Turn back the clock - Johnny hates Jazz

When you know that I collect records by Kim Wilde, you would think that I would have bought Johnny hates Jazz's single 'Turn back the clock' at the drop of a hat, since she's singing backing vocals on this track. But the embarrassing truth is: I didn't know this until a few years later! When I did find out, I had to really hunt for this single.

'Turn back the clock' was the title track of Johnny hates Jazz's debut album, released in 1987. The single peaked at number 12 in the UK and number 5 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1779
Found: Record fair, October 25, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn back the clock' / 'Cracking up'

I don't want to be a hero - Johnny hates Jazz

'I don't want to be a hero' was the second hit single for Johnny hates Jazz. The song has a strong anti-war sentiment and is written from the perspective of a soldier who is questioning their participation in what they consider an unjust war. The band's American record company were reluctant to release the single in the U.S. because of its anti-war stance.

Still, it was released in the US and peaked at number 31 in the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, the single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1474

Found: Record exchange, London, June 30, 1991

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'I don't want to be a hero' / 'The cage'

Me and my foolish heart - Johnny hates Jazz

Before Johnny hates Jazz signed to Virgin records and released the debut album that yielded these hits, they recorded their debut single on RAK records, the label owned by the father of band member Calvin Hayes: Mickie Most. This single did not chart, but the track would end up on their debut album anyway.

Sounds familiar? Well, true, because I wrote about the 12" single of 'Me and my foolish heart' a while ago. The 7" single is in my collection as well. It's got less tracks and a different sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2097
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 16, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Me and my foolish heart' / 'Living in the past'
Download: here

Don't say it's love - Johnny hates Jazz

'Don't say it's love' was the last single taken from Johnny hates Jazz's debut album 'Turn back the clock'. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that the single performed worse, chart-wise, than its predecessors. It peaked at number 48 in the UK singles chart.

The cd of 'Turn back the clock' included the extended mixes of previous singles 'I don't want to be a hero', 'Turn back the clock' and 'Heart of gold'. It's the reason why I bought this 12" single, because I was really curious what the extended version of this track would be like. I wasn't disappointed: it's an extended version like they should be.

My collection: 12" single no. 492

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Don't say it's love (12" extended remix)' / 'Living in the past', 'Don't say it's love (7" remix)'

Heart of gold - Johnny hates Jazz

'Heart of gold' was the fourth single taken from Johnny hates Jazz's debut album 'Turn back the clock' (1987). The single featured a new (instrumental) track on the B-side: 'Leave it up to me'. To appeal to the collectors market, it was released in a numbered limited edition 7" box set. It included three badges, a postcard and a small poster featuring the lyric of 'Heart of gold' and a photograph of the band.

All this helped to make the single peak at number 19 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it fared slightly worse than its predecessors, but it was still a good hit. It would also be their last one: follow-up single 'Don't say it's love' didn't make the top 40, subsequent singles didn't even chart anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 2362

Found: London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Heart of gold' / 'Leave it up to me'

Shattered dreams - Johnny hates Jazz

After signing to Virgin records, 'Shattered dreams' was the first single from Johnny hates Jazz for their new record company. Released in April 1987 it was their first and biggest hit, reaching number 5 in the UK. In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 30 in the Dutch Top 40. The single preceded their debut album, which hit number 1 in the UK albums chart.

Things had taken off for Johnny hates Jazz in a big way, but there was more to come. I would buy all their singles - but only years afterwards. Just like this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 1577

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 25, 1992

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Shattered dreams' / 'My secret garden'

Download: here

Me and my foolish heart - Johnny hates Jazz

'Shattered dreams', 'I don't wanna be a hero', 'Turn back the clock'... These were the singles that made Johnny hates Jazz's fame in 1987. But before they signed to Virgin records and released the debut album that yielded these hits, they recorded their debut single on RAK records, the label owned by the father of band member Calvin Hayes: Mickie Most. This single did not chart, but the track would end up on their debut album anyway.

I found this 12" single during a record fair and because I knew the album, I also knew this track. It was great to have an extended mix, because it never resurfaced on any other format since. Until last year's re-release of the debut album 'Turn back the clock', that is. For Johnny hates Jazz fans, this is a real must have item. And for music lovers like me, too.

My collection: 12" single no. 340

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Me and my foolish heart (12" mix)' / 'Living in the past', 'Me and my foolish heart (7" mix)'

Download: here