Too proud to cry - Exile

Exile had a big hit in 1978 with Kiss you all over, and for most people, that's where their story ended. That single came from the album 'Mixed emotions'. A year later, they released 'All there is', the album featuring How could this go wrong and this single, 'Too proud to cry'.

Listening to these two singles, it would seem that the band tried a rougher and tougher approach. The album did well in Europe but also signalled less popularity in the USA. Oddly, in 1983, the band re-established themselves as a country music group.

My collection: 7" single no. 5672
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Too proud to cry' / 'Destiny'

You thrill me - Exile

'You thrill me' was released as the follow-up single to Exile's worldwide hit 'Kiss you all over' in 1978. In America, the single reached the top 40 for one week only, making the 'Top-hit in USA' banner on this sleeve a tad overenthusiastic.

In Europe the single sunk without a trace. I bought this single because I saw it for the first time and I've always had a soft spot for Exile.

My collection: 7" single no. 3665

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'You thrill me' / 'Don't do it'

The part of me that needs you most - Exile

The tracks on Exile's 1979 album 'All there is' were recorded with a distinct disco beat. 'The part of me that needs you most' was taken from this album, and according to Wikipedia, the single did particularly well in Europe. Well, parts of Europe then, because it flopped in the UK and the Netherlands.

I'd never even heard this track when I bought the single. And I only bought the single because I enjoyed their previous releases so much. This track, by comparison, is a disappointment. What's interesting about 'Let's do it again', the B-side track, is that it sounds very similar to John Lodge's 'Street cafe', released a year later.

My collection: 7" single no. 3278

Found: Record fair, November 11, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The part of me that needs you most' / 'Let's do it again'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

So this is the 12" single I found almost a quarter of a century after it was released. I didn't even know this version existed, but when I saw this record I was very excited. The original song is exciting enough, but an eight minute extended version would be even better. This 12" single delivers on all fronts: it's got a different sleeve, the remix is fantastic and the quality of the vinyl, like most discs from RAK records, is excellent.

My collection: 12" single no. 315

Found: Record fair, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong [extended]' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

I got to know the group Exile because of their hit ballad 'Kiss you all over'. When shortly afterwards the released this exciting disco-inspired rock song 'How could this go wrong', I was slightly confused. Of course I was only a child, so I didn't realise that a group that made ballads could also make uptempo tracks. But my premonition was not off: I thought this would never be a hit after such a beautiful song. It only reached number 37 in the Dutch Top 40. I like to think I contributed to that fact, by waiting until it left the charts until I bought it. But then again, my pocket money didn't stretch far enough for me to be able to buy chart single at that time...

My collection: 7" single no. 22

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

Kiss you all over - Exile

Most people, including me, got to know the group Exile because of this single. 'Kiss you all over' went to number 4 in the Dutch Top 40, and peaked at number 6 in the UK. It would prove to be their biggest hit, with further single reaching only the lower regions of the charts.

I liked the song a lot in 1978, when it was in the charts, but at the time I didn't have the budget to buy all the singles I liked. A decade later, it still became part of my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 1099

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Kiss you all over' / 'There's been a change'

Download: Album 'Mixed emotions', including both tracks

Heart and soul - Exile

Exile's most famous song is 'Kiss you all over'. In the UK and the Netherlands, they had two minor hits after this, the last one being 'Heart and soul'. It reached no. 30 in the Dutch Top 40, and as a regular listener of this chart it was no wonder that I got to know this song.

Exile performed pop/rock songs up to this point. In America, they prolonged their career by turning into a country band, even moving to Nashville to achieve this. It's a shame that from that point onwards, they didn't make more great songs like this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 592

Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1988

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Heart and soul' / 'Your love is everything'

Download: here