Popcorn - M and H band

Mark Haliday is the French musician who is the sole member of the M&H Band. He released a very 'Italo Disco' version of the familiar instrumental track 'Popcorn' in 1987. As far as I know, this version didn't chart in any country, but it did find its way to collectors of covers of Gershon Kingsley's 1968 composition.

The B-side of this single features an original instrumental composition by Mark Haliday himself.

My collection: 7" single no. 3345

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 2001

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Ordinopaso'
Download: here

Nothing - Frazier Chorus

When the pop landscape changed in 1990, Frazier Chorus adapted their music to conform to the newly set standard. Their single 'Nothing', taken from their second album 'Ray', was remixed by Paul Oakenfold and had a firm dance beat, just like bands like The Beloved. It didn't mean that they suddenly got a lot more commercial appeal: the single stalled at number 51, just like previous single releases.

At the time that I bought 'Nothing', I only knew the previously bought single 'Dream kitchen'. I was really surprised at their new sound, but at the same time I liked this track so much that I started to become very interested in this band.

My collection: 7" single no. 1324

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 16, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Nothing' / 'Little piece of hell'

Download: here

Born to be alive - Patrick Hernandez

Patrick Hernandez will always be remembered for this one song. 'Born to be alive' was written by him in 1973, but it took six years to get it released. When it was finally released, it was a worldwide hit. It sold 25 million copies around the world and went gold in over fifty countries. Even thirty years later, Hernandez is still performing the show in television shows and concerts. His performances never last longer than the one song.

There is one more fact associated with this song: a certain Louise Ciccone (a.k.a. Madonna) was employed to dance behind Hernandez in 1979, while he was singing his song. She was discovered during auditions in New York and went with Patrick to France. She didn't stay in his company for too long. She was brought in contact with several producers, so she could go her own way. Says Hernandez: 'She didn't want to sing at the time. She was only interested in dancing and acting'.

My collection: 7" single no. 11

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Born to be alive' / 'I give you rendez-vous'

Download: here

Time after time - Beloved

Not to be confused with the Cyndi Lauper song of the same name, 'Time after time' was released in 1990 by the Beloved. It was the fourth and last single to be drawn from their debut album 'Happiness', and also the least successful, as it was the first to fall outside the UK singles chart. Even this limited edition flip pack with a picture disc inside didn't help matters.

Still, it is a cheerful mid-tempo song, and I was very happy to find this limited edition almost a year after its release, because it was such a beautiful package.

My collection: 7" single no. 1279

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1991

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Time after time' / 'Time after time (Through the round window)'

Download: here

All time high - Rita Coolidge

Written by John Barry and Tim Rice, 'All time high' is the theme song for the 1983 James Bond movie 'Octopussy'. Reaching number 75 in the UK singles chart, it is the least successful Bond theme song of all times. This may partly be explained by the lack of an obvious link between the song title and the movie title. Coolidge was reported to have disliked the song ever since its release. Because it was written so quickly, she felt it wasn't a finished work.

The single features an extended instrumental version on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3378

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'All time high' / 'All time high (extended instrumental version)'

Download: here

Automatic - Pointer Sisters

'Automatic' was released in 1984 and became a worldwide top 10 hit, peaking at number 5 in the USA, number 2 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.The song became one of the Pointers' signature tunes and was the first of four consecutive top ten singles from their album 'Break Out', which was award multi platinum discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 3381

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Automatic' / 'Nightline'

Download: Album 'Break Out', including both tracks

Cosy prisons - A-ha

Released as the third single from A-ha's most recent album 'Analogue', 'Cosy prisons' was only available in the UK. The single was released in two formats: a cd-single and a picture disc 7" single. Both formats carried a track from a Ken Bruce Session, previously broadcast on BBC Radio 2. Whereas the cd-single contained 'The sun always shines on TV', the 7" picture disc contained 'Stay on these roads'.

A cd-single was also due to be released in Germany, but at the last minute the release was cancelled. If released, it would have contained 'Cosy prisons' from the same Ken Bruce session, the demo of 'Cosy prisons' and the album track 'Birthright' as performed live on Radio Clyde.

My collection: 7" single no. 3445

Found: HMV, London, 2006

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Cosy prisons' / 'Stay on these roads (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce session)'

Download: here