Canton (live) - Japan

Japan performed live for the last time in the UK during a six night stint at London's Hammersmith Odeon in November 1982. These performances, which were sold out, were recorded in order to put together the live album 'Oil on canvas'.

From this album, Japan's final single 'Canton (live)' was released in June 1983. The single was released in a gatefold sleeve and featured a live version of the earlier single 'Visions of China' on the B-side. As the band had decided to split up, they were just beginning to get some commercial success in the UK. 'Oil on canvas' became their highest charting album in the UK, reaching number 5. This single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1020
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Canton (live)' / 'Visions of China (live)'

Wish I could write a love song - Chas and Dave

One month ago today, Chas and Dave announced their split. Dave Peacock decided to retire from the music business after the death of his wife Sue in July. Chas Hodges will continue to perform live as Chas and his band - honouring touring commitments the duo had already made.

Their last chart hit in the UK was 'Snooker loopy' from 1986. One of their best singles is 'Wish I could write a love song' from 1983 - but that one did not chart. The B-side, 'That's what I like' was covered in 1996 by Tori Amos.

My collection: 7" single no. 3005
Found: Geest, Den Haag, June 20, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wish I could write a love song' / 'That's what I like'

Maria Magdalena - Sandra

Sandra came full circle when she released a remix of her first international hit 'Maria Magdalena' in 1993. The remix of 'Maria Magdalena' remained uncredited, and was made to promote the greatest hits collection '18 Greatest hits', which was released in October 1992.

This 12" single features the 'Vega Sicilia mix', which did not appear on the cd-single of the track, which was my reason for buying it. In the end, that remix is not so very different from other remixes. The single was not a big success: it only reached number 8 in Finland.

My collection: 12" single no. 230
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1993
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Maria Magdalena (club mix)' / 'Maria Magdalena (Vega Sicilia mix)'

99.9 F - Suzanne Vega

'99.9F°' was the title track of Suzanne Vega's 1992 album, which was subsequently released as a single as the album's second single. My copy of the single comes from the music library of Capital radio, as the large sticker on the front clearly indicates.

It's interesting to note that the highest chart position is also noted on this sticker: number 57. However, this is incorrect: the single made it to number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2206
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: '99.9F°' / 'Tom's diner (live)'

Paranoid - Black Sabbath

These days, Ozzy Osbourne is an old, mumbling idiot who prostitutes himself for the entertainment of people who watch corny shows on MTV, but back in 1968 he formed the rock band Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.

In 1970, they released the single 'Paranoid', from the album of the same name. Iommi came up with riff while the rest of the band was out to lunch. When they returned, the band recorded the track within a couple of minutes. The lyrics had not been written yet so vocalist Osbourne sang whatever came to mind. The final version contained different lyrics penned by bassist and principal lyricist Butler. The song became a big hit, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. It subsequently landed in the annual Top 100 of all times chart from Radio Veronica, which is where I got to hear the track in the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2727
Found: Record fair, Leiden, September 7, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Paranoid' / 'The wizard'

Jealousy - Pet Shop Boys

'Jealousy' was originally written by the Pet Shop Boys in 1982. It was finally recorded for their 1990 album 'Behaviour'. It was released as a single in 1991, in a slightly altered version: the outro which was originally recorded with a sampler-based orchestra, was re-recorded with a real orchestra. This dramatically increased the quality of the track, of course. In the track, Neil Tennant recites a quote from William Shakespeare's Othello: 'Not poppy, nor mandragora /Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep / Which thou owedst yesterday.'

The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1455
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 22, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Jealousy' / 'Losing my mind'

Dumb waiters - The Korgis

The artwork department must have been happy when 'Dumb waiters' by the Korgis was released as a single. They didn't even bother to design a new sleeve: the single sleeve was identical to the album sleeve - as the album was also called 'Dumb waiters' anyway.

'Dumb waiters' was the third single from the album, but unlike its two predecessors, it did not reach the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2916
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Dumb waiters' / 'Perfect hostess'