Kajagoogoo were scorned in the Eighties (and after) became they were considered to be naff. But when you listen to their music now, it holds up very well. The song with the nonsensical title 'Ooh to be aah' is a great piece of breezy pop that has stood the test of time better than you'd think.
This 12" single features an extended remix of 'Ooh to be ah' plus a B-side track that was not featured on the 7" single.
My collection: 12" single no. 544 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Ooh to be ah (The Construction mix)' / 'Ooh to be ah', 'Interview rooms'
Back in November 2008, I featured the 7" single of Fiat Lux's 'Secrets' on this blog. The song cannot be downloaded from there anymore as I never reupload tracks (so don't ask, please).
However, since I have this 12" single as well, both tracks are available once more. And it's just as well, since 'Secrets' is one of the best songs of the Eighties, I dare say. It's a shame that this 12" single does not include an extended version of the track, but there is an extra B-side - which I have to say is a bit of a throwaway track...
My collection: 12" single no. 248 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Secrets' / 'Comfortable life', 'Aqua vitae'
This is not the best 12" remix in the history of mankind - in fact, it's rather lame. It features the single version of UB40's 'Don't break my heart', which fades out at the end while a different track fades in: it's an instrumental roughly based on the tempo and key of the song but doesn't really belong here. I think many people must have felt a bit cheated when they played this record after buying it.
My collection: 12" single no. 376 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Don't break my heart (12" version)' / 'Mek ya rok (12" version)'
What a shame. Trevor Horn produced Yes's 'Owner of a lonely heart' in 1983, creating a great and innovative rock track - but then decided to make a remix as well. The result is on this 12" single, and I repeat: what a shame. The remix is not much more than a random collection of noises that becomes increasingly grating as time progresses and no verse or chorus appears.
The B-side, fortunately, offers the A- and B-side of the 7" single, so owners of this 12" single can always take their refuge to that side.
My collection: 12" single no. 543 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Owner of a lonely heart (Special remix dance version)' / 'Owner of a lonely heart', 'Our song'
Kate Bush recorded 'This woman's work' for the movie 'She's having a baby', directed by John Hughes. The song is played during the dramatic climax, when Jake (Kevin Bacon) learns that the lives of his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and their unborn child are in danger. As the song plays, we see a montage sequence of flashbacks showing the couple in happier times, intercut with shots of him waiting for news of Elizabeth and their baby's condition. Bush wrote the song specifically for the sequence, writing from a man's viewpoint and matching the words to the visuals which had already been filmed.
Kate included the song in her 1989 album 'The sensual world'. The song was re-edited from the original version featured on the film soundtrack. When the song was chosen as the second single from the album, the song was mixed differently for another time.
The single was released in two different formats: a 'regular' 7" single and a picture disc. While failing to chart in most territories, it reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in Ireland. The song should be considered one of Kate Bush's signature songs.
My collection: 7" single no. 1123 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 19, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'This woman's work' / 'Be kind to my mistakes'
This promotional jukebox single from Italy is evidence that the Italians were a bit slow in picking up one of Kim Wilde's biggest hits, 'You keep me hangin' on'. While the Bee Gees' 'You win again' was released in September 1987, Kim's single was originally released a year earlier.
I have no documentation on the chart history of 'You keep me hangin' on' in Italy, but I suspect it only charted when this promo was circulated. By that time, it had already reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - no mean feat for a female singer from the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 4866 Found: eBay.co.uk, received May 15, 2010 Cost: 6 pounds Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' (Kim Wilde) / 'You win again' (Bee Gees)
I wonder if I'll ever find out if there's a 7" single of Lys Assia's winning Eurovision song 'Refrain' from 1956. I'm still looking for it and it's the only Eurovision winner that's missing from my collection!
Lys Assia returned to the Contest in 1957 and 1958, and this is her entry from 1958: 'Giorgio'. Representing Switzerland, she very nearly won the Contest again, earning 24 points, but finished second behind Andre Claveau with 'Dors mon amour', who earned 27 points. It's surprising that a 52 year old single can still be in such pristine condition.
My collection: 7" single no. 4865 Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Giorgio' / 'Louella'
Kajagoogoo were scorned in the Eighties (and after) became they were considered to be naff. But when you listen to their music now, it holds up very well. The song with the nonsensical title 'Ooh to be aah' is a great piece of breezy pop that has stood the test of time better than you'd think.
