One more chance (new remix 86) - Pet Shop Boys

I can't imagine that the Pet Shop Boys were very happy with this single release. ZYX Records released this 1986 remix of 'One more chance' after they switched record labels, moved to Parlophone Records and released a couple of successful albums. This remix was based on the original version of 'One more chance', which the Pet Shop Boys recorded with New York producer Bobby Orlando in 1984.

'One more chance' was based on an unused backing track Bobby Orlando had recorded for the actor/singer Divine, provisionally titled 'Rock me'. Neil Tennant then wrote a lyric for the song while in Broadway, exploring themes of masochism and 'romantic paranoia'. This remix single did not become a hit but I presume it's quite rare.

My collection: 7" single no. 2641

Found: May 12, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'One more chance (Hurricane remix by Tess)' / 'Theme for the Pet Shop Boys (part 2)'

Blue hotel - Chris Isaak

'Blue hotel' was a track from Chris Isaak's self-titled second album. Released in 1987, the single peaked at number 31 in the Netherlands. In the UK, the single only charted after the success of 'Wicked game' in 1990. It was re-released in 1991, and then reached number 17 in the UK singles chart.

I've always thought that the lyric 'Life don't work out my way' was one of the best lines in pop. I think it's also a universal truth.

My collection: 7" single no. 2620
Found: February 24, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Blue hotel' / 'Waiting for the rain to fall'

Look mama (live) - Howard Jones

This third and - as far as I know - last single released by the Howard Jones fanclub featured two more live tracks. This time, they were recorded at Red Rocks, Denver, Colorado on June 12, 1985.

'Look mama' and 'Life in one day' were both released as singles from Howard Jones' second album 'Dream into action'. My criticism on this particular single is that it doesn't really have a rich, lush sound that is often part of a live recording. It sounds rather metallic. The lengthy version of 'Life in one day' is quite delicious, however.

My collection: 7" single no. 2793

Found: Howard Jones fanclub, received November 28, 1996

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Look mama (live)' / 'Life in one day (live)'

Will you marry me? - Paula Abdul

Released as the fifth and final single from her 1992 album 'Spellbound', 'Will you marry me?' is, as the title suggests, a rather sloppy ballad. It is embellished by a harmonica solo performed by Stevie Wonder. The single was released right as Abdul became engaged and married to Emilio Estevez. They married in California on April 29, 1992 but then divorced two years later in May 1994.

The single only reached number 74 in the UK, but did rise to number 8 in Canada and number 14 in Germany. I bought the single in London when I found it in a bargain bin, completing my set of Paula Abdul singles from that album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1730

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 17, 1992

Cost: 25p

Tracks: 'Will you marry me? (edit)' / 'Goodnight my love'

Disappointed - Electronic

After the release and promotion of their first album, Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner recorded albums with The The and New Order respectively, regrouping with Neil Tennant in 1992 to record their fourth and highest-charting single 'Disappointed', which they had played live on a short tour of Europe the previous December.

The song was based on a piano riff by Marr's brother Ian and worked up into a full backing-track by Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner. They decided to ask Neil Tennant to complete the song and he wrote the lyrics and vocal melody. Some of the words ('Disenchanted once more...') were partly inspired by Mylène Farmer's 1991 hit 'Désenchantée'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and remained Electronic's biggest chart success to date.

My collection: 7" single no. 1748

Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Disappointed' / 'Idiot country two'

Something good - Utah Saints

On the one hand, it is of course a stroke of genius to sample a Kate Bush vocal for a single, because all people with good taste will appreciate anything incorporating Kate's vocals. On the other hand, is Kate Bush's delicate music suitable for this kind of techno house stuff? I always had doubts about this - and I still do.

'Something good' by the Utah Saints utilises a sample of Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting' to make a whole new track. And it is a 'track', not a 'song', unfortunately. The single peaked at number 4 in the UK and Ireland and number 10 in Australia. The track was recently remixed and re-released as 'Something Good 08'. In that version, it made the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 34.

My collection: 7" single no. 1669
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Something good' / 'Trance atlantic flight'

Only one word - Propaganda

Compared to the aggressive sound of their debut album 'A secret wish', the material on Propaganda's second album '1234' was rather subdued. 'Only one word', the second single from the album, was a good example: the first line-up of Propaganda would never even have considered a ballad to be released as a single. Yet, here it was. Personally, I rate this as one of my favourite Propaganda tracks of all.

The international audience reacted with disinterest. In the UK, the single only managed a number 71 placing in the singles chart - in other countries the single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2018

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 19, 1993

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Only one word' / 'Open spaces'