Although this is a 12" single, it doesn't really contain a track especially made for it: both 'Questionnaire' and 'Boy' appear in their respective album versions. But because 'Questionnaire' was edited for the 7" single, this still is an attractive disc.
Chas Jankel worked with Ian Dury on a lot of tracks recorded by the latter. On this occasion, Jankel ended up recording the track he'd written with Ian Dury himself.
My collection: 12" single no. 547 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Questionnaire' / 'Boy'
When I listen to this single, I can't help but notice the dodgy sound effects and the very thin voice of Thereza Bazar. Dollar were just starting out in 1979, when 'Love's gotta hold on me' was released. The duo had had two minor hits in the UK, but hit the big time - amazingly - with this one: it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart.
The song does not convince me: personally, I prefer the B-side, 'Tokyo'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4887 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Love's gotta hold on me' / 'Tokyo'
The Flirts were a female trio from New York City who had several dance hits in the early Eighties. The group was created and masterminded by American Hi-NRG producer, Bobby Orlando aka 'Bobby O'. The trio - initially Andrea, Holly and Rebecca - are best known for their sensual tracks.
The single 'Passion' was released in 1982, and it became the group's only single to chart outside of the USA. It reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4886 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Passion' / 'Jungle rock'
Marjon Keller, Mandy Huydts en de the sisters Karin and Laura Vlasblom were selected for the children's choir Kinderen Voor Kinderen in the early Eighties. After recording an album and some TV specials with the choir, they decide to continue as a group. They are coached by Mandy's father Jan Huydts.
Working as The Sweet Society at first, they change their name to Frizzle Sizzle in 1985 and record their debut single 'Why do boys'. Produced by Peter Schön and Victor Heeremans, the single sounds a bit like a demo and does not reach the Dutch Top 40. In 1986 the quartet participates in the Eurovision Song Contest and find fame under the guiding hands of producers Fluitsma and Van Tijn.
My collection: 7" single no. 4885 Found: Markplaats.nl, received May 22, 2010 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Why do boys' / 'Modern times'
'Outside of this (Inside of that)' was a single taken from Jon & Vangelis' 1981 album 'The friends of mr. Cairo'. The track was edited from 5 minutes to 4 minutes and 10 seconds for the single.
It was a peculiar choice for a single, as it doesn't have a very memorable melody or hook. No wonder, then, that this single failed to chart in all territories.
My collection: 7" single no. 4884 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Outside of this (Inside of that)' / 'Beside'
Belgian singer Jo Lemaire released 'C'est mon bateau' ('It's my boat') in 1990. The accompanying music video was recorded in black and white.
The song was taken from the album 'Duelle', which was a record with French chansons. The album was awarded gold in Belgium and was also successful in France.
My collection: 7" single no. 4883 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'C'est mon bateau' / 'Jardin des délices'
Having bought a lot of Time Bandits singles lately, I was in doubt whether I would take home this one as I was sure I could find it cheaper someday. But in the end, I did and I'm glad I did: this is possibly one of the band's best tracks. 'Dancing on a string' has a great melody and is quite catchy too.
When released in October 1985, the single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. It was the first single from the album 'Fiction' that would be released a few weeks later.
My collection: 7" single no. 4882 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Dancing on a string' / 'Dancing on a string (instrumental)'
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, who produced the album 'We are family' for Sister Sledge originally formulated all its songs with the group in mind envisioning the title cut as the lead single. When the record company wanted a more overtly disco song Edwards and Rodgers gave Sister Sledge 'He's the greatest dancer', originally intended for their own band Chic.
Nile Rodgers recalled Sister Sledge being 'furious' at being asked to sing the lyric 'My crème de la crème please take me home': 'to them that made them seem like loose women' - and suggested a lyric adjustment to 'My crème de la crème, please don't go home.' Rodgers says he and Edwards refused to change the lyric 'because we knew the world that we were writing about obviously more than they did because they had never even been in a disco...He ain't going to go home because [he is] the greatest dancer...he's gonna stay there longer than you'.
When released as the first single from the album, it reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1979. The single also reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4881 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'He's the greatest dancer' / 'Somebody loves me'
Since I started listening to Kim Wilde's radio show 'Secret Songs' on Magic FM, I've rediscovered many tracks from the past. One of them is Odyssey's 'Use it up and wear it out', a song I thought was quite ridiculous when it was in the chart in 1980, because of the whistle.
Listening to it now, I have to conclude that the ridiculous whistle is part of the catchy appeal of this track. No wonder that it reached number 1 in the UK charts in the summer of 1980. In the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 4.
My collection: 7" single no. 4880 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Use it up and wear it out' / 'Don't tell me, tell her'
Cameo were very popular in the mid-Eighties after they had a worldwide hit with 'Word up!', the title track of their 1986 album. Subsequent singles 'Candy' and 'Back and forth' were not as successful, but were still hits in some territories.
'Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.
My collection: 7" single no. 4879 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Back and forth' / 'You can have the world'
Amii Stewart's career was slowly grinding to a halt when this remix double A side was released in 1985. Her biggest hits 'Knock on wood' and 'Light my fire' were remixed by Barry Leng and Alan Coulthard.
The single was a big success in the UK, where it reached number 7. And thus, the 'Top Hit UK' label on the sleeve of this German pressing is no lie. I don't know what position the single reached in Germany - but in the Netherlands it failed to chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4878 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Knock on wood (remix)' / 'Light my fire (remix)'
The French producers Jean Kluger and Daniel Vangarde created the track 'Disco Bouzouki', roughly inspired by Greek music, in 1977. The Bouzouki Disco Band they called themselves, and the single became quite a hit in France. When released in other countries, it wasn't quite as successful - despite the rather attractive sleeve.
A few years later, Kluger and Vangarde were more successful when they produced the duo Ottawan, who hit the charts in 1980 and 1981 with hits like 'D.I.S.C.O.' and 'Hands up'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4877 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Disco Bouzouki' / 'Do re mi fa soul'
American disco singer Amii Stewart recorded a remarkable disco-flavoured cover version of the Doors' famous rock track 'Light my fire' in 1979. Her version was a commercial success, hitting number 5 in the UK singles chart.
The Doors track has been covered by many other tracks through the years. Acts like Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder, Shirley Bassey, Baccara, Massive Attack, Trini Lopez and UB40 have all had a shot at it - although nothing beats the original.
My collection: 7" single no. 4876 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Light my fire' / 'Bring it on back to me'
A song about agoraphobia, 'Trees and flowers' was originally the debut single of Strawberry Switchblade, the Scottish duo consisting of Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall. Released on the indie label '92 happy customers', it didn't reach the chart, but it got them noticed by bigger record companies.
They eventually signed with WEA records, who released their debut album in 1985. A limited reissue pressing of the 7" was made and given away with initial copies of the album. This copy was actually sold separately - and so I snapped it up.
My collection: 7" single no. 4875 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Trees and flowers' / 'Go away'
Human League frontman Philip Oakey and legendary producer Giorgio Moroder had worked together previously. Two singles had already been released - the hit single 'Together in electric dreams' and the flop 'Good-bye bad times' - when 'Be my lover now' was released in 1985.
Like 'Good-bye bad times', this single did not reach the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, their self-titled album reached number 52 in the UK albums chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4874 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Be my lover now' / 'Be my lover now (instrumental version)'
In 1982, when this single was released, the British band Private Lives consisted of John Adams, Rick Lane and John Reid. Two years later, Adams would record the first Private Lives album together with Morris Michael.
'The memory of your name' was one of the singles released by the early line-up that wasn't successful. Interesting fact: Simon Climie plays guitar on the track. He would later form Climie Fisher together with Rob Fisher.
My collection: 7" single no. 4873 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Memory of your name' / 'Swim away'
On his third album 'Show me to the stage', Henry Gross mixed Rock & Roll songs with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson influences. A good example of the Brian Wilson sound on his album is the single 'Painting my love songs', released in the summer of 1977.
This single did not chart in any territory, but it very nearly made the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4872 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Painting my love song' / 'String of hearts'
After Henry Gross had a worldwide hit with the single 'Shannon', he released his second album 'Release'. The second single taken from that album was the uptempo 'Springtime mama'.
This single almost reached the gold status in the USA, while peaking at number 37 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In Europe, this single failed to impress the record buying public.
My collection: 7" single no. 4871 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Springtime mama' / 'Overtone Square'
Though selling millions of copies worldwide, Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album 'Tusk' was deemed a failure in comparison to their previous album, 'Rumours'. Two hit singles were taken from the album ('Sara' and the title track), but three further singles failed to chart in most territories.
'Not that funny' was released as the third single from the album and underwent the same fate as its follow-ups 'Think about me' (released in the USA only) and 'Sisters of the moon'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4870 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Not that funny' / 'Think about me'
After Andrew Gold enjoyed his first UK hit in 1977 with 'Lonely boy', he followed it up in 1978 with 'How can this be love'. The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40.
The B-side, 'Thank you for being a friend', also written and performed by Andrew Gold, was recorded by Cynthia Fee as the theme tune to the US comedy series 'The Golden Girls'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4869 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'How can this be love' / 'Thank you for being a friend'
Although this is a 12" single, it doesn't really contain a track especially made for it: both 'Questionnaire' and 'Boy' appear in their respective album versions. But because 'Questionnaire' was edited for the 7" single, this still is an attractive disc.
