Son of a preacher man - Dusty Springfield

'Son of a Preacher Man' was recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 as a track on her legendary album 'Dusty in Memphis'. Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, the song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, but she turned it down. Only after she'd heard Springfield's version she recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, 'This girl's in love with you', ended up as a B-side of the single 'Call me' only.

Although the album 'Dusty in Memphis' was released in stereo, the singles off the album were remixed and released in mono. This single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5042
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'

Funny how time flies (when you're having fun) - Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's album 'Control' was a big success, and the way the album was 'milked' for singles was equal to her brother Michael's 'Thriller' a few years before. After six singles released internationally, 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' was released as single number seven in the UK and Australia.

This limited edition version from the UK featured a giant poster with two pictures of Janet in black and white. The single performed poorly in the UK singles chart despite this: it only reached number 59. Janet performed the song live for the first time in 2008, during her Rock Witchu Tour.

My collection: 7" single no. 5041
Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 28, 2011
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' / 'When I think of you'

Tomorrow's clown - Marty Wilde

I always get a kick out of buying really old singles, and this one is almost 50 years old. Marty Wilde released 'Tomorrow's clown' in October 1961, and reached number 33 in the UK singles charts with it.

The B-side is called 'The Hellions' and that's also the title of the movie he starred in. The western movie has never been released officially on DVD, but I got a recording of it last year and it's really interesting to see how the rocker proves himself as a credible actor.

My collection: 7" single no. 5040
Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 21, 2011
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tomorrow's clown' / 'The Hellions'.

Some kind of lover - Jody Watley

'Some kind of lover' was the fourth single taken from Jody Watley's self-titled debut solo album. It was a relative failure, reaching number 81 in the UK singles chart, but it is one of the nicest funky tracks on the album.

These remixes were made by Louil Silas, jr., who mostly adds a lot of 'bounce' to the track. The 12" single features three versions of the tracks which are quite similar to one another. Still, good stuff.

My collection: 12" single no. 217
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1994
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Some kind of lover (extended version)' / 'Some kind of lover (instrumental)', 'Some kind of lover (dub)'

If it happens again - UB40

'If it happens again' is one of my favourite tunes by UB40, and a lot of that has to do with the last few minutes of the track. So I was hoping that the 12" version would offer more of that. Well it doesn't, but that's okay because this dub mix is quite interesting too.

It was the seventh top 10 hit in the UK for UB40. It peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart, but did even better in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 375
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it happens again (12" version)' / 'Nkomo a gogo'

Boys keep swinging - Duran Duran / Absolute beginners - Carla Bruni

'We were so turned on: A tribute to David Bowie' was released worldwide on September 6, 2010 as a charity for War Child UK. It is the only tribute album that has been approved by David Bowie and his management.

This single was released from the album, featuring the tracks by Duran Duran and Carla Bruni. It is the first Duran Duran 7" vinyl single since 1995's 'Perfect day'. Upon first listen, I have to say I like the cover by French president Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni better: she has turned the wonderfully rich original into an intimate piano-and-vocal song - and that works very well.
This single is a limited edition and was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 5039
Found: HMV, London, received February 16, 2011
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' (Duran Duran)' / 'Absolute beginners' (Carla Bruni)

I am an astronaut - Ricky Wilde

Released in 1972, Ricky Wilde (yep, Kim's brother) was just eleven years old when he sang 'I am an astronaut'. The single was not a hit all over Europe, but the single was released in several countries.

Attentive readers of this blog will have seen the previous entry about 'I am an astronaut' from two years ago, but this single is a recent acquisition: a Belgian pressing featuring a beautiful photo sleeve of a young Ricky. And so it merits a repost.

My collection: 7" single no. 5038
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 9, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'I am an astronaut' / 'The Hertfordshire rock'