Another silent day - The Adventures

There's something really alluring to early Eighties remixes: they are always based on the original recording, they are just longer. Echo effects, instrumental passages, and sometimes extra choruses are used to give the listener that extended listening experience.

The Adventures released 'Another silent day' in 1984, which was the time when these extended versions were still made. I've been searching for this 12" single for a long time, so I was really glad to have finally found it.

My collection: 12" single no. 508
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Another silent day (extended)' / 'Another silent day', 'Happy depression'

The woman in you - Bee Gees

'The woman in you' is one of five new songs the Bee Gees contributed to the movie 'Staying alive' (1983), the unsuccessful sequel to 'Saturday night fever' (1977). In interviews following the release of the movie and soundtrack, the brothers expressed their displeasure at the way their songs were edited in the movie and revealed that their hearts were not in the music. By 1983, The Bee Gees were focusing their talents on solo projects and productions of other artists, so it is not surprising that they were not all enthusiastic about the 'Staying alive' movie.

The single was still a reasonable success, peaking at number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3920
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'The woman in you' / 'Stayin' alive'

She works hard for the money - Donna Summer

'She works hard for the money' was released as the first single from Donna Summer's 1983 album of the same name. During a contract dispute with Geffen Records over creative control, Summer released the album on a different label, Mercury. The song was written by Summer herself and was based on an encounter she had with an exhausted bathroom attendant.

The version found on the 7" single was edited from the over 5 minute version on the album. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3919
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'She works hard for the money' / 'I do believe (I fell in love)'

Het stoomlied - Ed en Willem Bever

The Dutch children's programme 'De fabeltjeskrant' ('The newspaper of little fables') was extremely popular in the late Sixties and early Seventies. It was made in such a way that the 5 minute broadcasts always told a little story for the children, but also contained literary references and double entendres for adults.

Meanwhile, the merchandise range was impressive: there were puppets, puzzles and schoolbags - and then there were some very popular singles. This was the first one: 'Het stoomlied' ('The steam song') as performed by Ed and Willem Be(a)ver. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1970. Why did I buy this? Why, it's a tribute to my own childhood, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 3910
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Het Stoomlied' (Ed en Willem Bever) / 'Lied van Momfer de Mol' (Momfer de Mol)

Would I lie to you? - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics changed their musical style from synthpop to a more rock-oriented sound in 1985, with the album 'Be yourself tonight' and the single 'Would I lie to you?'. The single peaked at number 17 in the UK singles chart, number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

I didn't buy the single at the time because I thoroughly disliked the song. Having grown accustomed to Eurythmics' synth-heavy tracks, this one was too boring for me to get through. Even now I don't think it's one of their best songs, but for 25 eurocents... What the hell. The single was very dusty but I cleaned it up while doing the dishes. It really helps, as you can hear.

My collection: 7" single no. 3916
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Would I lie to you?' / 'Here comes that sinking feeling'

You and me - Spargo

Spargo was founded by Ellert Driessen, Jef Nassenstein and Leander Lammertink, all three from Amsterdam. At the end of the Seventies the the American singer Lilian Day Jackson joined the band. With her performing lead vocals the band developed their own sound.

Their debut single 'You and me' was the best selling record in the Netherlands in 1980. It reached number 1. The single was also a hit in other European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 3908
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'You and me' / 'Worry'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

So I've got the 7" single of 'The locomotion' by Stewart and Gaskin, a synthpop version of the 1962 song by Little Eva. I didn't know there was actually also a 12" single with two remixes of that track. What's more, the B-side is also included in an extended version!

Naturally, I had to have it. So when I saw it in the shop yesterday for the first time ever, I bought it immediately.

My collection: 12" single no. 509
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'The locomotion (extended version)', 'The locomotion (derailed version)' / 'Make me promises (extended)'