Private universe - Crowded House

The second 7" single that came from the USA was a song I didn't already have on vinyl: Crowded House's 'Private universe'. I didn't actually know the song, but it was described as 'gold translucent' vinyl. When you look at the scan, it does seem bright orange, but in real  life it is a lot darker - but still orange to me.

Anyway: I love coloured vinyl and Crowded House are known for their sophisticated pop songs. 'Private universe' was taken from their 1993 album 'Together alone', featuring the hit single 'Distant sun'. In Australia, 'Private universe' reached number 46 in the singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 6231
Found: Discogs.com, received January 7, 2020
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Private universe' / 'Black and white boy'

Fall at your feet - Crowded House

Crowded House have consistently released great singles throughout their career. I never became interested in their albums, but those singles stand the test of time. A recent discovery was 'Fall at your feet', a song which I ignored when it was released, but when I heard it on Kim Wilde's radio show recently it struck me as a beautiful song with a beautiful melody.

The song was taken from the band's 1991 album 'Woodface'. It peaked at number 17 in the UK. The B-side of this single is the earlier hit 'Don't dream it's over'. 'Fall at your feet' has been covered by James Blunt, English pop punk band Busted, and flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook with singer Danny Wilde.

My collection: 7" single no. 5898
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, June 14, 2018
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fall at your feet' / 'Don't dream it's over'

Don't dream it's over - Crowded House

The band Crowded House broke up in 1996. The record company quickly released a compilation album featuring all of the band's hits during the decade they existed. One of those hits was 'Don't dream it's over', and it was this track that was re-released as a single in the UK.

Released on blue vinyl, this single features a live version of 'Weather with you', recorded during their last ever UK performance at the Phil Jupitus show at BBC GLR, June 21, 1996. As far as re-releases go, it did quite well: upon its original release in June 1987, 'Don't dream it's over' reached number 27 in the UK singles chart; the November 1996 re-release peaked at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 2750
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 28, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'Weather with you (live)'

Distant sun - Crowded House

'Distant sun' was the first single release from Crowded House's fourth album 'Together alone' (1993). The single was a hit in the UK in the autumn of 1993, peaking at number 19, and in Australia, where it reached number 21. In March 1994, a remixed version of 'Distant sun' was released in the USA, but it did not chart.

Buying this single was a gamble: it was a new release during a week when I was in London, and I decided to buy it on account of the fact that I liked the band's previous singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1989
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Distant sun' / 'Walking on the spot'

I feel possessed - Crowded House

'I feel possessed' was written by Neil Finn and included on Crowded House's album 'Temple of low man'. It was released as the final single from the album. The B-side was a live version of 'Mr. Tambourine man', a song originally performed by the Byrds and performed together with Roger McGuinn from the Byrds.

The single did not chart in most territories, although it was released worldwide.

My collection: 7" single no. 950
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 5, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I feel possessed' / 'Mr. Tambourine man (live)'

Into temptation - Crowded House

'Into temptation' was released as the third single from Crowded House's second album 'Temple of low men'. The track was edited for the single, which I felt was a shame because it had such a beautiful outro.

The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 792
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Into temptation' / 'Mansion in the slums'

Sister madly - Crowded House

In 1988, Crowded House released their second album 'Temple of low men'. Since my sister bought the cd, I pretty much knew every track on it (at the time, cd's were still pretty rare in our house). 'Sister madly', which appears on the album, is said to be about Neil Finn waking up to find his sister having nightmares.

'Sister madly' was released as the fourth single from the album, and although I didn't know this at the time, I snapped up a copy when I saw it during a holiday in London. As far as I know, the single did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1054
Found: Record Exchange, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Sister madly' / 'Mansion in the slums'

Don't dream it's over - Crowded house

Although many people think this is Crowded House's debut single, it is actually the fourth single taken from their self-titled debut album. 'Don't dream it's over' was released in February 1987 in Australia, but it would take months for it to become a worldwide hit.

After reaching number 8 in Australia, the single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart, number 5 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the USA and number 1 in Canada. The song has been covered by acts like Sixpence none the richer, Paul Young, Paul Carrack and Happy Rhodes.

My collection: 7" single no. 1097
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'That's what I call love'