Omdat ik van je hou - Louis Neefs

The sleeve of this single doesn't give it away, but 'Omdat ik van je hou' ('Because I love you') is actually a cover version of the song 'L'amore e un attimo'. Massimo Ranieri represented Italy with the song at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971. 

Louis obviously had some Eurovision experience himself, in 1967 and 1969, and kept a close eye on the competition afterwards. I imagine he heard the song and decided to record his own version with lyrics in Flemish. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7857
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Omdat ik van je hou' / 'Du bist mijn meisje' 

Zwischen Wolga und Don - Edina Pop

Just last month I bought a copy of 'Komm komm zu mir' by Edina Pop, and now I was lucky enough to find another Eurovision-themed cover version by the same artist.

'Zwischen Wolga und Don' is a version of 'Alors je chante', as proclaimed on the sleeve, and that, of course, is the French title of the Spanish Eurovision song 'Vivo cantando'. Just like other covers Edina recorded the lyrics were translated into German, and the title suggests that the subject has changed entirely yet again too.

My collection: 7" single no. 7856
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Zwischen Wolga und Don'/ 'Jambo' 

Wij waren jong - Rina Pia

Nini Watripont was born in Ninove (Belgium) on 21 July 1935. During her childhood she sang in the café run by her parents. She started having hits as Rina Pia during her twenties. In 1957 she wanted to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest, but that honour fell on Bobbejaan Schoepen with his 'Straatdeuntje'. In 1963 she tried again and participated in the Flemish national final, but she lost to Jacques Raymond. That year she married producer/composer Al Van Dam. 

In 1964 she recorded 'Wij waren jong' ('We were young'), a Flemish version of 'Non ho l'eta per amarti', the Eurovision winner of that year. The B-side, 'Jij bent een Judas' ('You are a Judas') is perhaps even more amusing. Rina Pia passed away on 24 August 2023.  

My collection: 7" single no. 7855
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Wij waren jong' / 'Jij bent een Judas' 

 

Private life - Grace Jones

Although Grace Jones' 'Private life' was originally released in 1980, the track was re-released in 1986 after the huge success of 'Slave to the rhythm'. This track is decidedly more sedate and brings you back to the days of disco and dub reggae. 

The song was actually written by Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders, and included on that band's debut album from 1979. She said: 'I wanted to do reggae, and I wrote "Private Life". When I first heard Grace's version I thought 'Now that's how it's supposed to sound!' In fact it was one of the high points of my career – what with Sly and Robbie being the masters, and Grace Jones with her scorching delivery.'

My collection: 7" single no. 7860
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Private life' / 'My Jamaican guy' 

I loved you (Dansevise) - Tony Osborne, his piano and orchestra

One of the best winners of the Eurovision Song Contest ever was 'Dansevise', in my humble opinion at least. It's no wonder that many other artists wanted to profit from the song's popularity; a lot of cover versions were released in the year 1963 alone - and more in the years after that. 

Tony Osborne recorded his version already in 1963. Osborne was born in June 1922 in Cambridge (UK) and passed away on 1 March 2009 in Sydney (Australia). He released many albums and singles, mainly in the Sixties and Seventies. The bulk of his work was based on other people's songwriting. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7854
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'I loved you (Dansevise)' / 'Mombasa' 

Un, dos, tres - Catherine Ferry

Catherine Ferry recorded 'Eins zwei drei' for the German market, after coming second at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with '1, 2, 3' - sung in French.

But that was not all: she also recorded the song in Spanish. I saw this single at the record fair in Den Bosch in April, but decided not to buy it because the sleeve was not in the best shape. However, since I saw it again this weekend I decided to get it this time, because the single isn't that easy to get in a better shape. I mean, on Discogs it is on offer for about 2 euros, but with the shipping costs from Spain it quickly adds up to more than I paid for it here. So I'm glad the disc is in better shape than the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 7853
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Un, dos, tres' / 'Petit Jean'

Mikado, Mikado - Simone Drexel

Simone Drexel represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with 'Mikado'. She performed the song in German, but she also recorded a French version, entitled 'Mikado, Mikado' (in order to identify a different version I guess). 

Even the B-side was recorded in French: 'Die Marionetten' became 'Les marionnettes'. Simone also did this for the English version - which I have yet to find.

My collection: 7" single no. 7852
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 15 November 2025
Tracks: 'Mikado, Mikado' / 'Les marionnettes'