Hang on in there baby - Curiosity

After the lacklustre performance of Curiosity killed the cat's second album 'Getahead', the band was dropped from Mercury Records. However, three years after the release of that single they returned to the UK singles chart as a three piece band on RCA Records, with a cover of Johnny Bristol's 'Hang On In There Baby'.

This single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, and it seemed like they were back for good. Unfortunately, subsequent singles, covers of 'I Need Your Lovin'' and 'Gimme the Sunshine', flopped, which resulted in the album Back to Front only being released in Japan and selected overseas markets.

My collection: 7" single no. 5125
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hang on in there baby' / 'Meaning of dreaming'

Ordinary day - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat released their third single 'Ordinary day' in 1987, after their second single had become a number 3 hit in the UK. Though not quite as catchy, this single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Two months after the release of this single, Curiosity released their debut album 'Keep your distance', which entered the UK albums chart at number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 4352
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ordinary day' / 'Bullet'

Misfit - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat first came to public attention when they had Andy Warhol in the video for their 1986 single 'Misfit'. Warhol referenced Bob Dylan's 'Subterranean homesick blues' music video by dropping piece of white card in time to the music.

While not a hit at first, it was re-released in 1987 and reached number 7 in the UK singles chart on that occasion. This limited edition release with a 44 inch foldout sleeve may have helped in reaching that position; it's quite a great item.

My collection: 7" single no. 2615
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Misfit' / 'Man'

Down to earth - Curiosity killed the cat

In 1985, the band Curiosity Killed the Cat was signed to Phonogram records. The group began recording their first album. However, producers Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were taken off the project after some time, and replaced by Stewart Levine. As a result, the album was delayed for nearly a year.

The first single from the album, 'Misfit', was released in July 1986, but it was not successful. They had more luck when in December of the same year 'Down to earth' was released. Not only did the single go to number 3 in the UK singles chart, it also crossed over to the European audiences. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 3816
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Down to earth' / 'Down to earth (instrumental)'

Gimme the sunshine - Curiosity

After the enormous success of their debut album and the singles 'Misfit' and 'Down to earth', the second album proved to be more difficult for Curiosity killed the cat. The first single from their second album 'Getahead', 'Name and number', was still a hit, but its follow-up 'First place' performed less well and the band found themselves dropped by their record label.

Cutting their name short to Curiosity, the band tried again in 1993, with a cover of Johnny Bristol's 'Hang on in there baby', which became a UK top 10 hit. The next singles, 'I need your lovin'' and 'Gimme the sunshine' continued the downward trend however, which resulted in the album Back to Front only being released in Japan and selected overseas markets. After this, the band folded for good. Frontman Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot still tours as Curiosity killed the cat these days as part of the 'Here and Now' Eighties revival concerts.

My collection: 7" single no. 2040

Found: HMV, London, October 22, 1993

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Gimme the sunshine' / 'Fall in again'

Name and number - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat was formed in 1984 by Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Julian Godfrey Brookhouse, Nick Thorpe and Migi Drummond. Their first success came in the guise of the video for the 1986 single 'Misfit', which featured Andy Warhol. Further hit singles were 'Down to earth', 'Ordinary day' and 'Free', all taken from the band's debut album 'Keep your distance' (1987).

Their second album 'Getahead' (1989) was led by the upbeat funky single 'Name and number'. The single peaked at number 14 in the UK and number 24 in the Netherlands. The 'Hey, how you doin'' refrain would be borrowed by De La Soul in 1991 for their song 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)', which would end up being a top 10 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3685
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Name and number' / 'Keep on trying'