Take a chance on me - Abba

Finding different versions of Abba singles has become a minor obsession, but that's because it's so interesting to see the various versions that were made during the Seventies. Sleeves seemed to vary a lot, depending on the country where the single was made. In France Abba was signed to Melba Disques at one point, and they were very creative with their sleeves. For 'Take a chance on me' they used the same photograph that was used elsewhere in Europe, but the layout of the sleeve was remarkably different. I think it was smart to put the title of the single on the top, but I wonder why the B-side was announced so prominently beneath the 'Abba' logo.

When you compare the design with the one on the German sleeve (which I bought some time ago) you can see what I mean. In this design the A-side title appears within the rectangle. It's just awkward that most of the photograph is covered in this design.

My collection: 7" single no. 7835 / no. 7103
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025 / Record fair, Utrecht, 2023
Tracks: 'Take a chance on me' / 'I'm a marionette' 

Denis - Blondie

There were a lot of different incarnations of the single 'Denis' by Blondie. I own the Dutch version, of course, but the German pressing came in a different sleeve and with a different B-side. It was interesting enough for me to want to have it. 

If you're not familiar with Chelsea Records in Antwerpen; it's a relatively small-sized record shop, stacked to the ceiling with boxes of singles. In order to get to the first letters of the alphabet you need to climb a tall ladder, get one of the boxes out, step down and go through its contents. There were a few moments where I thought I was going to fall, with about 200 singles scattered on the floor as a result. Fortunately, I managed to get through the process without too many problems. Finding a few new discs for my collection was the reward for all my troubles.

My collection: 7" single no. 7832
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Denis' / 'Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)'

Hero takes a fall - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is an early single by the Bangles, taken from their debut album All over the place. I remember seeing the music video on television. I always thought it was a big hit, but it didn't even chart in the UK and Europe.

The B-side is a cover version of 'Where were you when I needed you' by The Grass Roots. The label of this single states that the song was taken from the album also, but that's incorrect; the track is recorded for this B-side. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7831
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall' / 'Where were you when I needed you'

Michael Jackson medley - Ashaye

When Michael Jackson was at the peak of his career, several other artists tried to profit from his success as well. There was the Club House version of 'Billie Jean', of course, but also a lesser known Michael Jackson medley performed by Ashaye.

I never actually heard of this single, but apparently it was a minor success. In October 1983 it spent three weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 45. Ashaye later teamed up with musicians/songwriters Robert Chandler, Nick Austin and Alex Palmer and under the new label V4 Visions more hits followed: 'What's This World Coming To' and the garage track 'Fantasy'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7829
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 30 October 2025
Tracks: 'Michael Jackson medley' / 'Electricity'