Nasty little green men - Classix Nouveaux

The question about life on other planets has been asked on several hit singles, most famously in 'Life on Mars?' by David Bowie. 'Nasty little green men' by Classix Nouveaux is less wellknown, but it's a very funny little track. The band had their first hit in the UK with 'Guilty' in 1981, but this single was released in 1980. It was their second single, after the equally unsuccessful 'Robots dance'.

At the time of release, Classix Nouveaux consisted of Sal Solo, Mik Sweeney, Gary Steadman and B.P. Hurding. The line-up of the band would change almost constantly in the six years Classix Nouveaux existed.

My collection: 7" single no. 4356
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Nasty little green men' / 'Test tube babies'

Don't stop the music - Yarbrough and Peoples

The duo Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples were discovered by Charlie Wilson from the Gap Band, and signed their first record deal in 1980. Their debut album 'The two of us' was released the same year, with the hit single 'Don't stop the music' becoming their biggest hit.

The single reached number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. Because I was interested in pop music from a very early age, I still consider this track as one of the main sounds of 1981. It brings back memories of schooldays.

My collection: 7" single no. 4355
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop the music' / 'You're my song'

You took the words right out of my mouth - Meatloaf

According to his autobiography, Meat Loaf asked Jim Steinman to write a song that wasn't 15 or 20 minutes long, and, in Meat Loaf's words, a 'pop song'. The song was reportedly written in 1975, and a key factor in Meat Loaf and Steinman deciding to do an album together.

The single was released as the follow-up to 'Paradise by the dashboard light', one of the biggest hits of the Seventies. This single did comparatively worse, reaching number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

I bought this copy with a picture sleeve because I only had an American copy from 1978 without a picture sleeve. The B-side of that single features a heavily edited version of 'Paradise by the dashboard light'. Or is it the other way around? I can't tell from the single itself.

My collection: 7" single no. 4354
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You took the words right out of my mouth' / 'Two out of three ain't bad'

My collection: 7" single no. 317
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You took the words right out of my mouth' / 'Paradise by the dashboard light'

Invitation - Earth and Fire

When you hear the later hits by Earth & Fire and compare it with this 1971 single, you cannot believe it's actually the same band. The line-up has changed over the years, but the music has done so even more.

'Invitation' was released in February 1971 and peaked at number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4353
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Invitation' / 'Song of the marching children'

Ordinary day - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat released their third single 'Ordinary day' in 1987, after their second single had become a number 3 hit in the UK. Though not quite as catchy, this single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Two months after the release of this single, Curiosity released their debut album 'Keep your distance', which entered the UK albums chart at number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 4352
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ordinary day' / 'Bullet'

Strut your funky stuff - Frantique

Frantique was an American disco group, formed in the late Seventies by Tricia Cheyenne, Florence Raynor and Denise Russelle. They released one album called 'Strut your funky stuff' in 1979. The title track of the album was successful as a single, reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

This copy of the single has had quite a tour around the three biggest cities of the Netherlands: the stamps on the sleeve and label of the record come from a bar disco in Rotterdam, and I bought it in Amsterdam. Now it's found a good home in the third biggest city of the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4351
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Strut your funky stuff' / 'Getting serious'

I'm specialized in you - Time bandits

I've had the 7" single of 'I'm specialized in you' for more than 12 years now, but I never knew there was a 12" single as well. When I saw it, I decided to buy it right away. 12" singles from the early Eighties can be quite rare, especially when they are from Dutch bands. And then there's the added attraction of a real 'extended version', instead of a remix which is a total slaughtering of the original song (like they are nowadays).

Sure enough, this extended version of 'I'm specialized in you' is very enjoyable when you like the original track. The odd thing is that this 12" single plays on 33rpm instead of the usual 45rpm!

My collection: 12" single no. 523
Found: Discostars Recordstore, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm specialized in you (extended)' / 'Ginny (puts her hands on her shoulders)'