Yesterday - Matt Monro

One of the Beatles' most famous songs might be 'Yesterday', with its simple and effective lyrics. During last Saturday's record fair I was rather surprised to find this single (for only one euro, I might add) featuring a cover version by that classic British singer Matt Monro.

Although 'Yesterday' was not released as a single in the UK, it did not prevent Matt Monro from recording the first of many cover versions of the song. His version made it into the top ten in the UK charts soon after its release in the autumn of 1965. In the end, 'Yesterday' was released in the UK as an EP in 1966.

My collection: 7" single no. 7066
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 November 2023
Tracks: 'Yesterday' / 'Just yesterday (when your love was mine)'

From Russia with love - Matt Monro

'From Russia with love' is one of the great forgotten Bond themes, performed in 1963 by Matt Monro. It was named after the second James Bond movie, based on Ian Fleming's Cold War thriller. I have always loved the old Bond theme songs, because they were so beautifully orchestrated and sung by classic artists.

I rediscovered this song, actually, when it was performed live by Colin Vearncombe a.k.a. Black, not long before his sudden and untimely death in 2016. (One of these performances can be enjoyed on YouTube.) 

It certainly isn't easy to get hold of all those early Bond songs, but I came across this pristine copy and it was an opportunity I couldn't pass on.

My collection: 7" single no. 6552
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 1 December 2021
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'From Russia with love' / 'Here and now'

Walk away - Matt Monro

When Matt Monro participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 with 'I love the little things', he was quite impressed with the Austrian entry by Udo Jürgens, 'Warum nur warum?'. He decided to record a cover version, with English lyrics by Don Black. This became 'Walk away', released before the end of the year. It became a hit for him, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and even number 6 in Australia. Monro would go on to record a cover version of Udo Jürgens' Eurovision winner, 'Merci Chérie', in 1966.

This EP features four tracks by Monro. The two tracks on side one are quite enjoyable, the two on the other side... not so much.

My collection: 7" single no. 6461
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 2 October 2021
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Walk away', 'Around the world' / 'Fools rush in', 'Walk into the dawn'

A song for Europe - Matt Monro

Sometimes I buy a single and I can't believe my luck. This EP from 1964 (!) in very good condition and a 'Factory sample - not for sale' sticker on the label appeared in my hands during the recent record fair in Utrecht. I think the dealer didn't know what he was selling, because this EP appears online for a tenner or more.

This 'A Song For Europe' EP was released on the occasion of Matt Monro's appearance in the TV programme of the same name, also known as the national final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK. The song that was chosen was 'I love the little things' (track 3 on side A), which ended second in a field of 16 competitors in the Contest that year.

My collection: 7" single no. 5656
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Choose', 'It's funny how you know', 'I love the little things' / 'I've got the moon on my side', 'Ten out of ten', 'Beautiful, beautiful'