Liefde is leven - Arie Ribbens & Nathalie

One artist I never thought would feature on this blog is Arie Ribbens. Yet, here we are, the party singer from Eindhoven made it. The singer, known for carnival squatters such as ‘Polonaise Hollandaise’ and ‘Brabantse nights are long’ recorded this single in 1989 together with an unknown female called Nathalie. 'Liefde is leven' ('Love is life') is in fact a Dutch version of 'Vivo cantando', the Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969. And that, of course, changed things for me. 

Another surprise on this single: the Dutch text was written by Pierre Kartner, also known as Father Abraham, one of the Netherlands' most successful songwriters, who also wrote two wellknown Eurovision entries for the Netherlands. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7398
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'Liefde is leven' / 'Ik koop een heel groot hemelbed'

Un banc, un arbre, une rue - Helmut Zacharias

The impact of the Eurovision Song Contest was much bigger, perhaps, when it was much younger. Winning songs were often covered by many artists, both in vocal and instrumental versions. An example of this is this single: 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue' by the German violinist Helmut Zacharias. 

Helmut (born 20 January 1920 in Berlin, Germany) first played violin at the age of two and played in public four years later. He was also known for the pseudonym Charly Thomas. After working at the Conservatory, he turned to pop music as well as, occasionally, jazz.More than 50 LP's bearing his name were released between 1950 and now. He died on 28 February 2002 in Brissago, Switzerland.  

My collection: 7" single no. 7397
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue' / 'Love story'

We'll meet again - José Cid

José Cid represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with 'Um grande, grande amor'. Besides the original Portuguese version, he also recorded the song in French, and also in English. The amusing thing is that the English version is presented in a sleeve that doesn't reference Eurovision at all, in contrast to the other two versions. It was released by Jupiter Records, owned by Eurovision legend Ralph Siegel, who founded the label in 1973. 

The English version is just as disco-informed as the other two versions, but (obviously) with English lyrics. It's a nice curiosity for any Eurovision fan. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7396
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'We'll meet again' / 'Barbara'

Wir wollen morgen auch so glücklich sein wie heut - Belle & Horst

The German duo Belle Schnetzler and Horst Hornung released one single in 1971, a cover version of 'In this world we live in', a song previously recorded by the Italian duo Remo & Josie. The German version received the lengthy title 'Wir wollen morgen auch so glücklich sein wie heut'. 

The real attraction on this single is the B-side. It's a German version of 'Jungle Jim', a song originally written by Ronnie Scott and Marty Wilde. Of course, this is the reason why I bought this single. I was especially pleased to receive it from a Dutch seller in mint condition. That's pretty impressive for a single that's 53 years old.

My collection: 7" single no. 7395
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'Wir wollen morgen auch so glücklich sein wie heut' / 'Jungle Jim'

In the clouds - All about Eve

Owning two versions of the 7" single and the original version of the 12" single and was obviously not enough for a completist like me: I also had to have All about Eve's 'In the clouds' on the re-released 12" single. And with good reason: this 12" single features an extended version of the song, plus an extra track on the B-side.

Eventually the extended version of 'In the clouds' appeared on the re-released double CD version of the band's eponymous debut album in 2015. But that was a long time after I bought this disc.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: [unknown], 1989
Tracks: 'In the clouds [extended version]' / 'She moves through the fair', 'Calling your name'

King ghost - Steven Wilson

Steven Wilson's album The Future Bites is a fantastic record, and I was very glad when I received the deluxe edition of that album on CD. Unfortunately I missed out on this 7" single, which was coupled with an edition of the magazine Electronic Sounds.

However, these singles sometimes pop up on unexpected places, and so I suddenly saw it and didn't have to think twice. This 'limited edition coloured vinyl seven-inch single by Steven Wilson' features extended remixes of two tracks from the album, and it's pressed on red vinyl. It puts my mind at ease when I find a gem like this.

My collection: 7" single no. 7394
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'King ghost (extended remix)' / 'Eminent sleaze (extended remix)'

Back chat - Queen

At the beginning of the Eighties, Queen wasn't as popular as they would be later on in their career. This is proved by the single I bought recently: 'Back chat'. I'd never even heard of this single, but it was released in 1982 and taken from the album Hot Space, the album that spawned the hits 'Under pressure' and 'Body language', plus the lesser-known hit 'Las palabras de amor'. 'Back chat' only charted in the UK (peaking at number 40), Ireland (number 19) and Germany (number 69), so it's no wonder that this release didn't catch my attention at all back then. 

Not that it's a bad song. I heard it for the first time when I played this single and I felt it was a very funky, catchy track. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7393
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Back chat' / 'Staying power'

Mony mony (live) - Billy Idol

'Mony mony' was originally recorded in 1968 by Tommy James and the Shondells. The title was inspired by Tommy James' view of the "M.O.N.Y." sign atop the Mutual of New York Building on the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment.

Billy Idol made a studio recording of the song in 1981. Six years later the live version was released as a single and went to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, coincidentally displacing Tiffany's cover of another Tommy James song, 'I think we're alone now', from the top spot. Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live in concert or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "Hey, say what… get laid get fucked!" Or "Hey, motherfucker… get laid get fucked!". This led to the song being banned at high-school dances across North America, although the custom continues at Idol concerts and sporting events today. It became so widespread that Idol would eventually commit the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7392
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Mony mony (live)' / 'Shakin' all over (live)'

Send my heart - The Adventures

Some singles appear as a surprise to me. Having owned the double single of the Adventures' 'Send my heart' since 1990, I never knew that there was another limited edition of this single released at the same time, until I saw this copy in a shop last weekend.

This version was pressed on 'silver' vinyl. It is not real silver, of course, but it is shiny and rather beautiful, even if the edge has yellowed a bit. I haven't played the song in a long while but when I did I still remembered every word. That's Eighties music for you.

My collection: 7" single no. 7391
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Send my heart' / 'These children (live)'

Kometenmelodie 2 - Kraftwerk

Released in 1981, this single presents some older Kraftwerk tracks. 'Kometenmelodie 2' appeared on the album Autobahn in 1974, and the B-side 'Vom Himmel hoch' was originally released on the album Kraftwerk in 1970 - an album which the band doesn't even want to be associated with anymore, it seems.

The difference between the tracks is very obvious: the A-side is a melody that stands the test of time very well, whereas the B-side sounds odd and experimental. A single like this doesn't pop up very often and it may be one of the biggest catches of this London shopping spree.

My collection: 7" single no. 7390
Found: Reckless Records, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'Kometenmelodie 2' / 'Vom Himmel hoch'

School's out - Alice Cooper

During the Eighties, I listened to the radio and every now and then this song would come up. Certainly being at the age of having to go to school every day during the week, this became a bit of a rebellious anthem. 

Alice Cooper has said he was inspired to write the song when answering the question, "What's the greatest three minutes of your life?". Cooper said: "There's two times during the year. One is Christmas morning, when you're just getting ready to open the presents. The greed factor is right there. The next one is the last three minutes of the last day of school when you're sitting there and it's like a slow fuse burning. I said, 'If we can catch that three minutes in a song, it's going to be so big."    

Big it was: the song peaked at the top of the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. This copy isn't much to look at, but for 50p, I can't really complain.

My collection: 7" single no. 7389
Found: Music & Video Exchange, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'School's out' / 'Gutter cat'

So young - The Corrs

In January I posted a 7" single by the Corrs on this blog for the first time ('Little lies / Songbird'), and I'm glad to be able to add another one from their Nineties heydays. 'So young' was released in 1998, after the song was remixed by K-Klass. The track was taken from the album Talk on corners, which became popular after the band scored a hit with a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song 'Dreams'. 

The B-side of this single features the title track of their debut album, Forgiven not forgotten. Coincidentally that is the song that made me discover the band, and which prompted me to buy the album. It's nice to have the song on 7" vinyl finally.

My collection: 7" single no. 7388
Found: Music & Video Exchange, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'So young (K-Klass remix)' / 'Forgiven not forgotten'

Church of the poison mind - Culture Club

On the hunt for 7" singles in London was rather a disappointing adventure this past weekend. There aren't that many record shops that stock decent 7" singles anymore, and whenever they do, the state of those things is particularly dismal. Tattered sleeves and loose discs all over the place. I wonder where all the 7" singles have gone, because London used to be littered with shops owning literally hundreds, sometimes thousands of singles.

Anyway! I did find a few, even if they were not in the best state. This picture disc of 'Church of the poison mind' by Culture Club is a good example. It looks alright, but the sound of this disc is dreadul, especially the first half minute of each side. Whatever, it is still a nice item to look at.

My collection: 7" single no. 7387
Found: Music & Video Exchange, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'Church of the poison mind' / 'Man shake'

Them heavy people - Kate Bush

When Kate Bush released the On Stage EP, promotional singles were made for 'Them Heavy People', which was the lead track of the EP. This promotional single omits the two tracks on the B-side, and simply presents the two tracks from the A-side of the EP as this single's A and B-side.

The story could end there, but it is quite interesting how difficult it is to find a good copy of this single. Of course, it's a release from 1979 which makes it a bit antique, but it is amazing how many of these singles have been mutilated: the middle has often been dinked. People are still asking a lot of money for those mutilated copies, of course. So I was lucky to find a copy that was both cheap and intact. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7386
Found: Discogs.com, received 19 October 2024
Tracks: 'Them heavy people' / 'Don't push your foot on the heartbrake'

The Tower - Luna

Physical releases of Eurovision songs from this year have been very scarce, unfortunately. So far, I've only been able to get Olly Alexander's 'Dizzy' on 7" vinyl, CD-single and USB and the CD-single of the winning song from Switzerland. However, recently Poland's Luna has come through with a beautiful 12" single, and it looks quite impressive.

'The Tower' didn't reach the final, unfortunately, but it's a decent song that deserves some repeated play. This 12" single is pressed on red vinyl and presents four versions of the song. The acoustic version is probably the most different of the four, as it strips down the track to the basics. The other three versions are actually very similar. A good extended remix could have made this package even more appealing. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Luna website, received 17 October 2024
Tracks: 'The Tower', 'The Tower (acoustic)' / 'The Tower (revamp)', 'The Tower (radio edit)'

Die Roboter - Kraftwerk

The German magazine Musikexpress released three Kraftwerk singles over a period of a few years. I bought the magazine with singles of 'Heimcomputer' and 'Tour de France', but I missed out on the first one, 'Die Roboter', released in 2017. 

Of course, there is always the internet. I found a copy on Discogs.com recently for a price actually lower than a magazine would have cost me. I can live without the magazine, but I really needed to have this single! The B-side has a simple etching of 'Kraftwerk' and the number 1 through 8. The version of 'Die Roboter' comes from the album 3-D Der Katalog, a box set that I still need to buy. There is always something to hunt down!

My collection: 7" single no. 7384
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 October 2024
Tracks: 'Die Roboter'

Amiga Quartett - Robin Gibb

I was ordering some singles online and this one popped up with the same seller for just one euro. As you know I'm a sucker for Amiga EP's, I snapped it up despite already owning both tracks on side A. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised by the two other tracks. 'Robot' in particular is a song you wouldn't expect from one of the Bee Gees.

My quest for Amiga Quartett EP's will continue for some time, because these East German discs have a special kind of appeal - especially when they contain music from artists that I know and like.

My collection: 7" single no. 7383
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Juliet', 'How old are you' / 'Boys do fall in love', 'Robot'

Clean clean - Bruce Woolley

I knew 'Clean clean' as a song by the Buggles, but I wasn't aware that it was a cover version of a song originally recorded by Bruce Woolley. 

His version was released as a single on 2 November 1979. The song was actually written by Woolley with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, so it isn't really a surprise that the song would turn up on the Buggles' debut album The age of plastic. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7382
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Clean clean' / 'Flying man'

Rock bottom - Lynn Thomas & Paul Clark

Nobody knows who Lynn Thomas and Paul Clark were, but they recorded a cover version of 'Rock bottom', the song with which Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977. 

The B-side of this single, which was released in Portugal only, is a cover of the Leo Sayer song 'You make me feel like dancing'. And so this single perfectly captures the music scene of 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 7381
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Rock bottom' / 'You make me feel like dancing'

Elle était si jolie - Roland Barth

In 1963 Alain Barriere represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Elle était si jolie'. Back then it wasn't unusual that Eurovision songs got several cover versions even in the same year, and often on singles that were available for a reduced price.

This single presents a version by Roland Barth, an unknown singer whose version was released on several different EP's on the Tiercé Panorama label in 1963. Three versions are listed on Discogs, all of them featuring a photograph of a glamorous lady. Perhaps that was the way to get people to buy these discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 7380
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Elle était si jolie' (Roland Barth) / 'Slow, always' (James Award)

Nothin (that compares 2 u) - The Jacksons

For a while, the Jacksons were one of the world's most popular bands. Songs like 'Shake your body down to the ground' and 'Blame it on the boogie' became big hits, and who could forget the expensive video for 'Can you feel it'? In July 1984, the Jacksons launched their Victory Tour, which was overshadowed by ticket issues, friction between the brothers, and a shakeup in the promotion and marketing team, initially headed by Don King, who was later fired. Michael announced he was leaving the group after their final performance at Dodger Stadium that December to continue his solo career.

In 1989, the remaining quartet of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy released the album 2300 Jackson Street. From that album, this single was released. 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' is a generic dance song, somewhat in line with what other artists were releasing around that time, but its lack of a memorable hook meant that it was the band's chart singles - even if it only reached number 77 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the UK singles chart.

After a brief promotional tour, the group went into hiatus and never recorded another album together. Following the release of one solo album, Marlon quit the music business in 1989 and invested in real estate. Randy has not been active in the industry since he disbanded the group Randy & the Gypsys in 1991. Tito Jackson passed away on 15 September 2024.

My collection: 7" single no. 7378
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' / 'Alright with me'

Fernando - Abba

Like I wrote recently, the French do things differently, and that applies to this release of Abba's 'Fernando' as well. The Dutch and German versions of the single had 'Tropical Loveland' on the B-side, some other territories went for 'Hey hey Helen', but the French went for 'Dance (while the music still goes on)'. It is actually a better song than the other two in my opinion, so kudos to the French for this release.

In France, 'Fernando' reached number 2 in the singles chart, which was in line with most other countries, where it ended up either peaking at number 2 or topping the chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7376
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Fernando' / 'Dance (while the music still goes on)'

Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake - The The

'Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake' was released as the third single from The The's recent album Ensoulment. Matt Johnson said about the song: "It belongs to the family of songs I have written about London, including ‘Perfect’, ‘Flesh & Bones’, ‘Heartland’, ‘The Beat(en) Generation’, ‘Helpline Operator’, ‘Pillar Box Red’ and others. I have often drank my coffee by the grave of William Blake – though these days there are actually two gravestones dedicated to him in the small dissenters cemetery that he was thrown into when he died – on and off over the last 40 years I have lived close by and have always found it an inspiring place to sit and meditate upon life. Nostalgia is part of the human condition and change is inevitable in our lives and in the world around us. Large capital cities such as London often amplify the sense of change, although one thing that never seems to change is the cynicism of those in power."

It is certainly one of the most appealing songs on the album, and a great addition to the two singles that were already released.

My collection: 7" single no. 7374
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake' / 'Frozen clouds'

Cognitive dissent - The The

'Cognitive dissent' was released digitally in May this year as the first single from The The's new album Ensoulment. The limited edition physical 7" vinyl became available in June and sold out almost as soon as it arrived. I was too late to get a copy. 

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to get one of those 'bundles' at the record fair last weekend: three The The singles from the Ensoulment album. The fact that I already owned one of the three - 'Linoleum smooth to the stockinged foot' - didn't matter that much: it was more important to get my collection complete. Singles like this will only rise in value in the coming years.

My collection: 7" single no. 7373
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Cognitive dissent' / 'When is the heart of waiting'

Knowing me knowing you / The winner takes it all - Abba

It's no surprise that the Old Gold series would end up releasing an Abba single. And this one presents two excellent songs: 'Knowing me knowing you' from 1976 and 'The winner takes it all' from 1980. This single was released in 1989, before Abba would find a cultural reappraisal as a result of the compilation album Abba Gold. 

Having bought quite a few Abba singles recently this almost seems like overload, but it's a rather unique release and still a worthy addition to my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 7372
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Knowing me knowing you' / 'The winner takes it all'

Ain't no sunshine - Michael Jackson

Bill Withers was inspired to write 'Ain't no sunshine' after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses. He explained, in reference to the characters played by Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon, "They were both alcoholics who were alternately weak and strong. It's like going back for seconds on rat poison. Sometimes you miss things that weren't particularly good for you. It's just something that crossed my mind from watching that movie, and probably something else that happened in my life that I'm not aware of." His version was released in July 1971.

In 1971, singer Michael Jackson recorded a rendition of Bill Withers' song for his debut album Got to Be There, released in early 1972. In the UK the song was released in July 1972 as the third (and final) single from the album (after the two singles 'Got to be there' and 'Rockin' Robin'). It was a hit, peaking in the UK Singles Chart at number 8 for 3 weeks in September 1972. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7371
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshine' / 'Ben'

Heartless - Heart

It's quite ironic that a band called Heart releases a single called 'Heartless'. It was the lead single of their third album Magazine. Issues with the band's previous record label Mushroom caused a delay in the album's release and 'Heartless' was released as a single two years later, after the re-issue of their first single 'Crazy on you'. The lyrics involve a scorned lover who apparently can't get away from the grasp of her heartless partner.

The single reached number 24 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 18 in Canada. Although this copy was made in Germany, the single didn't chart at all in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 7370
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Heartless' / 'Here song'

Living on the frontline - Eddy Grant

'Living on the frontline' was originally Eddy Grant's debut single, released in 1979. The single reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. However, this single combines that song with a later single, 'Do you feel my love', which was originally released in 1980. That single was even more successful, peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart. 

This single was actually released in 1983, after Eddy Grant had even more success with 'Electric Avenue', which reached number 2. This re-release couldn't match that success: it didn't chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 7369
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Living on the frontline' / 'Do you feel my love'

Here we are - Gloria Estefan

'Here we are' was released in February 1990 in the United Kingdom as the third single of her debut solo album, Cuts Both Ways (1989). It was released with the song 'Don't let the sun go down on me' on the B-side, a cover of the Elton John song. Other singles had a live version of that song, but this was a studio version, later to appear on the album Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. 

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart. In other countries where 'Here we are' was released, it was more successful: it peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 7368
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Here we are' / 'Don't let the sun go down on me'

Softly whispering I love you - The Congregation

In 1990 Paul Young released 'Softly whispering I love you', the lead single from his fourth album Other Voices. The song was written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook in 1967. The song was originally recorded by the duo under the name of David and Jonathan. It was covered in 1971 by the Congregation.

The Congregation was actually formed by Cook and Greenaway. The group's lead singer was the former Plastic Penny vocalist, Brian Keith, who later became a session musician. This version peaked at number 4 on the UK singles chart in 1971. With no further top 40 hits, The Congregation was a transatlantic one-hit wonder. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7366
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Softly whispering I love you' / 'When Susie takes the plane'

Railroad - Maurice Gibb

'Railroad' is the first solo single released by Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb in April 1970. The song was written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie. Lawrie was the brother of Lulu, who Maurice married in 1969. The song was originally intended for a Bee Gees album. The single features guitar work by Leslie Harvey of Stone the Crows.

As Gibb explains: "People have said that my single sounds like the Bee Gees, I sang the higher parts usually, and the other vocal parts I've added to 'Railroad' could be the others." Gibb once said that his wife at that time, singer Lulu's reaction to the recording was that the piano was too loud; Gibb remixed it six times to please her.

My collection: 7" single no. 7364
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Railroad' / 'I've come back'