Shake your body (down to the ground) - The Jacksons

When people ask me what music I would like to have played on my funeral, I usually cite titles like 'Down down deeper and down' (Status Quo) and this one by the Jacksons. Released as a single in December 1978, this track became a hit for the group in 1979, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the Netherlands.

The 12" single contains an 8'37 extended remix, which is half a minute longer than the album version on 'Destiny' (1978).

My collection: 12" single no. 333

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1995

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Shake your body (down to the ground)' / 'That's what you get (for being polite)'

Can't stop - Maarten Peters

'Can't stop' was the debut single of Maarten Peters, released in the Netherlands in 1985. The single was produced by Jos Haagmans, with whom Maarten had just worked for a year in the Frank Boeijen Groep, which they were both members of.

The single is a stunning debut, not so much for the A-side, which is a pretty middle of the road affair, but the B-side. Unreleased on any album, 'Don't interfere with a ghost' is a simple, yet effective ballad that deals with a slightly creepy theme, but doesn't exploit this musically. It's a ghost story in a very friendly atmosphere. The single did not chart, but Maarten Peters would get some chart recognition later on in his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 573

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Can't stop' / 'Don't interfere with a ghost'

Heart full of soul - Chris Isaak

Chris Isaak was born on June 26, 1956. In 1984, he signed a recording contract and released his debut album 'Silvertone'. His second album, 'Chris Isaak' was released in 1986 and contained the single 'Heart full of soul'. This track was written by Graham Gouldman and originally recorded by the Yardbirds.

I bought my copy of the single while visiting a record shop together with two friends. They thought my choice was excellent, since the single was so unknown - it had not been a hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1692

Found: Groningen, August 7, 1992

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Heart full of soul' / 'You took my heart'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

Prince wrote and recorded 'I feel for you' on his 1979 album 'Prince'. When Chaka Khan recorded it for her 1984 album 'I feel for you' and released it as a single, it became a massive hit. In the autumn of 1984, the single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder. Also, samples from Wonder's 'Fingertips Part 2' are used.

My collection: 12" single no. 167

Found: Record fair, 1993

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'I feel for you (remix)' / 'Chinatown (LP version)'

Download: here (password: discotrax80s.blogspot.com)

Going down to Liverpool - The Bangles

Kimberley Rew wrote 'Going down to Liverpool' for her band Katrina and the Waves. The Bangles recorded a cover version on their 1984 album 'All over the place', which was released as a single. The video to accompany the single featured Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, which helped a lot in the publicity department.

Still, the single only managed a number 56 placing in the UK singles chart, and didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2585

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Going down to Liverpool' / 'Dover beach'

Radio ga ga - Elaine Paige

Elaine Paige released 'The Queen album' in 1989. It was an album with ten covers of tracks originally performed by Queen, performed with full orchestral backing. I didn't know the album until I found this single, containing great versions of 'Radio ga ga' and 'Love of my life'.

The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, Elaine Paige's voice is pretty good as well, but still I have difficulty deciding whether I find this simply great or just a tad tacky. There is a certain camp element to Queen's work, and it may only get worse by treating it this way. Well anyway: listen for yourself; you decide!

My collection: 7" single no. 3106
Found: Big Company records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Radio ga ga' / 'Love of my life'

Child in time - Deep Purple

I got to know 'Child in time' as the number 1 of the Top 100 of all times, which was played annually on Radio Veronica. It was an extremely interesting track to me, mainly because of the tension and build-up in the first half of the song and the extreme noise at the end.

Deep Purple wrote and recorded 'Child in time' in 1969 for their album 'In rock' (1970). The original album version is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long. For this single release, the track was slightly edited. Vocalist Ian Gillan utilizes his entire vocal range for this song, starting out low and almost whispering, to high-pitched screaming at the end of the song. Since 1993, when Gillan returned to Deep Purple, the band has not played this song live anymore. They only played it once in 2002, and on this occasion high-pitched guitar covered up Gillan's now-limited vocal range.

'Child in time' charted twice in the Netherlands: in 1972 it peaked at number 10 during its 12 week chart run, and in 1975, it reached number 9 during a 10 week chart run. My copy of the single is a re-release from the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 509

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Child in time' / 'Woman from Tokyo'