If it happens again - UB40

'If it happens again' is one of my favourite tunes by UB40, and a lot of that has to do with the last few minutes of the track. So I was hoping that the 12" version would offer more of that. Well it doesn't, but that's okay because this dub mix is quite interesting too.

It was the seventh top 10 hit in the UK for UB40. It peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart, but did even better in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 375
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it happens again (12" version)' / 'Nkomo a gogo'

Boys keep swinging - Duran Duran / Absolute beginners - Carla Bruni

'We were so turned on: A tribute to David Bowie' was released worldwide on September 6, 2010 as a charity for War Child UK. It is the only tribute album that has been approved by David Bowie and his management.

This single was released from the album, featuring the tracks by Duran Duran and Carla Bruni. It is the first Duran Duran 7" vinyl single since 1995's 'Perfect day'. Upon first listen, I have to say I like the cover by French president Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni better: she has turned the wonderfully rich original into an intimate piano-and-vocal song - and that works very well.
This single is a limited edition and was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 5039
Found: HMV, London, received February 16, 2011
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' (Duran Duran)' / 'Absolute beginners' (Carla Bruni)

I am an astronaut - Ricky Wilde

Released in 1972, Ricky Wilde (yep, Kim's brother) was just eleven years old when he sang 'I am an astronaut'. The single was not a hit all over Europe, but the single was released in several countries.

Attentive readers of this blog will have seen the previous entry about 'I am an astronaut' from two years ago, but this single is a recent acquisition: a Belgian pressing featuring a beautiful photo sleeve of a young Ricky. And so it merits a repost.

My collection: 7" single no. 5038
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 9, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'I am an astronaut' / 'The Hertfordshire rock'

Verlieben verlieren - Münchener Freiheit

'Verlieben verlieren' can be translated as 'loving and losing', which qualifies this song as a story everyone has gone through at one point or another. It's a pleasant popsong and the B-side is a nice bonus, as it holds a remix of the A-side track.

It's another single from Münchener Freiheit's 1989 album 'Purpurmond', and this wasn't a hit either.

My collection: 7" single no. 5028
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Verlieben verlieren' / 'Verlieben verlieren (Rhythm mix)'

Boogie oogie oogie - A taste of honey

A Taste of Honey was the name of an American recording act formed in 1971 by associates Perry Kibble and Donald Ray Johnson. In 1978 they had one of the best known songs of the disco era, 'Boogie Oogie Oogie'. The single as a number 1 hit in the USA, while reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

After their popularity waned during the 1980s Johnson went on to record as a solo artist and release the album 'One Taste Of Honey' which produced numerous minor hits in America.

My collection: 7" single no. 5034
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Boogie oogie oogie' / 'World spin'

Ich will dich nochmal - Münchener Freiheit

One of many Münchener Freiheit singles I bought recently, 'Ich will dich nochmal' was taken from their 1989 album 'Purpurmond'. Produced, as usual, by Armand Volker, the single didn't trouble the charts, which must have been a disappointment after the success of 'Keeping the dream alive' a year earlier.

The pop song is pleasant but forgettable. The same could be said of more of their singles, actually...

My collection: 7" single no. 5029
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ich will dich nochmal' / 'Lass mich nie mehr los'

Same old song - Pussycat

There's an air of calculation behind this single release by the Dutch band Pussycat. After a handful of top 10 hits their singles 'I'll be your woman' and 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' landed outside the top 10, and so someone must have suggested a cover version.

'Same old song' was originally a hit for the Four Tops in 1965 and written by the Motown writers team of Holland, Dozier & Holland. Pussycat's version was rewarded with a highest chart placing at number 10. The strategy had paid off.

My collection: 7" single no. 5032
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Same old song' / 'Stupid Cupid'

What kind of fool - Barbra Streisand with Barry Gibb

'Guilty' is one of those classic albums that literally everybody owned in 1980. It featured two big hits: the title track, a duet with Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees, who also produced the album, and of course the inevitable 'Woman in love'.

I didn't know a third single had been taken from the album: 'What kind of fool', another duet with Barry Gibb. No wonder: it wasn't a hit. It isn't necessarily a bad song, but not very memorable either. The B-side, by contrast, is horrendous.

My collection: 7" single no. 5031
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'What kind of fool' (with Barry Gibb) / 'Make it like a memory'.

Mama help me - Edie Brickell and New Bohemians

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians released their 'difficult second album' in 1990. 'Ghost of a dog' was less accessible than their debut album 'Shooting rubberbands at the stars' (1988) and, as a result, failed to capture the imagination of the listening audiences worldwide.

The single 'Mama help me' was released around the same time as the album but was greeted with the same muted response. The band fell apart soon after, causing Edie Brickell to launch a solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 5033
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Mama help me' / 'Oak cliff bra'

Oh, Lori - Evidence

'Oh Lori' was originally recorded by the Alessi brothers in the Seventies. This Dutch band recorded a cover version on their 1986 album 'Heavy harmonies' and released it as a single from that album.

Evidence sounds a bit like an acapella group for which the producer decided he wanted to have some background music anyway. Hence, the single sounds a bit contrived, which is a shame because a real acapella version of this song would have been fabulous.

My collection: 7" single no. 5035
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Oh, Lori' / 'Get up join the party'

Herzschlag ist der Takt - Munchener Freiheit

The German band Münchener Freiheit released their third album 'Herzschlag einer Stadt' in 1984. The Neue Deutsche Welle, which had launched many German bands in the early Eighties, was almost over, but they finally managed to hit success with this album and the single 'Oh baby', a top 30 hit in Germany.

The next single was a remix version of 'Herzschlag ist der Takt', released in early 1985. Unfortunately, this single did not repeat the success of 'Oh baby'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5030
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Herzschlag ist der Takt' / 'Keiner hat mich gewarnt'

Get that love - Thompson Twins

Joe Leeway left Thompson Twins in 1986, leaving Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie to carry on making music as a duo for another seven years. They released their first album as a duo in 1987, entitled 'Close to the bone'. 'Get that love' was the first single taken from that album.

It reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart but failed to reach the charts in the UK and Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 5036
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Get that love' / 'Perfect day'

Cherchez la femme - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band

'Cherchez la femme' is a French phrase which literally means 'look for the woman'. When a man behaves out of character or in an otherwise inexplicable manner, it's because he is trying to cover up an affair with a woman. It was also the title of a hit single by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, released in 1977. The lead vocals were performed by Cory Daye.

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a big band and swing influenced disco band, formed in the Bronx, New York. The single was taken from their self-titled debut album. They released two more albums before the end of the Seventies. Bassist Thomas August Darnell Browder and vibraphonist Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi), went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers. Lead singer Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career.
The song 'Cherchez la femme' was covered by Gloria Estefan on her album 'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me' (1994).

My collection: 7" single no. 5037
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Cherchez la femme' / 'Sunshower'

Rivers of Babylon (Remix '88) - Boney M

Bobby Farrell died last month, legendary dancer of Boney M, who also lipsynched so well to the words that were in actual fact sung by producer Frank Farian. I didn't write an entry about Boney M at the time since all my Boney M singles were already up on this blog. But I've found a new single to write about.

This '88 remix of 'Rivers of Babylon' was released in Germany to celebrate the reunion of the original line-up of the band, including the aforementioned Bobby Farrell. The remix-album 'Greatest hits of all times' was as unsuccessful as this ill-fated single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5027
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Rivers of Babylon ('88 remix)' / 'Mary's Boy Child - Oh my Lord ('88 remix)'

So heiss - Münchener Freiheit

'Keeping the dream alive' is perhaps Münchener Freiheit's biggest hit, and it was taken from their 1988 album 'Fantasy'. That album was released in English and in German. The German version was entitled 'Fantasie' and several singles were taken from that one.

'So heiss' was released in Germany with the same kind of sleeve as 'Keeping the dream alive'. The design was only slightly different. All this to cover the fact that there really isn't that much to report about this single. It is a nice song, that's all.

My collection: 7" single no. 5026
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'So heiss' / 'Lass es einfach geschehn'

In the heat of a passionate moment - Princess

'In the heat of a passionate moment' was released in 1986 as Princess's fifth single. Like all previous singles, it was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman which meant that it sounded a lot like all their other productions. It was popular at the time but it's easy to recognise the same sounds that were used in Rick Astley and Mel & Kim tracks.

The single reached number 74 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it was her least succesful single up to that point.

My collection: 7" single no. 5025
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the heat of a passionate moment' / 'In the heat of a passionate moment (instrumental)'

Es gibt kein nächstes mal - Münchener Freiheit

Released in 1986, 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' ('There is no next time') is a single by the German band Münchener Freiheit that was successful in Germany only. It was taken from the compilation album 'Von Anfang an'.

Living up to its title, the album contained a selection of new singles, a previously unreleased live version of 'Zeig mir die Nacht' (from the album 'Umsteiger'), two remixes and the occasional track from their previous two albums. Its success was due largely to its two original hit singles, 'Ohne Dich (schlaf' ich heut' nacht nicht ein)' and 'Tausendmal Du'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5024
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' / 'Wenn das so einfach ist...'

Terry - Tracey Ullman

After having had success with 'They don't know', composed and recorded by Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman recorded another Kirsty MacColl track, 'Terry' in 1984, shortly after the original version by MacColl had been a hit. This cover version is a bit unnecessary as it adds nothing to the original. The music sounds like a replica, and if anything, Ullman's vocals are less powerful than MacColl's.

That said, I've always been fond of the song 'Terry' and so having different versions of it is quite interesting. Quite rightfully, however, this version was not a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5023
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Terry' / 'I don't want our loving to die'

Back in love again - Donna Summer

'Back in love again' was released in 1977 as a single from Donna Summer's album 'I remember yesterday'. The track combined a disco beat with an interesting Sixties sound. The song is actually a re-working of a track called 'Something's in the wind', originally a B-side to 'Denver dream', a single released by Donna Summer in 1974.

This single peaked at number 29 on the UK singles chart. Although announced as 'Der neue Superhit von Donna Summer' on this German sleeve, the single never made it into the German charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 5022
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Back in love again' / 'A man like you'

My kind of lady - Supertramp

In 1982, Supertramp released their final album of the 'classic line-up' including Roger Hodgson, '...Famous Last Words...'. While the first single 'It's raining again' was a hit in several countries, its followup 'My kind of lady' disappeared without a trace in most territories.

A worldwide tour followed in 1983. After the tour, Hodgson left the band. There was much speculation behind the reasons why Roger Hodgson left Supertramp. In an interview, Hodgson stated that the reason he left the band was to spend time with his two small children. He has stated that there were never any real personal or professional problems between him and Rick Davies as some people thought.

My collection: 7" single no. 5021
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My kind of lady' / 'Know who you are'