Let it be - Ferry Aid

I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...

The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.

My collection: 12" single no. 545
Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'

Catch me - Marsha Raven

Before the 'Anglia remix' was created, which spawned the hit single version of 'Catch me' by Marsha Raven, she released the track without the sound effect of Big Ben in it.

This 12" single is the extended version of the original single version, and it features no clocks whatsoever. Without that, it loses a lot of its appeal although it's still a very danceable track.

My collection: 12" single no. 542
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2001
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Catch me' / 'Catch me (instrumental mix)'

Ooh to be ah - Kajagoogoo

Kajagoogoo were scorned in the Eighties (and after) became they were considered to be naff. But when you listen to their music now, it holds up very well. The song with the nonsensical title 'Ooh to be aah' is a great piece of breezy pop that has stood the test of time better than you'd think.

This 12" single features an extended remix of 'Ooh to be ah' plus a B-side track that was not featured on the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 544
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ooh to be ah (The Construction mix)' / 'Ooh to be ah', 'Interview rooms'

Secrets - Fiat Lux

Back in November 2008, I featured the 7" single of Fiat Lux's 'Secrets' on this blog. The song cannot be downloaded from there anymore as I never reupload tracks (so don't ask, please).

However, since I have this 12" single as well, both tracks are available once more. And it's just as well, since 'Secrets' is one of the best songs of the Eighties, I dare say. It's a shame that this 12" single does not include an extended version of the track, but there is an extra B-side - which I have to say is a bit of a throwaway track...

My collection: 12" single no. 248
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Secrets' / 'Comfortable life', 'Aqua vitae'

Don't break my heart - UB40

This is not the best 12" remix in the history of mankind - in fact, it's rather lame. It features the single version of UB40's 'Don't break my heart', which fades out at the end while a different track fades in: it's an instrumental roughly based on the tempo and key of the song but doesn't really belong here. I think many people must have felt a bit cheated when they played this record after buying it.

My collection: 12" single no. 376
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't break my heart (12" version)' / 'Mek ya rok (12" version)'

Owner of a lonely heart - Yes

What a shame. Trevor Horn produced Yes's 'Owner of a lonely heart' in 1983, creating a great and innovative rock track - but then decided to make a remix as well. The result is on this 12" single, and I repeat: what a shame. The remix is not much more than a random collection of noises that becomes increasingly grating as time progresses and no verse or chorus appears.

The B-side, fortunately, offers the A- and B-side of the 7" single, so owners of this 12" single can always take their refuge to that side.

My collection: 12" single no. 543
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Owner of a lonely heart (Special remix dance version)' / 'Owner of a lonely heart', 'Our song'

This woman's work - Kate Bush

Kate Bush recorded 'This woman's work' for the movie 'She's having a baby', directed by John Hughes. The song is played during the dramatic climax, when Jake (Kevin Bacon) learns that the lives of his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and their unborn child are in danger. As the song plays, we see a montage sequence of flashbacks showing the couple in happier times, intercut with shots of him waiting for news of Elizabeth and their baby's condition. Bush wrote the song specifically for the sequence, writing from a man's viewpoint and matching the words to the visuals which had already been filmed.

Kate included the song in her 1989 album 'The sensual world'. The song was re-edited from the original version featured on the film soundtrack. When the song was chosen as the second single from the album, the song was mixed differently for another time.

The single was released in two different formats: a 'regular' 7" single and a picture disc. While failing to chart in most territories, it reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in Ireland. The song should be considered one of Kate Bush's signature songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 1123
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 19, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'This woman's work' / 'Be kind to my mistakes'

You keep me hangin' on - Kim Wilde, You win again - Bee Gees

This promotional jukebox single from Italy is evidence that the Italians were a bit slow in picking up one of Kim Wilde's biggest hits, 'You keep me hangin' on'. While the Bee Gees' 'You win again' was released in September 1987, Kim's single was originally released a year earlier.

I have no documentation on the chart history of 'You keep me hangin' on' in Italy, but I suspect it only charted when this promo was circulated. By that time, it had already reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - no mean feat for a female singer from the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4866
Found: eBay.co.uk, received May 15, 2010
Cost: 6 pounds
Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' (Kim Wilde) / 'You win again' (Bee Gees)

Giorgio - Lys Assia

I wonder if I'll ever find out if there's a 7" single of Lys Assia's winning Eurovision song 'Refrain' from 1956. I'm still looking for it and it's the only Eurovision winner that's missing from my collection!

Lys Assia returned to the Contest in 1957 and 1958, and this is her entry from 1958: 'Giorgio'. Representing Switzerland, she very nearly won the Contest again, earning 24 points, but finished second behind Andre Claveau with 'Dors mon amour', who earned 27 points. It's surprising that a 52 year old single can still be in such pristine condition.

My collection: 7" single no. 4865
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Giorgio' / 'Louella'

Merry-go-round - Susan Fassbender

Susan Fassbender's 1981 single 'Twilight cafe' was a hit in the UK, but subsequent recordings failed to match that success.

This single, 'Merry-go-round' was released the same year, but failed to chart despite some appearances in TV programmes like 'Cheggers plays pop' and 'Swap shop'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4863
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Merry-go-round' / 'Reasons'

The Chinese way - Level 42

'The Chinese way' was released as the second single from Level 42's 1982 album 'The pursuit of accidents'.

It became Level 42's first top 30 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 4862
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The Chinese way' / '88 (live)'

Hi-Energy Anglia Remix - The Flirtations, Marsha Raven

In 1984, Dutch DJ Rutger Kroese created the Anglia Remix, a medley of two songs with sounds of Big Ben. The two songs that were used were 'Earthquake' by the Flirtations and 'Catch me' by Marsha Raven. The latter had been released unsuccessfully earlier that year, but this remix gave it a new lease of life.

An edited version of this remix would be released as a single and give Marsha Raven a top 10 hit in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, this full length remix became quite sought after.

My collection: 12" single no. 541
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2001
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hi-Energy Anglia Remix' / 'Primitive desire' (Eastbound Expressway)

Chains of love - Erasure

'Chains of love' was released in May 1988 as the second single from Erasure's third studio album 'The innocents'. The album version was produced by Stephen Hague and was slightly remixed for its single release. Most notably the album version starts 'cold', while the single version contains a short synthesizer pattern as an intro.

The single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4859
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Chains of love' / 'Don't suppose'

Jackie Wilson said - Dexy's Midnight Runners

'Jackie Wilson said (I'm in heaven when you smile)' was written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1972 on his album 'Saint Dominic's preview'. It was inspired by a line in Jackie Wilson's song 'Reet petite'.

In 1982, British pop band Dexys Midnight Runners recorded and released a cover version of 'Jackie Wilson said' on their album 'Too-rye-ay'. It was released as the follow-up single to their UK number 1 hit 'Come on Eileen' and reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. It also got to number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4858
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jackie Wilson said' / 'Let's make this precious'

Only a fool - Time Bandits

The single 'Only a fool' was taken from the Time Bandits' 1985 album 'Fiction'. While the previous single 'Dancing on the string', also taken from the album, reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40, this single failed to chart.

The song, written by frontman Alides Hidding, sounds a bit like a cheap Bee Gees imitation. I guess too many people didn't appreciate this unintended tribute.

My collection: 7" single no. 4857
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, June 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Only a fool' / '1 2 3'

The wild places '91 - Duncan Browne

This remix of the classic song 'The wild places' by Duncan Browne is a mystery. I can't find any information as to why this remix was released. What's more, the remix doesn't seem to add or change much from the original - except the great instrumental bit at the end of the song seems to have been chopped off. What a shame.

Amazingly, this single managed to chart again in the Dutch Top 40. Whereas the original version reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 in the Spring of 1979, this version managed to get to number 28.

My collection: 7" single no. 4864
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The wild places '91' / 'Fauvette'

Looking for you - Kit Hain

After working with Julian Marshall for a few years as Marshall Hain, Kit Hain pursued a solo career. This resulted in two solo albums, the first one of which was 'Spirits walking out' (1981). This album featured the single 'Danny' plus this one, 'Looking for you'.

The best way to sum up this single is probably: great sleeve, unremarkable music. At least, the general public didn't buy this.

My collection: 7" single no. 4861
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Looking for you' / 'Hundreds and thousands'

Net als toen - Corry Brokken

How times have changed. When the Eurovision Song Contest was just a new invention, the Netherlands were actually very successful. Between 1956 and 1975, the country won four times - and they never managed this after 1975. The first time the Netherlands won was in the second year of Eurovision, 1957.

Corry Brokken sang 'Net als toen' ('Just like the old days'), a song that featured a violin solo by Sem Nijveen and was almost three and a half minutes long. In this year's contest the Italian entry lasted for five minutes, whilst the UK's entry lasted for almost two minutes. It was because of songs like the former that a rule was eventually introduced restricting each song to a maximum of three minutes; this rule still applies today.

This single, meanwhile, is a true rarity. It simply cannot be found - although I did buy this copy in a shop without any trouble. I was very surprised with it, even if the vinyl wasn't pressed perfectly.

My collection: 7" single no. 4860
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Net als toen' / 'Wees maar niet boos'

Wildfire - Time Bandits

Although the Time Bandits basically still exist (at least, frontman Alides Hidding still uses the name when he performs solo or with a band), they split up in 1989. 'Wildfire' was the last single to be released by the band, but it failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

The single was taken from the band's 1987 album 'Can't wait for another world', which contained a few songs written by Alides Hidding with American singer/producer Dan Hartman. This single contains two of them.

My collection: 7" single no. 4856
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Wildfire' / 'You're not at home'

The big kiss - Thereza Bazar

After the breakup of the duo Dollar, Thereza Bazar released one solo album in 1985 called 'The big kiss', which she co-wrote. The album reportedly cost half a million pounds to produce and generated media attention, but according to Bazar, the album's circulation was poor due to a mix-up at the record company, with the album unavailable at the time of its advertised release. Today Bazar mentions the incident as the most upsetting of her career.

The first single from the album was the title track was released in the summer of 1985. It didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4855
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The big kiss' / 'Give yourself up'