Stranger to the rain - Frances Ruffelle

Before Frances Ruffelle represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 with 'Lonely symphony (We will be free)', she had a successful career in several musicals in London's West End. She debuted in the late Eighties in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Starlight Express' in the principal role of Dinah. A year later, she played Éponine in 'Les Miserables'.

In 1990, Frances Ruffelle joined the cast of 'Children of Eden'. She also appeared on the soundtrack album of this musical. The single 'Stranger to the rain' was released in the autumn of 1990, but it did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3946
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Stranger to the rain' / 'Stranger to the rain (instrumental)'

The medal song - Culture Club

'The medal song' was released in 1984 as the second single from the album 'Waking up with the house on fire', Culture Club's third album. Boy George later commented he felt the album experienced a lukewarm reception because of the half-hearted material on the album. The group was pressured by their record company to come up with a quick follow-up to their second album 'Colour by numbers'.

'The medal song' performed poorly in the charts, peaking at number 32 in the UK singles chart and their first hit single not to reach the top 10 in the UK. Not even this limited edition gatefold sleeve could help matters much.

My collection: 7" single no. 3945
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'The medal song' / 'Don't go down that street'

Meet el presidente - Duran duran

I've had the cd-single of Duran Duran's 'Meet el presidente' for two decades now. It was released in a gatefold sleeve, which I imagined was exclusive to the cd-single format. But I was wrong: in the UK, the 7" single was also released in a gatefold sleeve, with the same band photo inside as the one in the cd-single sleeve. I didn't have the 7" single yet, so I was happy to snap this one up.

The single charted in the UK, peaking at number 24, whereas in the Netherlands the single made number 31. Still, 'Meet el presidente' was the least successful single from the band's 1986 album 'Notorious'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3944
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Meet el presidente' / 'Vertigo (Do the demolition)'

I don't know what it is but I love it - Chris Rea

'I don't know what it is but I love it' was released as a single from Chris Rea's 1984 album 'Wired to the moon'. It only became a minor hit for Rea, reaching number 65 in the UK singles chart.

It was another Chris Rea single which I hadn't heard before, but because the man has made such a lot of great songs, I was confident that this single would be interesting too. And so it is.

My collection: 7" single no. 3943
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I don't know what it is but I love it' / 'Mystery man'

Baker street (remix) - Gerry Rafferty

Someone responded on this blog a while ago, writing that I should feature Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker street' on here. Well, I would want to, but I haven't got that particular single yet. Meanwhile, I did find the next best thing: a remix of the track. It was released on the occasion of the release of 'Right down the line: the best of Gerry Rafferty' in 1990.

Fortunately the remix has been done in good taste: it brings forward certain elements of the original recording, and also adding some sounds that were not in the original recording at all if I'm not mistaken. Nothing beats the original, of course, but this is quite an interesting remix. The single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart in March 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 3942
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Baker street (remix)' / 'Night owl'

There must be an angel (playing with my heart) - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics released 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' as the second single from their 1985 album 'Be yourself tonight'. The song features a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. It reached number 1 in the UK singles chart (the band's only number one hit in the UK to date) and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song's music video was one in a long line of innovative clips from the Eurythmics. In the clip, Stewart portrays Louis XIV of France in the Court of the Sun King, while Lennox appears as a singer brought forth to perform and entertain the King. Bored at first, Stewart eventually becomes enthralled with Lennox's performance as the song reaches its conclusion. The video clip was rotated endlessly on television at the time, causing me getting totally bored with the song. Fortunately that effect has worn off now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3941
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' / 'Grown up girls'

Jeannie no - Judie Tzuke

Judie Tzuke's fifth album 'Ritmo' was released in 1983. From that album, this single 'Jeannie no' was released. Like other singles by Tzuke, it did not chart. That's not to say that the song is bad: it's a lively track that showcases Judie's clear voice.

I didn't know this song but I bought it on the strength of the artist's name. Turns out I was right... again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3940
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Jeannie no' / 'Information (live)'