The original single of Alicia Bridges' I love the nightlife was featured on this blog a few months ago, but I also own a copy of a remix of this track. It was released in 1994, after having been used in the movie 'The adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the desert'. The music video that accompanied this release featured Hugo Weaving, star of the movie.
The original track was a disco classic, and these remixes are less memorable. Typical Nineties fare, I would say, as many remixes from that decade have unfortunately turned out to be rather forgettable.
My collection: 7" single no. 5469 Found: HMV, London Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'I love the nightlife (Real Rapino 7" mix)' / 'I love the nightlife (Phillip Damien 7" mix)'
'The show must go on' was released as the third single from Queen's 1991 album 'Innuendo'. It was written mainly by Brian May. It chronicles the effort of Freddie Mercury continuing to perform despite approaching the end of his life; he was dying from complications due to AIDS, although his illness had not yet been made public in spite of ongoing media speculation claiming that he was seriously ill. Mercury was so ill, and could barely walk, when the band recorded the song in 1990, that May had concerns as to whether he was physically capable of singing it. Recalling Mercury's performance, May states; "he went in and killed it, completely lacerated that vocal".
It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 14 October 1991 in promotion for the Greatest Hits II album, just six weeks before Mercury died. Following Mercury's death on 24 November 1991, the song re-entered the British charts and spent as many weeks in the top 75 (five) as it did upon its original release, initially reaching a peak of 16. By now, it is truly obvious that 'the show must go on', as Queen have just released another greatest hits album featuring a few 'new' tracks, recorded before Mercury's death, including a duet with another dead legend, Michael Jackson.
My collection: 7" single no. 5443 Found: unknown Tracks: 'The show must go on' / 'Keep yourself alive'
'Sing Sang Song' was the German entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in German by the Les Humphries Singers.
The Les Humphries Singers had had a series of hits Continental Europe and Scandinavia in the early Seventies, most notably 'Mexico' (1972) and 'Mama Loo' (1973). The group's usual line-ups consisted of 20 performers and up from all over the world. For their performance in Eurovision they were however reduced to six singers; two female and four male.
Their Eurovision song was composed by Eurovision veteran Ralph Siegel, who had made his debut in the 1974 Contest when he wrote Ireen Sheer's 'Bye Bye I Love You', representing Luxembourg, this was however his first entry for his native Germany.
The song received 12 points, placing 15th in a field of 18 competitors. In late 1976 the group disbanded.
My collection: 7" single no. 5640 Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Sing sang song' / 'Slow down'
A duet between two country singers, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers serves as the very definition of 'uncool' these days. But still, in some quarters, both these people are still revered as legends. Dolly Parton rocked Glastonbury earlier this year, and Kenny Rogers is still regularly touring the USA and Canada to sold out theatres. Apparently, he's also the owner of his own chain of chicken-based restaurants called Kenny Rogers Roasters (in California and, rather amazingly, Asia).
'Islands in the stream' was written by the Bee Gees, and reached number 1 in the USA, Canada and Australia. Rogers and Parton went on to record a Christmas album together, and had an additional hit with their 1985 duet 'Real Love'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5463 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Islands in the stream' / 'Midsummer nights'
Paul Young released his fourth solo album 'Other Voices' in 1990. The album peaked at number 4 in the UK albums chart, selling over 100,000 copies. The first single from the album was 'Softly whispering I love you', written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook in 1967. The song was originally recorded by the duo under the name of David and Jonathan. It was covered in 1971 by the Congregation and in 1972 by Johnny Farnham and Allison Durbin.
Paul Young's version was a hit in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, peaking at number 21, 16 and 44 respectively.
My collection: 7" single no. 5420 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Softly whispering I love you' / 'Leaving home'
Released in 1989, 'A bit of U2' is the debut single by Kiss AMC, featuring a sample of U2's 'New Year's Day'. This single was quite controversial because the title actually mentioned U2, something the band wasn't too happy about. Later copies would cut the word from the title, naming it 'A bit of...' instead. This is why I wanted to buy this copy, because it is a rarity in a way. And you know how much I like rarities.
Kiss AMC consisted of sisters Anne and Marie Copeland. They took a chance on using the sample but still got permission from the band to use it. Further singles by the duo were unsuccessful. Which really isn't much of a surprise if you listen to the B-side of this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 5432 Found: Music Exchange, London Tracks: 'A bit of U2' / 'The raw side'
'Ring Ring' was originally a 1973 single by ABBA, which gave the group their big break in several European countries (although the rest of Europe, North America and Australia would be introduced to ABBA the following year). It was originally written in Swedish by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, along with their manager Stig Anderson, and the translation into English lyrics was helped by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody.
This German single was actually released in 1974, after ABBA had won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo'. It couples 'Ring Ring' with another previous single hit, 'Honey Honey'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5365 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Ring Ring' / 'Honey Honey'
