Without you - Nilsson

Anyone who has heard Mariah Carey's dreadful cover version of 'Without you' in 1994 may have a hard time to ever listen to this song again without that traumatic experience on their minds. She released her version just a week after Harry Nilsson, who had a hit with it back in 1972, had died. I just pray that the poor man has never had to hear her version.

Nilsson himself covered the track, because it was originally written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the rock group Badfinger. It appeared on their 1970 album 'No dice', but it wasn't released as a single. In parallel to the song lyrics, both Ham and Evans later committed suicide.

Nilsson recorded his version in 1972 on the album 'Nilsson Schmilsson'. It was a number 1 hit in the UK and peaked at number 10. Personally, I can't hear this song without getting goosebumps. Even after that horrible Carey version!

My collection: 7" single no. 2502

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995

Cost: 80p

Tracks: 'Without you' / 'Everybody's talkin'', 'Kojak Columbo'

American generation - The Ritchie Family

The four original members of the Ritchie Family were not related; the group was created by Jacques Morali who also created Village People soon after. The group took its name from record producer Ritchie Rome, and originally consisted of four Jean Davis, Cassandra Wooten,Gwen Oliver, and Nadine Felder. Later they were reformed as a trio with Cheryl Jacks, Cassandra Wooten, and Gwen Oliver as the new line-up.

It was this line-up that released the 1979 album 'American generation' and the single of the title track. An infectious disco track, it reached the charts all over the world. In the Netherlands the single peaked at number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 2795
Found: Record fair, Roterdam, December 14, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'American generation' / 'Music man'

Merci, Chérie - Udo Jürgens

Udo Jürgens and Thomas Hörbiger composed the song 'Merci, Chérie', with which Jürgens represented Austria in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the French title, the song is performed in German. It is an earnest ballad, in which the singer thanks his lover (hence the title, 'Thank you darling') for good times and positive memories.

Jürgens won the Contest with this song, and scored a hit in several European countries as well. To date, he is still the only artist to bring victory in Eurovision to Austria.

My collection: 7" single no. 3754

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 4 euro

Tracks: 'Merci, Chérie', 'Das ist nicht gut für mich' / 'Siebzehn Jahr, blondes Haar', 'So wie eine Rose'

Soul destruction - T'pau

The third and last single drawn from T'pau's third album 'The promise' was a remixed version of 'Soul destruction'. The remix was made by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, who were famous for their work with producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

The single did not chart, and I only found out about its release about a year after the fact. The band released a fourth single, 'Only a heartbeat', in Japan and the USA only. Shortly after this, the band broke up. Such a shame!

My collection: 7" single no. 2194

Found: Big Company records, London, September 29, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Track: 'Soul destruction (remix)' / 'Dirty town'

Something's gotten hold of my heart - Marc Almond and Gene Pitney

'Something's gotten hold of my heart' was written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. It was originally recorded by David and Jonathan. Gene Pitney recorded a more successful version in 1967, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart.

The song achieved its greatest success in 1988 when it was covered by Marc Almond. Originally recorded by Almond solo on his 1988 album 'The stars we are', the single version reunited it with its original singer Gene Pitney, their version became a number one single in the UK for four weeks in January 1989. Sales were helped by this limited edition box set which included two postcards, a discography and a badge.

My collection: 7" single no. 719

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' (Marc Almond & Gene Pitney) / 'Something's gotten hold of my heart' (Marc Almond)

My girl (Gone, gone, gone) - Chilliwack

My sister bought this single back in 1981. I have no idea where she picked this song up, it was probably played on the radio a few times. The single did not chart in Europe. At the time of its release, the Canadian band consisted of Bill Henderson, Brian MacLeod and Ab Bryant.

Taken from the album 'Wanna be a star', the single was a number one hit in Canada and peaked at number 22 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 1563

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'My girl (Gone, gone, gone)' / 'Sign here'

Arms of a dream - Laurie Freelove

Freelove was a founding member of the critically acclaimed band Two Nice Girls, formed by Gretchen Phillips, Kathy Korniloff and Laurie Freelove. After releasing their debut on Rough Trade Records, Laurie decided to leave the band and set out to forge a solo career.

She was 'discovered' by Nigel Grainge of Chrysalis/Ensign Records at a music conference in Austin, Texas. Recognizing her potential as a break-through artist, she was signed to the English label within the week, and that year recorded her first solo CD 'Smells like truth'. 'Arms of a dream' was the first single taken from the album, but the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2327
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Arms of a dream' / 'O my heart'