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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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)'
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'
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)'
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)'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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' 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)'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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)
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'
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)'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
Because back in 1978, when this single was released, I thought it was a boring song. One might have expected Suzi to come up with something more exciting - after all, her career was based on more energetic stuff, and this song almost made me fall asleep. Thankfully, time has been kind to this song, and it has ended up in my collection.
My collection: 7" single no. 7362
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Stumblin' in' / 'A stranger with you'
The lyrics of the song contains the same surreal, dream-like imagery and feelings of resignation and futility as in the debut single. The theme is not as clearly Bach-like as in 'A whiter shade of pale'; nevertheless, the single was, on its release, criticised for being too similar to its predecessor. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and topped the Dutch Top 40.
I found the single in a generic white sleeve, but I can't really complain for the 50 eurocents it cost me.
My collection: 7" single no. 7360
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Homburg' / 'Good Captain Clack'
Fortunately Martika was smart enough to record a second album with some more strong tracks, managing to briefly revive her career. But 'Water' is probably the first sign that she wouldn't become the big star she hoped to be. She eventually faded from the public eye in 1992 after walking away from the music industry, due to burnout.
My collection: 7" single no. 7359
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Water (remix)' / 'Como un juguete (Toy Soldiers - Spanish version)'
'Many, too many' was the follow-up to 'Follow you, follow me', the band's first worldwide success. By contrast, this single didn't do much, chart-wise. It reached number 43 in the UK and number 41 in Germany, but it didn't chart anywhere else.
My collection: 7" single no. 7357
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Many, too many' / 'The day the light went out', 'Vancouver'
In Ireland it still reached a respectable number 11, but in the UK it only managed to get to number 50. I never even heard of the single, until I saw a copy in front of my own two eyes. Maybe the record company should have gone for the B-side; 'Tortured' is listed as 'previously unavailable', and certainly the more appealing of the two songs.
My collection: 7" single no. 7356
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Who wears these shoes? (remix version)' / 'Tortured'
And so, I was pleasantly surprised to find a good copy at a record fair yesterday. The seller had a decent selection of 12" singles, but thanks to the Now 12" series they are now available on CD - or will be. However, this one was not included in the 1982 compilations, and so I grabbed this copy. It's a nice extended version of a nice pop song.
My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Ooh shooby doo doo lang [extended]' / 'Could it last a little longer'
This release of 'I have a dream' is a good example. While other singles have a live version of 'Take a chance on me' on the B-side, this French edition comes with the studio version from 1977. I actually didn't know this when I bought this single, but it's a nice deviation.
My collection: 7" single no. 7355
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'I have a dream' / 'Take a chance on me'
Neon was one of many Belgian New Beat projects started by Target Records in the late 1980s. Members of Neon were Frank Van Der Heyden, Friedhelm Nieske, J.P. Bulté, Luc Devriese and Peter Peyskens. It's interesting that the back cover credits a certain Rita for catering-assistance; that's not a credit you see very often on record sleeves. Fortunately this is quite a good cover version, well worth a listen.
My collection: 7" single no. 7354
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Fade to grey' / 'Fade to grey (instrumental remix)'
I have to say that after the album Mind Bomb, which I regard as The The's best ever album, this one came as a disappointment. I bought the CD-single, but only played it once or twice. With the recent resurgence of The The I had to go back to it and decided it wasn't so bad after all. And so, here's the 10 inch single, featuring the same tracks as on that CD-single. Which is why I never bought it three decades ago. Well, it's never too late.
My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 October 2024
Tracks: 'I saw the light', 'I'm free at last' / 'Someday you'll call my name', 'There's no room in my heart for the blues'
For residents of the GDR (former East-Germany) these EP's were often the only way to buy music from "the West", as the country was pretty much isolated from western Europe. Obviously the EP's would only contain songs that wouldn't go against the communist party lines - whatever they were. These days, most of these EP's are sold for small amounts. Still, they are pretty enough to want to have them.
My collection: 7" single no. 7351
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'Girl you know it's true', 'All or nothing' / 'Baby don't forget my number', 'Hush'
In 1965 she recorded 'Als je maar nooit bekent', a Dutch version of 'N'avoue jamais', the French Eurovision entry of 1965. She also recorded the song in German. That version was titled 'So ist die Liebe, mon ami'. The German lyrics were written by Carl Ulrich Blecher.
My collection: 7" single no. 7350
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'So ist die Liebe, mon ami' / 'Venedig in Grau'
I added this single to my collection, because I'm getting ever closer to a complete Hot Chocolate discography. But I think a remix album is still a good idea - if executed with better remixers.
My collection: 7" single no. 7349
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'No doubt about it (Little Tequila-mix)' / 'Gave you my heart (didn't I)'
I was a bit surprised to find a copy of this single easily online, because obscure singles often have a tendency to become very expensive decades later. But this is a good copy in the correct Decca sleeve.
My collection: 7" single no. 7348
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'Someday' / 'Biscuit coloured overcoat'
Heart also recorded a version of the track. It was released on the album Magazine, an album with an interesting back story. Unfortunately, Heart's version is a bit overwrought and doesn't hit the listener emotionally at all. This promotional single features the track in stereo and mono versions, which is a nice touch.
My collection: 7" single no. 7347
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'Without you (stereo)' / 'Without you (mono)'
Enter Jan und Kjeld, a musical duo from Denmark, consisting of brothers Jan and Kjeld Wennick, both singers and banjo players. The duo, active in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was especially successful in Germany with a number of schlager-style songs. The duo is perhaps best known for their 1960 song 'Banjo Boy'. In the U.S. the song was their only chart entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 58. By comparison, their single 'Zwei kleine Italiener' was less successful.
In 1983, Kjeld (born 3 February 1944) founded a record company, Mega Records and signed the Swedish pop group Ace of Base. In 2001, he sold the record company and music publisher to Edel Records. He was subsequently a judge at a number of talent shows on Danish television. He died of cancer on 31 May 2020, aged 76. Jan (born 27 July 1946) is still alive.
My collection: 7" single no. 7346
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'Zwei kleine Italiener' / 'Kommen Sie mal nach Kopenhagen'
I was pleasantly surprised to find this single, pressed on purple vinyl, and with a US version of the track. It also includes a small poster of the band.
My collection: 7" single no. 7345
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 September 2024
Tracks: 'Further (US version)' / 'I want a reaction (demo)'
'You got the style' was a good success for the band, reaching number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 42 upon its re-release. Of course, their biggest hit 'Wires' was yet to come.
My collection: 7" single no. 7343
Found: Discogs.com, received 26 September 2024
Tracks: 'You got the style' / 'Hot sun pavement'
This single features the English version on the A-side and the Swedish version on the B-side. A single with the Finnish version also exists, but that one, titled 'Vapaa?' is hard to get. So if you have a copy, let me know. I might want to buy it from you.
My collection: 7" single no. 7344
Found: Discogs.com, received 26 September 2024
Tracks: 'Free?' / 'Fri?'
Better late than never, of course. After I played the album recently I started looking at my singles and discovered this omission. There's a few more omissions, so if I find more singles from this era at a reasonable price, they will certainly appear here.
My collection: 7" single no. 7339
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 September 2024
Tracks: 'Spitting games' / 'Steal'