One step out of time - Michael Ball

Michael Ball was picked by the BBC to represent the United Kingdom during the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest. He sang a few songs during a national final, two of which are featured on this single. The A-side features 'One step out of time', the song with which Ball was sent to Malmö.

Michael Ball managed to get to number 2 in the Contest, behind winner Linda Martin with her dreadful ballad 'Why me?'. In the UK singles chart, 'One step out of time' peaked at number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 1654
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 16, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'One step out of time' / 'No more steps to climb'

If I can dream - Michael Ball

Sometimes I gamble when I buy a single. This is an example. I knew the songs, I knew the singer, so I thought 'what the hell'. The real surprise was that the musical accompaniment could have been a lot more expensive: the whole EP sounds rather cheap. This must be why the single only managed a number 51 placing during a 2 week chart run in the UK.

Michael Ball commented on the back of the sleeve: 'The words of a song have always been important to me and these songs are great examples of fine lyrics'. Okay, fair enough. But next time, try an orchestra instead of a synthesizer...

My collection: 7" single no. 2190
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'If I can dream', 'You don't have to say you love me' / 'Always on my mind', 'Tell me there's a heaven'