One step ahead - Split Enz

I recently found out that Puck's brother is also a follower of this blog. All you other readers will not know him, so here's a short introduction: he likes early eighties music as long as it's not 'commercial'. That notion is in itself a curious one, since every artist is in the music business to sell records after all. When they don't succeed, it's usually not by design and a cause for a lot of frustration.

Anyway, since I appreciate all of my readers, I like to oblige. So here's an obscure Split Enz single. Released in 1981, it was a top 10 hit in Australia and New Zealand, but it didn't chart in other territories. This copy was pressed in America and is one of those 'laser etched' singles. I only have two of those, the other one being Split Enz's 'History never repeats'!

My collection: 7" single no. 2616
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'One step ahead' / 'In the wars'

After the love has gone - Earth Wind and Fire

'After the love has gone' was a 1979 hit single for Earth Wind & Fire, taken from their 1979 album 'I am'. In America, the song was nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year and won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

The single sold over a million copies in the USA alone, peaking at number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 4 in the UK singles chart and a relatively low number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3288
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'After the love has gone' / 'Rock that!'

Rio - Duran Duran

The song 'Rio' was inspired when Duran Duran toured Brazil and decided to write a song about their experiences there; however, the song references the Rio Grande which forms the border between Texas and Mexico. Nick Rhodes created the unusual sound at the beginning of the song by throwing several small metal rods onto the strings of a grand piano in the studio. The recorded sound was then reversed to create the intro. The laughter on the track was that of Rhodes' girlfriend at the time.

'Rio' was Duran Duran's fourth top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9. The single performed even better in Canada, reaching number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 1002
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Rio' / 'The chauffeur (Blue silver)'

Coming up - Paul McCartney

For some reason, I always associated Paul McCartney's 'Coming up' with mice. It must be because of all the high notes in the track. Although the single was released as a solo release by McCartney, the B-side was credited to Paul McCartney & Wings. The live version was recorded in Glasgow, Scotland on December 17, 1979 and 'Lunchbox/Odd sox' was recorded during the sessions for the 1975 Wings album 'Venus & Mars'.

My copy of the single has the A-side label on both sides, which could make this a collectors item. The single peaked at number 22 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the UK singles chart and it topped the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 2468
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Coming up' / 'Coming up (live version)', 'Lunchbox/Odd sox'

Ain't no sunshine (Eclipse mix) - Bill Withers

'Ain't no sunshine' was originally released in 1971 by Bill Withers on his album 'Just as I am'. He was still working at a factory that made toilet seats for Boeing 747s when he recorded the song. It was originally released as the B-side of the single 'Harlem', but when DJ's played the B-side instead, it became a huge hit.

Ben Liebrand made the 'Eclipse mix' of 'Ain't no sunshine' in 1989, after his remix of 'Lovely day' (another Bill Withers track) was a hit in 1988. This single was less successful, reaching number 26 in the Dutch Top 40 only.

My collection: 7" single no. 715
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshnie (Eclipse mix)' / 'Ain't no sunshine'

The bell / Sentinel-Restructure - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield's magnum opus 'Tubular bells' was first released in 1973. In 1992, he recorded 'Tubular bells II', a reworking of the original 'Tubular bells' produced by Trevor Horn. From this release, several singles were taken. 'The bell' was the third single, released in early 1993.

This 12" single was released in the USA and featured four remixes of 'Sentinel', the first single from 'Tubular bells II'. One of these, the 'Tubular beats' remix, was never released commercially in the UK.

My collection: 12" single no. 512
Found: Esprit Mail Order, 1999
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Sentinel (Trance mix)', 'Sentinel (Tubular beats)', 'The bell (edit)' / 'Sentinel (Satoshi Tomii interpretation)', 'Sentinel (Global Lust mix)'

Will you remember - Eighth Wonder

Released in 1987, Eighth Wonder's single 'Will you remember' did not chart in the UK. It is a somewhat unremarkable dance track with the seductive voice of Patsy Kensit as the main attraction.

I didn't know the track when I bought this single, however I did know the B-side. 'Having it all' was featured in the movie 'Absolute beginners' and was performed in the movie by Patsy. This B-side is the original version of the track, with its jazzy music.

My collection: 7" single no. 2171
Found: Record Exchange, London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Will you remember' / 'Having it all'