Such was the quality of Eighties music that a great, jolly song like this didn't get higher up the charts. Now that I listen to it, I think it should have done better. All in all, a nice unexpected find for my collection.
My collection: 7" single no. 8466
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'The entertainer' / 'Sun sun sun'
The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart. It was to be their last single to reach the UK Top 40, as subsequent releases only got to the lower reaches of the chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 8313
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 June 2026
Tracks: 'Sweet memory' / 'April fool'
Their last hit was '80's romance', released in the summer of 1984. It only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but for some reason I remembered this song instantly when I saw this single during this weekend's record fair. It was actually the first time I saw this single; at least, I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's so nice to own a copy.
My collection: 7" single no. 8279
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: '80's romance' / 'It's me'
The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in Ireland, but didn't achieve any chart success in Europe. In fact, only the 1989 re-release of 'Iko Iko' would bring them success outside of the UK again.
My collection: 7" single no. 6896
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 4 March 2023
Tracks: 'Sweet memory' / 'Sign of the times'
I've seen the Belle Stars, or at least, three of them, during those Here & Now tours at the beginning of this century in the UK, and one of the staples in their set was their version of 'Iko iko'. I never found the single of that track, but here it is... a reissue of the song because, apparently, it was used in the movie 'Rain man'.
The Belle Stars made a name for themselves in the London club circuit when they started performing in 1981. Within a few months they appeared on the front cover of Sounds magazine. They were signed by Stiff Records.
'Mockingbird' was originally a hit for Inez and Charlie Foxx in 1969. The song was covered by James Taylor and Carly Simon in 1974.
Only this year I bought the 12" single of 'Sign of the times' by the Belle Stars, but I've had the 7" single for years. I bought my copy during a holiday in London 16 years ago - and then again a few years later as I'd forgotten I already had it.
'The clapping song' is a song originally recorded by Shirley Ellis in 1965. The lyrics of 'The clapping song' are reminiscent of a nursery rhyme or jump-rope rhyme, and also feature instructions for a clapping game.
In January 1983 the Belle Stars, an all-female group consisting of Stella Barker, Sarah-Jane Owen, Miranda Joyce, Penny Leyton, Judy Parsons, Lesley Shone and Jennie Matthias, released 'Sign of the times'. It peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, and would become their signature song.