Released in 1984, 'Let's make this last' was the first of many Mari Wilson singles that failed to chart. Until then, most of her singles had charted in the UK - although many of them only made it to lower positions - but starting with this single, she never charted again.
So what happened? It's not that this was a bad song. Tony Mansfield produced this single, and he had been responsible for many interesting sounds in the early Eighties, with a.o. New Musik and even the debut single by A-ha.
My collection: 7" single no. 5415 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Let's make this last' / 'Let's make this last (Stereo shift mix)'
'Tourada' ('Bullfight') was the Portuguese entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973, performed by Fernando Tordo. Born on Marh 29, 1948, Tordo was a singer and composer who debuted in 1969, competing at the national final for Eurovision in Portugal.
The song features the metaphor of a bullfight, comparing it either with the autocratic regime in Portugal at the time or with the culture of materialism. The song was performed third on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 80 points, placing 10th in a field of 17 contestants.
My collection: 7" single no. 5650 Found: Discogs.com, received October 11, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Tourada' / 'Carta de longe'
Written by Eugene Record, 'Oh girl' was originally a hit for the Chi-Lites in 1972. The song centers on a relationship on the verge of break-up. The narrator expresses concern that the break-up may prove unbearable for him, while knowing that staying will be no better. The song became their first and only number one hit in the USA.
Paul Young recorded a cover of the song in 1990 on his album 'Other voices'. It was released as the second single from the album. It reached number 25 in the UK singles chart, while climbing to number 8 in the USA.
My collection: 7" single no. 5421 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Oh girl' / 'You're the one'
'The farm yard connection' is the last single by the Fun Boy Three, released in 1983. While all their previous singles ended up in the UK singles chart (and, bar one, all in the top 20), this single did not chart.
The single was taken from the band's second album 'Waiting', which was produced by Jeremy Green and David Byrne. That album fared pretty well, peaking on number 14 in the UK albums chart and achieving the silver status.
My collection: 7" single no. 5396 Found: unknown Tracks: 'The farm yard connection' / 'We're having all the fun'
The band Prefab Sprout debuted in 1982 with their self-released single 'Lions in my own garden: exit someone'. Two years later, they debuted on Kitchenware Records with this single, 'Don't sing'.
Taken from their debut album 'Swoon', released in March 1984. This album has a markedly different, and less accessible, musical feel than
their later works, featuring intricate guitar-based compositions that
drew comparisons with Aztec Camera and Steely Dan. My collection: 7" single no. 5438 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Don't sing' / 'Green Isaac II'
'Cross Your Heart' was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, performed by Tina Reynolds.
The song is moderately up-tempo, with Reynolds using a number of childhood rhymes ("cross your heart and hope to die" and "sticks and stones wouldn't break my bones") to communicate to a would-be lover how serious she is about a potential relationship, with the contrast between the serious intention and the playful nature of the rhymes being drawn out throughout the lyrics.
The song was performed thirteenth on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 11 points, placing 7th in a field of 17 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5609 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, August 10, 2014 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Cross your heart' / 'What would I be'
'Jennie, Jennie' was the Swedish entry in the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Lasse Berghagen.
The song was performed eighteenth on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 72 points, placing 8th in a field of 19 competitors.
Berghagen has released this song also in his language native Swedish and in German, both with the same title "Jennie, Jennie".
A year later, Sweden opted out of the contest. Broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR) did not have enough money to host another contest if Sweden won again and in Sweden there were protests against the commercial character of Eurovision Song Contest.
My collection: 7" single no. 5585 Found: KEG records, Sweden, received August 1, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Jennie, Jennie' / 'Ett brev till dig'
