Jive talkin' - Boogie Box High

Boogie Box High were a musical project headed by Andros Georgiou in the late Eighties that featured a range of musical collaborations such as his cousin George Michael, guitarist Nick Heyward (of Haircut 100), keyboardist Mick Talbot (of Style Council), guitarist–songwriter David Austin, bassist Deon Estus and others.

Released in 1987, Boogie Box High's first single 'Jive talkin'' quickly reached number one in several countries. Part of this success was caused by the involvement of George Michael, who sang lead and backing vocals on the track. Due to contractual obligations to Epic Records, George was never credited on the original release, although fans quickly recognized his voice, making the song an instant hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4841
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jive talkin'' / 'Rhythm talkin' (part 1)'

I can dream about you - Dan Hartman

Dan Hartman recorded 'I can dream about you' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Streets of fire'. In the movie, the sog was performed by Winston Ford.

Dan Hartman's version was released as a single in 1984. It reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4840
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I can dream about you' (Dan Hartman) / 'Blue shadows' (The Blasters)

Dim all the lights - Donna Summer

'Dim all the lights' was taken from Donna Summer's album 'Bad girls' and produced by longtime collaborator Giorgio Moroder with Pete Bellotte. Just like the two previous singles from the album, 'Hot stuff' and 'Bad girls', this was another massive hit for her, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 29 in the UK singles chart. However, in the Netherlands, the single flopped.

Donna Summer herself wrote the song, without any co-writers. As such, 'Dim all the lights' was her only hit single that she wrote alone. She originally intended to give the song to Rod Stewart, but changed her mind at the last minute.

My collection: 7" single no. 4839
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dim all the lights' / 'There will always be a you'

See see the sun - Kayak

Kayak's 1973 single 'See see the sun' was taken from their debut album of the same name. It was actually their third single, but the first one to fail to reach the chart even in the Netherlands.

Finding a Kayak single these days is pretty hard, so I was really stunned to find this one for almost nothing. The quality of the disc isn't the best, as you can hear, but what do you expect, after 37 years?

My collection: 7" single no. 4838
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'See see the sun' / 'Give it a name'

Twee gezichten - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded the track 'Twee gezichten' ('Two faces') together with Henk Hofstede from the Nits. It was released as the third single from Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers').

The B-side was a live track, recorded at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium on February 20, 1992. It was a Dutch version of Elvis Presley's famous track 'I can't help falling in love with you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1703
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Twee gezichten' / 'Kan er niets aan doen (live)'

Something about you - Level 42

Level 42 have always had a knack for making catchy tunes, and when they were at the height of their fame in the mid-Eighties, they were able to treat their fans to lively extended versions of their hit singles.

'Something about you' was released in 1985. The 'Sisa mix' on this 12" single was uncredited, but one can presume that producer Julian Mendelsohn had something to do with it.

My collection: 12" single no. 301
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Something about you (Sisa mix)' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'

Whenever you need me - T'pau

Without even knowing what was on it, this 12" single was an attractive proposition: it was released as a box set featuring a giant poster of Carol Decker. When I ordered my copy from the UK, the disc turned out to feature an extended remix of 'Whenever you need me', which was not included on the cd-single.

The only thing that irks me to this day, is that the paper slip around the orange box in which this 12" single was packaged tore apart on the day I received it. So I have a damaged copy, alas.

My collection: 12" single no. 114
Found: Esprit mail order, UK, received August 1991
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Whenever you need me (extended)' / 'Whenever you need me (single version)', 'All the love'