Song sung blue - Altered Images

If this song sounds familiar to you, then most probably you're reminded of the original version of 'Song sung blue' by Neil Diamond, recorded in 1972. It was a number 1 hit in the USA, also reaching number 14 in the UK singles chart.

Altered Images recorded this cover version on their album 'Pinky blue' in 1982. With the peculiar but charming voice of Clare Grogan and the very Eighties treatment of the track, it was given a new lease of life. Although the single did not chart in any territory...

My collection: 7" single no. 4462
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Song sung blue' / 'See you later'

More than physical - Bananarama

'More than physical' was one of two tracks on Bananarama's 1986 album 'True confessions' that were produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, with the other tracks being produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The other track was 'Venus', which had just become a worldwide hit after its single release. 'More than physical' was released as the follow-up in an attempt to capitalize on that success.

The track was remixed for the single, giving it a similar Hi-NRG sound as 'Venus'. However, this did not prove to be a successful strategy: the single stalled at number 41 in the UK singles chart and number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4461
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More than physical' / 'Scarlett'

Principles of lust - Enigma

'Principles of lust' was the third single released from Enigma's debut album 'MCMXC a.D.'. The single version of 'Principles of lust' is actually 'Find love', part two of the album version of 'Principles of lust'. The song contains a sample of 'Justify my love' by Madonna. The cover includes a detail from the painting Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time by Agnolo Bronzino.

'Principles of lust' reached number 29 in France, number 90 in Germany and number 59 in the UK singles chart. This 7" single is pretty rare, I don't think I've seen it very often even in 1991, when it was just released.

My collection: 7" single no. 4460
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 3,3 euro
Tracks: 'Principles of lust (radio edit)' / 'Principles of lust (Jazz mix)'

Bridge of spies - T'pau

The title track of T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies' was released as a single in the USA and Germany only. This is the German single, featuring the US edit of the track, as well as the live version of 'Sex talk' which was released as a single in the UK around the same time.

I actually bought this single over 10 years ago already, but to my dismay it turned out to contain the wrong disc in the sleeve. So I've had the sleeve for a long time, but now for the first time I can say I really own this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4459
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Bridge of spies (US remix)' / 'Sex talk (live)'

I can't go for that (No can do) - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall sketched out the basics of 'I can't go for that' one evening at a music studio in New York City in 1981 after a recording session for the album 'Private eyes'. Hall played a bassline on a Korg organ, then came up with a guitar riff - both were recorded by sound engineer Neil Kernon. The duo Hall & Oates took it from there the next day.

The single version of 'I can't go for that' is not an edit of the album verison, but an edit of the dance mix. It was released as a single in early 1982 and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 195
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I can't go for that (No can do)' / 'Unguarded minute'

I won't steal away - Time Bandits

'I won't steal away' was one of the songs to come out of the collaboration between the Time Bandits lead singer Alides Hidding with American hit producer Dan Hartman. It was recorded on the band's 1986 album 'Fiction' and released as a single.

The single reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40, and was their last single to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3301
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I won't steal away' / 'Cool world'

No one is to blame - Howard Jones

'No one is to blame' was a track on Howard Jones' second studio album 'Dream into action'. It was originally recorded as a ballad, but for the single release, the track was re-recorded with Phil Collins producing and adding backing vocals and drums into the mix.

The single became a hit, peaking at number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 16 in the UK singles chart.

I bought the German pressing of this single at the time of its release, and found an American pressing with a totally different sleeve in 2000.

My collection: 7" single no. 3240
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'No one is to blame' / 'The chase'