Japanese lovesong - Ten Sharp

The early career of Ten Shap was a bit odd. They released four singles to little or no success. The one that was the least interesting in my opinion was 'Japanese lovesong'. And yet, this was the only single of the four to reach the Dutch Top 40, in the summer of 1985. It had a chart run of four weeks and reached number 30.

'Japanese lovesong' was the second single released by Ten Sharp, and after the third and fourth singles 'Last words' and 'Way of the west' did not chart, the band disbanded for four years, only to resurrect with the international smash hit 'You'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4033
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Japanese lovesong' / 'Goin' on'

Pleasure - Spandau Ballet

'Pleasure' was released as the fifth and last single from Spandau Ballet's 1983 album 'True'. After the massive hits 'True' and 'Gold', this single was a commercial disappointment, failing to reach the chart almost everywhere.

The single did chart in Germany, where it reached number 61. It was the lowest chart placing for any Spandau Ballet single in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 4032
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Pleasure' / 'Pleasure (live)'

Anyone who had a heart - Sandie Shaw

'Anyone who had a heart' was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and originally performed by Dionne Warwick in 1963. Outside of America, the song is better known in a version by Cilla Black, released in 1964 and a number 1 hit for her in the UK. Black later commented: 'Dionne was dead choked, and she's never forgiven me, to this day'.

Sandie Shaw was one of the few British girl singers who did not cover the song in the Sixties. In 1982, she was introduced to the British Electric Foundation by future husband Nik Powell. The B.E.F. (Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, who would go on to form Heaven 17 with Glenn Gregory) asked Shaw to record a song for their album 'Music of Quality and Distinction Volume 1', on which they intended people to cover old songs and give them an updated electronic sound. Shaw was particularly proud of her emotional vocals on the song, which was subsequently released as a single. This proved to be the beginning of her 1980s comeback.

My collection: 7" single no. 4031
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Anyone who had a heart' / 'Anyone who had a heart (instrumental)'

Never turn your back on mother earth - Sparks

As I was a fan of the Sparks back in 1974, I must have heard this song a few times back then. As I was only four years old at the time, I cannot remember that at all. So the first time I can actually recall hearing this song was in 1989, on Martin Gore's 'Counterfeit EP', an EP of six cover versions as performed by the Depeche Mode band member.

Since I really love that version, I got curious about the original. And so I bought this single the first time I saw it - which was yesterday. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4030
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never turn your back on mother earth' / 'Alabamy right'

Cream - Prince and the New Power Generation

According to Prince, he wrote the song 'Cream' while he was standing in front of a mirror. It was included on Prince & the New Power Generation's 1991 album 'Diamonds and pearls'.

Released as the second single from the album, it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4029
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cream' / 'Horny pony'

Highland - One more time

One More Time formed in the early Nineties. The band consisted of Peter Grönvall (son of Abba's Benny Andersson) and his wife Nanne, with Maria Rådsten and Therese Löf. In 1992 they began their international career with the release of the single and album 'Highland'. The single became an international success, hitting number 1 in ten countries, peaking at number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Highland' was released on 7" vinyl at a time when most record companies were abandoning the format. As such, you could almost consider it a collectors item.

My collection: 7" single no. 4028
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Highland' / 'Vitality'

Raspberry beret - Prince and the Revolution

'Raspberry beret' was released as the second single from Prince & the Revolution's 1985 album 'Around the world in a day'. Back then, Prince was a Big Thing, and after the phenomenal success of 'Purple rain', this new album was highly anticipated. Although the song was originally recorded in 1982, Prince drastically reworked it with The Revolution to give it more of an international sound.

The lyric of the song tells of a teenage romance and first sexual experience with a girl who wears the titular hat. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4027
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Raspberry beret' / 'She's always in my hair'

The set up - Rupert Hine

Since Rupert Hine has never had a hit, it isn't easy to be aware of the singles he's released. Every time I see one, I am pleasantly surprised. 'The set up' is the second single from his 1982 album 'Waving not drowning'. It includes a non-album track on the B-side, 'Kwok's quease', a quirky song in the best of Hine's traditions.

For some reason, the record buying audience has never given Hine a hit, although his production work has been appreciated by millions, as evidenced by the millionselling albums by Howard Jones, Noa and the Fixx, to name but a few.

My collection: 7" single no. 4026
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The set up' / 'Kwok's quease'

Second chance - Frizzle Sizzle

The Dutch girl group Frizzle Sizzle had their last hit with this single, 'Second chance'. It was only a minor hit, reaching number 38 in the Dutch Top 40. Subsequent singles 'Treat me good' and 'Around and around' did not reach the chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 4025
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Second chance' / 'Top of my list'

I'll tumble 4 ya - Culture Club

'I'll tumble 4 ya' appeared on Culture Club's debut album 'Kissing to be clever'. It was released as a single in North America only, peaking at number 9 in both the USA and Canada.

The B-side, 'Mystery boy', was originally Culture Club's third single, released before they had their international breakthrough with 'Do you really want to hurt me'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4024
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'll tumble 4 ya' / 'Mystery boy'

(We want) The same thing - Belinda Carlisle

I first noticed the track '(We want) The same thing' when I saw Belinda Carlisle perform the song live in Bournemouth with Kim's brother Rick Wilde on guitar in 2004. The song rocked! I don't think I heard the song before.

The song was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley and appeared on Belinda Carlisle's third album 'Runaway horses' (1989). It was released as its fifth single in October 1990. It peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4023
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '(We want) The same thing' / 'Shades of Michaelangelo'

We kill the world - Boney M

The word 'ill-advised' comes to mind whenever I hear this song. Several ill-advised things happened with this single. First of all, Boney M sang a song about nuclear weapons, which is a very serious subject and not necessarily compatible with their variety of carefree dance music. Then there's the last two minutes of this song, performed with a children's choir. Much too saccharine. And then there was the unfortunate dismissal of Bobby Farrell, rendering the band unable to promote the single.

The single was taken from Boney M's 1981 album 'Boonoonoonoos' and reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 39 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4022
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We kill the world' / 'Boonoonoonoos'

Long train running - Bananarama

'Long train running' was written by Tom Johnston and originally recorded by the Doobie Brothers in 1973 for their album 'The captain and me'. Released as a single, it was a top 10 hit in America and the UK.

Bananarama's version appeared on their fifth studio album 'Pop life' and was released as the album's third single in the UK. The album was produced by Youth and the girls of Bananarama discovered the song while they were browsing through his record collection. They completed their album with this one cover version. The Gypsy Kings provided flamenco guitar on this recording, and UK single Zoë provided backing vocals. The single peaked at number 30 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4021
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Long train running' / 'Outta sight'

Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

One chorus and one verse, that's about it. Plus some amazing music, it has to be said. 'Ebony and Ivory' is a somewhat meagre Paul McCartney composition, but adding Stevie Wonder into the track was a stroke of genius. You would almost forget that the lyric is full of platitudes and the ultimate piece of cornyness. The song was performed live in the studio by both McCartney and Wonder, although due to conflicting work schedules, both recorded their parts for the song's music video separately.

The track was featured on McCartney's 1982 album 'Tug of war', and when released as a single it shot to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4020
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ebony and ivory' / 'Rainclouds'

Cat people (Putting out fire) - David Bowie

I bought the 12" single of 'Cat people (Putting out fire)' just two months ago. Now I've also found the 7" single I can say that I've got both versions of this David Bowie track. The single version is almost two minutes shorter than the version that appears on the original soundtrack of the movie 'Cat people' and the aforementioned 12" single.

The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 67 in the USA, but did not chart in the Netherlands, where this single was made.

My collection: 7" single no. 4019
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cat people (Putting out fire)' (David Bowie) / 'Paul's theme' (Giorgio Moroder)

Desperate but not serious - Adam Ant

After Adam & the Ants split, Adam Ant went solo, taking his song writing partner Pirroni with him. His biggest chart success was hit first solo album 'Friend or foe', which included the hits 'Goody two shoes', 'Friend or foe' and this single, 'Desperate but not serious'. Although it was not a hit in Europe, this single reached number 33 in the UK singles chart.

This Dutch pressing of the single is housed in a gatefold sleeve. Gatefold sleeves were very rare in the Netherlands, more so than in the UK around this time.

My collection: 7" single no. 4018
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Desperate but not serious' / 'Why do girls love horses?'

Come to me (I am woman) - Frida

'Come to me (I am woman)' was the last single taken from Frida's 1984 album 'Shine'. The track was slightly edited for the single, becoming 30 seconds shorter than the album version. Like more tracks on the album, it was recorded with an all star band, featuring Simon Climie on keyboards, Mark Brzezecki (from Big Country) on drums and Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals. The B-side 'Slowly' was written by Frida's Abba colleagues Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

All this didn't help the single release much: it did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4017
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Come to me (I am woman)' / 'Slowly'

Too much too young (live) - The Specials

Renowned for their live shows, The Specials released a 5-track live EP in January 1980 as their third single. The EP features 'Too much too young' and 'Guns of Navarone' recorded live in London and 'Skinhead symphony', which was recorded at Tiffany's in Coventry.

The lead track 'Too much too young' is based on the 1969 song 'Birth control' by Lloyd Charmers. The song became an instant smash hit, topping the UK singles chart for two weeks in January 1980. In the Netherlands, it reached number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 4016
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Too much too young (live)', 'Guns of Navarone (live)' / 'Skinhead symphony (medley of 'Longshot kick de Bucket', 'Liquidator', 'Skinhead moonstomp') (live)'

Flash - Queen

Written by Queen guitarist Brian May, 'Flash' is the theme song of the 1980 movie Flash Gordon.
The soundtrack released to coincide with the film contained only the music composed and performed by Queen. The single features dialogue cut from various parts of the movie.

Flash is sung as a duet between Freddie Mercury and May, with Roger Taylor adding the high harmonies. May plays all of the instruments except for the rhythm section. He used a Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano (with 97 keys instead of 88, thus enabling an extra octave on the low range), Oberheim OBX synth (which he plays in the video) and his homemade Red Special guitar.

My collection: 7" single no. 4015
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Flash' / 'Football fight'

Wanna be startin' somethin' - Michael Jackson

Late last year, I started trying to complete my Michael Jackson singles collection. It started when I found the red vinyl collectors set of 'Thriller' singles. It's gone on from there, until I had almost every Michael Jackson single from 1978 onwards (The early years are much harder, as Motown singles are always expensive). The only single still missing was 'Wanna be startin' somethin'', a single I left standing in the racks numerous times back in the Eighties and Nineties. That omission has now finally been rectified.

The song was released as the fourth single from 'Thriller', and another smash hit. The song includes references to the sometimes unhealthy nature of fandom: 'Still they hate you, you're a vegetable / They eat off of you, you're a vegetable'. The song ends with a chorus repeatedly singing 'Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa'. The chant is a riff on one first used by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango, who broke into the American market in 1973 with his classic 'Soul Makossa'. That track was a big hit in Africa, Europe and America. Dibango named his song after the makossa, a Cameroonian dance, but he stretched the word out and played with it: 'Ma-mako, ma-ma-ssa, mako-makossa'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4014
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Wanna be startin' somethin'' / 'Rock with you (live)'