Es war keine so wunderbar wie du - Cliff Richard und die Shadows

Back in 1964 Cliff Richard had a hit with 'I could easily fall in love with you'. It isn't easy to find a good copy of a single that old, but I managed it five years ago.

And then, here's the German version of that same song, in the same unscathed condition! In this case, the song is credited to 'Cliff Richard und die Shadows'. I can't find out whether this version was a hit in Germany, but I would assume it was. It is a great version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7534
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'Es war keine so wunderbar wie du' / 'Es könnte schon morgen sein'

Angie - Rolling Stones

As far as classics go, the Rolling Stones' 'Angie' qualifies as a real classic. Back in the Eighties, when I was listening to the Top 100 of all times on Veronica Radio, this song was in the top 10, and I think it should be there still if anyone compiles a list. Not because I am so Rolling Stones-minded - quite the contrary! - but it says something when a song like this appeals even to someone like me, who doesn't really like whatever this band did. (There are exceptions, of course, and they are all on this blog.)

'Angie' was also the hardest Rolling Stones single to find - because of its status as a classic. You have to get lucky and find a decent copy for a reasonable price. So last month, I was finally lucky. Sexy cover, too. Probably won't hold up on those prude American media.

My collection: 7" single no. 7533
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'Angie' / 'Silver train'

You can't get what you want (till you know what you want) - Joe Jackson

'You can't get what you want (till you know what you want)' is a single from Joe Jackson's 1984 album Body and Soul. It spent sixteen weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was Jackson's second-highest charted song in America when it peaked at number 15 in June 1984. 

The track features a slap bass performance from Jackson's longtime bassist Graham Maby. Maby recalled, 'For 'You can't get what you want', Joe wanted me to slap. It was certainly not one of my strengths, but I think the track came out fine, and it was fun to play live.'

My collection: 7" single no. 7532
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'You can't get what you want (till you know what you want)' / 'Cha cha loco'

Rockin' Robin - Michael Jackson

'Rockin' Robin' was written by Leon René under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas, and recorded by American singer Bobby Day in 1958. 

In 1972, Michael Jackson released his own version of the song, which was released as a single from his gold-certified solo album titled Got to be there as a follow-up single to the song of the same name. It was the biggest hit from the album, hitting number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the UK singles chart. It was also Michael's second solo single, while he was still a member of the Jackson Five  too.

My collection: 7" single no. 7531
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'Rockin' Robin' / 'Love is here and now you're gone'

My life - Billy Joel

Coincidentally, the last Billy Joel single I bought was 'My life', back in 2011. I'm not excatly collecting Billy Joel records, but this Japanese pressing of that same single was just too irresistible. For some reason, Japanese singles have become significantly cheaper recently, and so I just wanted to take this one with me, although it doesn't contain any other music than that other single I bought 14 years ago.

My collection: 7" single no. 7530
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'My life' / '52nd street'

Je t'aime (moi non plus) - Judge Dread

Most people are familiar with 'Je t'aime... moi non plus', the French songs with lots of excited whispering and panting. I don't know if the song has been covered a lot, but I found this single and I just couldn't resist.

It's a version of the song in reggae style by Judge Dread, released in 1974. However, if you expect a rehash of the original, you're quite wrong: in this version things are decidedly less steamy. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7529
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 19 January 2025
Tracks: 'Je t'aime (moi non plus)' / 'The belle of Snodland Town'

Say it again - Precious

Back in 2017 I bought the 7" single of 'Say it again' by Precious. It was an almost superfluous acquisition since I already had the tracks on a cd-single. However, I recently found out that several remixes of the track were only ever released on a 12" single! 

The remixes on this disc come from James Lavonz and Master Stepz. And like many remixes of the Nineties, it is questionable whether these remixes were ever meant to be enjoyed at home - it is mainly club fodder, to be honest. But I'll let you make up your mind. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 15 January 2025
Tracks: 'Say it again (James Lavonz full vocal mix)', 'Say it again (James Lavonz Ruffa dub mix)' / 'Say it again (Master Stepz Trouble mix)', 'Say it again (Master Stepz Smooth dub mix)'.