Colorado - Xandra

Dutch singer Sandra Reemer (born October 17, 1950 in Bandung, Indonesia) participated three times in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her third and last attempt took place in 1979 as Xandra with the song 'Colorado'. While she made fourth place in 1972 together with Andres and ninth place in 1976 singing 'The party's over', this time she only made twelfth place.

Written by Rob and Ferdi Bolland together with Gerard Cox, 'Colorado' was only a minor hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3347

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Colorado' / 'Intercity'

Shake your body (down to the ground) - The Jacksons

When people ask me what music I would like to have played on my funeral, I usually cite titles like 'Down down deeper and down' (Status Quo) and this one by the Jacksons. Released as a single in December 1978, this track became a hit for the group in 1979, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the Netherlands.

The 12" single contains an 8'37 extended remix, which is half a minute longer than the album version on 'Destiny' (1978).

My collection: 12" single no. 333

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1995

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Shake your body (down to the ground)' / 'That's what you get (for being polite)'

Can't stop - Maarten Peters

'Can't stop' was the debut single of Maarten Peters, released in the Netherlands in 1985. The single was produced by Jos Haagmans, with whom Maarten had just worked for a year in the Frank Boeijen Groep, which they were both members of.

The single is a stunning debut, not so much for the A-side, which is a pretty middle of the road affair, but the B-side. Unreleased on any album, 'Don't interfere with a ghost' is a simple, yet effective ballad that deals with a slightly creepy theme, but doesn't exploit this musically. It's a ghost story in a very friendly atmosphere. The single did not chart, but Maarten Peters would get some chart recognition later on in his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 573

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Can't stop' / 'Don't interfere with a ghost'

Heart full of soul - Chris Isaak

Chris Isaak was born on June 26, 1956. In 1984, he signed a recording contract and released his debut album 'Silvertone'. His second album, 'Chris Isaak' was released in 1986 and contained the single 'Heart full of soul'. This track was written by Graham Gouldman and originally recorded by the Yardbirds.

I bought my copy of the single while visiting a record shop together with two friends. They thought my choice was excellent, since the single was so unknown - it had not been a hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1692

Found: Groningen, August 7, 1992

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Heart full of soul' / 'You took my heart'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

Prince wrote and recorded 'I feel for you' on his 1979 album 'Prince'. When Chaka Khan recorded it for her 1984 album 'I feel for you' and released it as a single, it became a massive hit. In the autumn of 1984, the single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder. Also, samples from Wonder's 'Fingertips Part 2' are used.

My collection: 12" single no. 167

Found: Record fair, 1993

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'I feel for you (remix)' / 'Chinatown (LP version)'

Download: here (password: discotrax80s.blogspot.com)

Going down to Liverpool - The Bangles

Kimberley Rew wrote 'Going down to Liverpool' for her band Katrina and the Waves. The Bangles recorded a cover version on their 1984 album 'All over the place', which was released as a single. The video to accompany the single featured Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, which helped a lot in the publicity department.

Still, the single only managed a number 56 placing in the UK singles chart, and didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2585

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Going down to Liverpool' / 'Dover beach'

Radio ga ga - Elaine Paige

Elaine Paige released 'The Queen album' in 1989. It was an album with ten covers of tracks originally performed by Queen, performed with full orchestral backing. I didn't know the album until I found this single, containing great versions of 'Radio ga ga' and 'Love of my life'.

The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, Elaine Paige's voice is pretty good as well, but still I have difficulty deciding whether I find this simply great or just a tad tacky. There is a certain camp element to Queen's work, and it may only get worse by treating it this way. Well anyway: listen for yourself; you decide!

My collection: 7" single no. 3106
Found: Big Company records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Radio ga ga' / 'Love of my life'

Child in time - Deep Purple

I got to know 'Child in time' as the number 1 of the Top 100 of all times, which was played annually on Radio Veronica. It was an extremely interesting track to me, mainly because of the tension and build-up in the first half of the song and the extreme noise at the end.

Deep Purple wrote and recorded 'Child in time' in 1969 for their album 'In rock' (1970). The original album version is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long. For this single release, the track was slightly edited. Vocalist Ian Gillan utilizes his entire vocal range for this song, starting out low and almost whispering, to high-pitched screaming at the end of the song. Since 1993, when Gillan returned to Deep Purple, the band has not played this song live anymore. They only played it once in 2002, and on this occasion high-pitched guitar covered up Gillan's now-limited vocal range.

'Child in time' charted twice in the Netherlands: in 1972 it peaked at number 10 during its 12 week chart run, and in 1975, it reached number 9 during a 10 week chart run. My copy of the single is a re-release from the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 509

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Child in time' / 'Woman from Tokyo'

If you can't stand the heat - Bucks Fizz

Released as the first single from their third album 'Hand cut', 'If you can't stand the heat' was a deliberate attempt by Bucks Fizz to display a tougher image. Having been known for their sweet pop tunes ever since they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, this single showed the band members wearing leather and singing a tune that sounded a lot less 'friendly'. The lyrics of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced wth her own medicine, can't handle it, hence the song's title. In the UK, the single peaked at number 10. This 12" single features a longer version of the track.

My collection: 12" single no. 393

Found: Record fair, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'If you can't stand the heat (12" version)' / 'Stepping out'

We almost got it together - Tanita Tikaram

The 'difficult second album syndrome' hit Tanita Tikaram hard. The first single taken from her second album 'The sweet keeper' (1990) was the upbeat, but slightly contrived 'We almost got it together'. The single peaked at number 52 in the UK and number 34 in the Netherlands.

The single was released in a gatefold sleeve, featuring a photograph of Tanita Tikaram and the lyric of the song on the inside. It was the sleeve that convinced me to buy this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 1145

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 13, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'We almost got it together' / 'Love story'

So many men, so little time - Miquel Brown

Miquel Brown was born circa 1945 and is the step sister of disco singer Amii Stewart. She made a name for herself as an actress and disco/soul singer from the Seventies and Eighties. Perhaps her best known song is 'so many men, so little time'.

Billed on the sleeve as 'a biography of a modern girl, a 'classic in its own time'', the song has become a popular gay anthem among males because of the lyrical content. The single peaked at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3149

Found: Record fair, October 23, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'So many men, so little time' / 'So many men, so little time (instrumental mix)'

The gold bug - The Alan Parsons Project

Taken from their 1980 album 'The turn of a friendly card' and released after the single of the same title, 'The gold bug' is an instrumental track, which was edited for the single release. As such, it has become a bit of a rarity, because compilation albums habitually use the album version - if they use it at all.

The single didn't reach the chart in any territory, which I think is a strange thing, because it's such a beautiful piece of music. Perhaps the record company shouldn't have edited it...

My collection: 7" single no. 3146

Found: Record fair, October 23, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'The gold bug' / 'Snake eyes'

Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman) - Joe Tex

Joe Tex was born as Joseph Arrington jr on August 8, 1933. He was the first artist to record a Southern soul record that also hit the pop charts in America ('Hold what you've got' in 1965). Between 1965 and 1972 he had several hits in America, but in 1972 he decided to retire from the music business.

He returned to music in 1975, and two years later enjoyed a massive comeback hit with 'Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman)', which reached number 12 in America. It was also his first big hit in the Neherlands, peaking at number 6.

My collection: 7" single no. 3123
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman)' / 'I mess up everything I get my hands on'

Video killed the radio star - The Buggles

'Video killed the radio star' was the debut single by the Buggles. Group member Trevor Horn has said that his lyrics were inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story 'The Sound-Sweep'. The theme of the song is nostalgia, and refers to a period of technological change in the Sixties, the desire to remember the past and the disappointment that children of the current generation would not appreciate the past.

The first version of this song was recorded by Bruce Woolley & the Camera Club (with Thomas Dolby on keyboards) for his album 'English Garden'. The Buggles later recorded the song. It was a number one hit in the UK, peaked at number 40 in America and number 17 in the Netherlands. The music video for the song was famously the first to be shown on MTV America, when the music channel debuted on August 1, 1981. On February 27, 2000 it also became the millionth video to be aired on that channel.

My collection: 7" single no. 508

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Video killed the radio star' / 'Kid Dynamo'

Falling in love (uh-oh) - Miami Sound Machine

It's easy to discard the entire output of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine as typical Eighties drivel, but you would overlook some genuinely good pop in the process. This single, for instance, is an unknown but very radiofriendly classic.

'Falling in love (uh-oh)' was taken from Miami Sound Machine's second English language album 'Primitive love' and released after their international breakthrough with 'Dr. Beat' and 'Conga'. Still, the single only managed a number 25 placing in America and number 27 in the Netherlands. It's always the less commercial singles that get to me...

My collection: 7" single no. 450

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 4, 1986

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Falling in love (uh-oh)' / 'Surrender paradise'

Shopping around - Sylvia and the Sapphires

Although released in 1982, this single sounds like it was recorded in the sixties. It sounds like the Supremes produced by Phil Spector, but it isn't. It's the British trio Sylvia and the Sapphires, a girlgroup that recorded a few singles before fading back into obscurity.

'Shopping around' did not chart in the UK and narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40. This limited edition picture disc was a real find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3265

Found: Record fair, 2001

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Shopping around' / 'Street of love'

Only the lonely - T'pau

After a few disappointing singles, T'pau returned to form with 'Only the lonely', one of the standout tracks on their second album 'Rage'. For the single release, the track was remixed, which gave it a more powerful sound.The work was rewarded, since it peaked at number 28 in the UK singles chart in early 1989.

I bought a limited edition version of the single, which featured a gatefold sleeve and a booklet, which featured photographs of the band and individual members.

My collection: 7" single no. 992

Found: Record Exchange, October 16, 1989

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Only the lonely (Guitar remix)' / 'Between the lines'

(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena - Sandra

Sandra Ann Lauer was born on May 18, 1962. In 1975 she visited a talent show. She was not actually taking part in it, but sitting in the audience. While the jury was counting the votes for the performers of that night, Sandra walked onto the stage, persuaded the DJ to put on the German cover version of a song from Olivia Newton-John, grabbed the microphone and started singing. Aided by newfound recognition, she released a debut single 'Andy Mein Freund'. This single flopped.

In 1979 Sandra joined the girl group Arabesque, which was successful for a couple of years. After nine albums and the end of the disco era the group broke up. In the mean time, Sandra had met musician Michael Cretu. They became romantically involved and started living together and working together in Cretu's self-built studio. Their first single together was 'Japan ist weit' (1984), a German cover of the Alphaville song 'Big in Japan', which flopped. Their second single was more successful: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' was a hit in 21 countries, including a number one hit in the Netherlands, Germany and several other European countries. It launched Sandra's career, which is still going today.

My collection: 7" single no. 1858
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 30, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' / 'Party games (instrumental)'

The bed's too big without you - The Police

Sold separately in a second hand shop in London, this single is actually part of a six disc collection called 'Six Pack'. This pack, which came in a pvc folder containing the first five hit singles by the Police ('Roxanne', 'Can't stand losing you', 'So lonely', 'Message in a bottle' and 'Walking on the moon') plus this single.

'The bed's too big without you' appeared on the second album by the Police, 'Reggatta de Blanc' (1979). This single included a previously unreleased mono version and a live track, pressed on blue vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2188

Found: Record Exchange, London, September 29, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'The bed's too big without you (mono version)' / 'Truth hits everybody (live in Boston)'

Absolut(e) - Claudia Brücken

After having been in Propaganda until 1986, and then in Act with Thomas Leer circa 1988, Claudia Brücken recorded a solo album, which was released as 'Love and a million other things' in 1991. Two singles were released from this album, of which 'Absolut(e)' was the first. Despite favourable reviews, the single did not reach the UK top 40.

It was released as a limited edition in a box set, including three postcards.

My collection: 7" single no. 2997

Found: London, May 29, 1998

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Absolut(e)' / 'Whisper'

Quand je te rêve - Céline Carzo

Céline Carzo represented Luxembourg during the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest. It was one of the most dynamic songs Luxembourg had ever contributed to the Contest. After it finished 13th in a field of 22 competitors, I lost hope that this song would be released in the Netherlands. All I could do was search for the single that was released in Luxembourg and/or France. Someone I knew actually bought a copy in France, but he also told me it was very rare.

Indeed, it took me seven years to find this single. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the single version lasted for 4 minutes, 1 minute longer than the maximum performance time during the Contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 2849

Found: Bea Records, 1997

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Quand je te rêve' / 'Looking for love'

Love and pride - King

The band King formed in 1983 in Coventry. The band consisted of lead singer Paul King, Mick Roberts, Anthony Wall and Jim Lantsbery. Their debut album 'Steps in time' was released in 1984, along with the band's debut single 'Love & pride'. In May 1984, this single only reached number 84 in the UK singles chart, but after extensive promotion the single was re-released and made number 2 in early 1985.

This limited edition release features a colour poster. It was the main reason for buying the single at the time, because I didn't really need to hear this track anymore. Now I'm glad to have it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3084
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love & pride' / 'Don't stop'

Computer games - Mi-sex

The Australian new wave rock band Mi-sex was founded in 1978. The band centered around Steve Gilpin (vocals), Murray Burns (keyboards) and Kevin Stanton (guitar). In August of that year, they were signed to CBS Records. Their debut album 'Graffiti crimes' included their biggest hit 'Computer games'. This single went to number 1 in Australia and was a top 5 hit in New Zealand.

The single was also released in the Netherlands - which is how I heard it - but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2903

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Computer games' / 'Wot do you want'

Opportunities (Let's make lots of money) - Pet Shop Boys

The first version of 'Opportunities' was recorded already in 1983, produced by Bobby Orlando. However, this version wasn't released. When the Pet Shop Boys signed to Parlophone records in 1985, they re-recorded the song with J.J. Jeczalik (from Art of Noise) and Nicholas Froome producing.

This single charted lowly at number 116 in the UK. Their second single on Parlophone would be 'West End Girls' in a new version. This would become what many people thought to be their debut single - and a worldwide hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 2642

Found: Record fair, May 12, 1996

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Opportunities (Let's make lots of money)' / 'In the night'

It's a fine day - Opus III

Opus III consisted of vocalist Kelly Hawkshaw and producers Kevin Dodds, Ian Munro and Niger Walton. 'It's a fine day', their debut single in 1992, was a cover of a 1983 single by Jane & Barton. Their debut album 'Mind fruit' was an uplifting dance album, with a strong environmental message in the lyrics and album liner notes.

This single peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and was also a minor hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2391

Found: Eastbourne, July 5, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'It's a fine day' / 'Evolution rush'

Take a chance on me - Abba

Much has been said about Abba's later years, when both couples had divorced and their music took on an increasingly serious tone. It's easy to forget that it all started out as great fun. 'Take a chance on me' is one of those upbeat tracks. The song's origins sprang from Ulvaeus, whose hobby was running. While running, he would sing a "tck-a-ch"-style rhythm to himself over and over again, which then evolved into "take-a-chance" and the eventual lyrics.

'Take a chance on me' was a number one hit in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, and peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands. The song was covered by Erasure on their 'Abba-esque' EP (1992).

My collection: 7" single no. 2117

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, June 11, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Take a chance on me' / 'I'm a marionette'

Cold spell ahead - The The

The The was founded by Matt Johnson in the late Seventies, together with Keith Laws and Peter Fenton-Jones. The latter dropped out within a year, and Peter Ashworth and Tom Johnston were added to the band. They recorded and released the debut single 'Controversial subject'. After this, Johnston and Ashworth dropped out of the band. As a duo (Johnson and Laws), The The began playing shows with some of that era's most influential groups: Wire, Cabaret Voltaire and Scritti Politti amongst others. In 1981, Johnson issued a solo album on 4AD called 'Burning Blue Soul'; years later, it would be re-issued and credited to The The. In September 1981, the duo signed a contract with Some Bizzare Records, and released the 7" single 'Cold Spell Ahead'. Shortly thereafter, Laws left and the only remaining member of The The was Johnson.

'Cold spell ahead' was re-released in 1992. This re-release is in my collection - the original release it probably very expensive and hard to get.

My collection: 7" single no. 1755
Found: Tower Records, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Cold spell ahead' / 'Hot ice'

Teenage queenie - Pussycat

Taken from their 1981 album 'Blue lights', 'Teenage queenie' was a minor hit for the Dutch band Pussycat, peaking at number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. It was also their penultimate hit: 'Lovers of a kind' (1983) would get to number 15, but after that, the hits dried up. The band finally broke up in 1985.

Pussycat will always be remembered for their worldwide hit 'Mississippi', which gave them a number one hit in the UK in 1976. This song sounds very different from that one, though the band's signature sound, formed by slide guitars and Toni Willé's distinctive voice is still there.

My collection: 7" single no. 903

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 23, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Teenage queenie' / 'Who's gonna love you'

How can we hang on to a dream - Tim Hardin

Tim Hardin was born on December 23, 1941. His career as an American folk musician started in 1966, with the release of his debut album 'Tim Hardin 1'. This contained the song 'Misty roses', which reached the top 40 in America. His second album 'Tim Hardin 2' was released in 1967, and contained 'How can we hang on to a dream', which was his only UK hit, charting for one week on number 50. The song did considerably better in the Netherlands, where it made number during its ten week chart run.

Tim Hardin developed a heroin addiction, which took control of his life by the time his last album, 'Nine', was released in 1973. He died of a heroin and morphine overdose on December 29, 1980. In 1987, the song was re-released after it was used on the soundtrack of the Dutch movie 'Zoeken naar Eileen' ('Searching for Eileen'). This time around, the song peaked at number 4. I always considered it to be a very moving song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1813
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 9, 1993
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'How can we hang on to a dream' / 'Misty roses'

The girls are back in town - Risqué

'The girls are back in town' was the debut single by Risqué. Although their career continued for several years, it would prove to be their biggest chart success, peaking at number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

I bought this single as part of a big shopping spree at Disco Market, my favourite little second hand shop in Den Haag. For once, I was allowed to go in the back room, where thousands of singles were stored, just waiting to be put in the shop. I bought a few dozen singles that day...

My collection: 7" single no. 3284
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The girls are back in town' / 'Risqué disco'

Don't stop me now - Queen

Queen released 'Don't stop me now' in 1978 as a single from their album 'Jazz'. The song was written and composed by Freddie Mercury. On the studio version, Brian May's only guitar playing is in his guitar solo, but on live versions performed on the band's 1978 and 1979 tours, May would also play rhythm guitar throughout the rest of the song to add a rockier feeling to it. Despite all this, it is said that May did not like this song at all.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought the single over a year after Freddie Mercury died. After his death, I liked Queen a lot more than before. I still don't know why that is.

My collection: 7" single no. 1887
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 24, 1993

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't stop me now' / 'In only seven days'

Toccata - Sky

Sky was a UK-based instrumental group which came together in 1979. Members were John Williams (who was at that time already an accomplished instrumentalist in his own right), Kevin Peek (who'd worked with, amongst others, Cliff Richard, Manfred Mann and Jeff Wayne), Herbie Flowers (a former member of Blue Mink and T-Rex), Tristan Fry and Francis Monkman.

They fused together musical styles including rock, classical and jazz. Their second album 'Sky 2' was released in 1980, and from that album the single 'Toccata' was drawn. It peaked at number 5 in the UK and number 20 in the Netherlands. In both countries, it was the only Sky single to reach the chart, although at least two others were released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2150

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, September 1, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Toccata' / 'Vivaldi'

Better the devil you know - Kylie Minogue

The release of 'Better The Devil You Know' marked a milestone in Kylie Minogue's career. While still being produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman like she had been throughout her musical career up to that point, she took creative control over her image. She recorded a video for the single which broke with the 'girl-next-door' image she'd had for several years.

The single became Kylie's fifth number 2 single in the UK, having also had four number 1 hitsingles. The Dutch audience was less impressed: the single peaked at number 22 only. I only discovered the song years later, after Kylie had made some more serious music. I had to admit some of her previous work was pretty nice too.

My collection: 7" single no. 3332

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'better the devil you know' / 'I'm over dreaming (over you)'

Ruthless queen - Kayak

After some personnel changes, the band Kayak, which had been going for 16 years, was working with a new lead singer, Edward Reekers, and for the first time with two female backing vocalists (Irene Linders and Katherine Lapthorn. Enormous success followed with the commercial-sounding single 'Ruthless queen' and its parent album 'Phantom of the night'.

'Ruthless queen' became the biggest hit of Kayak's career, peaking at number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. For some time, Kayak was my favourite Dutch band, even though I was only eight years old.

My collection: 7" single no. 712
Found: All that music, Leiden, December 30, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Ruthless queen' / 'Ivory dance'

No blue skies - Lloyd Cole

After Lloyd Cole & the Commotions disbanded in 1989, Lloyd Cole decided to relocate to New York and record solo work. The first result was the 1990 album 'Lloyd Cole' and the solo debut single 'No blue skies'. I was pleasantly surprised by this track, which sounded a lot more accessible than the last few singles by Lloyd Cole & the Commotions.

Still, it only managed a number 42 placing in the UK singles chart, and no chart placing in Europe at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1173
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 17, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'No blue skies' / 'Shelly I do'