Saturday, 12 September 2009

More than this - Roxy Music

'More than this' was released in 1982 as the first single from Roxy Music's album 'Avalon'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Although it didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is still one of their best known singles there.

In 1999, Emmie released a very good dance cover of this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1290
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'More than this' / 'India'

When the spirit slips away - Ten Sharp

'When the spirit slips away' is the third single from Ten Sharp's 1991 album 'Under the waterline'. Originally released as a 7 track mini-album, it was expanded to 10 tracks when international success loomed.

With its environmental message, this single was probably deemed uninteresting by the Dutch public, as the single did not chart. In other countries it was equally unsuccessful, although it was released in only a few countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1966
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'When the spirit slips away' / 'When the spirit slips away (instrumental)'

Peeping Tom - Rockwell

Peeping Tom is a person who, in the legend of Lady Godiva, watched her during her ride and was struck blind or dead. The song 'Peeping Tom' was Rockwell's third single, taken from his album 'Captured'. It also featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture 'The last dragon', a Motown Productions picture. This martial arts film was a critical disappointment but a commercial success.

Although personally I think this is an accomplished song, it was not successful in any territory. I had the 12" single before I found this 7" single - and I do admit the remix is better than the single version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2581
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Peeping Tom' / 'Tokyo (instrumental)'

Break the chains - Private lives

'Break the chains' was the third and last single release from Private lives' debut album 'Prejudice and pride'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, as it added a sung intro.

Like most Private lives singles, this one did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2984
Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Break the chains' / 'You've got to win'

Part-time lover - Stevie Wonder

'Part-time lover' was released as a single in 1985 and was taken from Stevie Wonder's album 'In square circle'. The song reached number 1 in America, number 3 in the UK and number 11 in the Netherlands. The song featured R&B singer Luther Vandross humming at the end of Stevie's verses.

Sounds familiar? Well that's because I wrote about the 12" single of 'Part-time lover' on this blog a few months ago...

My collection: 7" single no. 2261
Found: April 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Part-time lover' / 'Part-time lover (instrumental)'

Friday, 11 September 2009

Praying for time - George Michael

'Praying for time', released in August 1990, was George Michael's first single in almost two years. The song was a dark and sombre reflection on social ills and injustice. George used an echoey vocal effect and put the melody in a low enough key to take away the sunny nature of his regular singing voice.

While George Michael refused to appear in videos to support the album, a music video was released featuring only the words of the song with a blue and black background that, at the end of the clip, reveals itself to be the image on the cover of the album 'Listen without prejudice', from which the song was taken. The single reached number 6 in the UK, number 10 in the Netherlands and number 1 in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1312
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Praying for time' / 'If you were my woman'

Lolly lolly - Wendy and Lisa

'Lolly lolly' was the second single released from Wendy & Lisa's second album 'Fruit at the bottom' (1989). The single was remixed by their former employer Prince, who made the track sound bouncier and funkier than on the album.

Despite his efforts, the single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 64. However, in the Netherlands 'Lolly lolly' shot to number 8.

My collection: 7" single no. 936
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 7, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lolly lolly' / 'Hip hop love'

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