Weak in the presence of beauty - Alison Moyet

Quite why Alison Moyet decided to record a cover version of 'Weak in the presence of beauty' is not something I know. The original was not a hit, but Alison's version actually reached number 6 in the UK singles chart. It just proves that sometimes a good song just needs a wellknown singer. 

Floy Joy's lead singer Desy Campbell was asked if he felt cheated that the song was a hit for Moyet, but not for Floy Joy. He said, "On the contrary, my association with that song has and continues to open many doors for me and I'm very proud to have been part of a little piece of pop history."

Moyet, on the other hand, later confessed that she didn't actually like the song. In an interview she said: "'Love Letters' and 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty' – neither song I enjoy now – they're both my fault. I found them. That was when I was feeling smart, thinking that I knew what a hit was - I don't know what's a fucking hit! But they were hits, and now I'm forever to fucking sing them years later!"

My collection: 7" single no. 7243
Found: Discogs.com, received 25 June 2024
Tracks: 'Weak in the presence of beauty' / 'To work on you'

Ordinary girl - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet enjoyed a great deal of success with her debut solo album Alf in 1984. She followed it up with Raindancing over a year later. The first two singles, 'Is this love?' and 'Weak in the presence of beauty' both reached the UK top 10, but the third single, 'Ordinary girl', wasn't that lucky. It only reached number 43, while also missing out on any chart placement all over Europe.

That's not to say this is a bad song: it's absolutely catchy, but I have to admit that I didn't know the song at all when I bought this single. But you can never go wrong with Alison Moyet, I have found. Maybe the record company should have done a bit more of a marketing push back in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 7199
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 May 2024
Tracks: 'Ordinary girl' / 'Palm of your hand (Cloak and dagger)'

Falling - Alison Moyet

'Falling' was released as the lead single of Alison Moyet's fourth studio album 'Essex'. The album was originally rejected by Columbia, who insisted that it be re-recorded to create a more commercial package. Ian Broudie was hired to produce the re-recorded tracks. This single was released in October 1993, almost half a year before the album's release.

The single stalled at number 42 in the UK singles chart, which prompted more resistance from the record label. The next single, 'Whispering your name', had to be remixed to become an upbeat dance track, for release as the following single in early 1994. That single was not released on 7" vinyl anymore, making this single the last Alison Moyet vinyl single ever.

My collection: 7" single no. 6169
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Falling' / 'Ode to boy'

Ode to boy - Alison Moyet

'Ode to boy' was originally a B-side of Yazoo's 1982 single 'The other side of love' and a track on their second album 'You and me both'. Alison Moyet re-recorded the track solo on her fourth solo album 'Essex' in 1994.

I sort of knew that the track was released as a single, but I was unaware of the existance of a 12" single with remixes of the track. I've always liked the original version - a beautiful demonstration of stereo sound - and while I wasn't sure Alison's re-recording was as good, I was still curious enough to hear these remixes. And so, I ordered the disc. Have to say I quite like these mixes.

My collection: 12" single no. 617
Found: Discogs.com, received January 24, 2012
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Ode to boy', 'Ode to boy (Factory mix)' / 'Ode to boy (NY-LA mix)', 'Ode to boy (NY-LA dub)', 'Ode to boy (Factory dub 2)'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Is this love - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet released 'Is this love' as a single in 1986, and as evidenced by this 12" single, it was released in the USA too. Featuring an extended remix by Mike Shipley, it is a longer and slightly more exciting version of this pleasant pop song.

The B-side also features a long version of the non-album track 'Blow wind blow', which unfortunately is a less inspired affair.

My collection: 12" single no. 360
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Is this love? (LA mix)' / 'Is this love? (single version)', 'Blow wind blow (long version)'

For you only - Alison Moyet

'For you only' was the last single to be taken from Alison Moyet's debut solo album 'Alf'. It was a new version of the track, but for reasons unknown, it wasn't released in the UK, but only in some European countries.

This 12" single features an extended version of that new version. It is a nice extended version because it is not a total remix, something that would happen more often in the late Eighties.

My collection: 12" single no. 559
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'For you only (Extended new version)' / 'Twisting the knife'

Love resurrection - Alison Moyet

I was very disappointed when Yazoo broke up, and I had a hard time forgiving Alison Moyet for starting up a solo career and recording songs that were so different from the synth-driven pop tracks composed by her and Vince Clarke. But in time I had to concede that Moyet was a pretty damn good singer in her own right and her voice fits pretty much with every style of music.

Last week she was one of the stars during a concert dedicated to Kirsty MacColl, along with Kim Wilde, Amy MacDonald and Andrea Corr amongst others, and I hear she is now a slim, beautiful woman. Back in 1984, she was big and quite scary to watch. One thing never changed, though: the voice. This 12" single features a longer version of her debut solo single, 'Love resurrection'.

My collection: 12" single no. 411
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Love resurrection (long version)' / 'Baby I do'

Love letters - Alison Moyet

I bought the 7" single of Alison Moyet's 'Love letters' in 1989 because I liked the song. Then I discovered the B-side 'This house', which made me buy the cd-single as I had to have it in pristine quality. And then I discovered that the 12" single actually had an extended version of 'Love letters' which didn't appear on the cd-single...

I was quite happy to buy this 12" single as it was very cheap. And fortunately, the extended version of 'Love letters' was worth every penny.

My collection: 12" single no. 379
Found: unknown
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love letters (extended version)' / 'This house', 'Ne me quitte pas (live)'

For you only - Alison Moyet

'For you only' was re-recorded for a single release that only took place in some European countries. It was the fourth single from Alison Moyet's debut album 'Alf', released after the non-album single 'That ole devil called love'.

It's hard to find any more information about this single, all I know is that it didn't chart in the UK and the Netherlands. Perhaps it did in some other countries, but it wasn't the biggest hit in Moyet's career at any rate.

My collection: 7" single no. 3482
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For you only (new version)' / 'Twisting the knife'

Sleep like breathing - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet released her second album 'Raindancing' in 1987. The track 'Sleep like breathing', a duet with David Freeman, was released as the third single. It was the least successful single by Moyet up to that point, stalling at number 80 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side is a live version of 'Love resurrection', recorded at Wembley Arena on May 13, 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 3276
Found: November 11, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Sleep like breathing' / 'Love resurrection (live)'

Wishing you were here - Alison Moyet

Following a period of personal and career evaluation, Alison Moyet released her third solo album 'Hoodoo' in 1991. The album was a firm step away from the glossy pop songs on the previous two albums and sounded a lot more mature and personal.

Hoodoo received little label support and only minimal promotion. The album sold respectably in Britain, but the singles fared less well. The second single from the album was 'Wishing you were here'. It only reached number 72 during its one week residence in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1448
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 15, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wishing you were here' / 'Back where I belong'

Is this love - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet celebrated a lot of success with her debut solo album 'Alf' (1984), but it also presented an interesting task to come up with a successful follow-up album. 1987's 'Raindancing' could not compare to the success of its predecessor but still came up with a few reasonably successful singles.

The first one was 'Is this love', co-written by the Eurythmics' David A. Stewart, who used the pseudonym Jean Guiot. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3191
Found: September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Is this love' / 'Blow wind blow'

All cried out - Alison Moyet

'All cried out' was released as the second single from Alison Moyet's debut album 'Alf'. Produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, the track reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. On various complilation cd's usually an extended version of this song is used, making this single cut a rare treat.

In 2002, 'All cried out' was covered by the German pop band No Angels. A year later the song was also covered by German electro-industrial act Wumpscut on their 2003 studio album 'Preferential Legacy'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2462

Found: September 9, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'All cried out' / 'Steal me blind'

This house - Alison Moyet

'This house' was originally released as the B-side to Alison Moyet's single 'Love letters' (1987). When Moyet recorded her 1991 album 'Hoodoo', she decided to re-record the song, adding a bridge near the end of the song, and deleting the beautiful guitar solo that embellished the original.

It was released as the third - and most successful - single from the album, peaking at number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 40 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1552

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 7, 1991

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'This house' / 'Come back home'

It won't be long - Alison Moyet

Following a period of personal and career evaluation, Alison Moyet released her third solo album 'Hoodoo' in 1991. 'Hoodoo' was a definite change in direction for Moyet: gone was the glossy softpop sheen of previous albums and a rawer, earthier sound and more personal lyrics replaced it. Compared to her earlier releases, 'Hoodoo' received little label support and only minimal promotion.

The first single from the album was the menacing 'It won't be long'. This single was nominated for a Grammy in the USA but fell behind commercially: it peaked at number 50 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1449

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 15, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'It won't be long' / 'My right A.R.M.'

Invisible - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet's third solo single was specially written for her by Motown legend Lamont Dozier, from the famous Holland/Dozier/Holland writing team. The song was released in 1984 and peaked at number 21 in the UK singles chart. A year later, it reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - making it the only US top 40 hit of her career.

By the time I bought this single, it was ancient. I already had all the other singles taken from her debut album 'Alf', so this was a nice completion.

My collection: 7" single no. 3263

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, October 21, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Invisible' / 'Hitch hike'

Download: here

Love letters - Alison Moyet

'Love letters' was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman in 1945. The song was performed by various artists. The best known versions were performed by Dick Haymes (1945), Ketty Lester (1962) and Elvis Presley (1966). In 1987, Alison Moyet recorded her version. It ended up as no. 4 in the UK top 40.

The B-side of 'Love letters' was the track 'This house'. Moyet would re-record this track in 1991, and it would become a hit on its own. The original version, however, is a bit more tense and contains a great guitar solo.

My collection: 7" single no. 1103

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Love letters' / 'This house'

Download: here

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the 1980's, record companies started releasing double vinyl singles as a way to attract buyers. The idea of 'buy one, get one free' was a good way to give the consumer two extra tracks from the same artist (although, one could wonder, wouldn't it be easier to press an ep instead?). The two singles, usually in a gatefold sleeve, were usually limited edition collectables. Quite easy to find in the UK, where they were released, but abroad, this could present a problem.

Fortunately, Dutch record shops started to import these items as well. The 'get one free' concept was less popular here, though: double singles would often cost twice as much. In the case of Alison Moyet's hit single 'That ole devil called love' it was worth it. Two extra live tracks plus a rather attractive inside sleeve (which featured a painted portrait of Alison) was a good proposition.

'That ole devil called love' was originally performed by Billie Holiday. Alison Moyet's version reached no. 2 in the UK singles charts in the summer of 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 345

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 12 guilders

Tracks: 'That ole devil called love' / 'Don't burn down the bridge' / 'That ole devil called love (live)' / 'Twisting the knife (live)'

Download: here

Love resurrection - Alison Moyet

After working with Vince Clarke in Yazoo, Alison Moyet went solo. I was disappointed at first, but then slowly warmed up to her music. I had to be quick in deciding whether I wanted to buy her debut single, 'Love resurrection', because despite the fact that it was in the charts, the shop where I went to offered it for half price. And so I bought it, despite doubting this purchase at first. It was the summer of 1984, the golden age for pop music as far as I'm concerned, and each week there were many singles I wanted to have.

'Love resurrection' reached no. 10 in the UK singles charts, and only no. 25 in the Dutch top 40. The single featured a non-album track, 'Baby I do'.

My collection: 7" single no. 236

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Love resurrection' / 'Baby I do'

Download: here