Precious - Depeche Mode

Although the meaning of almost all of Depeche Mode's songs are not revealed because Martin Gore prefers people to find their own meanings for each song, he made an exception with 'Precious', explaining that the song is written about his children and what they must have been going through when he was getting a divorce from their mother.

Released as the first single from their 2005 album 'Playing the angel', it was a number 1 hit in four countries, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. This picture disc 7" single was released as a numbered limited edition; this is number 4535.

My collection: 7" single no. 3989
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 6 pounds
Tracks: 'Precious (album version)' / 'Precious (Michael Mayer Ambient mix)'

Paris is burning - Ladyhawke

'Paris is burning' was the second single by Ladyhawke, taken from her debut self-titled album. Originally this track reached number 61 in the UK singles chart, however when it was re-released in March 2009 as a digital download and limited 7" vinyl, it improved on this chart placing and peaked at number 47.

What's a bit strange about this 7" single, is that it doesn't contain any 'regular' version of the track, just a remix and a French language version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3988
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Paris is burning (Peaches remix)' / 'Paris s'enflamme'

Poupée de cire, poupée de son - Arcade Fire

Officially this is a double A-side single split evenly between the bands Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem, but I have to say that I think Arcade Fire's cover version of 'Poupée de cire poupée de son' is the superior track here.

Arcade Fire played this song, originally performed by France Gall, during their 2007 tour in support of their second album 'Neon Bible' and recorded a studio version especially for this limited edition 7" single. LCD Soundsystem's 'No love lost' is a cover of a New Order track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3987
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 12 pounds
Tracks: 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son' (Arcade fire) / 'No love lost' (LCD Soundsystem)

Forever autumn - Justin Hayward

Unlike 'The eve of the war', this second single taken from Jeff Wayne's musical version of 'War of the worlds' did not come with a beautiful picture label. Still, this is the way the single was released in the UK, and I thought it would be a nice addition to my collection. Unfortunately, this particular copy proved to be pressed on pretty bad quality vinyl. I saw some spots in the shop, but I assumed it was dirt which I could wipe from the record. But it's actually engrained in the vinyl itself! Well, kindof another collector's item, I guess.

'Forever autumn' was a huge hit for Justin Hayward, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3986
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Forever autumn' / 'The fighting machine'

And that's no lie - Heaven 17

'...And that's no lie' was originally the 10 minute closing track of Heaven 17's 1984 album 'How men are'. When released as a single, the track was heavily edited to appeal to radio DJ's and music video stations. The problem was, the edit made the track kindof a jumbled mess and left nothing intact of the tension of the original track.

As a result, '...And that's no lie' became the first Heaven 17 single since 1982's 'Let me go' not to reach the top 40 in the UK. It stalled at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 3985
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'And that's no lie' / 'The fuse'

Goodbye cruel world - Shakespear's sister

In 1990, both Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit became pregnant. Their band Shakespear's sister was put on hold for a year. They returned in late 1991 with the release of the single 'Goodbye cruel world', which peaked at number 59 in the UK singles chart.

The single would be included on their second album 'Hormonally yours', which would also include their biggest success, 'Stay'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3984
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Goodbye cruel world' / 'Moonchild'

Big shot - Momentarily - Jona Lewie

Although I have a considerable record collection - as you can tell from this blog - I've never come across a 6" single before. Imagine my surprise when I saw this little treasure. The sleeve cheekily suggests that if your record player does not play this disc, you should 'invest in the seven inch version'.

Well, fortunately my record player is not fully automatic and I was able to play this disc. It's just as well, since I did pay more than 60p for it. 'Big shot - Momentarily' was a hit for Jona Lewie in Germany, but in the UK, where this 6" single was released, it did not chart. I guess not everyone is into gimmicks as much as I am.

My collection: 6" single no. 3983
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Big Shot - Momentarily' / 'I'll get by in Pittsburgh'

Chasing pavements - Adele

The last stop in my tour around London (bar the obligatory visit to HMV, but I haven't bought a 7" single there in a long time!) was Sister Ray in Berwick Street. Almost closed last year, I was happy to hear that the shop was saved, and even happier to see that they still stocked an attractive amount of 7" singles. I ended up buying 10 pieces, most of them recent ones, such as this one.

Adele's 'Chasing pavements' was released in January 2008 as her second single. The song refers to an incident that occurred at 6am one day after a fight with a former boyfriend during which Adele was running down the street alone. The single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3982
Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Chasing pavements' / 'That's it, I quit, I'm moving on'

Just dance - Lady Gaga

This is the debut single by Lady Gaga, released in April 2008. 'Just dance' was co-written by Lady Gaga herself, and she commented: 'I was very hungover. I wrote the song in about 10 minutes with [producer] RedOne. And it was my first time being in a Hollywood studio. Very pristine, big huge room with giant speakers.' Not surprising that the lyric of the song is about being intoxicated at a party.

So it's a bit vacuous, this song. Usually, pop songs are. The single still ended up a number 1 hit in the UK, USA and Ireland. The single initially didn't chart in the Netherlands, but when re-released in January 2009, it still reached number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 3981
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Just dance' / 'Just dance (HCCR's Bambosa main mix)'

Party fears two - The Associates

In 1982, the popularity of synthpop was rising in the UK. Numerous bands were riding the wave, including the Associates, who had been struggling since 1979 for some recognition. Their single 'Party fears two' became the first and biggest hit of their career, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart.

In 2006, the Divine Comedy recorded a cover version of 'Party fears two' on their album 'Victory for the comic muse'. It was through this cover version that I got to know the song. The original track features rather preposturous by Billy MacKenzie.

My collection: 7" single no. 3980
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Party fears two' / 'It's better this way'

Sunset now - Heaven 17

In 1984, Heaven 17 released the album 'How men are'. It featured some acoustic instruments for the first time in addition to their usual digital samples, synthesizers and drum machines. The vocal group Afrodiziak also appeared on four track on the album.

'Sunset now' was released as the first single from the album, and also its most successful. The single peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3979
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Sunset now' / 'Counterforce'

I want you back - Bananarama

'I want you back' was the first single by Bananarama after the departure of Siobhan Fahey. She was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan. 'I want you back' was featured on Bananarama's fourth studio album 'Wow!' and originally recorded with Fahey. For the single release, the track was re-recorded with O'Sullivan. No further singles from 'Wow!' were released.

The audience responded well to this release, as it peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3978
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I want you back' / 'Bad for me'

Personal touch - Errol Brown

After the band Hot Chocolate disbanded in 1987, lead singer Errol Brown attempted a solo career. His debut solo single was this one, 'Personal touch', produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolley. Released in July 1987, the single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart.

What's interesting is that the B-side of this single is actually more engaging than the A-side. Based around a gimmicky sound of a ringing telephone, it demands your attention throughout the song. In my opinion, this is a double A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3977
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Personal touch' / 'Why don't you call me'

Love in the first degree - Bananarama

Released in October 1987, 'Love in the first degree' was the second single from Bananarama's fourth studio album 'Wow!'. Like the rest of the album, the track was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman and includes many of their trademark sounds. The lyrics were written by Siobhan Fahey and built upon by SAW and the other two Bananarama members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward.

The single was the band's biggest selling single in the UK, peaking at number 3 (like two other singles by them). As one of their final performances with Fahey, the group performed the song at the BRIT Awards with a large entourage of male dancers dressed only in black bikini briefs. The song was nominated for best British single at the BRIT Awards, but lost to Rick Astley's 'Never gonna give you up'.

I bought this single together with three others in the basement of the Berwick Street branch of the Music & Video Exchange in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 3976
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Love in the first degree' / 'Mr. Sleaze'

Who needs love like that - Erasure

I took the bus (oh, how I miss those open double deckers from the old days!) from Notting Hill Gate to Oxford Street, in order to get to Berwick Street, where my record hunting would continue. I was aware of one more Music & Video Exchange down the road, but I stopped underway for a new shop, where I eventually found three singles, although two of them I already had - but these were picture disc editions (more about that later on this blog).

The one new title I found was 'Who needs love like that', the debut single by Erasure. Whereas Vince Clarke had a lot of success with Depeche Mode and Yazoo, this single was considered a flop, as it only reached number 55 in the UK singles chart. It was 1985. More than two decades later, we know how successful Erasure turned out to be...

My collection: 7" single no. 3975
Found: Revival Records, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Who needs love like that' / 'Push me shove me'

Beware boyfriend - Mari Wilson

After Mari Wilson reached the UK top 10 with 'Just what I always wanted', the next single was this one, 'Beware boyfriend', released in a limited edition with a free postcard. The sleeve photograph was taken by Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, who was becoming one of the hottest photographers of the year, with his work for Joy Division, Kim Wilde and many others.

This single did not follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, stalling at number 51 in the UK singles chart. It was the last of nine singles I found on the first floor of the Notting Hill Gate branch of the Music & Video Exchange on August 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 3974
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Beware boyfriend' / 'It's happening'

Suboceana (Boom boom chi boom boom) - Tom Tom Club

The music video of Tom Tom Club's Suboceana was a very strange one, one that caught my attention the very first time I saw it. I always wanted to have the single, but it was never available. In fact, I never even saw the single until I found this one.

And so it came to pass that I had the 12" single before I found the single. Much to my delight, this single features an instrumental version of the track that is not included on the 12".

My collection: 7" single no. 3973
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Suboceana (Boom boom chi boom boom)' / 'Suboceana (instrumental)'

Tour de France - Kraftwerk

The cycling mania of some of the band members of Kraftwerk has been well documented. Ralf Hütter and Fritz Hilpert have been known to take part in cycling events. The track was originally recorded with the intention of being included on the subsequently abandoned album 'Techno pop'.

The single was remixed by François Kevorkian in New York and reached number 24 in the UK singles chart. In 2003, Kraftwerk would release a new album 'Tour de France Soundtracks', featuring a new recording of this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3972
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tour de France (remix)' / 'Tour de France'

I second that emotion - Japan

'I second that emotion' was originally a hit for Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1967. Written by Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland, the title of the song came to Robinson when his friend and Motown colleague Al Cleveland mispronounced the phrase 'I second that motion' as 'I second that emotion' while the pair were Christmas shopping in late 1966.

Japan recorded a cover version of the song as a standalone single released in 1980. This remixed version was released two years later, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3971
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I second that emotion' / 'Halloween'

Heaven's open - Michael Oldfield

In 1991, Mike Oldfield suddenly called himself Michael Oldfield and released his final album for Virgin Records, 'Heaven's open'. At a time of friction with his record company, Oldfield included some veiled attacks on Richard Branson on the album.

The single 'Heaven's open' featured lead vocals from Oldfield himself for the first time. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3970
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heaven's open' / 'Excerpt I from Amarok'