Love's strange ways - Chris Rea

Back in 1999, I used a listing of Chris Rea's hit singles and my own 7" singles to compile a 'greatest hits' double cd of my own. With the aid of cd's from the public library, I had a chance to make something really complete, unlike commercial compilations. Listening to the 2 discs after I made them, I concluded that Rea has made some great music since his debut in 1978. But because this wasn't a hit, I missed 'Love's strange ways'.

The single was taken from Chris Rea's 1983 album 'Water sign', from which 'I can hear your heart beat' was taken. This single is a great track - and I only discovered it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3939
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love's strange ways' / 'Smile'

Warning sign - Nick Heyward

'Warning sign' was Nick Heyward's attempt at making a soulful track. It seemed strange that a 'white boy' would want to sound so 'black'. It was a stand-alone single (i.e. not released on any of his albums) and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

Back in 1984, when this single was released, I was a bit irritated by the video - I don't really know why. As a result, I grew to dislike the song. But now I have to admit that it really is one of Heyward's better tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3938
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Warning sign' / 'Warning sign (version)'

Wonderful dream - Anne Marie David

This year, I've been able to buy 'Tu te reconnaitras' and the German version of that song, 'Du bist da'. Somehow it was just a question of time that I would bump into the English version, 'Wonderful dream'. Interesting fact: the A-side of this single is in stereo, the B-side is only in mono.

Anne Marie David was one of the few Eurovision winners that charted in the UK singles chart with a translated version of their song. The single peaked at number 19, which is pretty good in England for a non-UK entry. I'm still looking for a disc with a picture sleeve if it exists, but for now this will do.

My collection: 7" single no. 3837
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Wonderful dream' / 'Tu te reconnaitras'

Love or something - Bob Geldof

After Bob Geldof has made a career of charity, he was still not a very rich man. He still had a solo music career and recorded the album 'The vegetarians of love' in 1990. 'Love or something' was the second single from that album. Whereas the first single, 'The great song of indifference' reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, this one did not chart at all.

Geldof still did well for himself: in 2001, his fortune was estimated to be £30 million. It is not known how much of his earnings he donates to charity himself...

My collection: 7" single no. 3936
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love or something' / 'Out of order'

I will - The Fixx

The British new wave band had a few hits during their career, but this single, 'I will' was not one of them. Released in 1984 as a single from their album 'Phantoms', it went by unnoticed. In their native UK, they would have no further hits after the 1982 singles 'Stand or fall' and 'Red skies', whereas in Canada and the USA other singles became hits right until 1991.

I bought this single mainly because I knew the band and because it was produced by one of the best producers around, Rupert Hine.

My collection: 7" single no. 3935
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'I will' / 'Questions'

She's got claws - Gary Numan

In 1981, Gary Numan did a series of farewell concerts in London, after growing weary of the pressures of fame. This decision proved short-lived, as later on in 1981 Numan released a new album called 'Dance'. The album featured several distinguished guest players; Mick Karn (bass, saxophone) and Rob Dean (guitar) of Japan, Roger Mason (keyboards) of Models and Roger Taylor (drums) of Queen.

'She's got claws' was the only hit single released from this album, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart in September 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 3934
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'She's got claws' / 'I sing rain'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran.

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 3933
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'