Level 42 have always had a knack for making catchy tunes, and when they were at the height of their fame in the mid-Eighties, they were able to treat their fans to lively extended versions of their hit singles.
'Something about you' was released in 1985. The 'Sisa mix' on this 12" single was uncredited, but one can presume that producer Julian Mendelsohn had something to do with it.
My collection: 12" single no. 301 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1991 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Something about you (Sisa mix)' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'
Without even knowing what was on it, this 12" single was an attractive proposition: it was released as a box set featuring a giant poster of Carol Decker. When I ordered my copy from the UK, the disc turned out to feature an extended remix of 'Whenever you need me', which was not included on the cd-single.
The only thing that irks me to this day, is that the paper slip around the orange box in which this 12" single was packaged tore apart on the day I received it. So I have a damaged copy, alas.
My collection: 12" single no. 114 Found: Esprit mail order, UK, received August 1991 Cost: 5 pounds Tracks: 'Whenever you need me (extended)' / 'Whenever you need me (single version)', 'All the love'
When Kate Bush created 'The sensual world', she originally wanted it to be the speech by Molly Bloom from James Joyce's book 'Ulysses' set to music. However, she was unable to get permission from Joyce's estate to do this. And so she decided to alter the lyric. In the new version, Molly Bloom steps out of the black and white, two-dimensional pages of the book into the real world, and is immediately struck by the sensuality of it all.
Upon its release, the single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was Bush's first release in three years, an eternity in those days. Little did people know that she would take much more time in between albums later on in her career...
My collection: 7" single no. 989 Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'The sensual world' / 'Walk straight down the middle'
'Don't tell me lies' was released in 1987 as the debut single by the British band Breathe. It wasn't until their second single 'Hands to heaven' was released, that they became well-known, as this first single only reached number 77 in the UK singles chart. The single was re-released in 1989 as the last single from their debut album 'All that jazz', and on that occasion it reached number 45.
This 12" single was released in 1987 and featured a free second disc with a dance remix of 'Don't tell me lies'. There is something wrong with my copy though: the labels of disc 1 were stuck on disc 2 and vice versa. It's all very confusing - but at least all four tracks are there.
My collection: 12" single no. 254 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Don't tell me lies (extended version)' / 'Moments (extended version)' // 'Don't tell me lies (dance mix)' / 'Don't tell me lies (12" dub mix)'
The Canadian duo Trans X became one hit wonders in 1983 with their song 'Living on video'. Written by Pascal Languirand, it was a catchy pop tune about the 'modern' life of the early Eighties.
This 12" single features two extended versions of the track, one in English and one in French. When you listen to it, you can't help but notice that the French vocals sound a bit hysterical - in all senses of the word.
My collection: 12" single no. 316 Found: Record fair, 1995 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Living on video (extended version)' / 'Vivre sur video (extended version)'
The unsuccessful single 'Dance this night away' by Maarten Peters was his only one to be released as a 12" single featuring a remix. And it was quite a famous name who remixed his track: Ben Liebrand, who'd had several hit singles to his name during the mid-Eighties. Even he couldn't help this track.
The remix has all the hallmarks of a Liebrand mix: a new dance beat, several elements from the original song and a good groove. And an interesting buy: these days you can't find this 12" single anywhere.
My collection: 12" single no. 69 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988 Cost: 15 guilders Tracks: 'Dance this night away (Ben Liebrand dance mix)' / 'Dance this night away (instrumental)'
So here's another disc by Freur. The more often I write about this group, the less I know what to write. They are completely unknown to most people and I don't even know whether these posts appeal to anyone. But Freur has become an essential part of my collection with all their 7" and 12" singles taken from that debut album 'Doot doot', released in 1982.
'Matters of the heart' was another single taken from the album, and both the A-side are, as they call it, 'Dun dif'runt'. It's quirky and eclectic as always.
My collection: 12" single no. 391 Found: Record fair, 2000 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Matters of the heart (Dun dif'runt)' / 'You're a hoover (Dun dif'runt too)'
The Kane Gang recorded and released 'Closest thing to heaven' in 1984. I never heard a song any better than this from them, although initially I only knew the single version. This 12" version is slightly longer and adds a little extra to what's already quite a perfect song.
What a difference, though, with the B-side: two throwaway tracks that you are better off not listening to.
My collection: 12" single no. 247 Found: unknown Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven (Full version)' / 'Mighty day', 'Bride of smalltown mudwrestles with Abbott & Costello in outer space (3D Mad Mix II creed)'
Frank Boeijen recorded a new version of 'Ze geeft om mij' ('She cares for me'), a track from his debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') when it was released as the second single from that album. The track got an altogether 'warmer' sound.
The B-side was a Dutch language cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', performed live during the television programme Rotland, presented by Jan Rot. Boeijen recorded that track in the studio with Belgian singer Yasmine some years later.
My collection: 7" single no. 1584 Found: February 15, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Ze geeft om mij' / 'Suzanne (live)'
Back in 1972, the composition 'Popcorn' by Gershon and Kingsley was a very popular track. No less than four different performers charted with it in the Dutch Top 40. When this LP was released in 1972, roughly translated as 'The first hits of Veronica 538' after the famous radio station broadcasting in the Netherlands, the track could not be omitted.
However, I think they couldn't get permission from Hot Butter, Revolution System, Anarchic System and the Popcornmakers, so a fifth version was included, as performed by the Popcorn players. And when you collect all versions of 'Popcorn' like me, this one is a definite must have.
My collection: LP, unnumbered Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 2000 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Vaya con dios' (The Cats), 'Popcorn' (The Popcorn Players), 'Everybody is telling me' (Monica & Oscar Benton), 'Black & white' (Three dog night), 'Femmes aux jeux d'amour' (Adamo), '10538 Overture' (Electric Light Orchestra) / 'Who was it?' (Hurricane Smith), 'To make my life beautiful' (Alex Harvey), 'Go all the way' (Raspberries), 'Devilish Mary' (Jen Rog), '6 Uhr früh in den Strassen' (Christian Anders), 'Oei oei' (Jan Boezeroen)
What kind of a name is Durga McBroom? It sounds like something from a fantasy movie. In actual fact, it's the name of the singer of Blue Pearl, one half of a dance duo consisting of her and Martin Glover, who later became famous as the producer Youth.
This 12" single features two unremarkable tracks, but since the B-side is a cover version of Kate Bush's 'Running up that hill', I still was tempted to buy it. Not that this version is actually any good: it's possibly the most unpassionate version of that song ever.
My collection: 12" single no. 408 Found: unknown Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Little brother (remix)' / 'Running up that hill'
Kajagoogoo were very successful after they stormed the pop scene with 'Too shy' in 1982. Subsequent singles 'Ooh to be ah' and 'Hang on now' reached the top 20 in the UK without too much trouble, and part of the appeal was, believe it or not, the outrageous hairstyles of the members of the group.
The record company recognised this fact with this release: the 12" single of 'Hang on now' came with a free poster. It took away attention from the fact that the music was pretty good, too: 'Hang on now' features lush synthesizers and a great guitardriven melody.
My collection: 12" single no. 344 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1997 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Hang on now (extended)' / 'Hang on now (instrumental)', 'Introduction'
One of Five Star's biggest hits, 'Rain or shine' is best described as a mid-tempo ballad. The single was released in the summer of 1986 and reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.
This 12" single is an attractive package as it brings together two remixes of 'Rain or shine' plus an instrumental remix of 'Find the time', one of Five Star's previous hits. The throwaway B-side 'Summer groove' is also there, of course.
My collection: 12" single no. 259 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Rain or shine (remix)', 'Rain or shine (dub)' / 'Summer groove', 'Find the time (instrumental remix)'
In 1986, Kate Bush was involved in the creation of her first - and so far, only - compilation album. She recorded two new tracks for the album, both of which were released on this 7" single. The new track 'Experiment IV' was about the army experimenting with sound to 'kill someone from a distance'. The other track was an old one: 'Wuthering heights', Kate's debut single, in a new version. According to her, the original sounded too much like a young woman.
Both tracks showcase a woman who is definately a perfectionist. But in the case of the B-side, it doesn't always work out well. Fortunately, the A-side compensates a lot for it. The guest appearance of Nigel Kennedy on violin adds much to the spooky atmosphere of the track.
My collection: 7" single no. 473 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Experiment IV' / 'Wuthering heights (new vocal)'
After disbanding the Frank Boeijen Groep, frontman Frank Boeijen went solo. His first solo album was released a year after the last Frank Boeijen Groep album, so fans didn't have to wait for too long for new work from the singer.
'Koud in mijn hart' ('Cold in my heart') was released as the album's first single in November 1991. The song was written, composed and produced by Boeijen himself, but the B-side was proof that he wasn't just a lonely singer/songwriter now: that track was made in collaboration with Henk Hofstede from the band The Nits.
My collection: 7" single no. 1550 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Koud in mijn hart' / 'Wilde bloemen'
I have no idea whether the Time Bandits had any success in America in 1984, but that is where this 12" single comes from. The record company must have thought it a viable option, as they put a lot of work into it: the original track, produced by Pim Koopman, was remixed by Steve Thompson, who was a wellknown producer and remixer stateside.
Three versions of the track appear on this 12" single, which is marked 'For promotion only' on the back of the sleeve. 'Sale is unlawful', it says too. Still, I bought this disc in a shop in London.
My collection: 12" single no. 309 Found: Record Exchange, London Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'I'm only shooting love (extended version)' / 'I'm only shooting love (dub)', 'I'm only shooting love (single)'
This 12" single contains a very different kind of extended mix: basically it sounds like the whole track has been re-recorded. 'There's more to love (than boy meets girl)' has been given an infusion of Latin brass, giving the track a summery feel. The serious message in the lyric still remains: love is not reserved for straight couples only.
The B-side gives the listener three further treats: two old-fashioned-sounding tracks and one acapella-ish version of the A-side track.
My collection: 12" single no. 539 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'There's more to love (extended)' / 'Zing went the strings of my heart', 'Spanish rap', 'When the boy in your heart is the boy in your arms'
When Kate Bush returned to the pop scene with her landmark album 'Hounds of love', everybody wanted to make money with it. There were quite a few bootleggers who released interview cd's, lp's and singles at the time.
This white vinyl 7" single was made in the UK and contains an interview of unknown origins. Not much surprises in the answers, because even at the time the information given was quite wellknown.
My collection: 7" single no. 1223 Found: Record fair, April 22, 1990 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Interview (part 1)' / 'Interview (part 2)'
It's no wonder, I guess, that one of the most popular gay anthems of 1983 was also a hit in the clubs and discotheques. This extended version of Miquel Brown's very appropriate 'So many men, so little time' was a corker at many gay - but also straight parties.
Accoding to the bio on the back of the sleeve, Miquel Brown was born in Detroit, Michigan (USA) and arrived in London in May 1973 to start a career as a singing and dancing actress. 'So many men, so little time' is called 'a biography of a modern day girl' and is dedicated to Miquel's father, Samuel Stevenson. I bet he's proud.
My collection: 12" single no. 538 Found: unknown Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'So many men, so little time (extended)' / 'So many men, so little time (extended instrumental)'
Black will always be remembered for that one song, 'Wonderful life'. Through the years it has been covered by Chinese techno bands, German rock bands and Dutch female singers, it has been a popular song during funerals and it has even been used on advertisements for cereals and life insurances.
It was an English life insurance ad that prompted Polygram to re-release 'Wonderful life' in 1994. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2439 Found: August 22, 1995 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Wonderful life' / 'Sweetest smile'
Frank Boeijen had just decided to disband the group he'd worked with for the last ten years, when this single was released. The final live dates were still happening, and in a way, this single was a big farewell to all the fans. Hearts were broken, girls were weeping and the end of an era had come. Indeed, there was never another Frank Boeijen Groep single release after this.
'Kronenburg park' had been one of the biggest hits for the band back in 1985, and this single featured both that hit version and the live version from the then-current album. Like the other singles from the album, this one failed to chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1382 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 16, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Kronenburg park (live)' / 'Kronenburg park'
I never actually took the time to compare them, but I do have the suspicion that all the versions of 'The word girl' included on this 12" single are actually different from the two versions on the 7" single. And if that isn't so, at least there's the extra extended version of the track on the B-side.
That B-side version was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn, one of the top remixers and producers of the Eighties. The track also features Ranking Ann, who I think is a complete unknown. But then again, I might just be missing some information there.
My collection: 12" single no. 321 Found: Record Exchange, London Cost: 50p Tracks: 'The word girl', 'Flesh & blood' / 'The word girl / Flesh & blood (version)'
'In my life' was the second new song on the compilation album 'The Singles Collection 1981-1993' and was released as a single in remix form in 1993. It was the final Kim Wilde single to be released on the 7" vinyl format.
Partly due to the flat and uninspired remix by West End, 'In my life' achieved little chart success, peaking at number 54 in the UK singles chart and number 78 in Germany.
My collection: 7" single no. 2060 Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'In my life (West End 7")' / 'In my life'
Arcadia presented themselves for the first time with their debut single 'Election day'. But they were no debutants: the trio consisted of three members from the band Duran Duran, and guest vocals on this track were provided by Grace Jones.
This extended version showcases those vocals even better, while adding some elements to the track that were not on the single and album versions.
My collection: 12" single no. 176
Found: Record Exchange, London
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Election day (Consensus mix)' / 'Election day', 'She's moody and grey, she's mean and she's restless'
When Kim Wilde was about to release a compilation album in 1993, there was a need for a hit single. Not convinced that they had a hit single among their newly written material, the Wildes set about searching for a song to cover. Eventually they decided on Yvonne Elliman's Saturday Night Fever hit 'If I can't have you'.
Although not as inspired as the 1986 cover of 'You keep me hangin' on', Kim's version of 'If I can't have you' certainly gives the old song a kick up the arse, and it was rewarded with good chart placings: the single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 2042 Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, October 23, 1993 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'If I can't have you' / 'Never felt so alive'
'Onverstoorbaar' ('Unstirred') was one of the six new tracks on the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live double cd, 'Hier komt de storm' ('Here comes the storm'). It was, however, the only new track to be recorded live, as the other five were recorded in the studio. Hence, no studio version of 'Onverstoorbaar' exists - but still the single was titled 'Onverstoorbaar (live)'.
Personally, I thought this track represented everything which made the band so great: a great melody, a lyric that clicks on an emotional level, and sounding full and lively. Most people did not agree with me: the single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1362 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Onverstoorbaar (live)' / 'Hemel en hel'
'Million miles away' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is' in Europe and Japan. The track was a remixed version of the album version. The sleeve featured a photograph of Kim that looked a lot like a photograph of Marilyn Monroe made a few decades previous.
It was very hard to get hold of this 7" vinyl: most shops didn't stock the format anymore, and although this single was made in Holland, I finally found a copy almost a year after its release in Austria!
My collection: 7" single no. 1933 Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993 Cost: 30 Schilling Tracks: 'Million miles away' / 'The light of the moon (belongs to me)'
In 1991, Black recorded a duet with another A&M Records artist, Sam Brown. The track 'Fly up to the moon' was included on Black's 1991 self-titled album and was released as the third and last single from the album. The lyric includes a quote from the T.S. Eliot poem 'The hollow men': 'This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper'. Except Sam Brown actually sings '...but with a whimpy'.
The single also included two bonus tracks on the B-side. 'You lift me up' was re-recorded years later by Colin Vearncombe on his 2000 album 'Water on snow'.
My collection: 7" single no. 1694 Found: London, 1991 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Fly up to the moon' / 'You lift me up', What you are'
While in the Netherlands a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest' was released as the first single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live album 'Hier komt de storm', the Belgian record company opted for 'Het antwoord' ('The answer'), the studio version of which was released as a single in 1983.
The live version from the album was edited by fading out at the end. The single did not chart, but it did become quite a rare item, as it wasn't released in the band's home country.
My collection: 7" single no. 4169 Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Het antwoord (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'
'Who do you think you are?' was released as the second single from Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is' in Europe and as the third single in the UK. The lyric of the song was written by Kim and were an observation of stardom and what it can do to people - and it was as much a comment on herself as it was on others.
The single reached number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 58 in Germany.
My collection: 7" single no. 1687 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 17, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Who do you think you are?' / 'I've found a reason'
In 1989, the Frank Boeijen Groep released a live double cd, featuring 150 minutes of music. It was a recording of several concerts, during which many songs from their ten year career were played in often great arrangements. As an added bonus, the set also contained a handful of new tracks.
The first single from the album was a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest', the track that put them in the spotlights back in 1981. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1293 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 21, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Verjaardagsfeest (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'
Mel & Kim was one of the most popular acts in the Stock/Aitken/Waterman stable of artists. While they only released one album and four singles, they were remembered by many as one of the acts to shape the sound of 1987. After the tragic death of Mel Appleby in 1988, Kim Appleby went solo, and Mel & Kim ceased to exist, understandably.
Still, in 1990, Alan Coulthard created a megamix of Mel & Kim's biggest hits. It was released as 'Megamix:ninety!' in Germany. This 12" single offers the full length megamix and an Italo House mix of 'Showing out', the duo's debut hit.
My collection: 12" single no. 364 Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1998 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Megamix:ninety!' / 'Showing out (Italo House mix)'
Songs about death are usually controversial: either people love them, or they loathe them. 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' ('Say it isn't so') is one of those songs: the lyrics are quite vague, but the ending leaves nothing to the imagination: 'We doen alsof ze gewoon verder leeft / Zelfs als dat niet zo is' ('We pretend she still lives on / Even if it isn't so').
It gave the Frank Boeijen Groep their first hit in two years, even if it was a minor one: the single reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40. Since then, it has become one of those Dutch language classics you will always hear on the radio - or during funeral services.
My collection: 7" single no. 1126 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' / 'De grote kilte'
Although 'Heart over mind' still sounded a lot like a Rick Nowels & Ellen Shipley composition, 'Heart over mind' was written by four other people. It was the final track to be recorded for Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is', in fact the album had been completed and this song was sent over by Rick Nowels (who had written other tracks on the album) and Wilde decided to record it.
The original album version was edited for the 7" single release. It reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1772 Found: London, October 21, 1992 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Heart over mind' / 'I've found a reason'
After a brief pause, Kim Wilde started working on her eighth studio album 'Love is' in 1991. Some of the work was done in America, with Belinda Carlisle's main songwriter and producer Rick Nowels. He and Ellen Shipley wrote 'Love is holy', a song he had lying around for a while until Kim heard it and wanted to record it.
Backed with the beautiful 'Birthday song', which Kim wrote for her niece Scarlett, the single was released in April 1992. It met with considerably more success than the singles Kim released in 1990, reaching number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 16 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1637 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 27, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Love is holy' / 'Birthday song'
After having made a handful of albums with pop songs with romantic lyrics, the Frank Boeijen Groep were moving away from this image with their ninth album, 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' ('A summer at the end of the twentieth century'). The album featured mostly guitar-based tracks with lyrics about the world instead of lyrics about love and life.
The title track was released as a single on the same day as the release of the album. Most people were not convinced by this new sound and didn't buy the single (although the album still sold well).
My collection: 7" single no. 1084 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 21, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' / 'De piano van Beethoven'
Mazhar Alanson, Fuat Güner and Özkan Ugur formed MFO in 1984. They represented their homeland Turkey twice during the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1985, they competed with the song 'Didai didai dai', which finished in fourteenth place. They competed again in 1988 with the uplifting song 'Sufi', which finished in fifteenth place. They are still active as a band today, having released more than a dozen albums.
'Sufi' was released as a 12" single in Germany. It featured studio recordings of the original Turkish version of 'Sufi' plus an English translation of the song. The 'long version' is basically a combination of the two with added instrumental breaks.
There isn't a lot of information about this picture disc: the disc itself gives no information other than 'Made in England' and 'Kate Bush Interview 1985', and when you listen to the interview without any factual knowledge, it could have been recorded pretty much anywhere.
In actual fact, I do know it's the soundtrack of an interview on Music Box, the European version of MTV in 1985, when Kate Bush was promoting her album 'Hounds of love'. Martin Buchanan was the lucky fella who got to speak with her, and this is a large portion of what they were talking about. And of course, it is a bootleg release.
My collection: 7" single no. 2283 Found: Record fair, March 6, 1995 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: Interview (part 1) / Interview (part 2)
All about Eve released 'What kind of fool' as the last single from their self-titled debut album in 1988. As usual, the single was released in a variety of different formats. This 12" single was released in a limited edition and contains a version of the song that didn't appear on any other format: the Synthesis mix.
The B-side tracks were of interest as well: 'Gold and silver' was re-recorded on the band's second album 'Scarlet and other stories' (1989) and 'The garden of Jane Delawney' is a cover of a track originally recorded by the rock band Trees.
My collection: 12" single no. 128 Found: Record fair, 1992 Cost: 10 pounds Tracks: 'What kind of fool (Synthesis)', 'Gold and silver' / 'What kind of fool (Autumn rhapsody)', 'The garden of Jane Delawney'
The Eighties were loud, proud and percussive, as demonstrated on this 12" single by Taylor Dayne. 'Tell it to my heart' was her breakthrough hit in 1987, and it pretty much defines how dance music sounded around that time.
Instrumental breaks, drum beats, vocals that almost tear through your bone, and all that in three versions that don't necessarily sound all that different from one another. Still, this is a fine dance track that stands the test of time pretty well.
My collection: 12" single no. 183 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Tell it to my heart (Club mix)' / 'Tell it to my heart (Percapella mix)', 'Tell it to my heart (Dub mix)'
The Communards released 'So cold the night' in 1986 as a track from their self-titled album from the same year. The 12" single featured a nine minute extended version of the track. It drags out a bit but it is never boring.
The B-side 'When the walls come tumbling down' was dedicated to Nelson Mandela, who at the time was still imprisoned in South Africa.
My collection: 12" single no. 373 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'So cold the night (extended)' / 'When the walls come tumbling down', 'Never no more'
The second single from Black's 1991 self-titled album was the beautiful 'Here it comes again'. It features backing vocals from Colin Vearncombe's wife Camilla Griehsel, who used to be a singer in the Norwegian band One 2 Many.
It was the last single by Black to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 70 in the summer of 1991.
My collection: 7" single no. 1693 Found: London, 1991 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Here it comes again' / 'Every waking hour'
In a way, the single 'De wereld' ('The world') was a charity singles. All the proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn't be a very big gesture, as in the end the single did not chart. All the band could give the WWF was 2500 guilders - which in itself is a nice sum, but not too shocking.
The B-side of this single was a new song, 'Holland is vrij' ('Holland is free'). It's a cynical commentary on the release of 'The two from Breda', two war criminals who were released on account of the fact that they were, according to the minister of justice, 'very old'. Boeijen sketches the image of an old woman who is still suffering from the crimes by these people every night. In a way, Holland is only a free country for those who commit crimes against humanity. It was not a pretty picture, but good enough to be re-recorded and included on the band's next album.
My collection: 7" single no. 750 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'De wereld' / 'Holland is vrij'
The song 'Afscheid van een vriend' ('Goodbye to a friend') was released as the fifth and last single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. According to Koen Wauters from the band, the song was about a friend of him. 'He had an illness, but instead of taking it a bit easier, he was getting more and more out of hand. I imagined him dead. I imagined burying him and wrote the song about that.'
The single reached number 12 in the Belgian singles chart. After this, it became an often requested song during funerals in Belgium.
My collection: 7" single no. 2068 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Afscheid van een vriend' / 'Een huis vol liefde'
'I can't say goodbye' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in the UK. It featured backing vocals by Jaki Graham. The album version was remixed for the single release, and the 7" single featured an edited version of this remix, whereas the 12" single featured the full length version of the remix. The B-side of the single was a megamix of Kim Wilde hits 'You came', 'You keep me hangin' on', 'The second time' and 'Can't get enough (of your love)'.
The single was released as a limited edition pack containing a poster, a Christmas postcard (well, it was that time of the year) and of course the single. 'I can't say goodbye' reached number 51 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1400 Found: 1990 Cost: ? Tracks: 'I can't say goodbye (edit)' / 'Sanjazz megamix (edit)'
'The big sky' was one of the tracks on Kate Bush's 1985 album 'Hounds of love'. The song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as spending the afternoon looking at the sky, watching the clouds take on shapes. It's probably the most uplifting, poppy song on the album.
When the song was released as a single in April 1986, a special single remix was made with an alternate intro. It reached number 15 in the Irish singles chart and number 37 in the UK singles chart.
'The big sky' was also the first Kate Bush single to be released as a picture disc. I wasn't aware of the release of this picture disc until years later. Such special items are notoriously expensive when the name Kate Bush is on it, but just when I had given up hope of finding this for a reasonable price, I found it. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.
My collection: 7" single no. 396 / no. 2948 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1986 / Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998 Cost: 6 guilders / 5 guilders Tracks: 'The big sky (special single mix)' / 'Not this time'
The band King were able to maintain a stylish image throughout their career. The sleeve designs, the music videos and even the songs had a certain glossy quality to them that attracted a faithful fanbase. This 12" single of 'Torture', their last single release, was released in a limited edition poster bag featuring a 1986 calendar with photographs of the band members.
All this to sell a set of tracks that were actually good as well: the extended version of 'Torture' is percussive and dynamic, whereas the extra B-side track 'These things' is recorded with piano and vocals only, creating a very intimate atmosphere.
My collection: 12" single no. 141 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Torture (PF extended mix)' / 'Groovin' with the Kings', 'These things (The reprise)'
Level 42 have always had a knack for making catchy tunes, and when they were at the height of their fame in the mid-Eighties, they were able to treat their fans to lively extended versions of their hit singles.
