Dance in the light - Mai Tai

It's interesting how Wikipedia states that Mai Tai didn't release any new work after 1987, whereas I have in my hand the proof that this statement is false. The single 'Dance in the light' was made in 1988. The track was produced by Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, who were involved in most of Mai Tai's Eighties songs.

'Dance in the light' is mentioned on the Wikipedia page, but as a new track on a 1991 compilation album. Wrong again! But one thing is true: the band did split up and reformed in 2003. Don't trust the online encyclopedia too much.

My collection: 7" single no. 4333
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dance in the light' / 'Wrap me up'

Heart of glass - The Associates

'Heart of glass' began its life in 1975 as a slow reggae track called 'Once I had a love', performed frequently on live tours by the band Blondie. It was recorded on their album 'Parallel lines' in 1978 as a disco-oriented track with producer Mike Chapman. It became one of the band's better known tracks.

The Associates recorded a cover of 'Heart of glass' in 1988, and their version hit number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2679
Found: Record Exchange, London, July 2, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / 'Her only wish'

Denis - Blondie

'Denis' seemed to be Blondie's debut single when it charted in the Netherlands in 1978, but in reality the band had already been going for some time. In the UK, it was Blondie's second single release, and in America three singles went before this one, including the second single which was 'In the flesh', featured here on the B-side.

The song is a gender-swapping cover of the 1963 hit 'Denise' by Randy & the Rainbows. Blondie's recording of the song contains a verse with partly improvised lyrics in French by vocalist Debbie Harry. Although Chrysalis insisted that the band re-record the song with a grammatically correct French translation, both the band and producer Richard Gottehrer preferred the first take. Eventually this version was released. (The second, re-recorded version had its debut as a bonus track on EMI UK's 1994 re-issue of the album 'Plastic letters'.) The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3048
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 23, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Denis' / 'In the flesh'

Distant sun - Crowded House

'Distant sun' was the first single release from Crowded House's fourth album 'Together alone' (1993). The single was a hit in the UK in the autumn of 1993, peaking at number 19, and in Australia, where it reached number 21. In March 1994, a remixed version of 'Distant sun' was released in the USA, but it did not chart.

Buying this single was a gamble: it was a new release during a week when I was in London, and I decided to buy it on account of the fact that I liked the band's previous singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1989
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Distant sun' / 'Walking on the spot'

If she knew what she wants - The Bangles

I wrote about 'If she knew what she wants' once before, but that was a UK pressing, and a limited edition double single to boot. This single, which I'd bought some time earlier, is the Dutch pressing, with a completely different sleeve.

A different sleeve, but no different tracks: both were taken from the Bangles' 1986 album 'Different light'. The single did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1610
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If she knew what she wants' / 'Angels don't fall in love'

Love in itself - Depeche Mode

'Love in itself' was released in September 1983 as the final single from Depeche Mode's third album 'Construction time again'. The single version was called 'Love in itself 2', as it was an edit of the album version. Number 3 is an extended version, and number 4 is an acapella version with piano. The B-side was the track 'Fools', written by Alan Wilder instead of the band's main songwriter, Martin Gore.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 867
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in itself 2' / 'Fools'

Church of the poisoned mind - Culture Club

'Church of the poisoned mind' was Culture Club's third big hit single, released in spring 1983. The uptempo track has some similarities to Motown tracks, especially 'Uptight (Everything's alright)' by Stevie Wonder.

The single was a number 2 hit in the UK singles chart and reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. The band also had their first hit in the USA with this track, peaking at number 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2064
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 29, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Church of the poisoned mind' / 'Man shake'