Genghis Khan - 5 Carat

5 Carat is a rather anonymous Japanese act that only ever released two singles. This is one of them: a cover version of the song Dschinghis Khan, performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 by the group of the same name. The song was composed by Ralph Siegel.

For this version, an arrangement was apparently made by Tachio Akano, a Japanese composer best known as the composer of the Machine Robo series. As a cover version it is quite accomplished. The lyrics are a mix of Japanese and English.

My collection: 7" single no. 6748
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2022
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'Genghis Khan' / 'Genghis Khan (instrumental)'

Tubular bells - Mystic Sounds

When the movie 'The Exorcist' was released in 1973, it was quite a sensation. Despite initial mixed critical reviews, audiences flocked to it, waiting in long lines during winter weather and many doing so more than once. Some viewers suffered adverse physical reactions, fainting or vomiting to scenes in which the protagonist undergoes a realistic cerebral angiography and later violently masturbates with a crucifix. Even heart attacks and a miscarriage were reported.

This single was released in 1974, featuring a version of the Mike Oldfield composition 'Tubular Bells', performed by Mystic Sounds, an unidentified act who were able to replicate the original recording quite well. To me it's unclear if this version was also used in the movie - I haven't seen it in a long time.

My collection: 7" single no. 6747
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Tubular bells' / 'Iraq'

Looking high, high, high - David Hughes

'Looking high, high, high' was the song with which Bryan Johnson represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. It was a remarkable upbeat song that also included the line 'I shall die, die, die ('cause I love you so)'. \

English popular singer and operatic tenor David Hughes also released ‘Looking High, High, High’ as a single around the same time as Bryan Johnson. His version was not a hit. My copy comes in the original Top Rank record company sleeve!

My collection: 7" single no. 6742
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 July 2022
Cost: £2
Tracks: 'Looking high, high, high' / 'Mi amor'

You - Geraldine

Buying singles online can sometimes be a disappointing experience. But I am not totally sure, in this case, if I wouldn't have had the same disappointment if I'd bought this single in a real shop. The disc looks absolutely fine, but playing it it's hard to even hear the music. That's why I only recorded the A-side from this single - I already had the French version on another single. 

The Irish singer Geraldine represented Luxembourg with the song 'Toi', and she recorded the song also in English as 'You'. That version was obviously released in Ireland, but this is the Portuguese pressing with a slightly unflattering photograph of the singer on the front cover.

My collection: 7" single no. 6741
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 July 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'You' / 'Toi'

Dai li dou - Gemini

Gemini was a Portuguese band from the Seventies. The members were Fatima Padinha, Teresa Miguel, Tozé Brito and Mike Sergeant.  In 1977 they participated in the Portuguese national final in order to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Portugal no coração'. The song won. However, every song was sung by two performers, and the audience preferred Os Amigos over Gemini. 

In 1978 they tried again and won the national final with the song 'Dai li dou'. This time they were allowed to go to Paris for the international competition. However, they only reached the 17th position. Teresa and Fatima would represent Portugal once more in 1982 in the band Doce.

My collection: 7" single no. 6740
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 July 2022
Cost: €5
Tracks: 'Dai li dou' / 'Gente lá da minha rua'

La novia / Al di la - Tony Dallara

I already owned one cover version of 'Al di la' by Emilio Pericoli, and here's another one, also in a Japanese sleeve: Tony Dallara recorded his version on the B-side of the single 'La novia'. 

Dallara was born as Antonio Lardera on 30 June 1936. After working as barman and clerk, he began his musical career in the band Rocky Mountains; his singing style was inspired, in particular, by American singers such as Frankie Laine and Tony Williams. In 1957, he signed a contract as singer with the Italian label Music, where he was working as delivery man. His first single 'Come prima' was published in December 1957 and sold 300,000 copies, becoming the biggest selling single in Italy up to that point. 'La novia' was released in 1963, two years after Betty Curtis represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Al di la'.  

My collection: 7" single no. 6739
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'La novia' / 'Al di la'

Some day - Tommy Nilsson

I've always been rather fond of Sweden's 1989 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, 'En dag', performed by Tommy Nilsson. There's something about the powerful vocals, the repetitive chorus and the hopeful lyrics that drew me to this song - and it still does.

When I found out there was a 12" version of the song - I think about a year ago - I put it on my wantlist, but it was quite difficult to get hold of a copy, due to the rather extreme postage rates and the prices some online dealers dare to ask for it. After all, it's just a 12" single in a black generic sleeve. I finally found a cheap copy with cheap postage from a dealer in... Lithuania! Sometimes good things come from far away.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, 1 July 2022
Cost: $5
Tracks: 'Some day [12" version]' / 'En dag', 'Some day'