references I could find to the song 'Goody two shoes' state that it was performed by Adam Ant, not Adam and the Ants. Yet, here I am with a limited full colour poster sleeve edition of 'Goody two shoes' by Adam and the Ants. Interesting!

'Goody two shoes' is a phrase for an overly virtuous or conformist person. The single was a number 1 hit in the UK and peaked at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3922
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Goody two shoes' / 'Red scab'

Do it any way you wanna - People's Choice

People's Choice was an American funk band, formed in 1971 by Frank Brunson. The band consisted of himself with David Thomson, Darnell Jordan, Johnnie Hightower, Stanley Thomas, Valerie Brown and Marc Reed. 'Do it any way you wanna' was their biggest hit, peaking at number 36 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The main theme of the song was re-used a couple of years later by Dillinger for his novelty hit 'Cokane in my brain'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3915
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Do it any way you wanna' / 'The big hurt'

Careless whisper - George Michael

Unlike all the singles by Wham!, 'Careless whisper' was written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley together. They didn't record it as a Wham! song however, considering it too out of synch with their other work.

The song was finally recorded as a solo single by George Michael, although he was still a member of Wham! at the time. It was recorded twice, once with legendary producer Jerry Wexler. George Michael wasn't happy with this version, so he re-recorded it with himself producing. The original version did appear on the UK 12" single of 'Careless whisper', but alas, this is the European version which only contains the extended and instrumental version of the song.

My collection: 12" single no. 506
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Careless whisper (extended)' / 'Careless whisper (instrumental)'

Forever your girl - Paula Abdul

I won't beat around the bush: the sexy sleeve helped my decision to buy this particular single, showing that the right artwork can make an item more desirable. 'Forever your girl' was the title track from Paula Abdul's 1989 debut album.

The single went number 1 in the USA and Canada. In Europe, its appeal was considerable less great: in the UK the single stalled at number 24, in Germany it peaked at number 17 and in the Netherlands at number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 3921
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Forever your girl (remix)' / 'Next to you'

Precious little diamond - Fox the fox

One of the reasons, besides this blog, for my current singles-buying frenzy is the fact that there are some weird omissions in my collection. And when I get a chance to visit a record store with a list of what I already own, such as today, I finally can fill up some of those weird holes.

Much to my surprise I found out that I don't actually have the 7" single of 'Precious little diamond' by Fox the fox. (I do have the 12" single, as you can see here.) While buying singles for almost nothing, this is a great moment to solve the problem. It was the band's only hit, peaking at number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3907
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond' / 'Man on the run'

You're the one that I want - Hylda Baker and Arthur Mullard

When Grease was all the rage in 1978, everyone was trying to profit from that success. It led to some unlikely products, such as this one. Ex-boxer and comedy actor Arthur Mullard (born September 19, 1910) teamed up with comedy actress Hylda Baker (born February 4, 1905) to record this substandard cover of 'You're the one that I want'. It sounds a bit like the Dutch antisocial Tokkie family doing karaoke.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart, but failed to climb further due to a disastrous appearance on the chart show Top of the Pops. The couple fluffed the lyrics and seemed utterly confused as to what was happening. (You can see the performance here). The B-side is a Eurovision cover: Brotherhood of Man's 'Save your kisses for me' as performed by this bizarre couple.

My collection: 7" single no. 3912
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'You're the one that I want' / 'Save your kisses for me'

Everything has rhythm - Frizzle Sizzle

I've had the single of Frizzle Sizzle's 1986 Eurovision entry 'Alles heeft ritme' for more than 10 years now. Since I bought this Dutch version in London, it's only fair that I should find the English version of the single in the Netherlands. Well, guess what: I did.

I wasn't even sure an English-language single existed, even though I was aware of an English version being recorded. 'Everything has rhythm' went the same way a lot of Eurovision singles abroad did: right to the discount bin, never into the charts in other countries. It is a nice version, with all the naivity that only young girls can put into their vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 3906
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Everything has rhythm' / 'Alles heeft ritme'

Circle - Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

I was happily surprised when the two most favourite tracks of Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians' debut album ended up on this single. 'Circle' is a beautiful melodic song, whereas 'Now' is full of atmospherics and tension.

I was even happier when I bumped into this limited edition box set, containing the single and a large poster, showing members of the band in various video stills. For some reason, no matter what the contents, these single box sets always remind me of Christmas.

My collection: 7" single no. 2346
Found: Record fair, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle' / 'Now'