Jimmy Mack - Sheena Easton

Some time ago, I wrote about a cover version of 'Jimmy Mack' by Risqué. I didn't know then that the track had also been covered by Sheena Easton two years after Risqué's version. I'm almost certain that she didn't hear that track, but it's nice to compare the two anyway.

Sheena Easton's version was produced by Nile Rodgers, just like the parent album 'Do you'. The single reached number 65 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK and Europe, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4314
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jimmy Mack' / 'Money back guarantee'

You can do magic - America

When I was a regular listener of a local illegal radio station (back in the Eighties, the government in the Netherlands wanted to have completely noiseless airwaves), 'You can do magic' by America was regularly played. I never found the single, and I think I know now why: it was a single from 1982, and I heard it at least a year or two later.

'You can do magic' was America's biggest hit in the USA, peaking at number 8 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK it did less well, stalling at number 59.

My collection: 7" single no. 4313
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You can do magic' / 'Even the score'

3D dance - Trans X

When you see the sleeve pictured here, you might think it's a mispressing. But that's not true: you need to watch it with 3D glasses (Don't know if it works on the screen of your computer though!). The music weekly Bravo in Germany supplied them with the 12" single of this, but not with the 7" single.

It was a nice gimmick with this synthpop track by the Canadian duo Trans X. Despite the very Eighties sound of this, I'm still curious how this track would sound in Dolby Surround. Released in February 1984, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4312
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '3D dance' / '3D dance (instrumental)'

Less cities, more moving people - The Fixx

According to the German press bio included in the sleeve of this single, 'Less cities, more moving people' was written by all band members of the Fixx together, 'which explains their tight sound'. The single, taken from the Fixx's third album 'Phantoms', was produced by Rupert Hine - and it could easily have been performed by him, too.

Although the band delivered a rather powerful pop song with this track, it did not chart in any territory. I can't remember how I got to hear this track back in 1984, but I remembered it ever since.

My collection: 7" single no. 4311
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Less cities, more moving people' / 'Deeper & deeper'

Love, truth and honesty - Bananarama

'Love, truth and honesty' was written by Bananarama and Stock, Aitken and Waterman, with the latter trio producing the track. It was the first single release from the group's 'Greatest Hits collection', also released in 1988. It is actually the only Bananarama track which gives songwriting credit to new member Jacquie O'Sullivan.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart but stalled at number 89 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4310
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love, truth and honesty' / 'Strike it rich'

Diana - Münchener Freiheit

'Diana' was the fourth and last single from Münchener Freiheit's 1988 album 'Fantasie'. It didn't chart, not even in their homeland Germany. Maybe it's because this track does not contain much surprises when compared to other songs from the band. The public probably decided they'd had enough.

This single got me thinking whether I actually know any Dianas. I realised that I've only known one Diana - and that was 20 years ago.

My collection: 7" single no. 4308
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Diana (single remix)' / 'Land der Fantasie'

Lies - Thompson Twins

'Lies' was released as the first single from the Thompson Twins' fourth album 'Quick step and side kick'. This album was the result of songwriting sessions in Egypt and the Bahamas, followed by a recording session at Compass Point Studios in Nassau with producer Alex Sadkin.

The single reached number 67 in the UK singles chart. When the single was released a year later in the USA, it reached number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4307
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lies' / 'Beach culture'