Ole ole - Izhar Cohen

Last year I bought two copies of 'Ole ole!', and I thought that would pretty much complete my collection of Izhar Cohen singles. But I was wrong. While this single features the English version of the track and this single features the original Hebrew version, I found another single that features a third version of the track.

Izhar Cohen also recorded 'Ole ole!' in French, as proved on this version of the single, a German pressing released by Teldec. So do I have all the versions now? Who knows...

My collection: 7" single no. 4781
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ole ole (English version)' / 'Ole ole (French version)'

Walking in my shoes - Depeche Mode

'Walking in my shoes' was the second single taken from Depeche Mode's 1993 album 'Songs of faith and devotion'. The single version of the song was a remixed version of the album version. The sound has been made more noisy and dirty, especially the drums in the verse, and the intro has been shortened.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 69 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing of the single was made in Germany. 'Walking in my shoes' was the first Depeche Mode single not to have a commercial 7" release in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1932
Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993
Cost: 55 Schilling
Tracks: 'Walking in my shoes' / 'My joy'

Don't walk away - Electric Light Orchestra

'Don't walk away' was released in 1980 as the fourth single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Xanadu'. Electric Light Orchestra may have been the only party to really profit from this movie, as it was not a commercial success, but the singles did fare reasonably well in the charts.

At least, the previous singles 'I'm alive', 'Xanadu' and 'All over the world' were top 10 hits in varying countries. 'Don't walk away' only reached number 7 in Ireland, reaching a more modest number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4808
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't walk away' / 'Across the border'

You're a big girl now - Black

'You're a big girl now' was released as the second single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy'. This limited edition version features a gatefold sleeve and a booklet with photographs and the song lyric in innovative typography.

The single did not reach the chart in any territory, a first sign that the commercial success of Black might not last forever - although the album was still a millionseller.

My collection: 7" single no. 689
Found: Record Exchange, October 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You're a big girl now' / 'Enough is enough'

Dancing in the city 1987 - Marshall Hain

In 1987, Dutch DJ Ben Liebrand remixed Marshall Hain's 1978 hit 'Dancing in the city'. It wasn't just a straightforward remix, as singer Kit Hain contributed new vocals to the track, adding a new verse. Gerbrand Westveen played the saxophone on this new version.

The single was released in the summer of 1987, but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4800
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dancing in the city (Summer city '87)' / 'Dancing in the alley'

Goudzoekers (remix) - Frank Boeijen Groep

Most of the albums of the Frank Boeijen Groep yielded three singles, but the 1986 album 'In natura' brought forth a fourth single. 'Goudzoekers' was released as the fourth single from the album in April 1987 in a special single remix. Adding backing vocals and new lead vocals, the single version was very different from the album version.

The single release was prompted by the chart success of previous single 'De verzoening', but this single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 517
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Goudzoekers (remix)' / 'Mantel der liefde'

When you gonna - Rick and Lisa

In 1987, Rick Astley recorded his debut single, a duet with Lisa Carter called 'When you gonna'. Produced by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, the single sunk without a trace. However, shortly after that, Astley recorded 'Never gonna give you up', the song that propelled him to international stardom.

When 'Never gonna give you up' became a big hit, the record company decided to re-release 'When you gonna'. And despite the fact that it sounded quite different from his Stock/Aitken/Waterman-produced hit, it still managed to become a hit in some countries. In the Dutch Top 40, 'When you gonna' reached number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 4782
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When you gonna' / 'When you gonna (dub mix)'