Ecstacy (Apple of my eye) - Strawberry Switchblade

A long time ago I discovered that the only album by Strawberry Switchblade - featuring the singles 'Since yesterday', 'Let her go' and most of all 'Who knows what love is' - is actually a perfect pop album. When I bought the CD, a Japanese pressing, it came with a lot of bonus tracks.

One of those bonus tracks is 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)', a track recorded, most probably, for the Japanese market. Judging from the sleeve of this single it was made for a commercial of a Subaru car. Music for commercials was a common practice in Japan. I don't know if it was a hit; I do know that I was pleased and surprised to find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7419
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)' / 'Being cold'

Since yesterday - Strawberry Switchblade

This 12" single of Strawberry Switchblade's biggest hit 'Since yesterday' features three tracks - and no extended version of the title track as one would expect in 1984.

Oddly enough, an extended version of the track does exist, but I don't know when and where it was originally released. Nonetheless, this disc is interesting for the two B-sides, which are as charming as anything this colourful Scottish duo have released. I.e. very.

My collection: 12" single no. 306
Found: Big Company Records, London, October 1996
Cost: 2,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Since yesterday' / 'Sunday morning', 'By the sea'

Trees and flowers - Strawberry Switchblade

A song about agoraphobia, 'Trees and flowers' was originally the debut single of Strawberry Switchblade, the Scottish duo consisting of Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall. Released on the indie label '92 happy customers', it didn't reach the chart, but it got them noticed by bigger record companies.

They eventually signed with WEA records, who released their debut album in 1985. A limited reissue pressing of the 7" was made and given away with initial copies of the album. This copy was actually sold separately - and so I snapped it up.

My collection: 7" single no. 4875
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Trees and flowers' / 'Go away'

Extracts from the forthcoming album - Strawberry Switchblade

This promotional clear flexi disc, housed in a four page booklet, was released in the autumn of 1984 to promote the forthcoming self-titled debut album by Strawberry Switchblade. The back of the booklet contains this promotional text:

Strawberry Switchblade, as the name may suggest, are a walking contradition. Small, frail, yet visually striking, the apparent prettiness of their songs belies the harsh reality of the lyrics. Like Macbeth's weird sisters the two seem to have sprung from the dark mists of Celtic faery. Their quiet, haunting ballads are sung in the best harmony voices since the Mamas and the Papas.

Inside you will find a flexi-disc that features extracts from the girl's debut album 'Strawberry Switchblade' with an introduction by Janice Long. Listen to it and you will realise that this is an album you must own.

My collection: 7" single no. 3000

Found: Geest, Den Haag, June 20, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Extracts from the forthcoming album 'Strawberry Switchblade'

Jolene - Strawberry Switchblade

'Jolene' tells the tale of a housewife confronting a beautiful seductress who she believes is trying to steal away her husband. Originally performed by Dolly Parton, the song became her second solo number one single on the country charts after being released as a single in late 1973. It was released as a single in the UK the following year, where it reached number seven in the UK singles chart.

Strawberry Switchblade covered this song and released it as their fourth single. It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart in the autumn of 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 2773

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 31, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Jolene' / 'Being cold'
Download: here

Let her go - Strawberry Switchblade

After Strawberry Switchblade had a hit with 'Since yesterday', the follow-up single 'Let her go' was released quickly. It couldn't compare to its success: it only reached number 59 in the UK singles chart, and didn't even chart in the Netherlands. And this despite the video being directed by Tim Pope and production duties performed by Phil Thornalley.


The B-side, 'Beautiful end', was recorded for a session on BBC Radio 1 in Janice Long's programme.

My collection: 7" single no. 2774
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 31, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Let her go' / 'Beautiful end'
Download: here

Since yesterday - Strawberry Switchblade

This single is the one that earned Strawberry Switchblade the title of 'one hit wonders'. How unfair! The album they released in the same year, 1985, is full of poppy tracks that could easily have won over the general public. But then, you already knew that, didn't you? I wrote about them before.

I got my copy of this single long overdue, as a belated birthday present from my brother. He had this collection of singles he was going to sell, and I found a small stack of little gems in that collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 2809

Found: Den Haag, January 26, 1997

Cost: nothing (present)

Tracks: 'Since yesterday' / 'By the sea'

Download: Since yesterday, By the sea

Who knows what love is - Strawberry Switchblade

The Scottish duo Strawberry Switchblade is perhaps best known for their hit 'Since yesterday', which earned them a status as one hit wonders in most parts of Europe. In the UK it reached number 5 before the end of 1984, and after that they never managed to scrape the top 40 again.

'Who knows what love is' was, after 'Let her go', the third single to be taken from their self-titled debut album. It is a perfect slice of melancholy pop.

I first heard the track while I was recording tapes for a radio station. Back in 1985 and 1986 I did this from time to time. While using the great record collection I had at my disposal I discovered loads of great tracks. I wasn't always able to buy them myself and this one was a good example: I only bought my copy of this single in August 1998 - more than a decade later!

'Who knows what love is' was released on the Korova label, which was distributed by WEA (Warner). The track was edited for the single version and backed with a non-album track, 'Poor hearts'.

There is a wealth of information about Strawberry Switchblade, as well as mp3 downloads, on the website strawberryswitchblade.net. And you can find a collection of rare tracks, including an interesting extended version of 'Who knows what love is' on the great Mine for life blog.

My collection: 7" single no. 3012
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Who knows what love is' / 'Poor hearts'
Download: here