Spandau Ballet released the second single from their second album 'Diamond' in November 1981. 'Paint me down' managed to reach number 30 in the UK singles chart, which was their lowest chart placing up to that point.
It has to be said that 'Paint me down' sounds a bit rough and sketchy, and is certainly not up to the standards of previous hits 'Muscle bound' and 'Chant no. 1'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4749 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Paint me down' / 'Man with guitar'
Carmel was born as Carmel McCourt on November 24, 1958 in Wrawby, England. Together with Jim Parris and Gerry Darby she formed the band Carmel in Manchester. Their debut single 'Storm' reached number 1 in the UK independent chart and they were signed to London Records as a result.
'It's all in the game' was taken from Carmel's fourth album 'Everybody's got a little... soul'. The B-side was recorded live at Ronnie Scott's in London on June 28, 1987.
My collection: 7" single no. 4757 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'It's all in the game' / 'More more more (live)'
In 1986, the Frank Boeijen Groep switched record labels before they released their sixth album, 'In natura'. The first single from the album was 'De beloning' ('The reward'), a track that sounded a bit like their second biggest hit, 'Kronenburg park'. Like that single, this track featured a group of black women on backing vocals, while the instrumentation relied less on synthesizers and more on acoustic instruments.
The new sound paid off: 'De beloning' reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The album version was considerably longer than the single version, which faded out at 5 minutes.
My collection: 7" single no. 406 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'De beloning' / 'Volle maan'
When I bought this single I wasn't sure whether I already had it or not. But I thought what the hell, it's a limited poster sleeve edition, and that alone warranted this acquisition. So I was really happy to find that I didn't actually have this single, which means that this is a genuine addition to my collection.
Jody Watley was hot in 1987. Her self-titled debut solo album was a smash hit and this, the second single from the album saw her singing in a deep lower register. The single only reached number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and did not chart in the UK, where this limited edition was made.
My collection: 7" single no. 4762 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Still a thrill' / 'Looking for a new love (acappella)'
The fact that Dutch pop was at its highest artistic level in the first half of the Eighties is proved once more with this single, released by Toontje Lager in September 1982. 'Ben jij ook zo bang' ('Are you so afraid too') is a fast-paced, almost manic track in which a sombre image of the future is painted.
The B-side is even better: a tale of sexual escapades set to great music. The guitar solo at the end is a treat. It's weird that this single didn't even manage to get into the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4765 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Ben jij ook zo bang' / 'In gedachten'
I was pretty surprised when I found this single. I thought it was a very obscure item, released possibly before Howard Jones' debut single 'New song'. Two live tracks recorded at the Marquee, of which one - the A-side, 'What can I say', written by Howard Jones and William Bryant - I didn't know at all.
As it turns out, this was the 7" single that was included in a limited edition package of the 12" single of Howard Jones' second single, 'What is love'. Since I'm not likely to find that 12" single, I'm glad to have bought this single on its own.
My collection: 7" single no. 4755 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'What can I say (live)' / 'Bounce right back (live)'
'Goodnight tonight' began as an instrumental track which Paul McCartney had recorded in 1978. Needing a single for Wings to accompany the album 'Back to the egg', he took out the track and brought it into the studio, where the full Wings lineup completed it. Since the track was over seven minutes long, an edited version was used as the single, with the full version available as a 12" single.
The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. McCartney's former songwriting partner John Lennon later commented that he didn't care for the song, but enjoyed McCartney's bass guitar on the single.
My collection: 7" single no. 4746 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Goodnight tonight' / 'Daytime nighttime suffering'
'(Feels like) Heaven' is one of the big pop standards of the eighties. It was released by Fiction Factory in early 1984. It was the band's only big hit, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.
I also have the 12" single in my collection, but whenever I came across the 7" single I always thought I already had it. There was some doubt when I bought it this time, but I finally managed to pull it off and buy the damn thing.
My collection: 7" single no. 4748 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: '(Feels like) Heaven' / 'Everyone but you'
'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. It is one of the few instrumental and purely orchestral singles to reach number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the United States, in early 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 6 in March 1974. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would become popular the following year.
In May 1993, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released their single, 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' on which they sang their own lyrics over a sample of this Barry White's composition.
My collection: 7" single no. 4741 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Love's theme' / 'Sweet moments'
The Dutch band Kayak was famous in the Seventies and early Eighties, but still their singles are very hard to find. So whenever I see one these days, I pick it up. In this case, I didn't even know the song - but I wasn't disappointed. Kayak makes very beautiful rock songs, sometimes with a hard edge, and sometimes it's just all peachy.
'We are not amused' was released in May 1975 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4739 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'We are not amused' / 'Serenades'
'Love is an ocean' was another single taken from Earth & Fire's 1981 album 'Andromeda girl'. The song was written by Bert Ruiter and lead singer Jerney Kaagman.
The single, released in February 1982, failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4738 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Love is an ocean' / 'You'
'Treat me like a lady' was recorded in Five Star's new high-tech studio in the grounds of their family home, Stone Court in Ascot, Berkshire. The studio reportedly cost them £2.5 million. It was their first single for their new record label, Epic.
The single was released in a limited edition envelope pack, including five square 7" photographic prints. It reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1196 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Treat me like a lady' / 'Don't stop'
When Daryl Hall & John Oates released the compilation album 'Rock 'n Soul part 1' in 1984, 'Adult education' was a new track on that album, and released as a single to promote the compilation.
Someone thought it would be a good idea to do the same in 1991, when the compilation 'Looking back' was released. Of course, this single flopped.
My collection: 7" single no. 4742 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Adult education' / 'Rich girl'
The song 'I want to break free' is more famous for its music video than for its music. Directed by David Mallet, the video was a parody of the northern British soap opera 'Coronation Street'. In it, the band members of Queen dressed in drag, as mildly similar characters found in the soap at the time. The video also featured a ballet piece with the Royal Ballet.
The single reached number 1 in Austria, Belgium, New Zealand, Finland and the Netherlands and peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart. In the USA, the single only reached number 45. Again, this is explained by the music video, as many people in the USA failed to see the soap-opera connection and interpreted the video as an open declaration of transvestitism and Mercury’s homosexuality. The narrowmindedness of these people prevented all of Queen's singles to reach the top 40 in the USA until 'The show must go on' reached number 2 in 1991.
My collection: 7" single no. 4737 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I want to break free' / 'Machines (or 'Back to humans')'
The lyric of 'Rag doll' was primarily written by Steven Tyler and Jim Vallance. The song was originally titled 'Rag time' but when Holly Knight was called in to help change the lyric, she suggested 'Rag doll'. This was actually another title Steven and Jim thought of, but Holly ended up getting credits just for two words. Steven was horrified about this and often complained to his manager.
The single peaked at number 17 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 721 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 21, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Rag doll' / 'St. John'
'Baggy trousers' was included on Madness' 1980 album 'Absolutely' and released as a single in September 1980. Written by lead singer Suggs, the lyric of the song reminisces on school days. The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980.
The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, it was the eleventh best-selling single of 1980.
My collection: 7" single no. 4736 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Baggy trousers' / 'The business'
Heaven 17 recorded 'Tempation' in 1983 on their album 'The luxury gap'. Carol Kenyon provided backing vocals on this track as well as lead vocals in the bridge and chorus. The song also featured an orchestra, arranged and conducted by John Wesley Barker.
The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 - their first hit abroad.
My collection: 7" single no. 4752 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Temptation' / 'We live so fast'
I guess you could call this the Find Of The Day: during a record fair I found this single today, and it is one that I was aware of, but never found until now. 'Brave new world' was the third single taken from Jeff Wayne's impressive 'War of the worlds' album, released in the autumn of 1978.
The album version of this track clocks in at 12 minutes, and so it has been edited down to 5 minutes and 24 seconds, omitting mostly non-singing parts in the track. The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4754 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Brave new world' / 'Streetfight'
The second single from Maarten Peters' third and most successful album 'White horses in the snow' was the ballad 'Heart of stone (Leave me alone)'. Although the single did not chart, it certainly gave him some exposure, as he played in many television shows at the time.
This single brings together two of the longest tracks on the album, and also the most accomplished ones. Although Maarten Peters' pronunciation and diction is most certainly Dutch, the songs could almost have been made by a British singer/songwriter.
My collection: 7" single no. 1130 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Heart of stone (Leave me alone)' / 'Prince of darkness'
'Here we are' was the third single from the album 'Cuts both ways' by Gloria Estefan. It was one of her successful ballads that followed the fomula of previous ballads and was rewarded with the same amount of commercial success.
The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1128 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Here we are' / '1, 2, 3 (live)'
Spandau Ballet released the second single from their second album 'Diamond' in November 1981. 'Paint me down' managed to reach number 30 in the UK singles chart, which was their lowest chart placing up to that point.
