The medal song - Culture Club

'The medal song' was released in 1984 as the second single from the album 'Waking up with the house on fire', Culture Club's third album. Boy George later commented he felt the album experienced a lukewarm reception because of the half-hearted material on the album. The group was pressured by their record company to come up with a quick follow-up to their second album 'Colour by numbers'.

'The medal song' performed poorly in the charts, peaking at number 32 in the UK singles chart and their first hit single not to reach the top 10 in the UK. Not even this limited edition gatefold sleeve could help matters much.

My collection: 7" single no. 3945
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'The medal song' / 'Don't go down that street'

Meet el presidente - Duran duran

I've had the cd-single of Duran Duran's 'Meet el presidente' for two decades now. It was released in a gatefold sleeve, which I imagined was exclusive to the cd-single format. But I was wrong: in the UK, the 7" single was also released in a gatefold sleeve, with the same band photo inside as the one in the cd-single sleeve. I didn't have the 7" single yet, so I was happy to snap this one up.

The single charted in the UK, peaking at number 24, whereas in the Netherlands the single made number 31. Still, 'Meet el presidente' was the least successful single from the band's 1986 album 'Notorious'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3944
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Meet el presidente' / 'Vertigo (Do the demolition)'

I don't know what it is but I love it - Chris Rea

'I don't know what it is but I love it' was released as a single from Chris Rea's 1984 album 'Wired to the moon'. It only became a minor hit for Rea, reaching number 65 in the UK singles chart.

It was another Chris Rea single which I hadn't heard before, but because the man has made such a lot of great songs, I was confident that this single would be interesting too. And so it is.

My collection: 7" single no. 3943
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I don't know what it is but I love it' / 'Mystery man'

Baker street (remix) - Gerry Rafferty

Someone responded on this blog a while ago, writing that I should feature Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker street' on here. Well, I would want to, but I haven't got that particular single yet. Meanwhile, I did find the next best thing: a remix of the track. It was released on the occasion of the release of 'Right down the line: the best of Gerry Rafferty' in 1990.

Fortunately the remix has been done in good taste: it brings forward certain elements of the original recording, and also adding some sounds that were not in the original recording at all if I'm not mistaken. Nothing beats the original, of course, but this is quite an interesting remix. The single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart in March 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 3942
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Baker street (remix)' / 'Night owl'

There must be an angel (playing with my heart) - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics released 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' as the second single from their 1985 album 'Be yourself tonight'. The song features a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. It reached number 1 in the UK singles chart (the band's only number one hit in the UK to date) and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song's music video was one in a long line of innovative clips from the Eurythmics. In the clip, Stewart portrays Louis XIV of France in the Court of the Sun King, while Lennox appears as a singer brought forth to perform and entertain the King. Bored at first, Stewart eventually becomes enthralled with Lennox's performance as the song reaches its conclusion. The video clip was rotated endlessly on television at the time, causing me getting totally bored with the song. Fortunately that effect has worn off now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3941
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' / 'Grown up girls'

Jeannie no - Judie Tzuke

Judie Tzuke's fifth album 'Ritmo' was released in 1983. From that album, this single 'Jeannie no' was released. Like other singles by Tzuke, it did not chart. That's not to say that the song is bad: it's a lively track that showcases Judie's clear voice.

I didn't know this song but I bought it on the strength of the artist's name. Turns out I was right... again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3940
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Jeannie no' / 'Information (live)'

Love's strange ways - Chris Rea

Back in 1999, I used a listing of Chris Rea's hit singles and my own 7" singles to compile a 'greatest hits' double cd of my own. With the aid of cd's from the public library, I had a chance to make something really complete, unlike commercial compilations. Listening to the 2 discs after I made them, I concluded that Rea has made some great music since his debut in 1978. But because this wasn't a hit, I missed 'Love's strange ways'.

The single was taken from Chris Rea's 1983 album 'Water sign', from which 'I can hear your heart beat' was taken. This single is a great track - and I only discovered it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3939
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love's strange ways' / 'Smile'

Warning sign - Nick Heyward

'Warning sign' was Nick Heyward's attempt at making a soulful track. It seemed strange that a 'white boy' would want to sound so 'black'. It was a stand-alone single (i.e. not released on any of his albums) and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

Back in 1984, when this single was released, I was a bit irritated by the video - I don't really know why. As a result, I grew to dislike the song. But now I have to admit that it really is one of Heyward's better tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3938
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Warning sign' / 'Warning sign (version)'

Wonderful dream - Anne Marie David

This year, I've been able to buy 'Tu te reconnaitras' and the German version of that song, 'Du bist da'. Somehow it was just a question of time that I would bump into the English version, 'Wonderful dream'. Interesting fact: the A-side of this single is in stereo, the B-side is only in mono.

Anne Marie David was one of the few Eurovision winners that charted in the UK singles chart with a translated version of their song. The single peaked at number 19, which is pretty good in England for a non-UK entry. I'm still looking for a disc with a picture sleeve if it exists, but for now this will do.

My collection: 7" single no. 3837
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Wonderful dream' / 'Tu te reconnaitras'

Love or something - Bob Geldof

After Bob Geldof has made a career of charity, he was still not a very rich man. He still had a solo music career and recorded the album 'The vegetarians of love' in 1990. 'Love or something' was the second single from that album. Whereas the first single, 'The great song of indifference' reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, this one did not chart at all.

Geldof still did well for himself: in 2001, his fortune was estimated to be £30 million. It is not known how much of his earnings he donates to charity himself...

My collection: 7" single no. 3936
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love or something' / 'Out of order'

I will - The Fixx

The British new wave band had a few hits during their career, but this single, 'I will' was not one of them. Released in 1984 as a single from their album 'Phantoms', it went by unnoticed. In their native UK, they would have no further hits after the 1982 singles 'Stand or fall' and 'Red skies', whereas in Canada and the USA other singles became hits right until 1991.

I bought this single mainly because I knew the band and because it was produced by one of the best producers around, Rupert Hine.

My collection: 7" single no. 3935
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'I will' / 'Questions'

She's got claws - Gary Numan

In 1981, Gary Numan did a series of farewell concerts in London, after growing weary of the pressures of fame. This decision proved short-lived, as later on in 1981 Numan released a new album called 'Dance'. The album featured several distinguished guest players; Mick Karn (bass, saxophone) and Rob Dean (guitar) of Japan, Roger Mason (keyboards) of Models and Roger Taylor (drums) of Queen.

'She's got claws' was the only hit single released from this album, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart in September 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 3934
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'She's got claws' / 'I sing rain'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran.

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 3933
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Arthur's theme (Best that you can do) - Christopher Cross

'Arthur's theme' was written in collaboration between Christopher Cross, pop music composer Burt Bacharach and his frequent writing partner Carole Bayer Sager. A fourth writing credit goes to Minnelli's ex-husband and Australian songwriter Peter Allen, also a frequent collaborator with Bayer Sager.

The single was taken from the soundtrack of the movie 'Arthur' starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli. It reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 on the UK singles chart. It was one of the first songs I recorded from the radio with my new tape recorder which I got for my eleventh birthday. Almost 28 years later, I've got the single!

My collection: 7" single no. 3932
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Arthur's theme (Best that you can do)' / 'Minstrel Gigolo (edit)'

Some guys have all the luck - Robert Palmer

'Some guys have all the luck' was written by Jeff Fortang. It was a hit three times in the UK. The earliest version by the Persuaders, released in 1973, did not reach the UK singles chart, but the cover versions by Rod Stewart (1984), Maxi Priest (1987) and Robert Palmer (1979) did.

This version is the rockiest one, with passionate vocals by Robert Palmer. It was taken from his 1982 album 'Pride' and reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3931
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Some guys have all the luck' / 'Too good to be true'

Beethoven - Eurythmics

One of the strangest singles in their career, the Eurythmics released 'Beethoven' in October 1987. It is a bizarre track with plenty of samples and drum loops and a lot of spoken word text by Annie Lennox. The lyric portrays a battle between voices in the head of a housewife suffering from mental disorders.

I didn't like the song when it was released and I'm still not sure whether I like it now. But in a record collection that's growing ever more 'complete', I decided I wanted to have every Eurythmics single, even the 'lesser' ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 3930
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Beethoven' / 'Heaven'

Olé olé - Izhar Cohen

After buying six singles in the Soul & Dance department, I went a few numbers down the road and reached the 'Music & Video Exchange' on Notting Hill Gate. I went down to the basement, suspecting that if they were still selling cheap singles, they'd be there. And I was right: a whole alphabetized collection was waiting there for me. When I started browsing, this single was the first one (of the 37 I would eventually find here!) that I wanted to have. Quite a strange find.

Izhar Cohen won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel with 'A-ba-ni-bi'. Israel must have been looking for another victory when they sent him again in 1985. This time, he tried it with that famous Hebrew chant, 'Olé Olé'. The original version of the song (in Hebrew) is not included on this single, for it contains the English version only. I didn't even know the song had been released in the UK, but this is really an English pressing.

My collection: 7" single no. 3929
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Olé olé' / 'Blue'

Harvest for the world - Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers consisted of the brothers Ronald, O'Kelly Jr, Rudolph, Ernie, Marvin and Chris Isley. In 1976 they released the album 'Harvest for the world'. The title track was released as a single in July 1976 and peaked at number 10 in the UK singles chart.

A decade later, the track would be covered by Jason Donovan with Kim Wilde for a TV programme celebrating the 30th anniversary of Amnesty International.

My collection: 7" single no. 3928
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Harvest for the world' / 'Let me down easy'

Dead giveaway - Shalamar

Personally, I only know 'The second time around' and, more recently, 'Friends', but taking a quick look at the Guinnes book of hit singles (UK) reveals that Shalamar has actually released more than a dozen hit singles during their career.

While I was shopping in the Soul and dance department of the Record Exchange in London, I found three different Shalamar singles I didn't know. I decided to buy one of them, because the sleeve was quite beautiful and because I was rather curious. 'Dead giveaway' is a decent single, which also turns out to be one of the three UK top 10 hits, peaking at number 8 in June 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3927
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Dead giveaway' / 'I don't wanna be the last to know'

Mornin' - Al Jarreau

Released as a single from Al Jarreau's 1983 album 'Jarreau', 'Mornin'' is a very laidback easy listening jazz ballad, which lyrically displays all the good things in life. The song was the embodiment of positivity, which struck a chord with many people in various countries. The single hit number 21 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 28 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3926
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Mornin'' / 'Not like this'