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)'
Without Limahl, Kajagoogoo were still able to produce some cracking tracks. And the 1984 single 'Turn your back on me' with its great drums and percussion may be their finest track.
It was released as a 12" single as well, featuring an extended version that brought out all the best bits from the song plus some extras.
My collection: 12" single no. 537 Found: unknown Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Turn your back on me (extended version)' / 'The pump rooms of Bath', 'Turn your back on me'
Father Marty Wilde wrote and produced 'I wanna go to a disco' for his son Ricky Wilde. It was released as a single in 1974. Like the singles before this one, it didn't chart in the UK but it did achieve some success in Scandinavia.
These singles by Ricky Wilde are great collectors items, as he went on to become his sister's producer and songwriter, but never returned to the spotlights himself.
My collection: 7" single no. 3269 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, October 22, 2000 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'I wanna go to a disco' / 'Mrs. Malinski'
'Just think of the good things / Instead of all the bad', is the first line of Kim Wilde's 1990 single 'World in perfect harmony'. It was the optimistic counterpart of 'Who's to blame', another track on the same album, 'Love moves'. Both songs were about the environment, a subject close to Kim's heart, but it's no wonder that the optimistic version made it to a single release.
At least, 'World in perfect harmony' was released as a single in Europe. No music video was made for this single, but it was promoted with many performances in television programmes. The single did not chart despite these efforts.
My collection: 7" single no. 1352 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'World in perfect harmony' / 'Can't get enough (of your love) (remix edit)'
Frank Boeijen wrote a song about the people from the Dutch West-Indies, who were forced to come to the Netherlands while waiting for a free republic in their homeland. 'Heimwee gaat nooit over naar het land van onze dromen' ('Homesickness for the country of our dreams never ends') is the key sentence of this song's lyric.
Released as the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's eighth album 'Dans in slow-motion', 'Heimwee' did not reach the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 700 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 15, 1988 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Heimwee' / 'De wind nam hem mee (live)'
Clouseau appeared on television quite regularly, and 'Als je me wil' ('If you want me') was one of the tracks that appeared during a television special with the band. I quite liked the song, although by this time I was growing a bit tired of their continuous output of music. Still, I bought the single quite quickly after that.
'Als je me wil' did not chart in the Netherlands but it did reach number 29 in the Belgian singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1719 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 26, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Als je me wil' / 'Alarm'
The story goes, that when Frank Boeijen told the members of his group that he'd written a song called 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' ('How terrible I am') they made jokes about it. And it's true, there aren't that many songwriters that qualify themselves as 'terrible'.
The song was released as the first single from the band's 1988 album 'Dans in slow motion' ('Dance in slow motion'), but it failed to chart. Still, the theatre tour that followed sold out and the album sold exceptionally well too.
The single was released in two different sleeves as well: the first edition featured a purple sleeve, whereas later editions (and the cd-single) featured a red sleeve. For no apparent reason, it has to be added.
My collection: 7" single no. 653 (1 & 2) Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 15, 1988 / Leiden, November 26, 1988 Cost: 6 guilders / 6 guilders Tracks: 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' / 'Piccadilly Circus'
After Band Aid, Dance Aid, Ferry Aid and USA for Africa, the Gentlemen without weapons figured they had something to add to the growing amount of charity singles: a rainforest appeal. Together with the animal and rainforest noises which they'd already used for an album, they rounded up lots of famous artists to record 'Spirit of the forest'.
Somehow, the idea didn't quite work. The song sounded a bit naff and people were apparently not so concerned about the destruction of the rain forest as they were about starving children in Africa. The single was a commercial failure, but fans of Afrika Bambaataa, Jon Anderson, B52's, Michael de Barre, Big Country and the few dozen other artists mentioned on the sleeve of this single had another collector's item to get their hands on.
My collection: 7" single no. 900 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 23, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Spirit of the forest' / 'Spirit of the forest'
Colin Vearncombe, who on his own made up the band Black, was inspired to write 'Feel like change' by the events taking place in South Africa: the freeing of Nelson Mandela and the impending dismantling of the Apartheid regime.
The track was released as the first single from Black's third album, 'Black' (1991). Produced by Robin Millar, both the single and the album featured an altogether smoother sound. Coupled with Vearncombe's excellent vocals, this was a very enjoyable listening experience. 'Feel like change' reached number 56 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1439 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 18, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'
On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.
Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.
The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 575 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 4 guilders Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'
'Can't get enough (of your love)' was released as the second single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in Europe. It was promoted with a slightly hyperactive music video in which Kim and her band were placed on rotating platforms. Musically, the song resembled the 1988 hit 'Never trust a stranger'. Kim commented: ''Can't get enough' is about pure energy really. There is a reality to 'Can't get enough' but it's not very seriously.'
The single only reached number 58 in the German singles chart, in other territories it failed to reach the chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1255 Found: Melody Maker, July 5, 1990 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Can't get enough (of your love)' / 'Someday'
Released in July 1992, 'Ben je daar vannacht' ('Are you there tonight') was the third single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. Just like the two previous singles, it features a slightly harder rock sound than most people had become accustomed to from the band.
The single did not chart in the Netherlands - the first one in a long time not to do so - but did reach number 16 in the Belgian singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2067 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Ben je daar vannacht' / 'Mysterie alom'
I bought the 7" single of Bucks Fizz's 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra)' pretty soon after its release. The 12" single followed years later, after a period in which I'd grown tired of the song and eventually started to like it again. The fact that Puck was quite interested in this track also helped, of course.
I finally bought this 12" single in 1996. It features an extended version of the track as well as two bonus tracks. The extended version is loud and full of echoes - very Eighties indeed.
My collection: 12" single no. 297 Found: Record fair, 1996 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra) (extended version)' / 'In your eyes', 'I need your love'
The third and last single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy' was the upbeat 'Now you're gone'. At least, the music sounded quite upbeat, the lyric was less optimistic. Still, it was a change from the mostly minor key tracks Black had released up until then. Not that it met with a lot of enthusiasm: the single only reached number 66 in the UK singles chart.
The B-side, a so-called 'Mardi Gras version' of 'Now you're gone', is a nice extra, and quite a surprising version of the song.
My collection: 7" single no. 724 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 28, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Now you're gone' / 'Now you're gone (Mardi Gras version)'
'Ik zie een ster' is the original Dutch version of the 1974 Eurovision entry by Mouth and MacNeal, 'I see a star'. Although they performed the song in English during the Contest - as a result of relaxed language rules - this single contains a version entirely in Dutch.
The song was released as a single in the Netherlands in March 1974 and reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. That's quite remarkable, as 'I see a star' finished third during the Contest as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 3694 Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Ik zie een ster' / 'Liefste'
In support of Record Store Day, EMI released a limited edition John Lennon vinyl package. It's titled 'Singles bag', but it's not really a bag, but rather a cardboard envelope with three singles, a poster, three postcard and one plastic adaptor in it. It's a real treat for John Lennon fans and those who appreciate his music.
Of course, there isn't really anything new in the bag: all three singles have been released in the past. Still, it is quite wonderful to hear 'Imagine' once again - still the highlight of this bag in my opinion - and of course who could resist the sound of Yoko Ono screaming like an escaped inmate of a psychiatric ward in 'Why'? The poster of the duo in the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam during their 'Bed-in for peace' action is a nice extra.
My collection: 7" single no. 4837 Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010 Cost: Well... let's just say it wasn't cheap. Tracks: 'Mother' (John Lennon) / 'Why' (Yoko Ono) // 'Imagine' / 'It's so hard' // 'Watching the wheels' (John Lennon) / 'Yes, I'm your angel' (Yoko Ono)
Last year, the Editors released their most recent album 'In this light and on this evening'. Produced by Flood, the sound of the album leaned a lot towards band he'd produced before, such as U2 and Depeche Mode. The first single from the album was 'Papillon', which appears on this single in a beautiful acoustic version.
The track 'Last day' was not included on the album, but most probably recorded during the sessions for it. This single was released exclusively on Record Store Day, April 17, 2010.
My collection: 7" single no. 4836 Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010 Cost: 10 euro Tracks: 'Last day' / 'Papillon (acoustic live at Studio Brussels)'
Pete Doherty formed Babyshambles during a hiatus from his band the Libertines in 2003. Although Doherty is mainly famous for his drug abuse, the band was actually able to find some sort of commercial recognition with their debut album 'Down in Albion' (2005). Initially an independent band, they signed with Parlophone in 2007.
On Record Store Day, Parlophone released this limited edition 7" vinyl with two tracks by Babyshambles. Personally, I think the B-side is better than the A-side.
My collection: 7" single no. 4835 Found: La La Land, April 17, 2010 Cost: 6 euro Tracks: 'Side of the road' / 'UnBiloTitled'
'Back to the start' is a track on Lily Allen's most recent album, 'It's not me, it's you' (2009). It was getting a lot of airplay in Australia, having peaked at number 21 in the Australian Airplay chart.
On Record Store Day (April 17, 2010), a limited edition 7" vinyl single was released, available only for one day. The single contains this track and the bonus track 'Kabul shit'. It is unlikely that the track will be released as a 'regular' single, but meanwhile, this is a great collector's item.
My collection: 7" single no. 4834 Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010 Cost: 7 euro Tracks: 'Back to the start' / 'Kabul shit'
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.
