Disco tango - Tommy Seebach

Tommy Seebach did his first of three performances at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with 'Disco tango'. The song was well received and ended up in sixth place out of 19 competitors. It became a major hit in Denmark and other European countries.

Seebach later became one of those tragic Eurovision heroes, as his other performances were less successful: 'Krøller eller ej' ended up in 11th place in 1981, and 'Under stjernerne på himlen' only reached 22nd place in 1993. The poor result meant that Denmark did not qualify for the ESC 1994, and Seebach was widely criticized, and never competed again. Seebach passed away on March 31, 2003 after a heart attack.

My collection: 7" single no. 5276
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Disco Tango (English Grand Prix version)' / 'Disco Tango (Danish Grand Prix version)'

Lookin' out - Time Bandits

'Lookin' out' was released in 1982 as the third single from the Time Bandits' self-titled debut album. Like most of the Time Bandits' material, the song was co-written by the band's singer and frontman Alides Hidding.

The single didn't reach the Dutch Top 40. New hits would follow when the band released their second album in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 5275
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lookin' out' / 'In town'

Lay all your love on me - The Bank

At the time of its release, much was made of the decision to release Abba's song 'Lay all your love on me' on 12" single only. I'm guessing of course, but I think that's where the unusual term 'Legal bootleg 7"' on the sleeve of this single comes from.

The unknown band The Bank recorded a version of Abba's song and released it on the more popular 7" vinyl format. It didn't help this release, however: it was not a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5274
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me' / 'Dance the night away'

Something's gotten hold of my heart - Marc Almond

Most people are familiar with the single 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' as a duet between Marc Almond and the song's original performer, Gene Pitney, but this single was released before the duet version. It's the album version of the track, as recorded by Marc Almond solo.

I don't know enough of the history, but I think this single was released just weeks before the duet version, and finally the duet version came in its place -and became a Europe-wide hit. This version of the single is therefore a bit more rare.

My collection: 7" single no. 5273
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' / 'King of the fools'

Eurovision March - Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force

The Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been rather active in releasing singles and albums through the years. I've been able to track down a listing of over 12 singles and EP's and one album, all released between 1958 and 1965.

This particular single was released in 1959 and contains two marches: the Eurovision march and the March of the United Nations. The Eurovision march is well known for its annual use during the Eurovision Song Contest, and as such, this single piqued my interest. Housed in an authentic record company sleeve from that time, it seems I found a rather nice collector's item as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5272
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eurovisie-mars' / 'March of the United Nations'

Hot in the city - Billy Idol

Billy Idol's 'Hot in the city' was originally released in 1982. This is a re-release from 1987. It features a remix of 'Catch my fall' on the B-side, taken from the album 'Vital Idol' which features several remixes of Billy Idol hits. I've been partial to that album ever since I got it from my parents during a holiday in Germany. Very cool music.

Although the released version of 'Hot in the city' contains a verse in which Idol shouts 'New York', other versions of the song were recorded for various radio stations, including one in which he shouts 'Amarillo' or 'New Haven'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5271
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hot in the city' / 'Catch my fall (remix fix)'

Breakaway - Kim Appleby

One half of the popular duo Mel & Kim continued solo after the other half sadly passed away. Kim Appleby initially forged a successful career with hit singles like 'Don't worry' and 'G.L.A.D.', but her second solo album wasn't as popular and she soon ended up out of the music business.

This is the title track of that second album, remixed by La Camorra, Clive Farrington, "Mr. L", Harding & Curnow and Biffco for a promotional double 12" release. Most of these remixes were never released commercially, and only two of them appeared on cd as far as I know.

My collection: 12" single no. 619
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon mix 2)', 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon dub 2)' / 'Breakaway (The survivor mix)', 'Breakaway (Mr. L.'s Midnight mix)' // 'Breakaway (extended mix)' / 'Breakaway (Break dub - Diss Gust It mix)', 'Breakaway (Headless Pigeon mix 1)'

Endless sleep - Marty Wilde

'Endless sleep' was originally written and recorded by American singer Jody Reynolds in early 1958. He wrote it in a single afternoon in 1956 in Yuma, Arizona. After it reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1958, Marty Wilde quickly recorded a version to be released in the UK. This was a common practice at that time, offering a chance for UK artists to score with proven stateside hits.

The single gave Marty his first shot at fame, as it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart in July 1958. While Jody Reynolds didn't have a hit with this song in the UK originally, it was released in April 1979, and had a one week chart run at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 5270
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Endless sleep' / 'Her hair was yellow'

I get lonely - Janet Jackson

Taken from her 1997 album 'The velvet rope', 'I get lonely' was one of those Janet Jackson tracks that contained an R&B feel more than her previous work. It was the kind of stuff she would record more often after this album, with increasingly less audience approval.

These remixes breathe a little life into the track, although it really can't compare with the hits she'd had in the decade before. Nice, but not too interesting is my verdict, alas.

My collection: 12" single no. 618
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I get lonely (Janet vs Jason - The club remix)', 'I get lonely (Janet vs Jason - The remix sessions part 2)' / 'I get lonely (Jason's special sauce dub)', 'I get lonely (LP version)'

Ode to boy - Alison Moyet

'Ode to boy' was originally a B-side of Yazoo's 1982 single 'The other side of love' and a track on their second album 'You and me both'. Alison Moyet re-recorded the track solo on her fourth solo album 'Essex' in 1994.

I sort of knew that the track was released as a single, but I was unaware of the existance of a 12" single with remixes of the track. I've always liked the original version - a beautiful demonstration of stereo sound - and while I wasn't sure Alison's re-recording was as good, I was still curious enough to hear these remixes. And so, I ordered the disc. Have to say I quite like these mixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 617
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Ode to boy', 'Ode to boy (Factory mix)' / 'Ode to boy (NY-LA mix)', 'Ode to boy (NY-LA dub)', 'Ode to boy (Factory dub 2)'

I want you back '88 remix - Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5

The second half of the Eighties was littered with remixes of old tracks. Somehow record companies thought it was a cheap way to make profits without having to pay for studio time - except the time for the remixer of course. But in some cases, even the remixers didn't even spend that much time on it.

Take this one for example: an '88 remix of the old Jacksons hit 'I want you back' with a young Michael Jackson. In 1988 the name Michael Jackson meant a lot to a lot of people. Popular remixers Phil Harding and Ian Curnow were recruited for a remix. They added a drumbeat, and there you had it: a new single. A poor effort, however. But even this reached number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5269
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'I want you back '88 remix' / 'Never can say goodbye'

Sugar mice - Marillion

The lyric of Marillion's 'Sugar mice' is quite depressing, and one suspects that a divorce drama is part of all the misery. But in fact, it's more about a British worker who emigrates to the USA to escape unemployment, leaving behind his family, and ends up drinking in a hotel bar in Milwaukee.

This 12" single features an extended mix of the track, as well as the album version which is about a minute longer than the single edit which was featured on the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 145
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sugar mice (extended version)' / 'Sugar mice (album version)', 'Tux on'

This woman's work - Kate Bush

For a long time, Kate Bush's 'This woman's work' was my favourite track of hers. Over the last six years she's released a few other tracks I consider my favourite, but it's weird how she keeps getting better - beyond the best of my expectations I would say.

Anyhow, this 12" single is a prized possession of mine, because of the beautiful poster sleeve and the two B-sides featured here. No extended version of the single mix of 'This woman's work', but I think it's impossible to improve on this already highly moving track.

My collection: 12" single no. 94
Found: unknown, 1990
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'This woman's work (single mix)' / 'Be kind to my mistakes', 'I'm still waiting'

Enjoy the silence - Depeche Mode

One of Depeche Mode's biggest hits was 'Enjoy the silence', released as the second single from their album 'Violator'. There were many different remixes of the track, released in as many different formats. The last remix to be released at the time was this one.

Entitled the 'Quad: Final mix', it was a remix of 15 minutes, released on cd-single and a 12" single, both containing just the one track. But it's a fascinating remix, going through a few 'movements', until reaching a rather desolate ending. The B-side of this disc features the DM logo from the sleeve, etched in.

My collection: 12" single no. 94
Found: Record fair, 1992
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Enjoy the silence (Quad: final mix)'

Rage hard - Frankie goes to Hollywood

Looking back over 50 years of pop history, only the last three decades have seen 12" singles and extended remixes being released. Out of the thousands and thousands of those remixes there could be a small selection deemed as 'classic'. And I would say that the extended remix of 'Rage hard', included on this disc, should be one of them.

Entitled 'Young person's guide into the 12" mix', it is an introduction to instruments and certain remix techniques, using the aforementioned Frankie goes to Hollywood track as an example. As far as I know, this remix was never released on cd - at least not entirely. This original version lasts for 12 minutes, a shorter version appeared on a Frankie goes to Hollywood compilation cd in 1994.

My collection: 12" single no. 208
Found: Record exchange, London, October 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Rage hard [Young person's guide into the 12" mix]' / 'Suffragette city', 'Don't lose what's left (of your little mind)', ['Rage hard (reprise)']

Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind & Fire

Released in 1979, 'Boogie Wonderland' became a signature song for the band Earth Wind & Fire. The track featured female soul and R&B singing group The Emotions and became a worldwide hit after its single release.

This 12" single features the full length version of 'Boogie Wonderland'. According to the label, it should clock in at 9'30 minutes but it is in fact a minute shorter than that. A mere typo? Who knows. As for the lyric of the song... Can you guess the first few lines being sung here?

My collection: 12" single no. 300
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Boogie wonderland' / 'Boogie wonderland (instrumental)'

Take on me - A-ha

After the first release of 'Take on me' flopped, the record company tried again and again to make it work. This 12" single represents the first re-release of the single, featuring a different sleeve and a different mix of the track. In the end, it took a second re-release and a new music video to make it a worldwide hit - although the music on the disc didn't change after this one.

The extended version is a little over a minute longer than the single version, but it sounds a lot better in my opinion. The copy I have was pressed in Italy. I bought it some time after the single finally reached the Dutch Top 40 and went to number 1.

My collection: 12" single no. 50
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (extended version)' / 'Love is reason', 'Take on me'

Pale shelter (You don't give me love) - Tears for fears

For a long time I didn't understand how it all worked with the different versions of Tears for Fears' early single 'Pale shelter'. It is quite confusing, actually, as the song was re-released no less than three times.

But I've figured it out now. What you see here is the most recent re-release of the single. Subtitled 'You don't give me love', this version was released in 1985 after the success of the band's second album 'Songs from the big chair'. But... wait for it... It features the original version of the song! 'Pale shelter' was re-recorded for Tears for Fears' debut album 'The hurting', and that version was released as a single the second time around. However, this 12" single features the original single and 12" version, produced by Mike Howlett.

My collection: 12" single no. 290
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1996
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Pale shelter (extended version)' / 'Pale shelter', 'The prisoner'

The look of love - ABC

After the debut single 'Tears are not enough' and the hit single 'Poison arrow', ABC released 'The look of love'. The 12" single featured four parts of the track: part 1 is the standard album version, part 2 is an instrumental version, part 3 is a vocal remix and part 4 is a short acoustic instrumental part of the song, containing strings and horns, as well as occasional harp plucks and xylophone. Parts 1 and 4 appear on ABC's debut album 'The lexicon of love'.

Another remix was made by Trevor Horn and released exclusively on an American 12" single. That remix was finally released in the UK as a free single with 'Be near me' in 1985.

My collection: 12" single no. 150
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The look of love (part 1)', 'The look of love (part 2)' / 'The look of love (part 3)', 'The look of love (part 4)'

Blue Jean - David Bowie

Having sworn off disguises and alternate identities for his 1983 album 'Let's dance', it was a bit odd to see the music video for David Bowie's 'Blue Jean' in 1984. Again using loads of make-up on his face, the video distracted a bit from the music. The album 'Tonight', released that year, is seen as an artistic failure, although there were a few nice songs on it.

The extended version of 'Blue Jean' is interesting enough, I'd say. However, the B-side, containing two remixes, is the kind of music I've played only once - but never more. Quite excruciating.

My collection: 12" single no. 372
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Blue Jean (extended dance mix)' / 'Dancing with the big boys (extended dance mix)', 'Dancing with the big boys (extended dub mix)'