C'est la vie - Charlene Tilton

At some point in the Eighties, the actors of the legendary TV series 'Dallas' decided they could sing as well as act. Patrick Duffy recorded a rather dodgy duet with Mireille Mathieu, whereas Audrey Landers launched a singing career, working with German producers.

And then there's Charlene Tilton (who played Lucy in the series), who also worked with a German producer, Heidi Brühl, to release 'C'est la vie' in 1984. The single reportedly reached number 1 in Germany. Unpretentious pop. No more, no less.

My collection: 7" single no. 4288
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'C'est la vie' / 'C'est la vie (instrumental)'

Jones the rhythm - Grace Jones

I wonder if there will ever be a deluxe re-release of Grace Jones' classic album 'Slave to the rhythm'. There's a plethora of remixes of the title track, but there aren't that many other bonus tracks.

It was quite interesting to find this single, the second one taken from the album. 'Jones the rhythm' is a less familiar single from 'Slave to the rhythm', primarily because it didn't chart. It features an edit of the album version, as well as a very interesting instrumental B-side track. 'Junkyard' is constructed in the same style as the album, and as such could easily be tacked on to the track listing. I do hope it happens someday.

My collection: 7" single no. 4287
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jones the rhythm' / 'Junkyard'

Nathan Jones - Bananarama

'Nathan Jones' was originally released in 1971. The song was written by Leonard Caston and Kathy Wakefield and recorded by the Supremes, post-Diana Ross. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1988, Bananarama released their cover version of the song as a single. It was originally included on their 1987 album 'Wow!'. After Siobhan Fahey left the group and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan, they re-recorded the song for the single. This version reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4286
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Nathan Jones' / 'Once in a lifetime'

Surface tension - Rupert Hine

When I bought this single, I suddenly realised that I didn't have any UK pressed 7" singles by Rupert Hine until now. 'Surface tension' was released in 1981 as a single from his third album 'Immunity'. The B-side, 'House arrest', would reappear as a track on his 1982 album 'Waving not drowning'.

Of course, this was another non-charting single for Rupert Hine. As successful as he is as a producer, as a performing artist he never got the recognition he deserves.

My collection: 7" single no. 4284
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Surface tension' / 'House arrest'

Ein gold'ner Stern - Mouth and MacNeal

Mouth & MacNeal represented the Netherlands during the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with 'I see a star'. Composed by Hans van Hemert and Gerrit den Braber, the duo recorded the song in three languages: Dutch, English and German. This single contains the German version, and was released in German speaking countries.

The German translation was provided by Günther Behrle, whereas the B-side, the German versoin of 'Liefste' ('My Friend'), was translated by W. Mürmann. I don't know whether this version was a hit in any country.

My collection: 7" single no. 4273
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Ein gold'ner Stern' / 'Liebling'

Electricity - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark formed in 1978, when childhood friends Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey, who had been in a few bands before, decided to play as a duo, using a Teac 4 track tape-recorder as backing.

They managed to released their debut single on the independent label Factory Records in 1979. 'Electricity' was supposed to be produced by Martin Hannett, but the A-side was the band's original demo, produced by their friend Paul Collister, owner of their Teac tape-recorder. The single's sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, who would continue to do the band's artwork throughout most of the Eighties. The unusual graphics that feature on the sleeve were partially inspired by Andy and Paul's original musical notation style. Unable to read or write music, they adapted a series of symbols, each one representing different instruments. The single did not chart, but the band subsequently went on tour supporting Gary Numan, which gave them enough exposure to warrant a debut album, released in 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 4269
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Electricity' / 'Almost'

Tricks of the light - Mike Oldfield

'Tricks of the light' was the second single taken from Mike Oldfield's 1984 album 'Discovery'. Vocals were performed by Barry Palmer and Maggie Reilly, who also appeared on the two previous singles: 'Crime of passion' and 'To France' respectively.

The single did not perform well in the charts: it only reached number 91 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4250
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Tricks of the light' / 'Afghan'

The day before you came - Blancmange

Just two years after the release of 'The day before you came' by Abba, the British duo Blancmange recorded and released a cover version of the song. While the original only reached number 32 in the UK singles chart, the Blancmange version managed to reach number 22. However, where the Abba version managed to chart all over Europe, the Blancmange single only charted in the UK.

It was their last significant hit, as subsequent Blancmange singles peaked at number 40 or lower in the UK singles chart. I didn't like this cover version in 1984, when it came out, but now I think it's a pretty decent version.

My collection: 7" single no. 4285
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'All things are nice (version)'

African and white (remixed version) - China Crisis

China Crisis signed to Virgin records in 1982, releasing their debut album 'Difficult shapes & passive rhythms, some people think it's fun to entertain' in December of that year.

Their first hit in the UK was a re-release of 'African & White'. This song was originally released in 1981 on an independent label, but this Virgin release was a remix of the track. The single reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4283
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'African and white (remixed version)' / 'Red sails'

Secret separation - The Fixx

'Walkabout' was the fourth album by the Fixx, released in 1986. From this album, the single 'Secret separation' was taken. Like most singles by the band, it did not chart, although it was played often on the radio.

Personally I didn't know this single existed until I saw it and bought it recently. I did know the album very well, as my sister bought it in the late Eighties, and I recorded it and played it rather often at the time. So this was a really nice find.

My collection: 7" single no. 4282
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Secret separation' / 'Sense the adventure'

Manolo Manolete - Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis debuted in 1987 with 'Joe le taxi', and then followed it up with 'Manolo Manolete', a song about a Spanish bullfighter. The single only managed to reach number 10 in the French singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.

As a result, the track did not appear on her debut album 'M&J', released in 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 4281
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Manolo Manolete' / 'You you'

The Summer Megamix - Boney M

The height of Boney M's success was gone, vanished by the end of the Eighties. Still, someone thought it would be a good idea to release a 'Summer Megamix', consisting of their biggest summer hits: 'Sunny', 'Ma baker', 'Hooray! Hooray! It's a holi-holiday', 'Gotta go home' and 'Kalimba de luna'. The megamix was made by Michael Newman and Charles Key B, together with Pete Hammond from Pete Waterman Limited.

The single was, as far as I know, only released in France, peaking at number 11 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4280
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The summer megamix' / 'The calendar song'

Ella elle l'a - France Gall

Written by Michel Berger, 'Ella elle l'a' is a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. France Gall, who was married to Berger, recorded the song for her 1987 album 'Babacar'.

The single reached number 2 in France. In Germany, it became a number 1 hit (which is rather rare for a French song), while in the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 4279
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ella elle l'a' / 'Dancing brave'

Touch - Colin Blunstone

It's not always a bad life, being a pop star. Colin Blunstone not only has one of the best male voices in the industry, but for the sleeve of his single 'Touch' he also had to pose with a nude woman in his arms. That's not so bad, is it?

Released in February 1983, 'Touch' sounds a lot like an Imagination single. You would expect that this track was produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolley as well, but it isn't - it was produced by one Peter Bardens, who also wrote the song. The single did not chart in any territory, which really is a shame.

My collection: 7" single no. 4278
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Touch' / 'Touch (instrumental)'

Are you sure? - The Allisons

The Allisons were an English pop duo consisting of Bob Day (born Bernard Colin Day, 2 February 1941, Trowbridge, Wiltshire) and John Alford (born Brian Henry John Alford, 31 December 1939, London). They were marketed as being brothers, using the same surname of Allison.

They represented the United Kingdom during the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Are you sure'. They came in second place with 24 points. The song was released as a single on the Fontana Records label, and climbed to number 1 on the UK NME pop chart. However, the official UK singles chart states that the song peaked at number 2. Despite a couple of minor follow-up hits, the duo disbanded in 1963. It doesn't happen so often that I pay a large amount for a single without a picture sleeve, but this old rarity - in a perfect state! - did warrant it.

My collection: 7" single no. 4272
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 3,5 euro
Tracks: 'Are you sure?' / 'There's one thing more'

If you leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'If you leave' was recorded in 1986 by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark for the soundtrack of the movie 'Pretty in pink'. The song was featured prominently during the final scene of the movie.

Subsequently, the single became the group's biggest hit in the USA, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the song was virtually ignored in the UK, where it only reached number 48 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4253
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you leave' / '88 seconds in Greensboro'

Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye - Bananarama

'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' was written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, using the band name Steam. It was released in late 1969. It became a number one hit in the USA and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart.

In February 1983, Bananarama released the song as a single off their album 'Deep sea skiving'. This version became a number 5 hit in the United Kingdom, but stalled just outside the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (at number 101) later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' / 'Tell tale signs'

Innocent - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield and Anita Hegerland, who became his partner in the mid-Eighties, said during an interview that 'Innocent' was inspired by their daughter Great, who also appeared in the music video for the song. Anita Hegerland provides vocals on 'Innocent', while Mike Oldfield composed and performed the music.

The single was taken from Mike Oldfield's 1989 album 'Earth moving'. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4247
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Innocent' / 'Earth moving (Disco version)'

Twee mobiele ogen die keken de kraker aan - Rubberen Robbie

In 1980, squatters were dominating the news in the Netherlands. During the crowning of Queen Beatrix they used the occasion to protest against poor housing conditions in the country, using the memorable slogan 'Geen woning, geen kroning' ('No housing, no crowning' - it rhymes better in Dutch). Squatters riots were becoming a familiar sight, especially in the bigger cities in the Netherlands.

Rubberen Robbie used these developments to release a single. 'Twee mobiele ogen die keken de kraker aan' (which roughly translates as 'Police eyes looked at the squatter') did not become a hit for the group. The B-side is amusing for those who enjoy rude sounds set to music.

My collection: 7" single no. 4275
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Twee mobiele ogn die keken de kraker aan' / 'De kater komt later'

It's OK - Harmony

When Harmony were selected to represent the Netherlands during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with ''t Is OK', they recorded two versions of the song: in Dutch and in English. This English version, entitled 'It's OK', was released as a single in various countries.

This single was made in West Germany. The single did not chart there, as in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4271
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'It's OK' / 'Bim Bam Bom'