Mondsong - Nena

In 1986, Nena released their sixth album 'Eisbrecher' ('Ice breaker'). It was to be their last album as a band; frontwoman Nena Kerner continued as a solo artist, still using the name Nena. The single 'Mondsong' was written by her and recorded with the band.

Although one more single was released from the album, 'Mondsong' ('Moon song') was the last hit single for Nena the band, peaking at number 37 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4477
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mondsong' / 'Schön wär es doch'

If you love somebody set them free - Sting

Although the Police never formally broke up, 1985 was the year in which all three members started concentrating on solo projects. The most successful of the three was Sting, who launched his solo career in the summer of 1985 with this single, 'If you love somebody set them free'. It was the first single from his first solo album, 'The dream of the blue turtles', which he recorded with a band of accomplished jazz musicians.

The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart, number 35 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. I never liked this song much at the time of its release, but now, a quarter of a century later, I have grown to like it. I found a pristine UK pressing of the single, which is always a pleasure too.

My collection: 7" single no. 4476
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you love somebody set them free' / 'Another day'

Blok aan mijn been - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Blok aan mijn been' was the third and final single taken from the self-titled debut album by the Frank Boeijen Groep, the Dutch band that was founded by Frank Boeijen at the end of the Seventies. Like its predecessor 'Vrijdagavond', this single failed to chart.

Just like that single, I had to search for this one for a long time too. I finally found a copy on a festival market for a price that was pretty steep. But after searching for a decade, you're bound to make a compromise. I didn't see the single that much afterwards anyway...

My collection: 7" single no. 2145
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, August 21, 1994
Cost: 12,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Blok aan mijn been' / 'Ik haat jou'

Straighter line - Cock Robin

Just three weeks ago, in my entry about the single 'Manzanar', I wrote that I hadn't been able to find a copy of the third and last single from Cock Robin's third album 'First love last rites', 'Straighter line', and indeed, it has been a hell of a search. But fortunately the single popped up on a mailorder website 12 days ago, and so now I do have it.

'Straighter line' did not chart anywhere, so you'd expect to see this single literally everywhere. But I guess most copies have been destroyed or something. At least I have a copy now.

My collection: 7" single no. 4475
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,4 euro
Tracks: 'Straighter line' / 'We've changed'

Up the hill backwards - David Bowie

David Bowie recorded 'Up the hill backwards' as a track on his 1980 album 'Scary monsters (and super creeps)'. The lyric is often seen as a commentary on the public coverage of his divorce from Angela Bowie, one of several tracks on the album that muse over the double-edged sword of celebrity. It has also been interpreted as facing up to crises in general.

The track was released as the fourth and final single from the album in March 1981. The single was not a big success, reaching number 32 in the UK singles chart and failed to chart everywhere else.

My collection: 7" single no. 4474
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Up the hill backwards' / 'Crystal Japan'

History 1992 - Mai Tai

After Mai Tai had some big successes in the Eighties, their career came to a complete standstill when their third album 'Cool is the rule' (1987) was less successful. They disappeared from view until 1991, when a 'Best of' album was released. This album featured one new track, 'Dance in the light'. That single did not chart.

'History 1992' can be considered one last desperate attempt at chart success. The hit from 1985 was remixed by one Gary Jones, and released as a single. This single did not chart. Soon after, Mai Tai decided to split up.

My collection: 7" single no. 4473
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,1 euro
Tracks: 'History 1992 (radio mix)' / 'History 1992 (Burn-it-mix)'

Love of the common people - Paul Young

'Love of the common people' was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. The lyrics tell a bleak story of poverty and joblessness. Though Wilkins and Hurley did not expressly say so in the lyrics, the song is also a protest of what they saw as the failure of the American government to do more for the poor and unemployed than it had. The track was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings in 1967, then covered by Nicky Thomas in 1970.

Paul Young released his version of the song originally in 1982. After it failed to chart, he had two hit singles with 'Wherever I lay my hat' and 'Come back and stay'. The track was re-released in 1983, and on this occasion it peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and topping the chart in Ireland and the Netherlands. This limited edition double single features three live tracks, with one clocking in at an impressive 9 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 4470
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love of the common people' / 'Behind your smile (live)' // 'Wherever I lay my hat (live)' / 'Oh women (live)'