Suspicious minds - Fine Young Cannibals

Quite in contrast with the frankly dull sleeve of the Fine Young Cannibals' single 'Suspicious minds', this picture disc actually shows the band as they were in the music video accompanying the release. It makes me wonder why the record company didn't use this imagery for the 'regular' single release as well. 

'Suspicious minds' is, of course, a cover version of the Elvis Presley song. The track was used in the cult films Dangerously close and Down twisted. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7430
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Suspicious minds' / 'Prick up your ears'

Poupée de cire, poupée de son - Janie Jurka

Janie Jurka released about a dozen singles between 1964 and 1967, but she remained mostly unknown - at least, it's not possible to find any information about the singer.

In 1965 she released this EP, featuring a cover version of the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest: France Gall's 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', as well as a cover of the French entry, 'N'avoue jamais'. The EP caught my eye because of the sleeve, which portrays the singer in a slightly sexy pose, not unlike the logo of this website! 

My collection: 7" single no. 7429
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', 'Mon amie la rose' / 'N'avoue jamais', 'Mais tu l'aimes'

2300 Jackson Street - The Jacksons

While Michael Jackson was enjoying the biggest success of his career after leaving The Jacksons, the other brothers soldiered on while enduring a lot less success than what they had before the Eighties. On '2300 Jackson Street' they managed to release one last single together with Michael and Marlon, who had both officially left the group. The song also features two of the Jackson sisters: Rebbie and Janet.

'2300 Jackson Street' is about the Jackson family's childhood home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. The single was only a moderate success, reaching number 76 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 7427
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: '2300 Jackson Street' / 'When I look at you'

The Wall: Music from the film - Pink Floyd

I consider Pink Floyd's The Wall the best album the band made, perhaps contrary to most people who always cite The dark side of the moon. The impact the movie had on me when I first saw it towards the end of the Eighties was huge. I've heard the album many times, and even bought the super deluxe set with the mad marbles.

It's quite funny how I never came across this single. Well, I did see it various times over the past few years but it always kept me wondering if I didn't already have it. This time I knew I didn't, and so I could buy it. It's a beautiful package with a foldout sleeve and two tracks that were not included on the album. I think it completes my collection of singles from The Wall, finally.

My collection: 7" single no. 7425
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'When the tigers broke free' / 'Bring the boys back home'

Love is the drug - Grace Jones

'Love is the drug' was originally recorded by Roxy Music and released in September 1975. Grace Jones recorded the song for her fourth studio album Warm Leatherette (1980). The track was released as the second single, following 'A Rolling Stone' in the UK, while it was the first single to be released in Germany. 

Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music has since spoken positively of Jones' version, commenting, "I really liked Grace Jones's 'Love Is the Drug' cover, produced by the great Alex Sadkin – she gave it such attitude."

My collection: 7" single no. 7422
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Love is the drug' / 'Sinning'

I feel free - Belinda Carlisle

'I feel free' was originally recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. In 1987, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded the song for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). The recording was produced by Rick Nowels. It was the fourth single released from the album, released in the USA only. It peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

Belinda Carlisle singles from the Eighties are usually attractive because of their picture sleeves, and this one is not an exception. The song's nice too, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7421
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'I feel free' / 'Should I let you in?'

We got the beat - Go-Go's

Originally this picture disc came in a transparent sleeve with a sticker, but the sticker is gone and now all I have is the picture disc. It's a beautiful picture disc and it features two songs by the Go-Go's: 'We got the beat' and 'Our lips are sealed'. I already owned the latter, of course, but I couldn't leave this picture disc behind  

'We got the beat' was originally released in 1980 on Stiff Records, but it was re-recorded for their debut album Beauty and the Beat on I.R.S. Records. It became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' 'I love Rock 'n Roll'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7420
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'We got the beat' / 'Our lips are sealed'