Red rose - Alphaville

'Red rose' was the fifth and final single from Alphaville's 1986 album, 'Afternoons in Utopia'. It was released in April 1987.

Although the single didn't chart anywhere in Europe, it did reach number 24 on the US Hot Dance Chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5813
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2015
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Red rose' / 'Concrete Soundtracks For Imaginary Films 1: Big Yellow Sun'

Listen to the song

Jerusalem - Alphaville

In 1992, Alphaville member Ricky Echollette commented about 'Jerusalem': 'One day we were given the sketch for a theatre play, for which we were supposed to write the soundtrack. It's the story of a man, who at night convinces lonely passers-by on Brooklyn Bridge to commit suicide. He offers them as human sacrifices for his lover, who, years ago - because of him - committed suicide at the same location. In his frenzy he turns her into Eris, the Goddess of Revenge. Due to time problems, we were unable to pursue this project. But it was in that time, that 'Jerusalem' came to life.'

The song was included on Alphaville's second album 'Afternoons in Utopia', which was released in 1986. 'Jerusalem' was released as a single in Germany only, reaching number 57 in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4715
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jerusalem' / 'Vingt mille lieues sous les mers'

Romeos - Alphaville

In 1989, Alphaville released their third album 'The breathtaking blue'. The album was released as a CD+G, a shortlived format including graphic representations of songs on the cd, which people could view from a CD+G-enabled cd player.

'Romeos' was the second single from the album, which reached number 45 in the German singles chart. In other territories, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2732
Found: Record fair, September 7, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Romeos' / 'Headlines'

Sounds like a melody - Alphaville

'Sounds like a melody' was the second single taken from Alphaville's debut album 'Forever young'. Released in May 1984, the single reached the top 10 all over Europe, including a number 6 position in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in Germany and Austria.

Besides this 7" single I also own the 12" single, which fortunately contains an extended version of this great song.

My collection: 7" single no. 608
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 7, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sounds like a melody' / 'The Nelson highrise (Sector one: the elevator)'

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track of Alphaville's 1984 debut album. It became the group's highest charting hit in Europe. It reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

Since its release, it has been covered by numerous other acts, such as Laura Branigan, Bushido, Karel Gott, Interactive, Paul Michiels and the Australian rock band Youth Group.

My collection: 7" single no. 2562
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young' / 'Welcome to the sun'

Summer rain - Alphaville

Alphaville were best known for their hits 'Big in Japan' and 'Forever young', when they released this single in 1989. It was a beautiful song, very different from that early material, and so it was 'rewarded' with a total lack of commercial success.

The album from which this single was taken, 'The breathtaking blue', was an experimental sounding album, accompanied by an ambitious video project. Not surprisingly, this also went completely over the heads of the record buying public.

My collection: 7" single no. 969

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Summer rain' / 'Sister sun'

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track from Alphaville's 1984 debut album. Originally a ballad, the 12" single contains a special dance version that changes the song into a dance anthem. Quite a feat for those early days of the twelve inch remix. The track has since been covered by artists such as Laura Branigan, Interactive, Sara Burnett and Youth Group, who had a hit with it in Australia in 2006.

The B-side track 'Welcome to the sun' is a beautifully understated ballad, well worth a listen. And that doesn't happen much to B-side tracks.

My collection: 12" single no. 83
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young (Special dance version)' / 'Forever young', 'Welcome to the sun'
Download: here

Sounds like a melody - Alphaville

The German band Alphaville rose to fame with the song 'Big in Japan', a number 2 hit in the Netherlands in May 1984. Three months later, they released 'Sound like a melody', a song that appealed more to my taste, but less to the taste of the general public.

I can't recall how I first heard the 12" version of that song, but most likely it was because my sister bought and played it. I was most impressed: not only had the song become longer, but I felt it had also gained intensity. The instrumental piece at the end of the song was expanded and seemed to come to a point where you almost can't bear it anymore. I bought my copy of the 12" years later.

My collection: 12" single no. 464

Found: unknown

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Sounds like a melody [extended]' / 'The Nelson Highrise (Sector One: The Elevator)'

Download: here