You bring on the sun - London Beat

London Beat were less successful in their home country, the UK, than they were in the Netherlands. 'You bring on the sun' reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in May 1992, but only managed to reach number 32 in the UK singles chart.

At the same time, 'You bring on the sun' was also the last top 10 hit for London Beat in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1657
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 30, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'You bring on the sun' / 'Dreaming of you (Deep sleep mix)'

A better love - London Beat

This limited edition 7" single of 'A better love' was not only housed in a gatefold sleeve, it also gave the buyer two acoustic versions of London beat tracks: 'A better love' and 'I've been thinking about you'. A good deal, especially if, like me, one was able to find this single at discount price in a second hand shop.

The single was released in the UK to boost sales of 'A better love'. It didn't help much: at the time of release it only made number 52. A re-release six months later would be more successful, as it got to number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 2372
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'A better love (acoustic)', 'I've been thinking about you (acoustic)' / 'A better love'

A better love - London Beat

'A better love' was the second single taken from London Beat's second album 'In the blood'.

The previous single 'I've been thinking about you' was a number 1 hit in the US and the Netherlands, but this single was not as successful: it peaked at number 18 in the US and number 14 in the Netherlands. In the UK, this single stalled at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 1359
Found: Den Haag, December 5, 1990
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'A better love' / 'K.I.S.S.'

I've been thinking about you - London Beat

London Beat released their second album 'In the blood' in early 1991. The single 'I've been thinking about you' preceded the album by half a year, as it was released in August 1990.

The upbeat, breezy sound of the song made it an instant summer hit in many countries. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where it was released in April 1991, the single reached number 1 as well. The song also topped the singles charts in Spain, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1341
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I've been thinking about you' / '9AM (live)'

I'm just your puppet on a... (string!) - London Beat

London Beat had already had some big hits with songs like '9AM' and 'I've been thinking about you' when they decided to compete in the United Kingdom's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Their song, 'I'm just your puppet on a... (string!)' was an obvious reference to previous Contest winner 'Puppet on a string' by Sandie Shaw. While their song was funny and entertaining, the group lost out to the dull, hiphop-influenced (and, as a result, bad) song 'Love city groove' by a group of the same name. Not long after this, the group disbanded.

My collection: 7" single no. 2336

Found: HMV, London, June 26, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I'm just your puppet on a... (string!)' / 'Unnecessary'