Looking for clues - Robert Palmer

I bought Robert Palmer's single 'Looking for clues' back in 1989 in London. Obviously this was the UK pressing, which was an ordinary 7" single. While ordering some singles online I found this version of the single, released in the Netherlands on white vinyl. I can never resist a little coloured vinyl single, and so I just chucked it in my virtual shopping cart.

Robert Palmer is perhaps best known for his later singles, but to me, 'Looking for clues' is one of his best singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 6589
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 January 2022
Cost: €2
Tracks: 'Looking for clues' / 'Good care of you'

Can we still be friends - Robert Palmer

'Can we still be friends' was written and originally recorded by Todd Rundgren. It appears on his 1978 album 'Hermit of Mink Hollow'. It was the only hit single from that album, reaching number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Robert Palmer was quick to cover the song, releasing it just a year later. He included it on his album 'Secrets'. Despite the fact that this is a very decent version, the single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5601
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Can we still be friends' / 'Too good to be true'

It could happen to you - Robert Palmer

'It could happen to you' was released in 1989 as the sixth and last single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. His first album for EMI Records after a 15-year association with Island Records (both with Vinegar Joe and as a solo artist), it followed Palmer's very popular album 'Riptide'. The name Heavy Nova derives from Palmer's love of both heavy metal and bossa nova rhythms.

The single only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but was not released in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5262
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'It could happen to you' / 'Change his ways'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran. This version of the single comes in a gatefold sleeve with lots of pictures of Robert Palmer, it's quite an interesting sleeve design!

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 4947
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Mercy mery me/I want you - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer recorded two of Marvin Gaye's songs, 'Mercy mercy me' and 'I want you' in a medley to form one hit single. I'm still not sure about this choice, as both songs come off a bit weird as lyrically they have very little in common. Still, it was a hit for Palmer, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My reason for buying this single is actually the B-side, which was co-written by Colin Vearncombe, a.k.a. Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 2822
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mercy mercy me/I want you' / 'Oh yeah'

Early in the morning - Robert Palmer

A track from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova', 'Early in the morning' was only released as a single in America, Canada and Australia as far as I know. I knew the album and so when I spotted this single as an import, I bought it immediately.

The single reached number 26 in Canada, number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 81 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 733
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 7, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Early in the morning' / 'Disturbing behaviour'

She makes my day - Robert Palmer

'She makes my day' was released as the third single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova'. While the first single 'Simply irresistible' became a rock classic, the second one 'Early in the morning' went by almost unnoticed. 'She makes my day' was a top 10 hit in the UK and Australia, peaking at number 6 and 9 respectively, but was ignored in the rest of the world.

I loved the song when it was released in 1988, but twenty years later it sounds a little too syrupy for my taste.

My collection: 7" single no. 720
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 21, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilder
Tracks: 'She makes my day' / 'Disturbing behaviour'

Simply irresistible - Robert Palmer

'Simply irresistible' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. The single was accompanied by a music video that has since become one of the iconic images of the Eighties: Robert palmer backed by an all female band of mannequins.

The single reached number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 44 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2557
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Simply irresistible' / 'Nova'

Looking for clues - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer's sixth solo album 'Clues' was released in 1980 and 'Looking for clues' was released as the second single from that album.

The single peaked at number 33 in the UK, number 7 in Canada and number 15 in the Netherlands. It was more successful than the previous single, 'Johnny and Mary', which peaked at number 44, 32 and 21 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 1045
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Looking for clues' / 'Good care of you'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran.

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 3933
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Some guys have all the luck - Robert Palmer

'Some guys have all the luck' was written by Jeff Fortang. It was a hit three times in the UK. The earliest version by the Persuaders, released in 1973, did not reach the UK singles chart, but the cover versions by Rod Stewart (1984), Maxi Priest (1987) and Robert Palmer (1979) did.

This version is the rockiest one, with passionate vocals by Robert Palmer. It was taken from his 1982 album 'Pride' and reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3931
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Some guys have all the luck' / 'Too good to be true'

Riptide - Robert Palmer

'Riptide' was a single taken from Robert Palmer's 1986 album of the same name. The single just missed the Dutch Top 40, and didn't chart in the UK. It was only months before Palmer had a big hit with his next single, 'Addicted to love'.

This double single actually contained the previous hit single 'Johnny and Mary' as the second disc, which was another reason for me to buy this item. That single reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1980, whereas it peaked at number 44 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3159

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Riptide' / 'Back in my arms' // 'Johnny and Mary' / 'No, not much' (live on 'The Tube'), 'Trick bag (live on 'The Tube')'

Download: here

Every kinda people - Robert Palmer

'Every kinda people' was recorded in 1978 by Robert Palmer on his album 'Double Fun'. With its blend of Caribbean steel pan, violins and moving lyrics, "Every Kinda People". has become one of Palmer's best-loved songs, covered multiple times by other artists (including Chaka Demus and Pliers, Randy Crawford and Amy Grant).

I bought this single, together with 'Aubrey' by Bread, in a shop in the centre of Brussels. They had a whole collection of Japanese singles for discount prices.

My collection: 7" single no. 1537

Found: Record shop, Brussels, 1991

Cost: 250 Belgian Francs

Tracks: 'Every kinda people' / 'Keep in touch'

Download: here

I didn't mean to turn you on - Robert Palmer

There was also a 12" version of 'I didn't mean to turn you on'. It appeared one day at discount price and with a totally different sleeve and three versions of the track, I simply had to have it. I was sortof disappointed when I played the record, though: Robert Palmer's voice sounded a bit weaker in this mix and it seemed to be an early version of the track. Later I would find out that remixer Bruce Forrest has done more bad remixes in his career. I'm not a fan of this guy.

'I didn't mean to turn you on' went to number 9 in the UK charts in the summer of 1986. Mariah Carey covered the track in 2001 for her ill-fated movie 'Glitter'. That version was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, like the original version by Cherrelle. Robert's version was produced by Bernard Edwards (from Chic).

My collection: 12" single no. 43

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 7,95 guilders

Tracks: 'I didn't mean to turn you on (extended dance mix)', 'I didn't mean to turn you on (A cappella beats)' / 'I didn't mean to turn you on (dub version)', 'Addicted to love (LP version)'

Download: here

I didn't mean to turn you on - Robert Palmer

I first heard 'I didn't mean to turn you on' on television, as performed by Cherrelle. I wasn't impressed, although I have to admit now that I've seen that video again (it's here) I have to say I do like the very eighties funk.

Robert Palmer's version appeared not much later. His video was certainly more interesting (as you can see here), with all those dancing girls. (It was a variation on the 'Addicted to love' video (here it is!), where models were handling instruments as well.) His version of the song was better too. No wonder then, that I bought it as soon as I could.

My collection: 7" single no. 442
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 31, 1986
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I didn't mean to turn you on' / 'Get it through your heart'
Download: here

Change his ways - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer is dead. It's strange every time I realise that. He's one of those artists that was just always around. When I was a child, I listened to 'Looking for clues', thinking that it was just a great song from some strange guy. When I was a bit older, I heard 'Riptide' and thought this man was truly sophisticated. Then I heard 'Addicted to love' a few years later and I was slightly put off by the 'straight up and down' rock.

My sister bought the album 'Heavy Nova' and I played it many times. In time, I bought almost every single drawn from that album. The only one that was missing was 'Change his ways' - until recently. I picked up the picture disc 7" last week. For the first time ever, it was a bargain.

My collection: 7" snigle no. 3457

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1,25 euro

Tracks: 'Change his ways' / 'More than ever'

Download: Album 'Heavy Nova', including both tracks