The Roaring Sixties - Mary Hopkin, The American Breed, Desmond Dekker, Percy Sledge

Times have changed. Banks these days are not about service anymore: they charge you for everything, including your bank account, the pass that goes with it, and when you want to deposit cash. Can you imagine getting any interest on your bank account anymore? Me neither.

Back in 1983 things were different. This single is the proof: 'The Roaring Sixties' was an EP released by the Dutch Amro Bank to promote their "Zilvervloot" savings account. The single came in a cover with photo's and information on the four artist featured, which in its turn was wrapped in a six page folder with information about the "Zilvervloot" account. It featured four tracks from the Sixties, by Mary Hopkin, The American Breed, Desmond Dekker and Percy Sledge. Yes, it was a free EP but these days it is sold second hand for a euro. I guess you can call that inflation.

My collection: 7" single no. 8397
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Those were the days' (Mary Hopkin), 'Bend me shape me' (The American Breed) / 'Israelites' (Desmond Dekker), 'My special prayer' (Percy Sledge)

I'm the one you need - Jody Watley

'I'm the one you need' was released in February 1992 as the second single from her third album, Affairs of the Heart (1991). The song was written by Watley with house music pioneer, David Morales and Alec Shantzis. 

It was Watley's seventh top 20 pop single in the US, peaking at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK singles chart the song reached number 50. The accompanying music video features a topless Watley reciting the song's spoken word intro, and then performing the rest of the song with her backup band.

My collection: 7" single no. 8396
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'I'm the one you need (Driza Bone 7")' / 'I'm the one you need (album version)' 

Papa Pingouin - Sophie & Magaly

The Eurovision Song Contest certainly divides opinions. Some feel it's the best event of the year, whereas others criticize it for its naffness and the opinion that music comes second to shows and effects.

One song that was always an example for the latter category was Sophie & Magaly's 'Papa Pingouin'. During their performance a man in a penguin suit danced across the stage. It looked quite ridiculous, but to be fair, the song was catchy and stayed in your head once you heard it. It's a televised event, after all, so I would say it's just these kind of gimmicks that entertain.  

My collection: 7" single no. 8395
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Papa Pingouin' / 'Tous les enfants du monde' 

Can't help falling in love - Stylistics

You could say that 'Can't help falling in love' is an overly familiar song, as it has been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to UB40. But the version of the Stylistics is quite unique, as it adds a certain uptempo soul touch to it. 

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, but only managed to get to number 7 in the Tipparade, just outside the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8394
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Can't help falling in love' / 'Jenny' 

Swing your daddy - Jim Gilstrap

'Swing Your Daddy' was a single by singer Jim Gilstrap. It became a hit for him in 1975, charting in various countries around the world. It was a track from his album, also titled Swing your daddy. The single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although Gilstrap didn't have many hits, he appeared in the charts more often than you might think. For example, he sang on Stevie Wonder's 'You are the sunshine of my life', and his voice can also be heard on several songs by Boz Scaggs. He is primarily heard in soul-style numbers, though an outlier is his vocal part on an LP by The Who's drummer Keith Moon. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8393 
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Swing your daddy (part 1)' / 'Swing your daddy (part 2)'

 

Daddy's home - Jermaine Jackson

'Daddy's home' is a song by American doo-wop group Shep and the Limelites. The song was written by the three members of the band, James "Shep" Sheppard (1935–1970), Clarence Bassett (1936–2005) and Charles Baskerville. 

Jermaine Jackson covered the song for his 1972 debut solo album, Jermaine, and it was released as the second single from the album. His version featured the rest of the Jackson 5 on backing vocals. The single peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 8392
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Daddy's home' / 'Take me in your arms (Rock me for a little while)' 

Let me change your mind tonight - Johnny hates Jazz

After the recent death of Calvin Hayes, a member of Johnny hates Jazz, it's appropriate to post one of their singles. The Eighties were kind for this band, but the Nineties... not so much. Lead singer Clark Datchler had left the band and the two other members, Hayes and Mike Nocito, went on with their friend Phil Thornally. However, Thornalley and Calvin Hayes were involved in a car accident in 1991 just before the album's release, which left Hayes seriously injured. He spent nearly two years in the hospital, inclduing one year in a full body cast, and required longterm rehabilitation treatment. The album Tall Stories, which coincided with the car accident, was commercially unsuccessful and attracted little attention.

'Let me change your mind tonight' was equally unsuccessful, stalling at no. 101 in the UK singles chart. Still, this single is worth checking out, especially since the instrumental B-side is really catchy!

My collection: 7" single no. 8391
Found: Variaworld, Utrecht, 12 August 2026
Tracks: 'Let me change your mind tonight' / 'Breaking point'