Jump - Van Halen

One of my favourite games when I am reflecting on my record collection, is finding out which artist has the lowest and highest registration number, i.e. which is the furthest apart. Van Halen is the winner at this point: I only have two singles by the band, 'Running with the devil' being number 51 and 'Jump' has just become number 4943. Breaking this record is quite hard, unless I am ever going to buy another single by Oliver, Patrick Hernandez or Peaches & Herb (which seems unlikely) or the Jam (which is very likely).

'Jump' is one of those Eighties anthem that pretty much everyone knows. It is not representative of the band's style, who usually have a harder sound.

My collection: 7" single no. 4943
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jump' / 'House of pain'

Love and pride - King

Those of you who have followed this blog since the beginning will remember that I already own a copy of King's 'Love and pride'. It was a limited edition version featuring a different sleeve and a poster. This is the original release from 1984 with a beautiful sleeve. I had to have this beautiful version as well, featuring a totally undamaged UK sleeve.

'Love and pride' became a number 2 hit in the Netherlands in 1985, a year after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4942
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love and pride' / 'Don't stop'

Belle Hélène - Doe Maar

A song like 'Belle Hélène' would be totally unacceptable these days. Back in 1984, the record company had no qualms about releasing a song that contained lyrics describing a love affair with an underage girl. The fact that Doe Maar was the Netherlands' most popular band at the time also helped, of course: they could do no wrong.

It is interesting, however, to note that this single did not become a hit. I have no idea when this single was actually released: it might have been after their breakup that year, when disillusioned fans didn't bother buying their records anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 4941
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Belle Hélène' / 'Bella Donna'

Who's that girl - The Flying Pickets

My friend Puck, who's into acapella stuff, will be delighted to hear this version of the Eurythmics' hit single 'Who's that girl'. The Flying Pickets had a hit with an acapella version of Yazoo's 'Only you' in 1984, and followed it up with this single. It was not a hit, although it was equally inventive.

The band of six was founded by Brian Hibbard in 1982. The group chose the name The Flying Pickets as band members had played a part in the UK miners strikes of 1972 and 1974. The Flying Pickets came up with the then novel concept of perfoming contemporary pop hits in acapella versions. The height of the group's fame coincided with the 1984 Miners Strike. The Flying Pickets were very vocal in their support of the miners during the dispute and came to blows with the record label Virgin after they picketed Drax Power Station in Yorkshire. They also performed benefit gigs for the miners. Hibbard himself claimed that their political beliefs probably had a detrimental effect regarding the group's mainstream image but it was a sacrifice they were willing to make.

My collection: 7" single no. 4940
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who's that girl' / 'Remember this (Jara mix)'

State of independence - Jon and Vangelis

If you know anything about Eighties pop music, you will remember Donna Summer's hit single 'State of independence' from 1982. Jon and Vangelis, who wrote the song, recorded the song in 1981 on their album 'Friends of Mr. Cairo', but it turns out they also released it as a single in 1984.

It was released on the occasion of a 'greatest hits' compilation album, and failed to become a hit. Such is the fate of talented composers...

My collection: 7" single no. 4939
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'State of independence' / 'The friends of Mr. Cairo'

Whole lotta love - Blonde on blonde

Page three girls Nina Carter and Jilly Johnson formed the duo Blonde on blonde, releasing a disco-inspired cover version of Led Zeppelin's classic track 'Whole lotta love' in 1979. This picture disc proves that the appeal of the girls was not so much their sound, but rather visual.

Still, it's an interesting cover of the track because it's very different from the 'rock hard' original. The single did not become a hit, but perhaps it should have been.

My collection: 7" single no. 4938
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Whole lotta love' / 'Make me smile'

Master and servant - Depeche Mode

I never bought the 7" single of Depeche Mode's 'Master and servant', and I only found this out a couple of months ago. Therefore it's a lot of fun to find this single for a very reasonable price.

The overtly sexual, SM-themed lyrics of 'Master and servant' - complete with synthesized whip-and-chain sound effects - reportedly got the song banned by many radio stations in the United States. The song narrowly avoided a radio ban by the BBC as well, and might have been banned if the one BBC staffer who wanted to ban the record had not been away on holiday at the time the other staffers voted on whether to add the single to their playlist. Despite all this controversy, the single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4937
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Master and servant' / '(Set me free) Remotivate me'