From a river to a sea - Private Lives

It's a mystery to me why this single didn't do better in the Eighties. Released in 1984, Private Lives' 'From a river to a sea' is a beautiful track, driven by a catchy guitar hook and fiery backing vocals. John Adams' voice shines like a diamond and the whole thing is just delicious.

Private Lives only managed one hit, 'Living in a world (turned upside down)', and even that one didn't reach the higher regions of the UK singles chart. Something really went wrong back then...

My collection: 7" single no. 1833
Found: Record palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'From a river to a sea' / 'Because you're young'

This wheel's on fire - Siouxie and the Banshees

'This wheel's on fire' was originally written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko. Dylan and The Band recorded it in 1967, a recording that finally surfaced in 1975 on the album 'The basement tapes'. In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity became a top 5 hit in the UK.

In 1987, Siouxie and the Banshees recorded another cover version of the song for their album 'Through the looking glass', which consisted entirely of covers. Released as the first single from that album, it climbed to number 14 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2690
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'This wheel's on fire' / 'Shooting sun'

NRG - Adamski

This single ended up in my collection because I found it in the sleeve of an LP I bought. I don't remember which LP. A free single, oh well, that's always good, I must have thought. Except maybe it isn't.

'NRG' was actually Adamski's debut single, released in 1990. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart. As you can see, the cover of the single features a mocked up Lucozade bottle with the 'lucozade' words replaced with 'N-R-G'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2184
Found: London, September 28, 1994
Cost: 0,00
Tracks: 'NRG' / 'I love teknology'

Abba-esque EP - Erasure

Vince Clarke and Andy Bell have always been big fans of Abba, and so they decided in 1992 to record the 'Abba-esque' EP. It was originally intended to become a full album, but that plan was finally aborted. The EP features four covers of Abba songs, of which 'Lay all your love on me' and 'Take a chance on me' received the most airplay.

The EP became Erasure's first UK number 1, while it also reached number 2 in Germany and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1670
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me', 'SOS' / 'Take a chance on me', 'Voulez-vous'

Hold me in your arms - Rick Astley

Rick Astley himself wrote 'Hold me in your arms' as well as the B-side of ths single. Although he made a name for himself with dance songs, this single was a ballad. It was released as the second single from Astley's second album of the same name. Contrary to previous singles, which were all produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, this one was produced by SAW-associates Phil Harding and Ian Curnow.

The single managed to reach number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 754
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold me in your arms' / 'I don't want to be your lover'

Reach out I'll be there - Four Tops

The 88 remix of 'Reach out I'll be there' was on this blog earlier, but I almost forgot that I have the original version of the song as well. I bought it somewhere in London, although it didn't come in any original sleeve.

The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966, when it was originally released. It was equally successful in the UK singles chart, but only reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. It has since become one of those indestructible Motown classics.

My collection: 7" single no. 1066
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Reach out, I'll be there' / 'Standing in the shadows of love'

Love pains - Yvonne Elliman

The disco song 'Love pains' was written by Michael Price, Dan Walsh and Steve Barri and was recorded by Yvonne Elliman in 1979. It gave her a hit in the USA, peaking at number 34 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 19.

The single featured both a 4'15 edit and an extended version, clocking in at 5'45. The song was covered by Liza Minelli in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 1982
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love pains' / 'Love pains [extended]'