Take a look - Level 42

Level 42 enjoyed a great deal of success in the mid-Eighties, but after the huge success of their album Running in the family, the original line-up split up, leaving Mark King and Mike Lindup having to find replacements for Boon and Phil Gould. They recorded the next album Staring at the sun with Gary Husband on drums and Dominic Miller, who towards the end of the sessions was replaced by Alan Murphy.

'Take a look' was a single taken from the album. Like the previous single 'Heaven in my hands' it peaked outside of the UK singles chart's top 10, at number 32. All this despite the 'limited edition envelope pack' which included four postcards of the band members. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7197
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 May 2024
Tracks: 'Take a look' / 'Man'

Out of sight, out of mind - Level 42

Despite this song's irresistible hook, Level 42's 'Out of sight, out of mind' only managed to get to number 41 in the UK singles chart, just missing the top 40. The song was released as the first single from their 1983 album 'Standing in the light', the album that gave them their first top 10 hit in the shape of 'The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)'.

It would take the band two more years to become world famous with the album 'Running in the family'. Compared to some of their later singles, this one sounds fresher and more innovative... but that's just my opinion.

My collection: 7" single no. 5436
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Out of sight, out of mind' / 'You can't blame Louis (remix)'

Take care of yourself - Level 42

'Take care of yourself' was the only new song on the compilation album 'Level best', released in October 1989. It was the last song recorded with guitarist Alan Murphy, who died of Aids on October 19, 1989.

The track was released as a single to promote the album. 'Take care of yourself' reached number 39 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4912
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Take care of yourself' / 'Silence (live)'

Hot water - Level 42

There are no credits for the 'Mastermix' of Level 42's 'Hot water', but it is an impressive mix, clocking in at 10 minutes, no less. This 12" snigle also contains an extended version of the B-side, 'Standing in the light'.

At the time of its release, Level 42 were at the verge of becoming a supergroup, a status they achieve a year later when they released their album 'Running in the family'. 'Hot water' was taken from its predecessor, 'True colours'.

My collection: 12" single no. 418
Found: Record Exchange, London,
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Hot water (Mastermix)' / 'Standing in the light (extended version)'

It's over - Level 42

The ballad 'It's over' was released as the fourth single from Level 42's album 'Running in the family' in 1987. I bought the 7" single in 1991, but it took me some years to find and buy the 12" single after that.

When I did, I only bought it because it was very cheap. The extended version isn't that extended and I already had the B-side, a live track. The instrumental version of 'It's over' is a nice bonus, though. Instrumental versions are ideal to make you own extended versions with.

My collection: 12" single no. 262
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1998
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'It's over (extended version)' / 'Physical presence (live version)', 'It's over (instrumental)'

The Chinese way - Level 42

'The Chinese way' was released as the second single from Level 42's 1982 album 'The pursuit of accidents'.

It became Level 42's first top 30 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 4862
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The Chinese way' / '88 (live)'

Tracie - Level 42

Level 42 members Gary Husband and Mark King wrote 'Tracie' and recorded it on their 1988 studio album 'Staring at the sun'.

The song was released as a single near the end of 1988. It peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4854
Found: Grammfoonwinkel, Utrecht, May 14, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Tracie' / 'Three words'

Love games - Level 42

'Love games' was the first single taken from Level 42's debut album and their first chart success. This 12" single features the full length version of the track, which is over seven minutes long.

According to a blurb on the back of the sleeve, 'Having grown up with influences such as Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Stevie Wonder, John McLaughlin plus George Benson the blend was right for one of the most exciting developments in British music for years.'

My collection: 12" single no. 428
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2002
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Love games (full length version)' / 'Forty two'

Something about you - Level 42

Level 42 have always had a knack for making catchy tunes, and when they were at the height of their fame in the mid-Eighties, they were able to treat their fans to lively extended versions of their hit singles.

'Something about you' was released in 1985. The 'Sisa mix' on this 12" single was uncredited, but one can presume that producer Julian Mendelsohn had something to do with it.

My collection: 12" single no. 301
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Something about you (Sisa mix)' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'

Heaven in my hands - Level 42

The intro of 'Heaven in my hands' was used a lot on Dutch radio during programmes. I was more familiar with the intro than I was with the song: only years later I found out it was this Level 42 track.

The track was taken from the album 'Staring at the sun'. It was the first single not to feature the Gould brothers, Boon and Phil, following their departure the previous year. The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3101
Found: Record fair, May 13, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven in my hands' / 'Gresham blues'

Children say - Level 42

The 1987 album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 had been a great success, spawning four hit singles through the year, but still it was decided to release one further single from the album. It was 'Children say', which was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn for the single release.

The song was more successful than expected in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, the single peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 2305
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Children say (remix)' / 'Starchild (remix)'

To be with you again - Level 42

The album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 was a big success, and part of the success was the singles that kept entering the charts. 'To be with you again' was the third single from the album and it was just as successful as the previous two.

'To be with you again' reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 10 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2752
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'To be with you again' / 'Microkid (live)'

It's over - Level 42

'It's over' was the fourth single release from Level 42's bestselling album 'Running in the family', released in 1987. In contrast to most of their singles, this track was a ballad, with the absence of the trademark thumping bassguitar sound by Mark King. The track was remixed for the single release.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1392
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'It's over' / 'Physical presence (live)'

Running in the family - Level 42

The single 'Running in the family', released in February 1987, was the title track from their most successful album, released in March 1987. The band first performed the song live in 1986, but at the time it featured different lyrics.

The single release peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single stalled at number 83.

My collection: 7" single no. 2821
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Running in the family' / 'Dream crazy'

Lessons in love - Level 42

'Lessons in love' was released in April 1986 as the first single from Level 42's seventh studio album 'Running in the family'. It was the first of five singles from that album, and paved the way for international success for the band.

For the first time they reached the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 12 in 1987. In the UK, the single reached number 3, while in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 2. Level 42 scored their first hit with this in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1333
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Lessons in love' / 'Hot water (live)'

Microkid - Level 42

'Microkid' is a track on Level 42's fourth album 'Standing in the light'.

When it was released as a single in October 1983, it reached number 37 in the UK singles chart. The single was unsuccessful in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 3064
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Microkid' / 'Turn it on (live version)'

Something about you - Level 42

I've always considered the members of the band Level 42 unlikely candidates for a poster, but here you go: a limited edition poster bag was included with the UK pressing of the single 'Something about you'. It was the second single taken from the band's 1985 album 'World machine'.

Upon its release, the single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. I guess the poster really helped.

My collection: 7" single no. 1473
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: "Something about you' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'

Leaving me now - Level 42

'Leaving me now' was the second single release from Level 42's 1985 album 'World machine'. The song was written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. Though heavily edited for the single, the track was still a good success for the band.

In the Netherlands, 'Leaving me now' reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1015
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Leaving me now' / 'I sleep on my heart'

Love games - Level 42

Level 42 had their first significant hart success with 'Love games', the first single from their 1981 album 'Level 42'. Peaking at number 38 in the UK singles chart, they managed a top 10 placing in the Netherlands, peaking at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although the band was not yet a household name, this early single already had all the hallmarks that would make them one of the hottest bands around in the second half of the Eighties: a bouncing bassline, lively vocals and a funky rhythm.

My collection: 7" single no. 1627
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love games' / 'Forty two'

Starchild - Level 42

'Starchild' was written by Wally Badarou, Mark King and Phil Gould. It was released in 1981 as a track on Level 42's debut studio album. It was subsequently released as a single.

The single peaked at number 57 on the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4148
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starchild' / 'Foundation and empire part 1'