Showing out - Mel and Kim

'Showing out' was the debut single of the sisters Mel and Kim Appleby. Originally the song was supposed to be the B-side of 'System', but ultimately the sides were flipped, and 'Showing out' became the smash hit single which is still a wellknown track even now. The single reached number 1 in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, and peaked at number 3 in the UK.

The single was released in two different sleeves, both of which I own. The UK sleeve (pictured above) was the first one I bought, during a holiday in London. A few years later I bought the original sleeve, released in Europe (pictured below). This single launched a short, but very successful career.

My collection: 7" single no. 546 (1 & 2)

Found: Tower Records, London, 1987 /All that music, Leiden, February 23, 1989

Cost: 2 pounds / 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Showing out' / 'System (House mix)'

P-Machinery - Propaganda

When I called this song 'Machinery' in this post, someone immediately corrected me, writing that the song is called 'P-Machinery'. Of course, I do know this, but it has been subject of a heated discussion between a friend and me over the years. His supporting evidence was that the song's lyric never mentioned 'P-Machinery'. My evidence was that it is continually listed as 'P-Machinery' in 'Britains Hit Singles' and the Dutch 'Hit Dossier'.

Whatever. The song was not a big hit in the UK, but peaked at number 12 in the Netherlands. I loved the song right from the beginning, although I didn't think it was the stroke of genius 'Duel' was. After this single, Propaganda disappeared from view for a couple of years.

My collection: 7" single no. 319

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'P-Machinery' / 'Frozen faces'

As one - Sam Brown

This 12" single represents a discographical mystery within my collection. Sam Brown released several singles from her second album 'April moon', all of which appeared on cd-single. Yet, I've never seen a cd-single for 'As one', just this 12" single with three exquisite B-side tracks. So was there never a cd-single? If you know, let me know.

'As one' was the last single drawn from 'April moon', and was not rewarded with a chart placing. It effectively ended Sam Brown's recording contract with A&M, because when she presented '43 minutes' a good two years later, the company did not want to release it, for fear of its lack of commercial appeal. Fortunately, the album still came out after the contract was ended after some legal wranglings. For '43 minutes' represents Sam's finest work.

My collection: 12" single no. 185

Found: Record Exchange, London, 1993

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'As one', 'Tune with no name (part 2)' / 'Think about your troubles', 'Smile'

Runaway - Freur

'Runaway' was the second single taken from Freur's debut album 'Doot doot' (1983). Just like other singles taken from the album, it did not chart. When you listen to it now, you may be able to understand: the sound is a bit muddled, over-produced and although the whole thing sounds pretentious, the lyric is a bit simple. Still, I like the song for all its eccentricity.

My collection: 7" single no. 2734

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 7, 1996

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Runaway' / 'You're a hoover'

Angel - Fra Lippo Lippi

When I bought this single I didn't know much more about Fra Lippo Lippi than their 1985 album 'Songs'. I found the single 'Angel' and decided I wanted to try out whether they'd continued on the path of listener-friendly synthpop.

'Angel', like the album 'Light and shade' (1987) is a slight departure, though. It moves into the territory of bland middle-of-the-road pop, although it does steer away from all too obvious cliches. Not their best work, then. But it's not too bad, either. It's a bit... well... middle of the road.

My collection: 7" single no. 1034

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Angel' / 'Everytime I see you (live)'

Iki dakika - Reyhan Karaca, Izel Çeliköz and Can Ugurluer

Turkey became a bit lazy after a hattrick of totally inventive entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. After 'Sufi' by MFO (1988), 'Bana bana' by Pan (1989) and 'Gözlerninin Hapsindeyim' by Kayahan (1990), they sent the trio of Reyhan Karaca, Izel Çeliköz and Can Ugurluer (try saying that three times without stuttering!) with a twist-type track called 'Iki dakika' ('Two minutes').

The Belgian record company Madierpo released this single with the English version on the A-side. Another mistake: the Turkish version may be unintelligable for foreign listeners, but the English one is too, for totally different reasons, of which pronunciation is one. The group finished 12th in the Contest, which at that time was a reasonably respectable placing for Turkey.

My collection: 7" single no. 1649
Found: Bea Records, May 6, 1992
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Iki dakika (English version)' / 'Iki dakika (Turkish version)'

Precious - Annie Lennox

'Precious' was the second single taken from Annie Lennox' debut cd 'Diva'. The song was written by Annie Lennox herself and produced, like the album, by Steve Lipson. The single version was very different from the album version.

The single was not the big success the previous single 'Why' was, peaking at number 23 in the UK and number 30 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1962

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 25, 1993

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Precious (single version)' / 'Precious (album version)'