Un día, un niño - Frida Boccara

One of the most beautiful Eurovision melodies of the Sixties must surely be 'Un jour, un enfant' by Frida Boccara. She was one of four winners in the 1969 edition, together with the Spanish, Dutch and UK entries.

Boccara recorded the beautiful ballad in five languages: the original French version, English, German, Italian - and this Spanish version. It is not easy to find these versions for a reasonable price, so I was happy to snap up this Spanish single for the tiny amount of 1 euro.

My collection: 7" single no. 6037
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un día, un niño' / 'Bella de dia'

Jane - Perfect Day

In the mid-Eighties, Perfect Day was formed by Mark Jones (vocals), Kevin Howard (guitar), Andy Wood (bass) and Mark Stott (drums). After recording a demo they were picked up by London Records in 1987. They released their debut single 'Jane'  in the summer of 1988. The track was produced by Christopher Neil, with additional production and remix by Ricky Wilde. This is, of course, why I became interested in this particular release.

The single was not a chart success, but the band did manage to get a small fan following quite quickly. A fanclub was even formed before they ever made a chart appearance, which is an interesting feat for any band.

My collection: 7" single no. 6035
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jane' / 'Preying on my mind'

The way you are - Tears for fears

The single 'The way you are' by Tears for Fears was released as a 'stopgap' between their first and second album. The song was actually recorded for the purpose of releasing a single, something the band looks back on with a certain amount of regret. In 2014, Curt Smith commented: 'We got over it and managed to go on and have more success despite that song. It’s one of those things that we can’t take it back, but we wish we hadn’t done it.'

Personally, I think it's one of the band's more interesting single releases. With all the percussion going on, it's a very amusing track to listen to. Which is why I was glad to find this promotional 7" single. It features the (regular) 'long version' and a (rare) 'short version'. Basically, the short version just fades out half a minute earlier, but still, it's a nice find.

My collection: 7" single no. 6032
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The way you are (short version)' / 'The way you are (long version)'

Sobe, sobe, balao sobe - Manuela Bravo

Maria Manuela de Oliveira Moreira Bravo, (known as Manuela Bravo) was born in Queluz (Sintra) on December 7, 1957. She made her first public apperarence when she was only 5 years old in Cinema Éden. When she was 15 years old, she released her first single with two songs composed by José Cid, 'Nova Geração' and 'Another Time'.

In 1979 Manuela Bravo won the Portuguese national final for Eurovision with the song 'Sobe, sobe, balão sobe' and represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest. She finished in 9th place in a field of 19 competitors. When you listen to this single now, the song sounds a bit dated.

My collection: 7" single no.  6031
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sobe, sobe, balao sobe' / 'Meu tempo novo de viver'

Here today, gone tomorrow - The Duskeys

The Irish family pop group The Duskeys represented Ireland at the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. Formed after the break-up of Sandy Kelly's (real name Philomena Ellis) touring showband The Fairways, she recruited her sister Barbara Ellis and Welsh cousin Nina Duskey. In 1980, they released their debut single, 'Don't feel like dancing'. In 1981 they competed in the Irish national finals for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Where does that love come from' under the name The Duskey Sisters. They finished in third place.

A year later, they tried again and recruited a male member in the shape of Nina's brother, Dan Duskey. Their song 'Here today gone tomorrow' won the national finals, and so they competed on the Eurovision stage. They ended up in eleventh place. The song was heavily reworked for its single release and became a hit on the Irish charts, reaching number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 6030
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Here today, gone tomorrow' / 'Here today, gone tomorrow (instrumental)'

Que bueno, que bueno - Conchita Bautista

'Qué bueno, qué bueno!' was the Spanish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965, performed in Spanish by Conchita Bautista. This was Bautista's second appearance on the Eurovision stage, in the 1961 Contest she had performed Spain's very first entry, 'Estando contig', then placing ninth in a field of 16.

In 1965, Bautista came through a very convoluted selection process to win the national finals in the end with 'Qué bueno, qué bueno!'. On the Eurovision stage, the song was performed third on the night. At the close of voting, it had received the dreaded nul points, 0 points, placing 15th (equal last together with Germany, Belgium and Finland) in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6029
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Que bueno, qué bueno!', 'Yenca flamenca' / 'Reina por un dia', 'Tienes duende'

Pop corn - Gershon Kingsley and the Moog

So here it is, finally.... the original version of 'Popcorn', the synth-pop instrumental composed and performed by Gershon Kingsley. You have seen and heard many cover versions of this tune on this blog, but the original was only released on 7" vinyl in a few countries. This is the Spanish single, ordered last week from Spain.

Composer Gershon Kingsley (born on October 28, 1922 and apparently still alive) first recorded 'Popcorn' for his 1969 album 'Music to Moog By'. In 1971 the track was re-recorded by Kingsley's band 'First Moog Quartet', later he released a version under the name of The Popcorn Makers, this was the version that was the most successful in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 6028
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Pop corn' / 'For Alisse Beethoven'

Vita vidder - Family Four

In 1971 Sweden was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by Family Four. With the song 'Vita vidder' they managed to get to sixth place in a field of 18 competitors.

Family Four consisted of Berndt Öst, Marie Bergman, Agnetha Munther and Pierre Isacsson. They went on to represent Sweden again the next year, with the song 'Härliga sommardag'. Marie Bergman was no stranger to Eurovision after this: she returned to the Eurovision stage together with Roger Pontare in 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 6027
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro 
Tracks: 'Vita vidder' / 'Heja mamma'

Ein Hoch der Liebe - Wencke Myhre

Wencke Myhre was born on February 15, 1947 in Kjelsås, Norway, and became a popular singer after signing her first recording contract at the age of 13. In 1964 and 1966 she participated in the Norwegian national finals for Eurovision, but in the end she appeared on the international Eurovision stage for Germany with the song 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' ('A toast to love'). The song ended up in sixth place in a field of 17 competitors.

After her Eurovision appearance, she managed to have four more top 10 hits in Germany between1969 and 1978. Myhre tried her luck in Norwegian national finals again in 1982 and 1983, and finally in 2009.

My collection: 7" single no. 6025
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' / 'Jägerlatein'

Popcorn - Hot Butter

My copy of 'Popcorn' by Hot Butter, described on this blog ten years ago, wasn't very interesting to look at for its lack of a picture sleeve. I think I have compensated for that now.

I recently ordered a promotional 7" single of Kim Wilde's 'View from a bridge' from Japan (Do I really have to describe all my Kim Wilde singles on this blog? I have decided not to) and found this Japanese copy of 'Popcorn' for just a few dollars extra. I decided to buy this one as well, just because my 'Popcorn' collection is something I am particularly proud of. It may not be a complete collection, but this single is rare enough to want to own it.

My collection: 7" single no. 6023
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'At the movies'

4 bugg & en coca cola - Lotta Engberg

Lotta Engberg was born on March 5, 1963 and represented her country Sweden in 1987 with the song 'Boogaloo'. The song was originally called '4 bugg & en coca cola', but international advertising rules meant that the name of the song had to be changed. The song was a hit in Sweden and peaked at number 19, and it ended up in twelfth place in Eurovision, in a field of 22 competitors.

She appeared in national finals for Eurovision in 1984, 1988, 1990, 1996, 2002 and 2012, but failed to return to the international Eurovision stage. Together with her husband Anders she formed Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester in 1989. Lotta left the band five years later to form her own Lotta Engbergs orkester. This band fell apart in 2002. Lotta has also been a successful TV host, presenting Lotta på Liseberg and Bingolotto on Swedish television.

My collection: 7" single no. 6026
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '4 bugg & en coca cola' / 'En helt ny dag'

Colorado (international version) - Xandra

On June 6, 2017 Sandra Reemer passed away following a long battle with breast cancer. She had a long and interesting career, not least because she appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest three times, representing the Netherlands. The last of her appearances was the 1979 song Colorado, which I bought as a single in 2002.

That single featured the Dutch version. The single featured here today was also released at the time, featuring a version in English. Like the Dutch version, this one was written and produced by the brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland.

My collection: 7" single no. 6024
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Colorado' / 'Stranger in town'

Refrain - Lys Assia

It doesn't happen very often that I buy a single that I have been looking for for years, but today is such a day. I started collecting Eurovision Song Contest winners a few years ago, and I managed to buy them all on vinyl - at least until they stopped releasing winning songs on vinyl in 1995. The only one I was still missing was the very first winner of the Contest: Lys Assia's legendary 'Refrain'.

That is, until today. I found a copy on Discogs from a Belgian dealer, and after haggling just a little bit I managed to get my hands on this one. It may not be the best copy ever - the pushout centre is missing and there is no picture sleeve, although I suspect this one was released in a record company sleeve anyway - but it is mine.

My collection: 7" single no. 6021
Found: Discogs.com, received March 21, 2019
Tracks: 'Refrain' / 'Arrivederci Roma'

Free 4 track solid EP - Various artists

British magazine Record Mirror would give away 7" vinyl singles with their issues from time to time, sometimes containing exclusive content. These singles are being sold on the second hand market these days, for varying amounts. This copy was not too expensive, and since it contains two of my favourite artists, I quite liked to buy it.

The Pet Shop Boys offer their early track 'In the night', whereas Depeche Mode make an appearance with the album track 'Dressed in black'. Unfortunately the B-side of this EP contains nothing more than some random rapping over boring beats. You can't win them all.

My collection: 7" single no. 6011

Found: Discogs.com, received March 12, 2019
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Dressed in black' (Depeche Mode), 'In the night' (Pet Shop Boys) / 'Slow and low' (Beastie Boys), 'Dangerous' (LL Cool J)

Well, did you evah! - Deborah Harry & Iggy Pop

In 1990 the album Red Hot & Blue raised money for Aids research. The album contained Cole Porter songs covered by pop artists. Miss Otis regrets was a single from the album, featuring a version by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues.

This single was another release from the album: 'Well did you evah', covered by Deborah Harry and Iggy Pop. I didn't really like this song a lot at the time, so I never bought the single, but during a recent online shopping spree I found this single and didn't mind picking it up. Personally I still prefer the B-side: 'Who wants to be a millionaire' by the Thompson Twins.

My collection: 7" single no. 6018
Found: Discogs.com, received March 19, 2019
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Well did you evah' (Deborah Harry & Iggy Pop) / 'Who wants to be a millionaire' (Thompson Twins)

Danube - M

You wouldn't be far off the mark if you associated the letter M with that one hit single, Popmuzik, from 1979. Personally I always preferred Moonlight and muzak, a track taken from the same album 'New York London Paris Munich', but that's as far as the general public's recall of Robin Scott's work goes.

After three albums M was dropped by his label. At this point Robin Scott signed to Stiff Records and released the single 'Danube', featuring his girlfriend Brigit Novik on vocals. The single was released on yellow vinyl with a transparent sleeve on which a blue M was printed. With the single in it, this M turned green in parts - what a nice effect. High marks for the novelty effect!

My collection: 7" single no. 6019
Found: Discogs.com, received March 19, 2019
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Danube' / 'Neutron'

Word up - Melanie G

After the Nineties were taken over by the Spice Girls, the group fell apart as quickly as they'd appeared in the charts and the members all went solo. Melanie G - who was previously called Melanie B, but changed that last letter after her marriage with Jimmy Gulzar - released a cover version of Cameo's 'Word up' in 1999. Interesting fact: 'Word up' was actually her only release as Melanie G. In 2000 she released her debut album 'Hot' as Melanie B. That's how brief her marriage was...

This jukebox release features the song in the radio edit and a remix version. I wasn't particularly intent on owning this single but as part of a bigger mail order I didn't mind getting it, especially since it wasn't that expensive.

My collection: 7" single no. 6020
Found: Discogs.com, received March 19, 2019
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Word up (radio edit)' / 'Word up (Tim's dance mix)'

Menina do alto da serra - Tonicha

Tonicha was born as Antónia de Jesus Montes Tonicha on 8 March 1946, in Beja, Alentejo, Portugal. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, with the song 'Menina do alto da serra' ('Girl from the country mountain'). She finished on ninth place in a field of eighteen competitors.

'Menina do alto da serra' is a classic Eurovision song, the kind you don't get to hear anymore these days. It's beautiful and melodious. This copy comes straight from Portugal, where I ordered it, and despite its age it looks almost like new.

My collection: 7" single no. 6012
Found: Discogs.com, received March 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Menina do alto da serra' / 'Mulher'

Midnight - Coldplay

Coldplay has become, for some, the epitome of uncool. Still the band manages to release some cool songs from time to time - although I must say that I lost track of them in recent years. I couldn't resist buying this single, though: it was released for Record Store Day in 2014, and limited to just 3000 copies. The B-side contains no music - it just has an etching which frankly isn't even that beautiful. 'Midnight' was taken from the band's album 'Ghost stories', also released in 2014.

I found this single while shopping in Delft, in a real 'bricks and mortar' record shop. 'Support your local record shop' a huge banner inside screamed. 'I would love to', I thought, 'but where I live there are no more record shops'. Still I didn't mind supporting this record shop because they did have a good selection: I also bought two cd's together with this single. It was a good day. It felt good buying music in a real record shop. Shit, I'm getting old.

My collection: 7" single no. 6017
Found: Sounds, Delft, March 16, 2019
Tracks: 'Midnight'

Leyla - Vayta

Vayta was born as Seid Memić on March 8, 1950. He was the vocalist for the Yugoslav rock band Teška Industrija between 1975 and 1979. In 1981, he was selected to represent Yugoslavia with the song 'Leyla'. The song ended up in 15th place in a field of 20 competitors, despite its noticeable dramatic qualities. This single is a Portuguese copy, which isn't surprising because it came from a Portuguese seller from whom I ordered quite a few singles.

Vayta went on to present a children's programme throughout the Eighties. In 2007, Teška Industrija reunited and released a new album, 'Kantina'. They continued to released new albums, their most recent being 'Selfie' (2016).

My collection: 7" single no. 6014
Found: Discogs.com, received March 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Leyla (Yugoslavian version)' / 'Leyla (English version)'