The best of 1987 - Europe, Spagna, Cock Robin, Johnny Logan

I've never seen this EP before, and that may be because it was a special product for Johnson & Co. I don't know the company, but they had CBS make them this compilation with four tracks they present als 'the best of 1987'. Well, not necessarily, but there are a few nice tracks on there.

Most importantly for a Eurovision collector is Johnny Logan's 'Hold me now', the song that caused him to win the Contest for the second time. Cock Robin's 'Just around the corner' is a nice piece of mellow pop, and 'Call me' was a bit of a hype back in 1987 with its Euro Dance vibe. Europe's 'Rock the night' is probably the most dodgy track on here, with its lazy lyrics: 'Rock now, rock the night / 'Til early in the morning light / Rock now, rock the night / Whoa-oh, whoa-oh'. It's a far cry from the era-defining 'The final countdown'. But that was 1986. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7714
Found: Kay's Outlet, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Rock the night' (Europe), 'Call me' (Spagna) / 'Just around the corner' (Cock Robin), 'Hold me now' (Johnny Logan) 

Lucifer (and Mammagamma) - Andrew Powell and the Philharmonia Orchestra

So this is an interesting find. 'Lucifer' is of course the fascinating instrumental track by the Alan Parsons Project, which has been featured on this blog quite recently. In 1983 Andrew Powell and the Philharmonia Orchestra released an album of versions of Alan Parsons Project tracks. Hearing those tracks in an orchestral setting is quite exciting. 

This single presents two of the tracks: 'Lucifer' (mixed with 'Mammagamma') and 'Time'. The latter was originally a vocal track, but this version is entirely instrumental. I'm not necessarily a fan of the Alan Prasons Project, but 'Lucifer' is an outstanding piece of music and it sounds pretty impressive here.

My collection: 7" single no. 7713
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Lucifer (and Mammagamma) (edited version)' / 'Time' 

So long - Abba

Although I have a beautiful version of Abba's 1975 single 'So long' with a picture sleeve, I came across the original Swedish release some time ago and decided I wanted to have this too. When I was a young boy this was my absolute favourite Abba track, I must have played it on some Greatest Hits album dozens of times. It was the 'heavier' sound of the track that spoke to me at the time, I guess.

Obviously Abba singles without a picture sleeve aren't as beautiful as the ones with, but an original release like this has its own appeal and worth. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7104
Found: Discogs, 2023
Tracks: 'So long' / 'I've been waiting for you'

Every little thing she does is magic - The Police

Although I bought a lot of singles by the Police through the years, amazingly this Dutch number one hit was still missing. Although the song was recorded in 1981, Sting wrote it in early 1977 around the time of the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II, prior to the formation of the Police. His split from his wife, Frances Tomelty, was controversial; as The Independent reported in 2006, Tomelty "just happened to be Trudie [Styler]'s best friend (Sting and Frances lived next door to Trudie in Bayswater, West London, for several years before the two of them became lovers)". 

In a 2025 interview, Sting revealed that Trudie Styler, whom he later married and is still married to, was his inspiration for the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7712
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Every little thing she does is magic' / 'Shambelle' 

Controversy - Prince

Prince released 'Controversy' in September 1981 as the lead single and title track to his fourth album (1981). The song was written and produced by him, and addresses speculation about Prince at the time such as his sexuality, gender, religion, and racial background, and how he could not understand the curiosity surrounding him. Prince played almost all the instruments on the track, except perhaps some drums by Morris Day and backing vocals by Lisa Coleman.

The single reached number 70 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but only reached the chart in the UK when it was re-released in 1993. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7711
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Controversy' / 'When you were mine' 

Geef mij maar drank - Rubberen Robbie

The group members of Rubberen Robbie lived in a commune in an apartment building on the Arendshorst in Leiden's Merenwijk district. In the car on the way to the studio to record a punk record, they jokingly wrote the song 'Zuipen' ('Drinking') as a B-side for their debut single, 'Geef mij maar drank' ('Give me some booze'). 

'Geef mij maar drank' was set to the melody of 'Ça plane pour moi' by Plastic Bertrand. The name of that artist also inspired the group name: 'Rubberen Robbie' means 'Rubber Robbie'. The single didn't become a hit, but when DJ Hugo van Gelderen started playing the B-side, that one did reach the Dutch Tipparade. A copy of 'Zuipen' is already in my collection; this one was much harder to find.

My collection: 7" single no. 7710
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Geef mij maar drank' / 'Zuipen'

Rette mich - Nena

When I received this Amiga EP featuring four Nena tracks, I realized that the only single that I didn't have was 'Rette mich'. I was planning the trip I made to Wagenberg last Saturday and I figured that 'the biggest record store of the Netherlands' might actually have a copy. And so they did! It made me smile, because it actually completes my subcollection of Nena singles as far as I know.

'Rette mich' was released as the second single from the band's album ? (Fragezeichen) and became a big hit in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the Netherlands it was the band's first single not to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 7709
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Rette mich' / 'Susi K.'

Adolescent sex - Japan

The stuff David Sylvian releases these days is world away from this Japan single from 1978. 'Adolescent sex' was the title track of Japan's debut album and released as a single after the band re-recorded the track to make it sound punchier. It became the band's only single to chart outside of the UK, reaching number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

David Sylvian has since spoken out against the debut album, saying: 'I regret the first album, Adolescent Sex, in the sense that we were too young, too naive to make it. The people around us should have realised that and not had it released. The second album is okay as a first album.'

My collection: 7" single no. 7708
Found: Kay's Experience, Wagenberg (Netherlands), 12 July 2025
Tracks: 'Adolescent sex' / 'Sometimes I feel so low' 

Knowing me, knowing you - Abba

The sleeve of this single may announce 'Conociendome, conociendote', but the single still features the 'ordinary' English language version: 'Knowing me, knowing you'. The Spanish record companies had a rather annoying habit of translating song titles, while most artists never recorded their songs in Spanish. 
Abba did, of course: there are a few singles performed in Spanish, but not this one.

When I bought this single some time ago I was aware of this, but the sleeve still seduced me. It's one of the more beautiful photographs of the Swedish quartet, and the song is one of the best in their repertoire. I just never featured it on this blog. I discovered quite a few singles that were never on here, so expect some more Abba in the weeks to come.

My collection: 7" single no. 5985
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 January 2019
Tracks: 'Knowing me, knowing you' / 'Money, money, money'

Touch the wind - Mocedades

Mocedades recorded their Eurovision entry 'Eres tu' in many other languages besides Spanish. One of the other versions was recorded in English. 'Touch the wind' was released on many different labels internationally, but never with a picture sleeve. And so I didn't feel too bad when I ordered this copy. 

This copy was made in the USA, but pressings from Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa also exist. The English version was also recorded by many other artists; I own a version by Eydie Gorme.

My collection: 7" single no. 7707
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2025
Tracks: 'Touch the wind (Eres tu)' / 'Eres tu (Touch the wind)' 

I'm the one who really loves you - Mel & KIm

Although this single was never relased with a picture sleeve, it is still a pretty essential addition to any Mel & Kim collection. It features two edits of remixes of 'I'm the one who really loves you', a track from the duo's only album F.L.M. The single was released in the USA only, which is logical when you listen to these remixes - unfortunately they get rid of most of the charm of the original version. 

The remixes were included in the Singles box set that was released in 2019. But obviously it is always good to have the original vinyl single. It's an item I've wanted to have for quite some time - and here it is!

My collection: 7" single no. 7706
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2025
Tracks: 'I'm the one who really loves you (Vocal/Pop radio mix)' / 'I'm the one who really loves you (Vocal/Hip hop radio mix)'

Do it again a little bit slower - Jon & Robin and the In Crowd

Just four weeks ago I posted a version of 'Do it again, a little bit slower' by Herman & Dorothy, and here I am with the original version! Let's just say that an online search always pays off. 

Jon & Robin and the In Crowd recorded the song in 1967. Jon Abdnor Junior and Javonne "Robin" Braga teamed up with the In Crowd, which consisted of Bobby Rambo (guitar, percussion), Jim Glaves (keyboards), Pete Molino (guitar), James Anderson (bass) and Rex Ludwick. The single reached number 18 in the USA and number 9 in Canada. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7705
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2025
Tracks: 'Do it again, a little bit slower' / 'If I need someone - it's you'

Blasphemous rumours / Somebody - Depeche Mode

Back in 1984, Depeche Mode released two great songs as a double A-side. 'Blasphemous rumours' explored the industrial sound the band had pioneered to great effect on their album Some great reward, whereas 'Somebody' was a fragile ballad, which according to rumours was sung by Martin Gore in the studio after having shed all his clothes. Make of that what you will.

 German buyers were lucky: the first edition of the single was released on red vinyl. These red vinyl editions of Depeche Mode's earlier singles are now highly sought after collectibles, to the point where I think the price has gone up too high. This copy with its tattered sleeve and scratchy vinyl was more affordable, so I went with this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 7704
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 July 2025
Tracks: 'Blasphemous rumours' / 'Somebody (remix)' 

Knowing me, knowing you - Abba

One of Abba's most touching songs (in my opinion) is 'Knowing me, knowing you', with its feeling of impending heartbreak and loss. I bought the single 41 year ago, on the original Dutch pressing. With a renewed interest in Abba in recent years I have started collecting sleeve variants like this one here: the French record company used the same photograph but did a different layout.

So where does this end? There are obviously many sleeve variants around the world, but for me the investment needs to be limited. However even with that, it looks like I will be posting my 100th Abba single on this blog pretty soon.

My collection: 7" single no. 7686
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 15 June 2025
Tracks: 'Knowing me, knowing you' / 'Happy Hawaii' 

Closer RSD mixes - Kim Wilde

Although I have a lot of Kim Wilde records, I haven't put them all up on this blog - something that I will have to rectify one day. Meanhwile I might as well post her most recent offering. It's a unique item, because it's the only 10" single she ever released.

'Closer RSD mixes' was released earlier this year on the occasion of - you would never guess it - Record Store Day (hence the title). The sleeve isn't the most imaginative, but the disc certainly is: it's clear vinyl with red splatters. And then there's the tracks: two remixes each of the two singles that were released off Kim's album Closer. It looks like there won't be a third single, so this disc kindof wraps up the whole Closer campaign. Fortunately Kim is still touring: she will be all over Europe this year.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Cherry Red website, April 2025
Tracks: 'Trail of destruction (Project K remix)', 'Trail of destruction (Pensacola Mist remix)' / 'Midnight train (Chrisarama remix)', 'Midnight train (Rayne Reznor remix)' 

Amiga Quartett - Münchener Freiheit

The German band Münchener Freiheit actually achieved some success internationally as Freiheit, with hits like 'Keeping the dream alive', 'Baby it's you' and 'Play it cool'. All three are represented here, but in their original German versions ('So lang' man Träume noch leben kann', 'Tausendmal du' and 'Herz aus Glas' respectively). The only song that didn't get an English translation as far as I know was 'Ohne Dich', but that one became a hit for Dutch singer Erik Mesie, who translated the song into Dutch as 'Zonder jou'. 

This is another attractive Amiga Quartett EP featuring four hit songs. I can only assume that the songs were received favourably in the Eastern part of Germany at the time as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 7703
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 July 2025
Tracks: 'So lang' man Träume noch leben kann', 'Herz aus Glas' /  'Ohne dich (schlaf' ich heut' nacht nich ein)', 'Tausendmal du'

Hooray! Hooray! It's a holi-holiday - Boney M

When I bought a bunch of Amiga Quartett EP's online recently, I also spotted this single by Boney M and because of its low price I decided to buy this one from that seller as well. It's, after all, another GDR release of the band, with a different sleeve. No photograph, unfortunately, just some titles. Which makes it unique, I guess.

'Hooray! Hooray! It's a holi-holiday' was your typical summery anthem for the year 1978, created by Frank Farian and Fred Jay. It was an adaptation of the song 'Polly Wolly Doodle', an American minstrel song that became a popular children's song. The single was a top 5 hit all over Europe and topped the chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 7702
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 July 2025
Tracks:  'Hooray! Hooray! It's a holi-holiday' / 'Ribbons of blue'

People need love - Björn & Benny with Frieda & Anna

Although I bought the recent picture disc edition of 'People need love', I didn't own an original pressing of that single yet, and that, of course, needed some correction. I was lucky to find this French pressing with an original sleeve for a reasonable price, because lest we forget, this single is already 53 years old! 

Björn & Benny with Frieda & Anna, as they were called then, were at the start of their career which would turn out to be stellar, but at this point they were still recording slightly folky tunes. At the time of the single's release, the Ring Ring album had not been planned, since there was no intention to form a permanent group. However, the song was included on the album the following year. The single became a hit in Sweden (although there wasn't yet any official national chart to prove this) and even made an appearance in the American Cashbox chart (peaking at number 114) and the American Record World chart (peaking at number 117). According to ABBA's manager Stig Anderson, could have been a much bigger American hit, if not for the limited distribution resources of the label that was unable to meet the demand from retailers and radio programmers.

My collection: 7" single no. 7687
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 15 June 2025
Tracks: 'People need love' / 'Merry-go-round' 

Amiga Quartett - Fine Young Cannibals

Another Amiga Quartett EP and this time it's the Fine Young Cannibals with a selection of their biggest hits. It's a nice quartet this time, consisting of four singles that were taken from the album The Raw & the Cooked from 1989. 

In 1990 the last Quartetts were released, since West and East Germany ended the 'iron curtain' era and the state-run record company from the Eastern part, Amiga, ceased to exist. The last interesting EP - for me at least - was the next one, by the Bangles. But I bought that one last year. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7700
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 July 2025
Tracks: 'She drives me crazy', 'I'm not satisfied' / 'Ever fallen in love', 'Good thing' 

Arrival - Solar Explosion

It's quite amazing that even an instrumental track by Abba inspired other acts to record their own versions of it. Before Mike Oldfield had a go at it, the German outfit Solar Explosion recorded a version. The track was arranged by Peter Wagner and produced by Kurt Vethake and Rainer Etzrodt. Wagner and Vethake were also responsible for composing the B-side, 'Silver clouds'. 

It's a cute little single and I would never have known about it if I didn't routinely go through my Discogs purchases searching for 'Ulvaeus' every once in a while. It's great that Discogs makes composers and producers searchable throughout their marketplace.

My collection: 7" single no. 7698
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 July 2025
Tracks: 'Arrival' / 'Silver clouds'