Wenn ich dich verlier - Hoffman & Hoffmann

Alan Sorrenti represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with 'Non so che darei'. The song had a certain hit potential, and this was recognized by other artists as well. Some years before Hoffman & Hoffman would represent Germany at the same event, they recorded a cover version of the song in German.

'Wenn ich dich verlier' was given German lyrics by Bernd Meinunger and released as a single by the German duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 7433
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Wenn ich dich verlier' / 'Nimm den nächtsten Zug nach Wuppertal'

Suspicious minds - Fine Young Cannibals

Quite in contrast with the frankly dull sleeve of the Fine Young Cannibals' single 'Suspicious minds', this picture disc actually shows the band as they were in the music video accompanying the release. It makes me wonder why the record company didn't use this imagery for the 'regular' single release as well. 

'Suspicious minds' is, of course, a cover version of the Elvis Presley song. The track was used in the cult films Dangerously close and Down twisted. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7430
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Suspicious minds' / 'Prick up your ears'

2300 Jackson Street - The Jacksons

While Michael Jackson was enjoying the biggest success of his career after leaving The Jacksons, the other brothers soldiered on while enduring a lot less success than what they had before the Eighties. On '2300 Jackson Street' they managed to release one last single together with Michael and Marlon, who had both officially left the group. The song also features two of the Jackson sisters: Rebbie and Janet.

'2300 Jackson Street' is about the Jackson family's childhood home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. The single was only a moderate success, reaching number 76 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 7427
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: '2300 Jackson Street' / 'When I look at you'

The Wall: Music from the film - Pink Floyd

I consider Pink Floyd's The Wall the best album the band made, perhaps contrary to most people who always cite The dark side of the moon. The impact the movie had on me when I first saw it towards the end of the Eighties was huge. I've heard the album many times, and even bought the super deluxe set with the mad marbles.

It's quite funny how I never came across this single. Well, I did see it various times over the past few years but it always kept me wondering if I didn't already have it. This time I knew I didn't, and so I could buy it. It's a beautiful package with a foldout sleeve and two tracks that were not included on the album. I think it completes my collection of singles from The Wall, finally.

My collection: 7" single no. 7425
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'When the tigers broke free' / 'Bring the boys back home'

Love is the drug - Grace Jones

'Love is the drug' was originally recorded by Roxy Music and released in September 1975. Grace Jones recorded the song for her fourth studio album Warm Leatherette (1980). The track was released as the second single, following 'A Rolling Stone' in the UK, while it was the first single to be released in Germany. 

Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music has since spoken positively of Jones' version, commenting, "I really liked Grace Jones's 'Love Is the Drug' cover, produced by the great Alex Sadkin – she gave it such attitude."

My collection: 7" single no. 7422
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Love is the drug' / 'Sinning'

I feel free - Belinda Carlisle

'I feel free' was originally recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. In 1987, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded the song for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). The recording was produced by Rick Nowels. It was the fourth single released from the album, released in the USA only. It peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

Belinda Carlisle singles from the Eighties are usually attractive because of their picture sleeves, and this one is not an exception. The song's nice too, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7421
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'I feel free' / 'Should I let you in?'

We got the beat - Go-Go's

Originally this picture disc came in a transparent sleeve with a sticker, but the sticker is gone and now all I have is the picture disc. It's a beautiful picture disc and it features two songs by the Go-Go's: 'We got the beat' and 'Our lips are sealed'. I already owned the latter, of course, but I couldn't leave this picture disc behind  

'We got the beat' was originally released in 1980 on Stiff Records, but it was re-recorded for their debut album Beauty and the Beat on I.R.S. Records. It became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' 'I love Rock 'n Roll'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7420
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'We got the beat' / 'Our lips are sealed'

Ecstacy (Apple of my eye) - Strawberry Switchblade

A long time ago I discovered that the only album by Strawberry Switchblade - featuring the singles 'Since yesterday', 'Let her go' and most of all 'Who knows what love is' - is actually a perfect pop album. When I bought the CD, a Japanese pressing, it came with a lot of bonus tracks.

One of those bonus tracks is 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)', a track recorded, most probably, for the Japanese market. Judging from the sleeve of this single it was made for a commercial of a Subaru car. Music for commercials was a common practice in Japan. I don't know if it was a hit; I do know that I was pleased and surprised to find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7419
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)' / 'Being cold'

Það sem enginn sér - Daniel

Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson (born 26 August 1969) is an Icelandic singer. He has been part of the local and international music scene since he started his career with the Icelandic pop group Nýdönsk in 1987. In 1989, he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 for Iceland with the song 'Það sem enginn sér'. He finished in 22nd place, scoring no points.

The single has become a bit of a rarity. Online it isn't sold at all (at the moment), and at the record fair last week I could only buy the single for a bit of an inflated price. Still, it's worth it, because the song appears on this disc both in Icelandic and English.

My collection: 7" single no. 7410
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Það sem enginn sér' / 'No one knows'

Liefde is leven - Arie Ribbens & Nathalie

One artist I never thought would feature on this blog is Arie Ribbens. Yet, here we are, the party singer from Eindhoven made it. The singer, known for carnival squatters such as ‘Polonaise Hollandaise’ and ‘Brabantse nights are long’ recorded this single in 1989 together with an unknown female called Nathalie. 'Liefde is leven' ('Love is life') is in fact a Dutch version of 'Vivo cantando', the Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969. And that, of course, changed things for me. 

Another surprise on this single: the Dutch text was written by Pierre Kartner, also known as Father Abraham, one of the Netherlands' most successful songwriters, who also wrote two wellknown Eurovision entries for the Netherlands. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7398
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'Liefde is leven' / 'Ik koop een heel groot hemelbed'

We'll meet again - José Cid

José Cid represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with 'Um grande, grande amor'. Besides the original Portuguese version, he also recorded the song in French, and also in English. The amusing thing is that the English version is presented in a sleeve that doesn't reference Eurovision at all, in contrast to the other two versions. It was released by Jupiter Records, owned by Eurovision legend Ralph Siegel, who founded the label in 1973. 

The English version is just as disco-informed as the other two versions, but (obviously) with English lyrics. It's a nice curiosity for any Eurovision fan. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7396
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 October 2024
Tracks: 'We'll meet again' / 'Barbara'

In the clouds - All about Eve

Owning two versions of the 7" single and the original version of the 12" single and was obviously not enough for a completist like me: I also had to have All about Eve's 'In the clouds' on the re-released 12" single. And with good reason: this 12" single features an extended version of the song, plus an extra track on the B-side.

Eventually the extended version of 'In the clouds' appeared on the re-released double CD version of the band's eponymous debut album in 2015. But that was a long time after I bought this disc.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: [unknown], 1989
Tracks: 'In the clouds [extended version]' / 'She moves through the fair', 'Calling your name'

Back chat - Queen

At the beginning of the Eighties, Queen wasn't as popular as they would be later on in their career. This is proved by the single I bought recently: 'Back chat'. I'd never even heard of this single, but it was released in 1982 and taken from the album Hot Space, the album that spawned the hits 'Under pressure' and 'Body language', plus the lesser-known hit 'Las palabras de amor'. 'Back chat' only charted in the UK (peaking at number 40), Ireland (number 19) and Germany (number 69), so it's no wonder that this release didn't catch my attention at all back then. 

Not that it's a bad song. I heard it for the first time when I played this single and I felt it was a very funky, catchy track. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7393
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Back chat' / 'Staying power'

Mony mony (live) - Billy Idol

'Mony mony' was originally recorded in 1968 by Tommy James and the Shondells. The title was inspired by Tommy James' view of the "M.O.N.Y." sign atop the Mutual of New York Building on the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment.

Billy Idol made a studio recording of the song in 1981. Six years later the live version was released as a single and went to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, coincidentally displacing Tiffany's cover of another Tommy James song, 'I think we're alone now', from the top spot. Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live in concert or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "Hey, say what… get laid get fucked!" Or "Hey, motherfucker… get laid get fucked!". This led to the song being banned at high-school dances across North America, although the custom continues at Idol concerts and sporting events today. It became so widespread that Idol would eventually commit the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7392
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Mony mony (live)' / 'Shakin' all over (live)'

Send my heart - The Adventures

Some singles appear as a surprise to me. Having owned the double single of the Adventures' 'Send my heart' since 1990, I never knew that there was another limited edition of this single released at the same time, until I saw this copy in a shop last weekend.

This version was pressed on 'silver' vinyl. It is not real silver, of course, but it is shiny and rather beautiful, even if the edge has yellowed a bit. I haven't played the song in a long while but when I did I still remembered every word. That's Eighties music for you.

My collection: 7" single no. 7391
Found: Flashback Records, London, 21 October 2024
Tracks: 'Send my heart' / 'These children (live)'

Kometenmelodie 2 - Kraftwerk

Released in 1981, this single presents some older Kraftwerk tracks. 'Kometenmelodie 2' appeared on the album Autobahn in 1974, and the B-side 'Vom Himmel hoch' was originally released on the album Kraftwerk in 1970 - an album which the band doesn't even want to be associated with anymore, it seems.

The difference between the tracks is very obvious: the A-side is a melody that stands the test of time very well, whereas the B-side sounds odd and experimental. A single like this doesn't pop up very often and it may be one of the biggest catches of this London shopping spree.

My collection: 7" single no. 7390
Found: Reckless Records, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'Kometenmelodie 2' / 'Vom Himmel hoch'

Church of the poison mind - Culture Club

On the hunt for 7" singles in London was rather a disappointing adventure this past weekend. There aren't that many record shops that stock decent 7" singles anymore, and whenever they do, the state of those things is particularly dismal. Tattered sleeves and loose discs all over the place. I wonder where all the 7" singles have gone, because London used to be littered with shops owning literally hundreds, sometimes thousands of singles.

Anyway! I did find a few, even if they were not in the best state. This picture disc of 'Church of the poison mind' by Culture Club is a good example. It looks alright, but the sound of this disc is dreadul, especially the first half minute of each side. Whatever, it is still a nice item to look at.

My collection: 7" single no. 7387
Found: Music & Video Exchange, London, 20 October 2024
Tracks: 'Church of the poison mind' / 'Man shake'

Amiga Quartett - Robin Gibb

I was ordering some singles online and this one popped up with the same seller for just one euro. As you know I'm a sucker for Amiga EP's, I snapped it up despite already owning both tracks on side A. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised by the two other tracks. 'Robot' in particular is a song you wouldn't expect from one of the Bee Gees.

My quest for Amiga Quartett EP's will continue for some time, because these East German discs have a special kind of appeal - especially when they contain music from artists that I know and like.

My collection: 7" single no. 7383
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2024
Tracks: 'Juliet', 'How old are you' / 'Boys do fall in love', 'Robot'

Nothin (that compares 2 u) - The Jacksons

For a while, the Jacksons were one of the world's most popular bands. Songs like 'Shake your body down to the ground' and 'Blame it on the boogie' became big hits, and who could forget the expensive video for 'Can you feel it'? In July 1984, the Jacksons launched their Victory Tour, which was overshadowed by ticket issues, friction between the brothers, and a shakeup in the promotion and marketing team, initially headed by Don King, who was later fired. Michael announced he was leaving the group after their final performance at Dodger Stadium that December to continue his solo career.

In 1989, the remaining quartet of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy released the album 2300 Jackson Street. From that album, this single was released. 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' is a generic dance song, somewhat in line with what other artists were releasing around that time, but its lack of a memorable hook meant that it was the band's chart singles - even if it only reached number 77 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the UK singles chart.

After a brief promotional tour, the group went into hiatus and never recorded another album together. Following the release of one solo album, Marlon quit the music business in 1989 and invested in real estate. Randy has not been active in the industry since he disbanded the group Randy & the Gypsys in 1991. Tito Jackson passed away on 15 September 2024.

My collection: 7" single no. 7378
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Nothin (that compares 2 u)' / 'Alright with me'

Knowing me knowing you / The winner takes it all - Abba

It's no surprise that the Old Gold series would end up releasing an Abba single. And this one presents two excellent songs: 'Knowing me knowing you' from 1976 and 'The winner takes it all' from 1980. This single was released in 1989, before Abba would find a cultural reappraisal as a result of the compilation album Abba Gold. 

Having bought quite a few Abba singles recently this almost seems like overload, but it's a rather unique release and still a worthy addition to my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 7372
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Knowing me knowing you' / 'The winner takes it all'