Only happy when it rains - Garbage

'Only happy when it rains' was written, recorded and produced by Garbage at their own recording studio in Madison, Wisconsin. The song was released as the third single from the band's debut album 'Garbage'. Shirley Manson explained that the song was 'a dig at ourselves because we like records that don't make us feel very happy, and at this so-called 'alternative' scene of 'we're so weird and more wonderful than everybody else'.'

Continuing their theme of collectible 7" vinyl releases, which had seen 'Vow' packaged in an aluminium sleeve and 'Subhuman' in black rubber, Mushroom packaged the 7" format for "Only Happy When It Rains" in a "Prismaboard" (rain-effect) die-cut card sleeve, with a hologram logo sticker on the inner jacket. The B-side was pressed with a double groove, so that either 'Girl don't come' or 'Sleep' played, depending on where the stylus landed; the songs were shorter on the vinyl than they were on the CD or cassette formats to accommodate both on one side of the disc. This pressing was limited to 5,000 copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 5268
Found: Discogs.com, received December 6, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Only happy when it rains' / 'Girl don't come', 'Sleep'

Walking wounded - Everything but the girl

'Walking wounded' was released as the first single from Everything but the Girl's ninth studio album of the same name, their first album to showcase a more electronic and dance style, after the success of the remixed version of their song 'Missing' from the previous album 'Amplified heart'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Irish chart.

I didn't know this song was released as a 7" single until I did a little research on EBTG 7" releases recently. Fortunately, a copy was available online so I ordered it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 5267
Found: Discogs.com, received December 6, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Walking wounded (Main vocal mix edit)' / 'Walking wounded (Hard vocal mix)'

Heart of glass - Blondie

Blondie's 'Heart of glass' was released in January 1979. Almost immediately after its release, it became the subject of controversy because of its disco sound. At the time, Blondie was one of the bands at the forefront of New York's growing New Wave music scene and were accused of "selling out" for releasing a disco song. The band itself has jokingly taken to referring to the song as "The Disco Song" in interviews.

This 12" single features an instrumental version of the song as well as an extended remix. The song 'Rifle range' was originally released in 1976 on Blondie's debut album.

My collection: 12" single no. 182
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart of glass (extended)' / 'Heart of glass (instrumental)', 'Rifle range'

Flowers in our hair - All about Eve

I got to know All about Eve thanks to a TV special on a satellite channel. On that occasion I saw short clips of 'Every angel', 'Martha's harbour' and 'Flowers in our hair'. I hadn't had much of a chance to find out more about them, but within weeks I spotted this 12" single in a discount record store. A once in a lifetime chance, as I found out later. At least, this 12" single became quite expensive in later years, although the price seems to have dropped in recent years.

Besides an extended version of the title track, this disc features a cover version of the Cliff Richard track 'Devil woman'. Cliff Richard? Well it's hard to imagine him singing this lyric I have to say, but he did.

My collection: 12" single no. 77
Found: Haags Modehuis, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Flowers in our hair (extended)' / 'Devil woman', 'Paradise'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Although most people are familiar with the unattractive 'Hip hop mix' of Climie Fisher's 'Rise to the occasion', originally it was actually a very nice song. One should consider that remix as a misguided attempt to attract a new audience for the pop duo, as if regular pop audiences aren't worthwhile.

This 12" single features an extended remix of the original version, still free from the random mumblings of someone hailing from one 'hood' or another.

My collection: 12" single no. 370
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion (extended mix)' / 'Rise to the occasion', 'Mental block'

Never let me down - David Bowie

'Never let me down' was released as the third single from David Bowie's album of the same name in the summer of 1987. The song is about Bowie's long-time personal assistant, Coco Schwab. Bowie described their relationship, saying 'It's platonic. But there is a romance in it, I guess, inasmuch as it's hard for two people to feel totally at ease in each other's company for that period of time and not expect too much from each other. Always being prepared to be there if the other one needs someone, you know? There's not many people you find in life that you can do that with, or feel that way with.'

This 12" single features an extended remix of the track, as well as a dub and acapella version.

My collection: 12" single no. 352
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down (extended dance remix)' / ''87 and cry', 'Never let me down (dub)', 'Never let me down (acapella)'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

This 12" single features the so-called '312 mm version' of 'Genetic engineering', a single released by the band as the first single from their fourth album 'Dazzle ships'. The single was a commercial disappointment for the band, as it peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart, thus ending a run of four consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK.

This remix clocks in at 5'18 minutes and as such adds 90 seconds to the original version of the song. It mostly consists of added instrumental passages.

My collection: 12" single no. 287
Found: Record exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering (312 mm version)' / '4 Neu'

Our lips are sealed - The Visitor featuring Roxanne Wilde

Although Kim Wilde's younger sister Roxanne Wilde has an equally captivating voice and stage presence, she never quite manage to lift her career off the ground in the way her older sister did. Along the way, she did record several interesting records. First with her own band Dimestars, and later with some dance producers.

Her hit with Darren Tate, 'Destination' became a chart hit in May 2003 and soon after that she recorded 'Our lips are sealed' with The Visitor, a.k.a. Jon Pleased. This 12" single features two versions of the track as well as a rather interesting instrumental dance track. Roxanne later became a backing vocalist for Kylie Minogue, so she did alright for herself anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 440
Found: HMV, London, December 2003
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed', 'Our lips are sealed dub' / 'A month of Sundays'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Take on me - A-ha

A-ha did their farewell tour last year, causing some grief among their fans, who are coming together this weekend for a fan reunion. Personally I think it's a matter of time before the three Norwegians reunite for another tour and/or album. It may take some years, but in the mean time, there's loads of old records to enjoy.

Such as this one, the original 12" single of 'Take on me', released in 1984 - a year before the single was re-released for the third time and finally became a hit. It's 'Take on me', but not as you know it. I've always liked this version a little better, also because of the exclusive track 'Stop! and make your mind up' which was never released since.

My collection: 12" single no. 19
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (long version)' / 'And you tell me', 'Stop! and make your mind up'

Private dancer - Tina Turner

Although I was never much of a fan of Tina Turner's vocals, I have to admit that her voice was quite suitable for 'Private dancer'. She sounds old and disillusioned enough to carry the lyric of the song, and the fact that she doesn't exactly have a pretty or smooth voice really is a plus here.

This 12" single features the full length version of the song, plus two live tracks of old Ike & Tina Turner chestnuts, recorded live in Chicago on August 2, 1984.

My collection: 12" single no. 134
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 0,5 pound
Tracks: 'Private dancer (Full length version)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)', 'Nutbush city limits (live)'

Our summer - All about Eve

Collectors items can be very frustrating to a collector, as sometimes you think you may never get hold of them. When I became interested in the band All about Eve, I quickly became aware of their early 'indie' releases. 'Our summer' was released in 1987 as the band's third indie release on 12", and it was one of those frustrating items for me for years.

I finally found a copy during a visit to one of those record exchanges in London, and the price had dropped to an almost acceptable level. I'm still very happy to have found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 175
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 9 pounds
Tracks: 'Our summer (extended mix)' / 'Lady moonlight', 'Shelter from the rain'

We close our eyes - Go West

Go West's debut single was 'We close our eyes', a great rhythmic track that lends itself well to an extended remix. This 12" single does not disappoint: this six minute remix of the track delivers well in every aspect. The remix was later included on the 1985 compilation album 'Bangs & Crashes'.

Thanks to those wonderful Here & Now Tours at the beginning of this century I've had the pleasure of seeing Richard Drummie and Peter Cox live a couple of times. Thankfully they were still as powerful as two decades earlier.

My collection: 12" single no. 28
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'We close our eyes (Total overhang club mix)' / 'We close our eyes', 'Missing persons'

Hey little girl - Icehouse

The UK single of 'Hey little girl' was already in my possession when I found this 12" single. I wasn't too surprised, then, by the sleeve which was different from the European one. I was, however, quite surprised by the track listing of this disc, as it featured an extended remix of the title track and a remix of the earlier hit single 'Can't help myself'. A good deal, I felt, since I like both tracks.

The design and painting of the sleeve was done by David Storey, who also did artwork for artists as diverse as Blondie, Elton John and The Specials.

My collection: 12" single no. 280
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hey little girl (Australian Disco Mix)' / 'Hey little girl (single mix)', 'Can't help myself (Disco club mix)'

Atomic - Blondie

Blondie released 'Atomic' in February 1980 and as such it was their first single of the Eighties. The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 39 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This 12" single contains a live version of David Bowie's 'Heroes' featuring Robert Fripp on guitar, recorded at London's Hammersmith Odeon on January 11, 1980. The track was later included on 1993's rarities compilation 'Blonde and Beyond'.

My collection: 12" single no. 394
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Atomic' / 'Die young stay pretty' / 'Heroes (live)'

So excited - Janet Jackson

'So excited' was taken from Janet Jackson's ninth album '20 Y.O.' and features a sample of Herbie Hancock's 1984 hit single 'Rockit'. That is a very good addition, however the addition of the inarticulate ramblings of a rapper named Khia is a less fortunate choice.

Although 'So excited' was remixed by Junior Vasquez, Bimbo Jones and Eddie Baez, this 12" single features four slightly predictable versions of the song: an album version, a radio edit, an instrumental version and an acapella version, all drawn from the regular album mix. The radio edit is laughable because of its random removal of certain 'shocking' words. You can't listen to - lyric - certain words - blocked. And what's so shocking about the word 'inside' anyway?

My collection: 12" single no. 601
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'So excited (album version)', 'So exicted (radio edit)' / 'So excited (instrumental)', 'So excited (a cappella)'

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

Kate Bush released 'Cloudbusting' in October 1985 as the second single from her fifth album 'Hounds of love'. The 12" single featured two B-side tracks and an extended remix of the title track, entitled the 'Organon Remix'.

In 'Burning Bridge', a woman desperately pleads with her lover to step up his level of commitment to her. 'My Lagan Love' is a traditional Irish melody with lyrics by John Carder Bush, Kate Bush's brother.

My collection: 12" single no. 15
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Cloudbusting (The Organon Remix)' / 'Burning bridge', 'My lagan love'

Stop for a minute - Sandra

'Stop for a minute' was released after Sandra's first two albums as a new track on her first compilation album 'Ten on one'. It was a surprisingly strong track, it sounds a lot less dodgy than a lot of her early work.

This 12" single features an interesting extended version of the track, as well as the A- and B-side of the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 223
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop for a minute (extended version)' / 'Two lovers tonight', 'Stop for a minute'

Tinseltown in the rain - The Blue Nile

The Blue Nile's 'A walk across the rooftops' was one of the most remarkable albums of 1984, featuring seven beautifully crafted tracks. It featured two singles: 'Stay' and 'Tinseltown in the rain'. The album version of the latter track appears on this 12" singles, as well as an instrumental version of another album track, 'Heatwave'.

This 12" single is however most notable for the otherwise unreleased track 'Regret'. 'One of the saddest songs I know', I wrote on a mailing list a decade ago and I still stand by those words. The track was later included on a rare compilation cd which I never found, but fortunately there's an mp3 floating around which I've included here for your listening pleasure. After all, sometimes the crackles and pops of vinyl tend to distract the listener a bit.

My collection: 12" single no. 143
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tinseltown in the rain' / 'Heatwave (instrumental)', 'Regret'

Escapade - Janet Jackson

Although I have two cd-singles of Janet Jackson's 'Escapade', each featuring three remixes of the track, I was surprised to find that four remixes on this 12" single don't appear on them. And I'm not even counting the LP version which also appears on this 12".

Wikipedia lists 15 different remixes of 'Escapade', but since only two remix teams were involved one could assume that these versions are all a bit 'samey'. The remixes on this 12" single were all made by Shep Pettibone, whereas a lot of other remixes were made by producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It's always amusing to hear different remixes of one track, but it can get a little too much sometimes.

My collection: 12" single no. 609
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Escapade (Shep's Good Time mix)', 'Escapade (The Get away dub)', 'Escapade (LP version)' / 'Escapade (Shep's Housecapade mix)', 'Escapade (Housecapade dub)', 'Escapade (I can't take no more dub)'