Laura - Nick Heyward

Although my latest visit to London was a bit of a disappointment with respect to record hunting, I still managed to get hold of one double single. Ahh, the double single... it's a feast to behold. Often these were housed in luxury gatefold sleeves, with extra artwork and, if you were very lucky, even a booklet.

This double single is less lavish: it's a regular sleeve with two discs crammed in, and a rather blunt sticker on the front. Still, the sticker served its purpose, otherwise I would not have noted the remix version of 'Favourite shirts' enclosed in this package - and that's why I bought it. Quite a good deal actually: disc one isn't half bad.

My collection: 7" single no. 5644
Found: Alan's Records, London, September 9, 2014
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Laura' / 'Over the weekend (part one)' // 'Favourite shirts (remix)' / 'Calling captain autumn (remix)'

Warning sign - Nick Heyward

'Warning sign' was Nick Heyward's attempt at making a soulful track. It seemed strange that a 'white boy' would want to sound so 'black'. It was a stand-alone single (i.e. not released on any of his albums) and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

Back in 1984, when this single was released, I was a bit irritated by the video - I don't really know why. As a result, I grew to dislike the song. But now I have to admit that it really is one of Heyward's better tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3938
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Warning sign' / 'Warning sign (version)'

You're my world - Nick Heyward

Nick Heyward was a member of Haircut One Hundred between 1980 and 1983, then he pursued a solo career. His third solo album 'I love you avenue' was released in 1988 and contained this single, 'You're my world'. It peaked at number 67 in the UK singles chart.

I saw the music video for this song on television and decided right away that I would buy the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 658
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 29, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You're my world' / 'Pizza tears'

Whistle down the wind - Nick Heyward

Nick Heyward was born in Beckenham, Kent (UK) on May 20, 1961. In 1980 he formed Haircut 100, a band that became very popular in the UK in the early eighties. They released just one album in 1982, 'Pelican West', but it contained no less than four UK top 10 hits. Heyward quit the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career.

This solo career started with 'Whistle down the wind', a song that would reach no. 13 in March 1983. Thanks to radio I heard this song and I grew to like it. Two years later, I bought this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 391

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Whistle down the wind' / 'Atlantic Monday'

Download: here