When your heart runs out of time - Glenn Gregory and Claudia Brücken

I first discovered this song when I bought the 12" single in November 2008, also at the record fair in Utrecht. I'd just started this blog and it was a great discovery. Now that this blog is slowly winding down (I only have to add a couple of dozen 12" singles and any new records I buy) it's nice to find this single.

According to the information on the sleeve of this single, it doesn't just feature the two famous singers (from Heaven 17 and Propaganda respectively), but also Midge Ure (from Ultravox) on keyboards. The single was released in August 1985 and wasn't a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5310
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'When your heart runs out of time' / 'When your heart runs out of time (drumless)'

Kiss like ether - Claudia Brücken

In 1991 Claudia Brücken released her solo album 'Love: and a million other things'. In the United Kingdom two singles were released from this album: 'Absolut(e)' in 1990, and 'Kiss like ether' in 1991.

While 'Absolut(e)' was released in a limited edition box set, 'Kiss like ether' was released in a gatefold sleeve. I was lucky enough to find this one as well, so both Claudia Brücken singles I own are actually quite special items.

My collection: 7" single no. 3082

Found: London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Kiss like ether' / 'I, dream'

Absolut(e) - Claudia Brücken

After having been in Propaganda until 1986, and then in Act with Thomas Leer circa 1988, Claudia Brücken recorded a solo album, which was released as 'Love and a million other things' in 1991. Two singles were released from this album, of which 'Absolut(e)' was the first. Despite favourable reviews, the single did not reach the UK top 40.

It was released as a limited edition in a box set, including three postcards.

My collection: 7" single no. 2997

Found: London, May 29, 1998

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Absolut(e)' / 'Whisper'

Snobbery and decay - Act

Act were a synthpop group in the late eighties, consisting of Thomas Leer and ex-Propaganda singer Claudia Brücken. Lyrically their songs tended to be concerned with decadence and the moral bankruptcy of the world as they saw it, as summed up in the title of their debut single 'Snobbery and decay'. On the cover you see Quentin Crisp and Liberace.

The band dissolved shortly after the release of their debut album, 'Laughter, tears and rage'. This album was reissued in 2003 as a three cd set, including bonus tracks, remixes, alternative versions and previously unreleased material. The single is a great piece of dramatic and melodic synthpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 2992
Found: Record fair, May 27, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Snobbery & decay' / 'Poison'
Download: here

When your heart runs out of time - Glenn Gregory & Claudia Brücken

Glenn Gregory is the lead singer of Heaven 17 and Claudia Brücken was one of the lead singers of the German group Propaganda. Together they recorded this song, 'When your heart runs out of time', in 1985. According to the sleeve of this record, the song is taken from the motion picture 'Insignificance'. The record was released on the ZTT label, which became famous for their Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Grace Jones releases.

And that's about it. No information to be found on this record on the internet, and I never heard from it myself. I bought it last month on the basis of the good work the performers did on their own. As it turns out, the song is very decent. A good find.

My collection: 12" single no. 456

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Out of time', 'The voices of Gary Busey, Michael Emil and Theresa Russell', 'When your heart runs out of time' / 'When your heart runs out of time (drumless)', 'The voices of Michael Emil and Theresa Russell', 'Forever (what the hell)', 'Out of time'

Download: here