Souvenir - Orchestral manoeuvres in the Dark

A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes was the initial inspiration for 'Souvenir'. Although very displeased with the original version, the band decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it. The song features a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. He was satisfied with his attempt at singing and would continue to sing lead vocals for some other OMD songs later on.

'Souvenir' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. This single is the European version of the single, which features a different sleeve when compared to the UK original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4133
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Souvenir' / 'Motion & heart (Amazon version)'

Lovin' you - Shanice

'Lovin' you' was originally released in 1975 by Minnie Riperton. The sugary sweet song reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a worldwide hit.

Shanice Wilson recorded a cover version of the song on her 1991 album 'Inner child'. It was released as the second single from the album after the successful single 'I love your smile'. It could not match the success; it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, while it didn't chart in the Dutch Top 40. Shanice recorded the song for a second time on her 2006 album 'Every woman dreams'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4132
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lovin' you' / 'I love your smile (Driza Bone single remix)'

The last time - Agnetha Fältskog

In 1987, Fältskog travelled to Malibu, California, to record the album 'I stand alone', produced by Peter Cetera and Bruce Gaitsch. Released in November of that year, it spent weeks at number 1 in Sweden, but was only a minor success in the rest of Europe.

When the first single 'The last time' appeared in the shops, I didn't buy it on account of Agnetha's strange hair on the sleeve photograph and the fact that the single was produced by Peter Cetera (whom I only knew from his boring middle of the road ballads at the time). 'The last time' was not a hit: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4131
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The last time' / 'Are you gonna throw it all away'

Power to all our friends - Cliff Richard

Being a collector of Eurovision Song Contest singles, I was always quite surprised that it was so hard to find the two contributions of Cliff Richard to the Contest - for a reasonable price. But I've finally tracked down a copy of 'Power to all our friends', Cliff's 1973 song for Eurovision.

He represented the United Kingdom at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. He finished third, but did end up at fourth place in the UK singles chart and at number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4130
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Power to all our friends' / 'Come back Billie Joe'

Promised you a miracle - Simple Minds

Released in 1982, 'New gold dream' was the fifth album of the Simple Minds. The single 'Promised you a miracle' was the first one taken from the album, released in April 1982. It was their first single to generate success on the European continent, as it reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the UK, it was their fifth chart single, although it was the first one to actually break the top 40, peaking at number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 4129
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Promised you a miracle' / 'Theme for great cities'

The day before you came - Abba

You can't tell from the sleeve design of this single - which is absolutely horrible - but with 'The day before you came' Abba arguably reached the creative peak of their career. It's a very melancholy song, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson while they took time off in 1981 to write new material for Abba as well as beginning to create their first musical, 'Chess'.

'The day before you came' was recorded in August 1982. To date, this song was the last song the group ever recorded together in the studio. Agnetha performed the lead without the lights on and said that the mood had become sad and everybody in the studio knew that 'this was the end'.

My collection: 7" single no. 164
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'Cassandra'

I don't wanna dance - Eddy Grant

This song sounds incredibly dated now, but back in 1982 it was a huge hit, reaching number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart! It was Eddy Grant's first number one hit in the UK since 'Baby come back' by the Equals (of which he was a member) in 1968.

The track was recorded in Barbados for his album 'Killer on the rampage', which reached number 7 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 975
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I don't wanna dance' / 'I don't wanna dance (acapella)'

19 - Paul Hardcastle

Paul Hardcastle's biggest hit '19' was released on two 12" singles, of which this was the first one. As far as extended remixes go, this one really isn't that shocking. It does contain some new material, but on the whole it's just a slightly longer version of the familiar track that appeared on the 7" single.

Although the remixer is not credited, it's safe to assume Paul Hardcastle created this extended version himself.

My collection: 12" single no. 520
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '19 (extended version)' / 'Fly by night', 'Dolores'

Alone without you - King

'Alone without you' was the first single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart but fared less well in other territories. Still, it launched the album well in the UK. 'Bitter sweet' ended up reaching number 16 in the UK albums chart.

A slow ballad version, entitled 'reprise', was featured on the 12" single of the next release, 'Taste of your tears'.

My collection: 7" single no. 324
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Alone without you' / 'I kissed the spikey fridge (Rock hard mix)'

99 Luftballons - Nena

It was not their debut single, but the biggest hit of Nena's career did come early on in their career. The lyric of the song was written by the band's guitarist Carlo Karges after he was at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin. He noticed that balloons were being released. As he watched them move toward the horizon, he noticed them shifting and changing shapes, to the point of looking a lot like some UFO. He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet sector. The lyric speaks of an apocalyptic overreaction by military forces.

When the song was released as a single from Nena's debut album in early 1983, it was an immediate hit not only in German-speaking countries, but also in the Netherlands, where it topped the Dutch Top 40 for a few weeks.

My collection: 7" single no. 444
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 9, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '99 Luftballons' / 'Ich bleib' im Bett'

Valentine - Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren released his first album with Rykodisc in 1991. It was titled 'Silver lining' and featured the single 'Valentine'. The track featured Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals. For most artists, this is quite a feat, but Nils Lofgren had already been in Springsteen's E-Street band for almost a decade. The arrangement must have been really easy.

It meant a hit for Lofgren, at least in the Dutch Top 40 where the single reached number 16. The single did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1645
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Valentine (edit)' / 'Valentine (album version)'

Don't look back in anger - Oasis

'Don't look back in anger' was written by Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis. He commented: '[It] reminds me of a cross between 'All the young dudes' and something the Beatles might have done.' And: 'I don't actually know anybody called Sally. It's just a word that fit, y'know, might as well throw a girl's name in there. It's gotta guarantee somebody a shag off a bird called Sally, hasn't it?'.

The single reached number 1 in Irelandand the UK, but stalled at number 55 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2634
Found: April 13, 1996
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't look back in anger' / 'Step out'

When I think of you - Janet Jackson

'When I think of you' was released as the third single from Janet Jackson's third album, 'Control'. The song was written by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who also produced the track.

It is Janet Jackson's first number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1642
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When I think of you' / 'Pretty boy'

Sorry seems to be the hardest word - Elton John

'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was one of the rare instances where Elton John himself wrote much of the lyric. The track was released in 1976 as a track on his album 'Blue moves'. When it was released as a single, it reached number 11 in the UK singles chart, number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

In 2007, Marty Wilde released a cover version of this track on a compilation cd to commemorate his 50 years as a performing artist. It was a duet with his daughter Kim, a successful artist in her own right. Although their version is commendable, nothing beats the beauty of the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 612
Found: All that music, Leiden, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' / 'Shoulder holster'

Cherish the day - Sade

I think this 7" single is quite rare. As far as I know, 'Cherish the day' was only released on this format in Spain. And even then, it was just a promotional single. I guess I was lucky to find a copy.

'Cherish the day' was the fourth and final single from Sade's fourth album 'Love deluxe'. Despite the fact that it was remixed for the single release, it was not a very successful single. It only reached number 53 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2444
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Cherish the day (Sade remix short version)' / 'No ordinary love'

Get here - Oleta Adams

'Get here' was originally written and performed by Brenda Russell on her 1988 album of the same name.

The solo career of American singer Oleta Adams, who made a name for herself by working with the British band Tears for Fears, took off when she released her cover version of the song as a single in the autumn of 1990. It reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1353
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 10, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Get here' / 'I've got to sing my song (live)'

Five Live EP - George Michael

After the death of Freddie Mercury, the remaining members organised a concert featuring the songs of Queen, performed by them and various guest vocalists. Arguably the best of them was George Michael. His performance of 'Somebody to love' and 'These are the days of our lives' (the latter together with Lisa Stansfield), augmented with some other live tracks from other performances were put together on the 'Five Live' mini album. This EP represent four of the five tracks.

The EP reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1912
Found: Record fair, May 22, 1990
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Somebody to love', 'Killer/Papa was a rolling stone' / 'These are the days of our lives', 'Calling you'

When your heart is weak - Cock Robin

Just like in Europe, 'When your heart is weak' was also the debut single for Cock Robin in the UK. But for some reason, it was released with a different sleeve and a different B-side! Whereas the European sleeve resembled the album sleeve a lot, the UK version featured a different colour photograph of the band and a unique band logo (which was only used on UK releases).

Intriguingly enough, the single did not chart in the UK. Perhaps if they'd used the European sleeve...?

My collection: 7" single no. 1596
Found: March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'When your heart is weak' / 'Peace on earth'

Love games - Belle and the Devotions

Belle and the Devotions represented the United Kingdom with the Motown pastiche 'Love games' during the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. The 12" single featured on this blog some time ago, but obviously I've got the 7" single as well.

The song ended up on seventh place in the Eurovision Song Contest and peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3174
Found: Record fair, January 18, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love games' / 'Rock me'

La femme accident - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

For some reason, I've listened to the 12" extended remix of 'La femme accident' a lot more than the original single version over the last ten years. So it was delightful to play this single again after such a long time.

'La femme accident' is a great lightweight pop track from the synthpop masters OMD. It was the third and last single release from their 1985 album 'Crush'. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 352
Found: V&D, December 1985
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'La femme accident' / 'Firegun'