Every 1's a winner (Groove mix) - Hot Chocolate

Ben Liebrand has remixed many tracks since the early Eighties, and some of them were even released as singles. Some examples already made their way onto this blog, and here's another one: his 1987 remix of Hot Chocolate's 'Every 1's a winner'. It was released after his remix of 'You sexy thing', released in January 1987, reached number 10 in the UK singles chart.

This remix was less successful by comparison: it only made number 69 in the UK singles chart in April 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2321
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Every 1's a winner (Groove mix)' / 'So you win again'

Secret - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Secret' is a single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released as a single from their 1985 album 'Crush'. It was their second hit in the US, peaking at number 63 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also made the top 40 in the UK at number 34. The song was also featured in the movie 'Arthur 2: On the rocks' and on its soundtrack album.

This single was released as a limited edition in a poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2374
Found: Record fair, February 1, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Secret' / 'Drift'

The promise you made - Cock Robin

'The promise you made' was written by Peter Kingsbery for the debut album of his band Cock Robin. It was released as the album's second single in 1986. It became a major hit in the Netherlands, topping the Dutch Top 40 March 1986 for several weeks. It also went top 10 in France, Germany and Switzerland.

I own two different versions of the single: one was released in Europe with a beautiful coloured sleeve (pictured above). In the UK, an alternate sleeve was used, with a monochromo photograph and an alternate design (pictured below).

In 2005, Belgian singer Kate Ryan recorded and released a cover version of this song, in French and English.

My collection: 7" single no. 785 / no. 2021
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 30, 1989 / House of Rhythm, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The promise you made' / 'Have you any sympathy'

Even aan mijn moeder vragen - Bloem

The Dutch band Bloem was formed in 1980 by Joost Timp, Cor Claessen, Juus Piek and Tom Sijmons. Their debut single 'Even aan mijn moeder vragen' ('Have to ask my mum') was an immediate hit, selling 45.000 copies in the Netherlands and reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

I didn't like that song, but I got to hear the B-side, which was fantastic. The lyric of 'Kassa's overdag' ('Tills at daytime') was written from the point of view of a shoplifter. I liked the track so much I even mutilated the sleeve of this single not so long after I bought it, making it seem like the B-side was the A-side. Defacing sleeves is a capital offence, of course. In my defense: I was very young.

My collection: 7" single no. 99
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Even aan mijn moeder vragen' / 'Kassa's overdag'

Electric avenue - Eddy Grant

'Electric avenue' is one of Eddy Grant's most popular tracks. It was taken from his 1983 album 'Killer on the rampage'. The song is named after Electric Avenue, a market street in the Brixton area of London, England.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2826
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Electric avenue' / 'Walking on sunshine'

One day I'll fly away - Randy Crawford

Randy Crawford left the Crusaders in 1979 and started a solo career. It took off right away with this single, the beautiful ballad 'One day I'll fly away'. I remember it became a chart tip on the Dutch broadcaster TROS, played every hour on the radio. At the end of the day I wished she would really fly away.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn on 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 822
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'One day I'll fly away' / 'Last night at danceland'

Relax - Frankie goes to Hollywood

I don't have many Frankie goes to Hollywood singles (though that may still change when I get a chance), but this is one of them: the 1993 re-release of 'Relax', originally the band's debut single in 1983. It was re-released to promote the compilation album 'Bang! The Greatest hits of Frankie goes to Hollywood'.

The single featured a new 1993 version of 'Relax' on the B-side, although that one is basically just a slightly sped up version of the track. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. Both peak positions were lower than ten years before.

My collection: 7" single no. 2059
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 3, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Relax' / 'Relax MCMXCIII'