Are you man enough - Five Star

I have a lot of singles by Five Star, but I've never come across this one. 'Are you man enough' was only released in the USA and features 'Summer groove' on the B-side - the track that appears on the B-side of 'Rain or shine' in the UK. 

You have to wonder why the band's biggest UK hit wasn't released in the USA - but that's record company policy for you. Also, why didn't 'Are you man enough' come in an attractive picture sleeve? Again, I think the US record company didn't do a proper job on this one. Nice track though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7263
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Are you man enough (7" remix version)' / 'Summer groove'

Shine - Five Star

Like many other acts, Five Star had trouble maintaining their success when the Eighties ended and the Nineties began. House and techno music were ruining the charts and pop stars were not as popular as before, audiences opting for anonymous acts and DJ's instead. Having said that, in the case of Five Star their material was becoming a bit bland too. Having made exciting pop hits in the mid-Eighties and a more aggressive style during their Another Weekend phase, 'Shine' (1991) sounded slightly bland.

As a result, 'Shine' did not chart and the accompanying album didn't either. It took them four years to return into the UK charts, although '(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons' and 'I Give You Give' would only reach number 84 and 83 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 6375
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 May 2021
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Shine' / 'Feelings'

Hide and seek - Five Star

'Hide and Seek' was Five Star's second single and would later be included on their 1985 debut album 'Luxury of life'. The single was written by Gary Bell (who co-wrote their later hit 'System addict'), and Anne Dudley, one of the UK's top female songwriters and composers. The single wasn't a hit, only charting at number 113. The song was later covered by New Edition in 1984 as part of their self-titled album.

The video to the single featured a colourful setting with an early Five Star logo as a backdrop, with the floor resembling the American stars and stripes flag, and a very simple dance routine.

My collection: 7" single no. 5315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Hide and seek' / 'I'm gonna make this a night you will never forget'

R.S.V.P. - Five Star

Next week my friend Puck is celebrating his birthday. On his wish list was a cd by Five Star, so I thought that would be a good occasion to dig out this 12" single with versions of one of their lesser known hits, 'R.S.V.P.'

Released in 1985 as a single from their album 'Luxury of life', the track was written by Paul Gurvitz and remixed by John Morales. This 12" single features three remixes of 'R.S.V.P. plus two B-side tracks.'

My collection: 12" single no. 562
Found: [unknown]
Cost: [unknown]
Tracks: 'R.S.V.P. (Remix s'il vous plait)', 'R.S.V.P. (Original Philly mix)' / 'R.S.V.P. (Urban remix)', 'Love games', 'Say goodbye'

Strong as steel - Five Star

The ballad 'Strong as steel' was the second single from Five Star's 1987 album 'Between the lines', their third album. It reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single featured the full album version of 'Strong as steel' (as opposed to the 7" single, which featured an edit) and a remix of the 1986 hit single 'Can't wait another minute'. Apparently there was another 12" single featuring a megamix of Five Star hits instead.

My collection: 12" single no. 455
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Strong as steel' / 'The man', 'Can't wait another minute (M&M Groove Remix)'

Whenever you're ready - Five Star

Five Star were an essential pop group in the middle of the Eighties. The Pearson siblings were able to score hit after hit under the guidance of their father Buster, and their newfound fame came with loads of money, which was invested in a mansion somewhere in England.

Part of their success must have been the attractive 12" single packages. Almost without exception, the discs contained four tracks, three of which were remixes. This 12" of 'Whenever you're ready' packs two remixes of the title track, a Shep Pettibone remix of an album track and the obligatory instrumental B-side track.

My collection: 12" single no. 553
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Whenever you're ready (New York mix)', 'Whenever you're ready (Crazy dub jammy)' / 'Are you man enough (Shep Pettibone remix)', 'Forever yours'

The slightest touch - Five Star

Five Star took no less than six hit singles from their album 'Silk and steel', but one had to admit that they weren't exactly lazy about it. 'The slightest touch', the last single to be taken from the album, was remixed by Shep Pettibone and the 12" single contained three remixes of the track made by him.

'The slightest touch' is one of the few Five Star songs to have been covered by another artist; Louise recorded the track for her 'Changing Faces: The Best of Louise' greatest hits album in 2001. This version of the song was based on the album mix and was not released as a single.

My collection: 12" single no. 343
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'The slightest touch (The Pettibone Touch remix)', 'The slightest touch (House touch)' / 'Stone court', 'The slightest touch (Slightest dub)'

Stay out of my life - Five Star

The single 'Stay out of my life' was successful in the UK only at a time when Five Star were at the peak of their popularity in their home country. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single features a remix of 'Stay out of my life' as well as a remix of previous hit single 'If I say yes'. Where many Five Star 12" singles just seem to fall flat, this package is quite a lively one.

My collection: 12" single no. 457
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Stay out of my life' / 'If I say yes (Lew Hahn US dub mix)', '(How dare you) Stay out of my life'

Rain or shine - Five Star

One of Five Star's biggest hits, 'Rain or shine' is best described as a mid-tempo ballad. The single was released in the summer of 1986 and reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single is an attractive package as it brings together two remixes of 'Rain or shine' plus an instrumental remix of 'Find the time', one of Five Star's previous hits. The throwaway B-side 'Summer groove' is also there, of course.

My collection: 12" single no. 259
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Rain or shine (remix)', 'Rain or shine (dub)' / 'Summer groove', 'Find the time (instrumental remix)'

Somewhere somebody - Five Star

'Somewhere somebody' was released while the band was touring. Hence, live photographs were used on the sleeve. The merchandise sellers were in full swing, too: the back of the sleeve advertises a video and a book.

Released in the summer of 1987, the single was the third taken from Five Star's third album, 'Between the lines'. 'Somewhere somebody' was written by Dean Chamberlain and Martin Briley. Peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart, it became the group's lowest charting single since 'Love take over' in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 4816
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Somewhere somebody' / 'Have a good time'

Let me be yours - Five Star

'Let me be yours' was released in November 1988 as the fourth and final single from Five Star's fourth album 'Rock the world'.

The album wasn't the band's biggest success, and the single was just as unfortunate: it stalled at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2575
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Let me be yours' / 'Rare groove'

Find the time - Five Star

'Find the time' was written by Nick Trevisick and Paul Gurvitz who had previously written the single 'R.S.V.P.' for Five Star the previous year. Released in June 1986, it was the second single from their second album 'Silk and steel'.

The single reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1386
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Find the time' / 'Sky'

Treat me like a lady - Five Star

'Treat me like a lady' was recorded in Five Star's new high-tech studio in the grounds of their family home, Stone Court in Ascot, Berkshire. The studio reportedly cost them £2.5 million. It was their first single for their new record label, Epic.

The single was released in a limited edition envelope pack, including five square 7" photographic prints. It reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1196
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Treat me like a lady' / 'Don't stop'

Rock my world - Five Star

'Rock my world' was the second single from Five Star's 1988 album 'Rock the world'. The music video for this single saw the band leather clad, with long hair extensions, dancing in the bottom of a quarry, with dumper trucks driving around them. The B-side, 'Sweetest innocence', received a BPI award for best instrumental.

The single became their last ever UK top 40 hit, peaking at number 28. The next single, 'There's a brand new world' would bring Five Star's run of 16 consecutive Top 40 hits to an end when it only reached number 61.

My collection: 7" single no. 3099
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Rock my world' / 'Sweetest innocence'

Stay out of my life - Five Star

'Stay out of my life' was released as the fifth single from Five Star's second album 'Silk & steel' in February 1987. The song was coupled with an alternative version of the track, '(How dare you) Stay out of my life', which was used as the theme tune to the Eighties children's television series entiled 'How dare you', presented by Carrie Grant.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories. The group performed 'Stay out of my life" at the 1987 BPI awards ceremony, where they had won the award for 'Best British Group'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3105
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Stay out of my life' / '(How dare you) Stay out of my life'

Strong as steel - Five Star

'Strong as steel' was released in 1987 as the second single of Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. The song was written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren, who has also written hit songs for Cher, Tina Arena and Michael Bolton amongst others.

The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart. In 1990, the track was covered by Tina Arena.

My collection: 7" single no. 2365
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Strong as steel' / 'The man'

With every heartbeat - Five Star

Five Star's single 'With every heartbeat' was released in 1989. It was their last single for RCA, the label they signed with in 1983. It proved a failure for the group, stalling at number 49 in the UK singles chart. The song never appeared on a studio album, but was included on the group's 'Greatest hits' album, released later in 1989.

The single was released in a limited edition with a gatefold sleeve including a booklet with pictures of the group members and the lyric of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2753
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'With every heartbeat' / 'Sound sweet'

Rain or shine - Five Star

Five Star's biggest single hit was the mid-tempo ballad 'Rain or shine', released in the autumn of 1986.

It sold over 250,000 copies and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart, held off the top spot for three weeks by British pop band The Communards with the year's biggest selling song, 'Don't leave me this way'. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 16 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2576
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rain or shine' / 'Summer groove'

Can't wait another minute - Five Star

'Can't wait another minute' was originally recorded by Lewis and covered by Five Star on their 1986 album 'Silk and steel'. It was released as the first single from that album.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 41 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1794
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't wait another minute' / 'Don't you know I love it'

Somewhere somebody - Five Star

Shep Pettibone was commissioned to remix 'Somewhere somebody', the third single from Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. The result was included on this 12" single, released in December 1987: three versions of his remix work, of which the 'short version' is an edit of the 'Pettibone remix'.

'Somewhere somebody' was released while the band was touring. Hence, live photographs were used on the sleeve.

My collection: 12" single no. 535
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Somewhere somebody (The Pettibone remix)', 'Somewhere somebody (Dub beats)' / 'Somewhere somebody (Short version - The Pettibone remix)', 'Have a good time'