Merry-go-round - Susan Fassbender

Susan Fassbender's 1981 single 'Twilight cafe' was a hit in the UK, but subsequent recordings failed to match that success.

This single, 'Merry-go-round' was released the same year, but failed to chart despite some appearances in TV programmes like 'Cheggers plays pop' and 'Swap shop'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4863
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Merry-go-round' / 'Reasons'

The Chinese way - Level 42

'The Chinese way' was released as the second single from Level 42's 1982 album 'The pursuit of accidents'.

It became Level 42's first top 30 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 4862
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The Chinese way' / '88 (live)'

Hi-Energy Anglia Remix - The Flirtations, Marsha Raven

In 1984, Dutch DJ Rutger Kroese created the Anglia Remix, a medley of two songs with sounds of Big Ben. The two songs that were used were 'Earthquake' by the Flirtations and 'Catch me' by Marsha Raven. The latter had been released unsuccessfully earlier that year, but this remix gave it a new lease of life.

An edited version of this remix would be released as a single and give Marsha Raven a top 10 hit in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, this full length remix became quite sought after.

My collection: 12" single no. 541
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2001
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hi-Energy Anglia Remix' / 'Primitive desire' (Eastbound Expressway)

Chains of love - Erasure

'Chains of love' was released in May 1988 as the second single from Erasure's third studio album 'The innocents'. The album version was produced by Stephen Hague and was slightly remixed for its single release. Most notably the album version starts 'cold', while the single version contains a short synthesizer pattern as an intro.

The single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4859
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Chains of love' / 'Don't suppose'

Jackie Wilson said - Dexy's Midnight Runners

'Jackie Wilson said (I'm in heaven when you smile)' was written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1972 on his album 'Saint Dominic's preview'. It was inspired by a line in Jackie Wilson's song 'Reet petite'.

In 1982, British pop band Dexys Midnight Runners recorded and released a cover version of 'Jackie Wilson said' on their album 'Too-rye-ay'. It was released as the follow-up single to their UK number 1 hit 'Come on Eileen' and reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. It also got to number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4858
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jackie Wilson said' / 'Let's make this precious'

Only a fool - Time Bandits

The single 'Only a fool' was taken from the Time Bandits' 1985 album 'Fiction'. While the previous single 'Dancing on the string', also taken from the album, reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40, this single failed to chart.

The song, written by frontman Alides Hidding, sounds a bit like a cheap Bee Gees imitation. I guess too many people didn't appreciate this unintended tribute.

My collection: 7" single no. 4857
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, June 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Only a fool' / '1 2 3'

The wild places '91 - Duncan Browne

This remix of the classic song 'The wild places' by Duncan Browne is a mystery. I can't find any information as to why this remix was released. What's more, the remix doesn't seem to add or change much from the original - except the great instrumental bit at the end of the song seems to have been chopped off. What a shame.

Amazingly, this single managed to chart again in the Dutch Top 40. Whereas the original version reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 in the Spring of 1979, this version managed to get to number 28.

My collection: 7" single no. 4864
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The wild places '91' / 'Fauvette'