Clouseau appeared on television quite regularly, and 'Als je me wil' ('If you want me') was one of the tracks that appeared during a television special with the band. I quite liked the song, although by this time I was growing a bit tired of their continuous output of music. Still, I bought the single quite quickly after that.
'Als je me wil' did not chart in the Netherlands but it did reach number 29 in the Belgian singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1719 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 26, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Als je me wil' / 'Alarm'
The story goes, that when Frank Boeijen told the members of his group that he'd written a song called 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' ('How terrible I am') they made jokes about it. And it's true, there aren't that many songwriters that qualify themselves as 'terrible'.
The song was released as the first single from the band's 1988 album 'Dans in slow motion' ('Dance in slow motion'), but it failed to chart. Still, the theatre tour that followed sold out and the album sold exceptionally well too.
The single was released in two different sleeves as well: the first edition featured a purple sleeve, whereas later editions (and the cd-single) featured a red sleeve. For no apparent reason, it has to be added.
My collection: 7" single no. 653 (1 & 2) Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 15, 1988 / Leiden, November 26, 1988 Cost: 6 guilders / 6 guilders Tracks: 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' / 'Piccadilly Circus'
After Band Aid, Dance Aid, Ferry Aid and USA for Africa, the Gentlemen without weapons figured they had something to add to the growing amount of charity singles: a rainforest appeal. Together with the animal and rainforest noises which they'd already used for an album, they rounded up lots of famous artists to record 'Spirit of the forest'.
Somehow, the idea didn't quite work. The song sounded a bit naff and people were apparently not so concerned about the destruction of the rain forest as they were about starving children in Africa. The single was a commercial failure, but fans of Afrika Bambaataa, Jon Anderson, B52's, Michael de Barre, Big Country and the few dozen other artists mentioned on the sleeve of this single had another collector's item to get their hands on.
My collection: 7" single no. 900 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 23, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Spirit of the forest' / 'Spirit of the forest'
Colin Vearncombe, who on his own made up the band Black, was inspired to write 'Feel like change' by the events taking place in South Africa: the freeing of Nelson Mandela and the impending dismantling of the Apartheid regime.
The track was released as the first single from Black's third album, 'Black' (1991). Produced by Robin Millar, both the single and the album featured an altogether smoother sound. Coupled with Vearncombe's excellent vocals, this was a very enjoyable listening experience. 'Feel like change' reached number 56 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1439 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 18, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'
On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.
Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.
The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 575 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 4 guilders Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'
'Can't get enough (of your love)' was released as the second single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in Europe. It was promoted with a slightly hyperactive music video in which Kim and her band were placed on rotating platforms. Musically, the song resembled the 1988 hit 'Never trust a stranger'. Kim commented: ''Can't get enough' is about pure energy really. There is a reality to 'Can't get enough' but it's not very seriously.'
The single only reached number 58 in the German singles chart, in other territories it failed to reach the chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1255 Found: Melody Maker, July 5, 1990 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Can't get enough (of your love)' / 'Someday'
Released in July 1992, 'Ben je daar vannacht' ('Are you there tonight') was the third single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. Just like the two previous singles, it features a slightly harder rock sound than most people had become accustomed to from the band.
The single did not chart in the Netherlands - the first one in a long time not to do so - but did reach number 16 in the Belgian singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2067 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Ben je daar vannacht' / 'Mysterie alom'
Clouseau appeared on television quite regularly, and 'Als je me wil' ('If you want me') was one of the tracks that appeared during a television special with the band. I quite liked the song, although by this time I was growing a bit tired of their continuous output of music. Still, I bought the single quite quickly after that.
