Where do I begin - Shirley Bassey

Love Story is a 1970 American romantic drama film written by Erich Segal, who was also the author of the best-selling 1970 eponymous novel. The film is considered one of the most romantic by the American Film Institute (number 9 on the list) and is one of the highest-grossing films of all time adjusted for inflation.

The main song in the film, '(Where do I begin?) Love Story' was a major success, particularly the vocal rendition recorded by Andy Williams. Shirley Bassey was quick to record her own version of the song. That version reached number 34 in the UK singles chart. The version by Williams peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 7414
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Where do I begin' / 'For the love of him'

The Big Four, no. 11 - Frankie Vaughan, Kaye Sisters, Shirley Bassey, Marty Wilde

This EP was released in May 1959, and featured four hits from 1958 and 1959. My reason for buying this EP is obviously the appearance of Marty Wilde with his hit 'Donna', but there are a few more gems on this: a young Shirley Bassey who sings 'Kiss me, honey honey, kiss me' and Frankie Vaughan with 'Venus' (not the Shocking Blue song). The Kaye Sisters deliver a dreamy version of 'Goodbye, Jimmy, goodbye'.

There have been 20 of these 'big four' EP's between 1956 and 1960, and Marty appears on number 9, 11, 14, 17 and 20. That should make an interesting subcollection, don't you think? Watch this space...

My collection: 7" single no. 6671
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 March 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Venus' (Frankie Vaughan), 'Goodbye, Jimmy, goodbye' (The Kaye Sisters) / 'Kiss me, honey honey, kiss me' (Shirley Bassey), 'Donna' (Marty Wilde)

Diamonds are forever - Shirley Bassey

The James Bond movies used to be accompanied by classic tunes, songs that would stand the test of time. Before the producers fell for the limited talents of Sam Smith and, god help us, Jack White and Alicia Keys, they employed real singers. Like for instance, Shirley Bassey.

'Diamonds are forever' was the theme tune for the movie of the same name in 1971. It was not Shirley's first James Bond song: in 1964 she recorded 'Goldfinger' and she would also record the song for 'Moonraker' in 1979. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6513
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 25 November 2021
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'Diamonds are forever' / 'Pieces of dreams'

The rhythm divine - Yello featuring Shirley Bassey

Written by Yello's Boris Blank and Dieter Meier with The Associates' Billy MacKenzie, 'The Rhythm Divine' was released in 1987 as a single by Yello with Shirley Bassey. It actually featured Billy MacKenzie on backing vocals. The song was said to have been written specially with her voice in mind.

Bassey's vocals were recorded at Yello's studio in Zurich. The song blends the electro-pop sound of the 1980s with a classic big Bassey ballad. It reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, number 24 in the Netherlands and number 21 in Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 5418
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'The rhythm divine' / 'Dr. van Steiner'

This is my life (La vita) - Shirley Bassey

One of the gay anthems of all time was recorded by Shirley Bassey. 'La vita' was originally written in Italy by Bruno Canfora and Antonio Amurri. Shirley Bassey's version included English lyrics by Norman Newell and was called 'This is my life'.

The track first appeared in 1968 on Bassey's album of the same name. In 1979, she released the album 'The magic is you', another album featuring 'This is my life'. The track was released as a single and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It has since been adopted by gay rights activists as a statement of independence and pride.

My collection: 7" single no. 4523
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'This is my life (La vita)' / 'The magic is you'

The rhythm divine - Yello and Shirley Bassey

The lyric of 'The rhythm divine' was written by Billy MacKenzie, from the Associates. No wonder, then, that it stands out from Yello's repertoire as a more melodic and passionate song. The lead vocals were performed by Shirley Bassey, which made the track even more memorable.

I got the single as a birthday present from my sister in August 1987. Not long after that the cd-single became the third cd-single I ever bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 561

Found: Birthday present

Cost: nothing

Tracks: 'The rhythm divine' / 'Dr. Van Steiner'

Download: here