Dancing in the dark - Tony Sherman

I found out about Tony Sherman's cover of 'Dancing in the dark' more than a decade after it was released. It was released in the same year as Kim Wilde's version, in 1983. Kim's version wasn't a hit, and neither was Tony Sherman's version. But a 12" single was released, and that was an item worth searching for.

Well, the search went on and on... but the disc never surfaced. Imagine my surprise when I finally found it, just two weeks ago, in my hometown! A very rare item, even if the music isn't very exciting.

My collection: 12" single no. 476

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Dancing in the dark [extended]' / 'Another fool, another love'

Download: here

Cars - Gary Numan

One more time on this blog: Gary Numan's track 'Cars'. After the releases in 1979 and 1987, 'Cars' was released once again in remixed form in 1993. The cd-single featured all seven versions that had appeared since then, whereas the 7" single only contained the '93 remix and an instrumental 'Top Gear' version. The single also included a poster bag, featuring a drawing of 1976 Formula 1 champion James Hunt by Brian Reaney.

My collection: 7" single no. 2432

Found: Fame, Amsterdam, August 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Cars ('93 sprint)' / 'Cars (Top Gear)'

Download: here

What's your name - Zinno

The Belgian act Zinno earned the status of one hit wonders with their single 'What's your name?'. The track was made with samples from James Bond movies, coupled with a dance beat. Zinno consisted of Fréderic Jannin and Jean-Paul Hautier. The refrain in this track was sung by Eleonore.

The single was released on the Magic label, which was started by Dan Lacksman and Marc Moulin from the group Telex.

My collection: 7" single no. 325

Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'What's your name?' / 'What's your name? (instrumental)'

Download: here

Un fait divers et rien de plus - Le Club

This 12" single was released in a limited edition. It features two mixes of Le Club's song 'Un fait divers et rien de plus', a track heavily influenced by American hiphop and dance club music. Le Club was a very anonymous group, which according to the credits of the song consisted of André Monet, Jacky Dieme and Olaf Zalcman.

I bought this 12" single because I liked the original version of the track. I have to say that it hasn't aged very well.

My collection: 12" single no. 317

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 2004

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (remix)' / 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (re-remix)'

Download: here

I'm born again / Bahama Mama - Boney M

Released as a double A-side in December 1979, 'I'm born again' / 'Bahama mama' was another single in the successful run of singles Boney M had had since 1976. However, it was the first single since then that didn't reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. Perhaps the Christmas-tinted 'I'm born again' was a bit too sappy for the Dutch audience. The more uptempo 'Bahama mama' was a bit unsurprising. Aged nine and an avid Boney M fan, I had no problem buying this single as soon as I could.

My collection: 7" single no. 37

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'I'm born again' / 'Bahama mama'

Download: Album 'Oceans of fantasy', including both tracks

There ain't no age for rock 'n roll - The Veterans

The Veterans was a Belgian duo consisting of Gus Roan and Marc Malyster. They debuted in 1980 with the single 'I'm jogging'. Roan produced and composed the song that played on the jogging hype that took place that year. The video featured a jogging old man, surrounded by beautiful ladies.

'There ain't no age for rock 'n roll' was their second single, a slightly more sophisticated, synth-driven song that even made the lower regions of Dutch singles chart. Having known this song since my childhood, I bought this single recently and quite enjoyed hearing it again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3459

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'There ain't no age for rock'n roll' / 'Nigel Gold grows old'

Download: here

Saskatchewan - Red Box

'Chenko' is not the only single released before Red Box's debut album 'The circle and the square'. 'Saskatchewan' also appeared in a more rudimentary form as a 7" and 12" single. By then, the band had signed to Sire Records. The single was recorded in the summer of 1984 and released soon thereafter. Like 'Chenko', the single wasn't a hit. Fortunately, they were able to record their album after this, otherwise the world might never have heard the wonderful songs that followed...

My collection: 7" single no. 2381

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

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Saskatchewan' / 'Speeches'

Download: here