Sneaking out the back door - Matt Bianco

'Sneaking out the back door' was the second single by Matt Bianco, taken from the band's debut album 'Whose side are you on'. Released in April 1984, this single reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in Ireland.

The single is considered a double A-side, since the instrumental 'Matt's Mood' was used a lot on the radio in the Eighties. When you play the track (below), you will almost certainly recognise it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5622
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, August 10, 2014
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sneaking out the back door' / 'Matt's Mood'

Get out of your lazy bed - Matt Bianco

'Get out of your lazy bed' was the debut single from UK band Matt Bianco, released in 1984. The song became the band's first Top 20 hit, peaking at number 15 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was used as the theme tune by long running New Zealand children's breakfast show 'What now', and is now firmly linked to Saturday morning cartoons, in the minds of many New Zealanders that grew up during the Eighties and Nineties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4950
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Get out of your lazy bed' / 'Big Rosie'

More than I can bear - Matt Bianco

Released in February 1985 as their fourth single, Matt Bianco's 'More than I can bear' was not their biggest hit but perhaps their artistically most accomplished song. The song appeared on their debut album 'Whose side are you on' (1984) and was remixed for the single.

It reached number 50 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 643
Found: August 2, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'More than I can bear (remix)' / 'Matts mood (remix)'

Half a minute - Matt Bianco

Basia was the lead singer on this single by Matt Bianco, released in the autumn of 1984. While it only reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, it spent 10 weeks in the chart, which was quite a feat.

The summery video was a regular on television, even in the Netherlands, where it did not chart. I found the single years later. I think I must have seen it many times before I bought it, but the sleeve is a bit inconspicuous.

My collection: 7" single no. 1764
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Half a minute' / 'Matts Mood II'

Whose side are you on - Matt Bianco

'Whose side are you on' was the title track from Matt Bianco's debut album. The single was released in the summer of 1984, and was promoted with a music video which still sticks in my head despite the fact that I haven't seen it for two decades.

The single was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 23. It was not released in the UK and America.

My collection: 7" single no. 3866
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whose side are you on' / 'The other side'

Half a minute - Matt Bianco

'Half a minute' was the third single taken from Matt Bianco's debut album 'Whose side are you on' (1984). The video was on television almost daily in 1984, when the single came out. It reached no. 23 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

I found the 12" single in London and bought it because it was very cheap. It should be: the sleeve was torn and folded, and the disc wasn't in the best condition. But I was curious to find out what the extended version was like. It's still a lovely, summery song.

My collection: 12" single no. 431

Found: Big Company records, London, 2001

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Half a minute (extended version)' / 'Matts Mood I', 'Matts Mood II'

Download: here