Back and forth - Cameo

Although the sleeve says that this single contains a remix of 'Back and forth', it is actually no different from the one I already had on this single. You could say that therefore this is not a good buy, but oh well, at least the sleeve is beautifully designed.

Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album 'Word up' and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 5005
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Back and forth (remix)' / 'You can have the world'

Back and forth - Cameo

Cameo were very popular in the mid-Eighties after they had a worldwide hit with 'Word up!', the title track of their 1986 album. Subsequent singles 'Candy' and 'Back and forth' were not as successful, but were still hits in some territories.

'Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 4879
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Back and forth' / 'You can have the world'

She's strange - Cameo

After I found the 12" single of 'She's strange', the 7" single followed rather quickly. You know how it is: you search for something for years, then you decide to buy another version and suddenly what you're looking for appears.

Taken from the album of the same name, the single version is edited from the 7'12 album version. It reached number 37 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2475
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'She's strange' / 'Cameo megamix'

Word up! - Cameo

'Word up!' was released by Cameo as a single from their 1986 album of the same name. The single peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

In more recent years, the single has been covered by bands like Gun and Korn and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

My collection: 7" single no. 2423
Found: July 22, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Word up!' / 'Urban warrior'

Candy - Cameo

'Candy' was a hit single for the band Cameo in 1987. It reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40. The band tried to capitalize off the song's success by re-using the melody on the song 'Honey' from their next album, 'Machismo'.

The song has been sampled by various artists, including 2Pac, Will Smith and Mariah Carey.

My collection: 7" single no. 2474
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Candy' / 'Don't be lonely'

She's strange - Cameo

Cameo started out as a 13-member group in the seventies, called the New York City Players. In March 1984, they had their first hit outside of America, reaching number 37 in the UK singles chart with this single, 'She's strange'. It is a far cry from later hits like 'Word Up' and 'Candy', with its understated, subtle music and close harmony vocals. The video was a regular on music television during that year, but in the Netherlands, the single couldn't be found.

I finally bought this 12" single as a good alternative. With a long version and a club mix of the track, it is a treat.

My collection: 12" single no. 404

Found: Beanos, East Croydon (UK), May 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'She's strange (long version)', 'Love you anyway' / 'She's strange (club mix)', 'Groove with you'

Download: here