Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained that the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad - instead of the standard melodic verse and heavy chorus, the band opted to reverse the dynamic, with heavy, distorted verses and a softer, melodic chorus, played with classical guitars. The song describes a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it.
The single became another hit for the band, peaking at number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1553 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 7, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'The unforgiven' / 'Killing time'
The proceeds of the very successful album and movie 'Purple rain' enabled Prince to build his recording studio Paisley Park Studios. So what came first, the studio or this song? Well, the song was recorded before 'Purple rain' was completed, so you do the math.
'Paisley Park' was included on Prince's 1985 album 'Around the world in a day'. It has a psychedelic feel, similar to some of The Beatles' later work with echoed guitar and finger cymbals. The lyrics describe a Utopian place that one can feel in their heart, despite the chaos of the world around them. The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 301 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Paisley Park' / 'She's always in my hair'
I've always considered this EP to be great value for money: not only did you get a double A-side with 'Somebody' and 'Blasphemous rumours', this disc also contained two live tracks, of which especially 'Everything counts' is quite fabulous. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.
'Somebody' is a soft, gentle love song in which Martin Gore sings of his desire to find a lover and confidant. The lyric does suggest a hint of sarcasm with the final lines: 'Things like this make me sick. In a case like this, I'll get away with it'. The song was reportedly sung in the studio by Gore without his clothes on.
By contrast, 'Blasphemous rumours' is a loud, angry song. The lyric tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl's failed attempt to kill herself by slitting her wrists. This story is continued when the girl is 18. She renews her faith in God only to be struck by a car, end up on life support, and dying shortly afterwards. The conclusion: 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours but I think that God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die, I expect to find Him laughing.' The song was considered offensive and was banned on some American radio stations. In the UK, although the song was not banned, it also aroused a firestorm of controversy, leading even the Church itself to speak out against the song. Well, of course... God forbid that people would even think about these things!
My collection: 7" single no. 254 Found: Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Somebody', 'Everything counts (live)' / 'Blasphemous rumours', 'Told you so (live)'
Here's another nice track from the Netherlands for your listening pleasure. 'Laat mij maar alleen' ('Just leave me alone') by the Klein orkest ('Little orchestra') is a charming piece of pop from the summer of 1982. Stating 'Even if loneliness is hard, sometimes it's worse when you're together', it's one of those 'Can't live with you, can't live without you' statements, set to upbeat music.
The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and was the first of only three hit singles for the group that existed for seven years, between 1978 and 1985.
My collection: 7" single no. 161 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 3,5 guilders Tracks: 'Laat mij maar alleen' / 'Het leed versierd'
'A groovy kind of love' was written by Toni Wine and Carol Bayer Sager. It is heavily based on the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major, op. 36 no. 5 by Muzio Clementi. The song was first recorded by Diane & Annita in 1965.
Phil Collins recorded his cover of the song in 1988. He decided to record it when he took a starring role in the film 'Buster', which had a Sixties setting. The song first appeared on the soundtrack of the movie, while it was also released as a single. It hit number 1 in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 799 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 17, 1989 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'A groovy kind of love' / 'Big noise (instrumental)'
Tina Turner was famous for her big hits in the Sixties, but by 1984, she was totally forgotten. She released a new album 'Private dancer' in 1984, from which this single, 'What's love got to do with it' was taken. The song was originally written for the R&B singer Phyllis Hyman.
No-one expected this single to become the great success it became. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1008 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'What's love got to do with it' / 'Don't rush the good things'
Duran Duran's guitarist at the time, Warren Cuccurullo, is credited with developing the instrumentation for 'Come undone', most importantly its guitar hook, which he developed while trying to do a re-interpretation of 'First Impression' from their 1990 album Liberty. The lyrics were written by vocalist Simon Le Bon as a birthday gift for his wife, Yasmin le Bon.
The single reached number 13 in the UK and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. By contrast, it did not chart in the Netherlands at all.
My collection: 7" single no. 1915 Found: Record fair, May 22, 1993 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Come undone' / 'Ordinary world (acoustic)'
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained that the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad - instead of the standard melodic verse and heavy chorus, the band opted to reverse the dynamic, with heavy, distorted verses and a softer, melodic chorus, played with classical guitars. The song describes a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it.
