Oh Sheila - Ready for the world

Ready for the world was founded by Melvin Riley and Gordon Strozier in Flint, Michigan. They were joined by Gregory Potts, Willie Triplett, John Eaton and Gerald Valentine to form a pop/soul/dance band. Their best known hit is 'Oh Sheila', which sounds a lot like a Prince song and could be interpreted as an ode to Sheila E.

The double single which I bought in 1999 features not only the original version of this song but also an 'Extraterrestrial mix' made by John Morales.

My collection: 7" single no. 3071

Found: May 10, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Oh Sheila (Extraterrestrial mix)' / 'Slide over' // 'Oh Sheila (original mix)' / 'I'm the one who loves you'

Download: 'Oh Sheila (Extraterrestrial mix)', Album 'Ready for the world', including the three other tracks

Real wild child (Wild one) - Iggy Pop

In 1994, one of pop's most underrated artists included a cover of one of rock's most overrated artists in her live set. Kim Wilde went on a Hits Tour, performing most of her own biggest hits, but she also played Iggy Pop's 'Real wild child'. Personally I never understood what the big deal was about Iggy Pop: formerly with The Stooges, a punkrock band, he continued to make the same kind of songs throughout his career. Compare 'Lust for life' (1977) with this track (1987) and you will hardly notice any difference.

Still, as part of my Kim Wilde collection I also had to have this original song, and so I bought this single in 1995 after some months of searching.

My collection: 7" single no. 2551

Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Real wild child (Wild one)' / 'Fire girl'
Download: Album 'Blah Blah Blah', including both tracks

She's strange - Cameo

Cameo started out as a 13-member group in the seventies, called the New York City Players. In March 1984, they had their first hit outside of America, reaching number 37 in the UK singles chart with this single, 'She's strange'. It is a far cry from later hits like 'Word Up' and 'Candy', with its understated, subtle music and close harmony vocals. The video was a regular on music television during that year, but in the Netherlands, the single couldn't be found.

I finally bought this 12" single as a good alternative. With a long version and a club mix of the track, it is a treat.

My collection: 12" single no. 404

Found: Beanos, East Croydon (UK), May 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'She's strange (long version)', 'Love you anyway' / 'She's strange (club mix)', 'Groove with you'

Download: here

Allergies - Paul Simon

While I was never a big Paul Simon fan, 'Allergies' is an interesting song. The single never charted in the UK, but it did reach number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1983. It was taken from Simon's album 'Hearts and bones'. The songs on this album were apparently planned to be part of a Simon & Garfunkel reunion album after their famous concert in Central Park on September 19, 1981. Simon finally recorded and released the songs solo.

My collection: 7" single no. 3395

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Allergies' / 'Think too much'

Download: Album 'Hearts and bones', including both tracks

Limited Edition Hits E.P. Number Two - A-ha

The record company repeated the trick of the Limited Edition Hits E.P. with an E.P. Number Two. It was the second single from A-ha's 1990 album 'East of the sun west of the moon' that got the Hits E.P. treatment. 'I call your name' was coupled with 'The sun always shines on T.V.', 'Hunting high and low' and 'The blood that moves the body'.

'I call your name' peaked at number 44, and while further singles were drawn from A-ha's album, no further Hits E.P.'s were compiled.

My collection: 7" single no. 2386

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I call your name', 'The sun always shines on T.V.' / 'Hunting high and low', 'The blood that moves the body'

Download: Album 'Headlines and deadlines', including these tracks

Limited Edition Hits E.P. - A-ha

When A-ha released 'Crying in the rain' in 1990, the record company decided that in order to sell more copies, they would make a limited edition hits e.p. Besides 'Crying in the rain', this e.p. also contains previous hits 'Take on me', 'Cry wolf' and 'Stay on these roads'. While these singles peaked at number 2, 5 and 5 in the UK respectively, 'Crying in the rain' didn't get any higher than number 13. It's interesting to know that this Hits e.p. was only released on vinyl and not as a cd-single, even if that format was getting increasingly popular in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 2742

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Crying in the rain', 'Take on me' / 'Cry wolf', 'Stay on these roads'

Download: Album 'Headlines and deadlines', including these tracks

You did cut me - China Crisis

The double single for China Crisis's 1985 single 'You did cut me' is a real treat. It features three live tracks, of which the recording of 'Christian' has to be the most charming version of that song ever put to disc. The tracks were recorded at the Liverpool Empire on May 19, 1985.

My sister was very into China Crisis in the eighties, so it's no wonder I found out about this double single thanks to her. I bought my own copy almost five years after it came out via an English mail order company. It was a great way to get hold of old singles - and they were almost always English pressings, too!

My collection: 7" single no. 1179

Found: Oldies Unlimited, England, received February 26, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'You did cut me' / 'You did cut me (live)' // 'Christian (live)' / 'Seven sports for all (live)'

Download: 'You did cut me' / 'You did cut me (live)' // 'Christian (live)' / 'Seven sports for all (live)'