Sevince - Nazar

'Sevince' ('When I'm in love') was the Turkish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1978 in Paris, performed by Nilüfer & Nazar in the country's first appearance since 1975. The song is an up-tempo number about the power of love and the song talks about love and how it is good when we are loved by someone.  

Nazar included Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz who went on to compose Turkey's Eurovision entries in 1982 and 1987 and San Marino's entries in 2016 and 2019. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7449
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sevince' / 'Darling'

Oui, oui, oui, oui - Jean-Paul Mauric

Jean Philippe represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959 with 'Oui, oui, oui, oui'. Such was the popularity of the song that many other artists recorded versions of the song. The most famous version was recorded by Sacha Distel.

But Jean-Paul Mauric also had a shot at the song. It appears on this EP, which also features three other songs. Mauric would get his own chance to represent his country two years later with 'Printemps (Avril carillonne)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7448
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Mon ange gardien', 'Ne m'oublie pas' / 'Oui oui oui oui', 'La marche des gosses'

Ik wil gelukkig zijn - Micha Marah

Micha Marah participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with the song 'Hey nana'. She never recorded the song, until last year. Unfortunately it wasn't released on a 7" single.

In 1986 she did record a Eurovision song: a cover version of 'Über die Brücke geh'n' in Dutch. In this version it is called 'Ik wil gelukkig zijn' ('I want to be happy'). 

My collection: 7" single no. 7447
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ik wil gelukkig zijn' / 'Iedere dans'

Sprattelgumma - Siw Malmkvist

The song 'Puppet on a string' by Sandie Shaw won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967, and what followed was a tsunami of cover versions in many different languages. It's quite interesting how many versions there are - and some of them have appeared on this blog already.

Siw Malmkvist's version is performed in Swedish, just like the other three tracks on this EP. It also features a version of 'Downtown', which was another big hit in 1967. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7446
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sprattelgumma', 'Nanting fanigt' / 'Arvid', 'Downtown'

Hou toch van mij - Maurice Hymans with the Westonians

As far as I know, the Belgian Eurovision entry from 1959 was only covered twice: once by Koen Crucke in 1996 (released on CD-single only) and this one by Maurice Hymans with the Westonians. They were considerably quicker to record the song: this single was released in 1959 already.

The group only released a few singles, all of them released in 1959.Not much is known about them. All I know is that it's nice to have a cover version of such an early Eurovision song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7445
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Hou toch van mij' / 'Monisima'

Posle tebe - Lola Novakovic

After Vicky Leandros won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972 with 'Après toi', several artists recorded cover versions of that song. None was more remarkable than the Yugoslavian cover, recorded by Lola Novakovic. 

Released on the state-run Radio-Televizija Beograd label, this EP features 'Posle tebe', a Serbian version of the song. I saw this single online quite a few times and even wanted to order it from somewhere, but I'm glad I didn't - I bought a copy for just a few euros at the record fair last week. Saves a lot of shipping costs!

My collection: 7" single no. 7444
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Znam Zašto Živim', 'Posle Tebe (Après Toi)' / 'Malo Tražim', 'Kao Ljubičice (Come Le Viole)'

Ja, ja, ja - Louis Neefs

Louis Neefs recorded a cover version of Jean Philippe's 'Oui, oui, oui, oui', the French Eurovision entry of 1959. He did so incorrectly, because he named his version 'Ja, ja, ja', omitting the last 'oui' from the title. Otherwise it's a great version, sung in that typical style of his.

This single came without a picture sleeve, unfortunately, and it was apparently a promotional copy, as the sticker is still on the label. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7443
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ja, ja, ja' / 'Zigeunerkind'

Walkin' in Lee Jeans - Claire Torry

In 1975 it was Ann Christy's turn to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest. She did this with the song 'Gelukkig zijn', written by Mary Bouduin. Ann also recorded the song in English, titled 'Could it be happiness'.

Those exact words also appear in the song 'Walkin' in Lee Jeans', a single that was also released in 1975 and a promotional vehicle for, you guessed it, Lee Jeans. Bouduin explained that she originally wrote the song for this commercial, and then wrote Dutch lyrics for Ann Christy. Since the Eurovision rules stipulate that songs need to be original in order to enter, one has to wonder if this entry was entirely in line with the regulations!

My collection: 7" single no. 7442
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Walkin' in Lee Jeans' / 'Mean jeans'

Nee, nee laat dat - The Strangers

In 1964 the Antwerp group The Strangers released this 4 track EP featuring a cover version of Gigliola Cinquetti's 'Non ho l'eta', the winning song of that year's Eurovision Song Contest. Titled 'Nee, nee laat dat', it was rewritten by Lex Colman in Antwerp dialect. 

As far as I can gather, this is the oldest Eurovision cover by the Strangers. The group started in 1952. Their first performance took place on 7 January 1953 in Hoboken. By 1965 they had already performed 1000 times. They owed their popularity mainly to the fact that everyone could hum along to the original melodies and their translations were more understandable to most Flemish people than the original languages ​​in which the hits were sung. Yet their songs were never literal translations, but always completely new lyrics about often completely different subjects.

My collection: 7" single no. 7441
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'De nieuwe tram', 'Nee, nee laat dat' / 'Reutenkenteut', 'Georgette'

Vaer som du var - Birthe Wilke

When Corry Brokken appeared on the Eurovision stage to perform 'Net als toen' in 1957, Danish singer Birthe Wilke was one of her fellow contestants. She sang 'Skibet skal sejle i nat' for Denmark. After returning to her home country, she recorded this EP, featuring a Danish version of 'Net als toen'. 

'Vaer som du var' was given Danish lyrics by Knud Pheiffer. The rest of the EP is interesting too: it presents a variety of styles, from ballads to poppy light music. Birthe went on, of course, to represent Denmark once again in 1959 with 'Uh jeg ville ønske jeg var dig'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7440
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Huset i Canada', 'Vaer som du var' / 'Hvide syrener', 'Chocolata'

Elle était si jolie - Rika Zaraï

Rika Zaraï was 25 years old when she recorded this EP. It features four tracks and it included a version of the French entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1963, 'Elle était si jolie'. 

The beautiful colour picture sleeve of this EP is intact, but unfortunately the disc comes with its flaws. Fortunately 'Elle était si jolie' can be played on this, otherwise I would have been very disappointed.

My collection: 7" single no. 7439
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Tournez manèges', 'Elle était si jolie' / 'Demain c'est dimanche', 'Pourquoi je t'aime'

Que bueno, que bueno - Los Sirex

Los Sírex is a Spanish rock band founded in 1959 in Barcelona and active until 1972. In 1977 they got together again and were active until 2012. It was initially formed by three members: Guillermo Rodríguez Holgado, Antonio Miers and Manuel Madruga (Manolo), then briefly joined by the vocalist Santi Carulla in 1960. By the end of 1960, the band consisted of Antoni Miquel Cerveró ("Leslie" or "L'Anxoveta") as lead vocalist, Lluís Gomis (Lluís Gomis de Prunera, 1944-2012) on the drums, Josep Fontseré Portolés (Pepe or Pep, Barcelona, 1945) on the rhythm guitar, Guillermo Rodríguez Holgado on the bass and Manolo Madruga on the lead guitar. They named the band after a component of eyeglasses: Guillermo worked at his father's glasses factory, where they used a filament called Sírex to adjust the lenses to the frames of the glasses.

In 1965 they recorded a version of that year's Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest: 'Que bueno, que bueno', originally performed by Conchita Bautista. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7438
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Que bueno, que bueno' / 'Chao chao (Downtown)'

Guarda tus besos para mi - Los Mismos

Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with 'Save your kisses for me'. Two guys and two girls was a success formula introduced by Abba in 1974 and it would continue to be a success in later years as well (just think of Bucks Fizz, for example). 

Los Mismos was a Spanish trio, featuring two guys and one girl. (Perhaps they couldn't find a second girl!) They recorded a cover version of 'Save your kisses for me' in Spanish: 'Guarda tus besos para mi'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7437
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Guarda tus besos para mi' / 'Tiene tu cuerpo tres amantes'

Dès qu'un enfant chante - Bruno Guillain

Betty Missiego represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with 'Su canción'. It was a big success: the song finished in second place, behind Israel's 'Hallelujah'. 

The French singer Bruno Guillain (born 9 January 1961) was born in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria).After a childhood in the Parisian suburbs, in Savigny-sur-Orge, he enrolled in 1977 at the Cours Cochet. In 1978, he landed a role in Michel Lang's film L'Hôtel de la plage. At the same time, he performed the songs 'Génération 78' and 'Ça me fait rêver' as a duet with Dalida. In 1979, he began a solo career with Dalida's authors and composers (Michel Jouveaux, Jeff Barnel, Tony Rallo, etc.) and the Petits chanteurs d'Asnières. 'Dès qu'un enfant chante' was his version of 'Su canción'. 

Struck by lung cancer, he succumbed to the consequences of his illness on 14 December 2011, aged 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 7436
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dès qu'un enfant chante' / 'Je leur dis'

Bara sexton år - Gitte

With 'Lille dukke' I thought I had the oldest Eurovision cover version by Gitte Haenning, but she was already active in 1961, at the age of fifteen. This EP features four tracks, and the last one is a version of 'Allons, allons, les enfants', the entry of Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest that year.

Gitte recorded the song with Swedish lyrics by Bo Eneby: 'Bara sexton år' ('Only sixteen years'). It's a charming piece of music, adding something that wasn't there in the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7435
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Varje stjärna i det blå', 'Borta bra, hemma bäst' / 'Gör vad du vill', 'Bara sexton år'

Lille dukke - Gitte Haenning

Throughout her career Gitte Haenning has been associated with the Eurovision Song Contest. She appeared on the Eurovision stage once, with 'Junger Tag', but she also recorded her share of covers of Eurovision songs. One of those cover versions appeared on this blog before: 'La, la, la' from 1968. 

This single predates that cover version by three years. 'Lille dukke' is a version of 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', with Danish lyrics by Thøger Olesen.

My collection: 7" single no. 7434
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Lille dukke' / 'Hvorfor tænke på i morgen'

Wenn ich dich verlier - Hoffman & Hoffmann

Alan Sorrenti represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with 'Non so che darei'. The song had a certain hit potential, and this was recognized by other artists as well. Some years before Hoffman & Hoffman would represent Germany at the same event, they recorded a cover version of the song in German.

'Wenn ich dich verlier' was given German lyrics by Bernd Meinunger and released as a single by the German duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 7433
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Wenn ich dich verlier' / 'Nimm den nächtsten Zug nach Wuppertal'

Non, à jamais sans toi - Patricia Carli

'Non, à jamais sans toi' was the Swiss entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. The song was performed by the Greek singer Yovanna, but the song was never released as a single. (It did appear on a 'greatest hits' album by Yovanna many years later.)

Rosetta Ardito (born 12 March 1938), known by her stage name Patricia Carli, is an Italian and Belgian origin French singer, songwriter, lyricist and composer. She grew up in Belgium, where her parents had emigrated for work. After studying music and singing, she began performing in public and in a few years she became well known in Belgium and in France.

In 1965 she recorded 'Non, à jamais sans toi', hoping to cash in on the success of the song on the Eurovision stage. During last week's record fair I actually scored two copies of the single. First I found a two track single in the offiical 'Bel Air' record company sleeve. After a walk through the record fair I returned to the same seller, and as it turned out, he also had a four track EP with a picture sleeve! Luckily, both singles weren't very expensive, so I decided to buy that one as well. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7409, no. 7432
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ce que tu es pour moi' / 'Non (a jamais sans toi' (no. 7409); 'Non (a jamais sans toi)', 'Ce que tu es pour moi' / 'Oublie que je t'aime', 'Pagliacci (Comme des pantins)' (no. 7432)

Nel blu dipinto di blu - Miguel Amador

The Argentinian singer Miguel Amador Pontón settled in France in the late Fifties. He released more than just a few EP's, featuring cover versions of songs that were wellknown at the time.

No song is more wellknown than de Italian entry of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958, 'Nel blu dipinto di blu', and it's the title track of this EP. Amador's version is sung in French, and is titled 'Dans le bleu du ciel bleu'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7431
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dans le bleu du ciel bleu', 'Hoy' /  'Diana', 'Bon voyage'

Suspicious minds - Fine Young Cannibals

Quite in contrast with the frankly dull sleeve of the Fine Young Cannibals' single 'Suspicious minds', this picture disc actually shows the band as they were in the music video accompanying the release. It makes me wonder why the record company didn't use this imagery for the 'regular' single release as well. 

'Suspicious minds' is, of course, a cover version of the Elvis Presley song. The track was used in the cult films Dangerously close and Down twisted. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7430
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Suspicious minds' / 'Prick up your ears'

Poupée de cire, poupée de son - Janie Jurka

Janie Jurka released about a dozen singles between 1964 and 1967, but she remained mostly unknown - at least, it's not possible to find any information about the singer.

In 1965 she released this EP, featuring a cover version of the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest: France Gall's 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', as well as a cover of the French entry, 'N'avoue jamais'. The EP caught my eye because of the sleeve, which portrays the singer in a slightly sexy pose, not unlike the logo of this website! 

My collection: 7" single no. 7429
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son', 'Mon amie la rose' / 'N'avoue jamais', 'Mais tu l'aimes'

2300 Jackson Street - The Jacksons

While Michael Jackson was enjoying the biggest success of his career after leaving The Jacksons, the other brothers soldiered on while enduring a lot less success than what they had before the Eighties. On '2300 Jackson Street' they managed to release one last single together with Michael and Marlon, who had both officially left the group. The song also features two of the Jackson sisters: Rebbie and Janet.

'2300 Jackson Street' is about the Jackson family's childhood home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. The single was only a moderate success, reaching number 76 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 7427
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: '2300 Jackson Street' / 'When I look at you'

The Wall: Music from the film - Pink Floyd

I consider Pink Floyd's The Wall the best album the band made, perhaps contrary to most people who always cite The dark side of the moon. The impact the movie had on me when I first saw it towards the end of the Eighties was huge. I've heard the album many times, and even bought the super deluxe set with the mad marbles.

It's quite funny how I never came across this single. Well, I did see it various times over the past few years but it always kept me wondering if I didn't already have it. This time I knew I didn't, and so I could buy it. It's a beautiful package with a foldout sleeve and two tracks that were not included on the album. I think it completes my collection of singles from The Wall, finally.

My collection: 7" single no. 7425
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'When the tigers broke free' / 'Bring the boys back home'

Love is the drug - Grace Jones

'Love is the drug' was originally recorded by Roxy Music and released in September 1975. Grace Jones recorded the song for her fourth studio album Warm Leatherette (1980). The track was released as the second single, following 'A Rolling Stone' in the UK, while it was the first single to be released in Germany. 

Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music has since spoken positively of Jones' version, commenting, "I really liked Grace Jones's 'Love Is the Drug' cover, produced by the great Alex Sadkin – she gave it such attitude."

My collection: 7" single no. 7422
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Love is the drug' / 'Sinning'

I feel free - Belinda Carlisle

'I feel free' was originally recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. In 1987, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded the song for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). The recording was produced by Rick Nowels. It was the fourth single released from the album, released in the USA only. It peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

Belinda Carlisle singles from the Eighties are usually attractive because of their picture sleeves, and this one is not an exception. The song's nice too, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7421
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'I feel free' / 'Should I let you in?'

We got the beat - Go-Go's

Originally this picture disc came in a transparent sleeve with a sticker, but the sticker is gone and now all I have is the picture disc. It's a beautiful picture disc and it features two songs by the Go-Go's: 'We got the beat' and 'Our lips are sealed'. I already owned the latter, of course, but I couldn't leave this picture disc behind  

'We got the beat' was originally released in 1980 on Stiff Records, but it was re-recorded for their debut album Beauty and the Beat on I.R.S. Records. It became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' 'I love Rock 'n Roll'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7420
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'We got the beat' / 'Our lips are sealed'

Ecstacy (Apple of my eye) - Strawberry Switchblade

A long time ago I discovered that the only album by Strawberry Switchblade - featuring the singles 'Since yesterday', 'Let her go' and most of all 'Who knows what love is' - is actually a perfect pop album. When I bought the CD, a Japanese pressing, it came with a lot of bonus tracks.

One of those bonus tracks is 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)', a track recorded, most probably, for the Japanese market. Judging from the sleeve of this single it was made for a commercial of a Subaru car. Music for commercials was a common practice in Japan. I don't know if it was a hit; I do know that I was pleased and surprised to find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7419
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)' / 'Being cold'

S.O.S. - Abba

The Swedish supergroup Abba is back on this blog, with a Japanese single no less. This is an interesting one, because it couples 'S.O.S' with 'I do, I do, I do, I do', two songs that were released as individual singles in other territories.

The attractive thing about Japanese singles is the impeccable quality and, more often than not, unique sleeves. This particular sleeve features a group photo that I've never seen on any other Abba single release. And so, a very nice rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 7418
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'S.O.S.' / 'I do, I do, I do, I do, I do'

Tom Pillibi - Jean Leccia

Jean Hubert Leccia (19 February 1938 – 10 January 2023), known in the United States as Jean Lexia, was a French composer, conductor, singer, and pianist. Leccia was active in various musical genres, such as pop, jazz, ballet, electronic, and classical. He collaborated with many artists, including Charles Aznavour, Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Line Renaud. He was also the composer of several film scores and television series, such as the soap opera Les Saintes Chéries. 

This EP features his version of 'Tom Pillibi'. It's yet another cover version of the winning song from the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. There's also a cover version of 'Ce soir la', the entry from Monaco that same year.

My collection: 7" single no. 7416
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Partir un matin', 'Tom Pillibi' / 'L'amour qui fait chanter', 'Ce soir la'

Se piangi, se ridi - Les Christy Minstrels

Seven boys and two girls formed the Christy Minstrels. They were a very productive group, having released many albums and EP's during their career. 

An interesting one (for me at least) is this one, featuring a cover version of 'Se piangi, se ridi', the song with which Bobby Solo won the San Remo festival in 1965. Quite why the Minstrels called themselves the winners of San Remo on the sleeve of this EP is beyond me - probably there were multiple winners or they are referring to the song. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7415
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Se piangi, se ridi', 'La colline sono in fiore' / 'Mighty Mississippi', 'Casey Jones'

Where do I begin - Shirley Bassey

Love Story is a 1970 American romantic drama film written by Erich Segal, who was also the author of the best-selling 1970 eponymous novel. The film is considered one of the most romantic by the American Film Institute (number 9 on the list) and is one of the highest-grossing films of all time adjusted for inflation.

The main song in the film, '(Where do I begin?) Love Story' was a major success, particularly the vocal rendition recorded by Andy Williams. Shirley Bassey was quick to record her own version of the song. That version reached number 34 in the UK singles chart. The version by Williams peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 7414
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Where do I begin' / 'For the love of him'

Tom Pillibi - André Popp

André Charles Jean Popp (19 February 1924 – 10 May 2014) was a French composer, arranger and screenwriter. During the 1950s, Popp created unique space-age instrumental recordings and by the early 1960s had built a strong reputation in the music recording industry, becoming a sought-after arranger. When the Sixties arrived he had to adapt to new trends. 

He worked almost exclusively with female singers during this period, preferably the Lolita types, such as Chantal Goya, but also with Françoise Hardy. In 1960 he composed 'Tom Pillibi' for Jacqueline Boyer, who won the Eurovision Song Contest with it. He felt the need to record the composition himself. Together with his own orchestra he recorded four tracks for this EP. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7413
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Tom Pillibi', 'La belle au bois' / 'Tique taque', 'San Marino'

Der Troubadour - Lenny Kuhr

Not only did I buy 'El Trovador' last week, I also found the German version of 'De troubadour'. Lenny recorded both versions after her Eurovision win in 1969. There's are also English, French and Italian versions of the song, but those are even harder to find than these two. 

Fortunately all versions can be found online, on this page. I'll keep looking for those missing versions on 7" vinyl in the meantime...

My collection: 7" single no. 7412
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Der Troubadour' / 'Mais non, monsieur'

El Trovador - Lenny Kuhr

Lenny Kuhr made the Netherlands proud when she was one of the four winners of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969 with her song 'De troubadour'. It was quite astonishing that a young girl with a guitar and a song in Dutch could get that far. It was the last time that the Netherlands would win in Dutch, by the way.

In order to appeal to the international audiences Lenny recorded the song in several languages. And since the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Spain that year it seemed logical to make a Spanish version. 'El Trovador' is a charming version of a wellknown song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7411
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'El Trovador' / 'Oh no señor'

Það sem enginn sér - Daniel

Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson (born 26 August 1969) is an Icelandic singer. He has been part of the local and international music scene since he started his career with the Icelandic pop group Nýdönsk in 1987. In 1989, he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 for Iceland with the song 'Það sem enginn sér'. He finished in 22nd place, scoring no points.

The single has become a bit of a rarity. Online it isn't sold at all (at the moment), and at the record fair last week I could only buy the single for a bit of an inflated price. Still, it's worth it, because the song appears on this disc both in Icelandic and English.

My collection: 7" single no. 7410
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Það sem enginn sér' / 'No one knows'

Fernando en Filippo - Milly Scott

Although I already own a single of Milly Scott's 'Fernando en Filippo' (for 15 years, in fact!) I recently discovered that there are two different studio versions of the song. The other one is known as the 'slow' version, and this one is known as the 'quick' version. 

Comparing the two, it is certain that this version is quicker than the other one, and the instrumentation is different too. Quite why there are two versions, I don't know. But I guess the quicker version was recorded to make it more appealing. Or the slow one. I don't know.

My collection: 7" single no. 7408
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Fernando en Filippo' / 'Graag of niet'

Io si, tu no - France Gall

France Gall represented Luxembourg with 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son' at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965, and won. She went on to record the song in various languages. So far, I've been able to find the Japanese and German versions, and now there's the Italian version too.

This one comes in a  generic record company sleeve, but on the plus side: it's a promotional single. It's always a surprise to hear an artist sing in another language, and I think France does it well. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7407
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Io si, tu no' / 'Se agli amici dirai'

Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt - Robert Cogoi

I already have two singles of Robert Cogoi's 'Près de ma rivière': a regular 7" single and an EP. Both come with a picture sleeve featuring the same photograph of the singer. But he also recorded his song in German, and of course: that single also shows the singer in the same pose.

'Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt' is curiously hidden away on the B-side of this single; the A-side is actually 'Nur noch einmal nach Haus'. Sometimes record companies want to profit from a moment of fame (hence the red lettering on the sleeve) but they put unknown songs on the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 7405
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Nur noch einmal nach Haus' / 'Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt'

Aurinko laskee länteen - Viktor Klimenko

Viktor Savvich Klimenko (born 24 November 1942) is a singer who made himself known as the 'Singing Cossack'. He was born in Karelia, to a Russian Kuban Cossack father, Savva Klimenko, and a Russian mother, Olga Glotova. A few years after his birth, his family moved to Finland. There, he became a musician and appeared in several films, mostly appearing as himself. The Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was his first appearance outside of Finland; his song didn't earn any points in the competition.

It's a shame, because it is really a beautiful song. Of course the language is a bit impenetrable, but that shouldn't have kept the juries from actually listening. Maybe you can't blame them to go for the most catchy tune, but sometimes more effort is rewarded. 

This single comes in a transparent Philips sleeve, which is a rare thing to behold.

My colllection: 7" single no. 7404
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Aurinko laskee länteen' / 'Lapin taikarummut'

Sing Sang Song - Les Humphries Singers

Back in 2014 I bought 'Sing sang song', the Eurovision entry by the Les Humphries Singers from 1976. That was the original German version, and as I found out recently, there's also an English version. 

That one comes in an attractive picture sleeve, featuring the full line-up of the band - all thirteen of them! This edition comes from Spain, but the version was apparently released in various European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 7403
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sing Sang Song [English version]' / 'Just sit down at the old piano'

L'amore va - Françoise Hardy

French star Françoise Hardy represented Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'L'amour s'en va' in 1963. Although she didn't win the contest, the song still became a bit of a standard. She also recorded the song in German as 'Die Liebe geht' and in Italian - which is the version I bought last weekend. 

'L'amore va' comes in an entirely different sleeve and I bought it from the same dealer from whom I bought the German version a year ago. That's why I love record fairs: sometimes you find people you can count on, and they always come up with the best goods.

My collection: 7" single no. 7402
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'L'amore va' / 'Il tuo migliore amico'

Dors, mon amour - André Claveau

'Dors, mon amour' was the first Eurovision song to be won by a male soloist. André Claveau (29 December 1911 – 4 July 2003) was a popular singer in France from the Fourties to the Sixties. Winning at the age of 46 years and 76 days made him the oldest winner of the contest until 1990, being the first and only winner prior to 1990 to triumph in their forties.

This EP presents four tracks by the singer, plus a picture sleeve. The French were quite quick to embrace picture sleeves, which makes this early Eurovision singles quite a nice thing to collect.

My collection: 7" single no. 7401
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dors, mon amour', 'Helena' / 'Le coeur en platre', 'Aie mon coeur'

Piove - Lars Lönndahl

Lars Gunnar "Lasse" Lönndahl (19 August 1928 – 26 December 2022) was a Swedish singer and actor. He was considered the most well-known Swedish singer of the Fifties and Sixties with nicknames including "The Swedish Frank Sinatra" and "World's Oldest Teenager".Even though by the mid-Seventies his career had slowed down, he was still considered arguably Sweden's most popular singer of all time and was long a very popular figure in media. 

In 1959 he recorded a Swedish-language cover of 'Piove', the Eurovision song by Domenico Modugno. This EP features four songs by Lars, including a version of Li' per li', another popular song from the San Remo festival.

My collection: 7" single no. 7400
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 November 2024
Tracks: 'Piove', 'Den enda i världen' / 'Li' per li', 'Pa en regnig gata'

Alla andra får varann – Östen Warnerbring

In 1960 Siw Malmkvist represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Alla andra får varann'. The song was written by John Watson, a schoolmaster who had published a handful of songs up until that point. However, Siw never recorded the song in the studio.

During the Swedish national final for Eurovision, Östen Warnerbring also performed this song. And he did get into the studio to record the song. It's that single which I found online recently. It's a nice acquisition, especially since the song is very nice.

My collection: 7" single no. 7399
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 November 2024
Tracks: 'Alla andra får varann' / 'Vårens första flicka'