Soul destruction - T'pau

It´s probably better to stay uninformed about the political standpoints of your favourite artists, because sometimes it gets in the way of your enjoyment of their music. Case in point: Carol Decker from T'pau, who uses Twitter as a platform to rail against Covid measures, anything gender-related and some of my favourite politicians. Freedom of speech and all that, but I wouldn't mind not knowing all these damn opinions. It's almost soul destructing. 

Speaking of which, 'Soul destruction' was T'pau's last single for Siren records before the band parted ways with the label. The release came with some damn fine remixes, some of which were included on CD-single only, but this 12" single features the eight minute PWL remix of the track. It comes in an attractive gatefold sleeve and with a tour poster - although the latter is missing in my copy. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: London, 1992
Tracks: 'Soul destruction (remix)' / 'Soul destruction (album version)', 'Dirty town'

Walk on air - T'pau

There's something unusual about this 12" single: it's the sleeve! While the record company decided to release a picture disc, they released it in a normal 12" single sleeve, so at first you don't even notice it's a picture disc you're buying. I guess I'm just used to clear pvc sleeves for picture discs.

Anyway, 'Walk on air' was the penultimate single release of T'pau, because after the next one, 'Soul destruction', the band broke up. The name lived on via some greatest hits compilations, and in the end Carol Decker reappeared, using the name T'pau, in 1998 with the excellent album 'Red'. But this single didn't sell very well, and with the end of their contract in sight, the record company must have lost faith. Unfortunately!

My collection: 12" single no. 120
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Walk on air' / 'Hold on to love (alternative version)', 'Dirty town'

Heart and soul - T'pau

Ron Rogers and Carol Decker from T'pau have just released Story behind the tracks, a remarkable collection of demos and unreleased tracks from 1987 and before, when T'pau celebrated their first success with the single 'Heart and soul'.

I actually have two 12" singles of this hit single: a UK pressing and a German one. There is a difference between the two: while the UK version contains two remixes of the title track, the German has a live version of 'Taking time out'. I bought both some time after their release.

My collection: 12" single no. 102
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart and soul (US Dance mix)' / 'Heart and soul (remix)', 'On the wing'

My collection: 12" single no. 558
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart and soul (remix)' / 'On the wing', 'Taking time out (live mix)'

Whenever you need me - T'pau

Without even knowing what was on it, this 12" single was an attractive proposition: it was released as a box set featuring a giant poster of Carol Decker. When I ordered my copy from the UK, the disc turned out to feature an extended remix of 'Whenever you need me', which was not included on the cd-single.

The only thing that irks me to this day, is that the paper slip around the orange box in which this 12" single was packaged tore apart on the day I received it. So I have a damaged copy, alas.

My collection: 12" single no. 114
Found: Esprit mail order, UK, received August 1991
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Whenever you need me (extended)' / 'Whenever you need me (single version)', 'All the love'

Bridge of spies - T'pau

The title track of T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies' was released as a single in the USA and Germany only. This is the German single, featuring the US edit of the track, as well as the live version of 'Sex talk' which was released as a single in the UK around the same time.

I actually bought this single over 10 years ago already, but to my dismay it turned out to contain the wrong disc in the sleeve. So I've had the sleeve for a long time, but now for the first time I can say I really own this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4459
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Bridge of spies (US remix)' / 'Sex talk (live)'

Valentine - T'pau

Siren Records re-released 'Valentine' in 1993 to promote 'Heart and soul: the very best of T'pau', a compilation album including all of T'pau's hits and then some. I was really surprised when I found this single, because when I bought it I didn't know that compilation had even been released.

The success of both the single and the album was shortlived: 'Valentine' reached number 53 in the UK singles chart in February 1993 during its one week chart run, while the album held on for two weeks in March, peaking at number 35.

My collection: 7" single no. 2357
Found: June 28, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Valentine' / 'China in your hand (live atHammersmith, March 88)'

Soul destruction - T'pau

The third and last single drawn from T'pau's third album 'The promise' was a remixed version of 'Soul destruction'. The remix was made by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, who were famous for their work with producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

The single did not chart, and I only found out about its release about a year after the fact. The band released a fourth single, 'Only a heartbeat', in Japan and the USA only. Shortly after this, the band broke up. Such a shame!

My collection: 7" single no. 2194

Found: Big Company records, London, September 29, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Track: 'Soul destruction (remix)' / 'Dirty town'

Walk on air - T'pau

By the time 'Walk on air' was released as a single, my faith in T'pau had been restored. After the disastrous second album 'Rage', the third one, 'The promise' was a lot better and I would buy all the singles without hesitation. The only problem was, that after 'Whenever you need me' no further singles seemed to appear. Until I finally spotted 'Walk on air' during a record fair in early 1992, I wasn't aware that a second single had come out.

I couldn't have known. The single only managed a number 62 placing in the UK singles chart and I think it wasn't even released in the Netherlands. I do have a German pressing, with a press info sheet in German.

My collection: 7" single no. 1606

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, March 28, 1992

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Walk on air' / 'Hold on to love'

Whenever you need me - T'pau

After an absence from the pop scene for three years, T'pau returned in 1991 with a new album, 'The Promise' and a new single, 'Whenever you need me'. The single was a bigger success than any of the three singles drawn from the previous album 'Rage', peaking at number 16 in the UK. However, the band had lost its European appeal, because the single did not chart on the continent.

Personally I felt that T'pau had regained the power of their debut album, and I bought 'The Promise' very soon after it came out. It was one of my favourite albums of the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 1440

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 18, 1991

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Whenever you need me' / 'All the love'

Only the lonely - T'pau

After a few disappointing singles, T'pau returned to form with 'Only the lonely', one of the standout tracks on their second album 'Rage'. For the single release, the track was remixed, which gave it a more powerful sound.The work was rewarded, since it peaked at number 28 in the UK singles chart in early 1989.

I bought a limited edition version of the single, which featured a gatefold sleeve and a booklet, which featured photographs of the band and individual members.

My collection: 7" single no. 992

Found: Record Exchange, October 16, 1989

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Only the lonely (Guitar remix)' / 'Between the lines'

Road to our dream - T'pau

'Road to our dream' was the second single from T'pau's second album 'Rage' (1988). This was the least successful of the three singles released from the album, peaking at number 42 in the UK, and not reaching the charts in other countries at all.

Truth be told, the track is a bit of a non-starter. I bought the cd-single before I bought the album and I almost lost the appetite to buy the 7" single - and subsequent singles. It's hard to pinpoint what is missing exactly, but for lack of a better word, I'll say that this song misses a 'soul'.

My collection: 7" single no. 714

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1989

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Road to our dream (edit)' / 'Time of our lives'

Secret garden - T'pau

In 1987 T'pau became one of my favourite bands. I had all their singles, bought the album, and waited anxiously for album number 2. When their new single 'Secret garden' came out, I couldn't wait to buy it, and so I didn't. It turned out to be a disappointment: I didn't like the harsh rock sound of the A-side, and the B-side sounded just as messy and loud.

It was a first sign of things to come: the album 'Rage' was full of tracks like this, and contained only a few standout tracks. I don't know why I held on. Thankfully, album number three was much better.

My collection: 7" single no. 657

Found: Leiden, September 23, 1988

Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Secret garden' / 'This girl'

I will be with you - T'pau

It could have been too much to ask for, but the fifth single from T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies' was, like the four previous ones, a big hit in the UK. It peaked at number 14 in the singles chart. Outside of the UK, the single did nothing - and I don't think it was even released in most countries.

'I will be with you' is a beautiful powerballad, a bit like 'Valentine' and 'China in your hand' but different. Part of the attraction was this special limited edition gatefold sleeve, in which frontwoman Carol Decker looks quite delicious.

My collection: 7" single no. 647
Found: Sister Ray, London, 1989
Cost: 2,5 pounds
Tracks: 'I will be with you' / 'Still so in love'

Sex talk (live) - T'pau

T'pau's second single 'Intimate strangers' hadn't been a success, so after they'd had more luck with 'China in your hand' and 'Valentine', they tried it again with a live version of that track. Now titled 'Sex talk', it was more successful and peaked at number 23 in the UK. In Europe, the single wasn't released - and so I had to go to London to find a copy of this single.

Bizarrely, the cd-single of this live track was available in the Netherlands, so it became one of the first times that I had a cd-single before I had the vinyl version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1050
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Sex talk (live)' / 'Monkey house (live)'

Heart and soul - T'pau

T'pau released their debut single 'Heart and soul' in early 1987. The single initially flopped in the UK, but then reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Subsequently, the single still entered the chart in the UK and climbed to the same position in the UK. After this, 'Heart and soul' was released in Europe, where it was also a success. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Heart and soul' was re-released in 1997, when it was remixed. This remix version was only released as a cd-single, and didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 617
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart and soul' / 'On the wing'

Intimate strangers - T'pau

T'pau debuted in 1987 with their single 'Heart and soul'. Originally, it didn't sell much in the UK, so the second single was soon released: 'Intimate strangers'. This second single also failed to reach the UK singles chart. 'Intimate strangers' is the same track that would appear on T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies' (1987) as 'Sex talk'.

Meanwhile, 'Heart and soul' became a number 4 hit in the USA, so it was re-released in the UK and T'pau finally made the singles chart then. 'Intimate strangers' sunk without a trace, it's one of the rarest singles in T'pau's catalogue.

My collection: 7" single no. 3155

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 27, 1999

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Intimate strangers' / 'No sense of pride'

Download: here

Valentine - T'pau

Drawn from their debut album 'Bridge of spies', 'Valentine' is a power ballad that is laden with emotions. Released in time for Valentine's day 1988, it climbed to the ninth place in the UK singles chart, only reaching number 22 in the Netherlands.

Of all the singles T'pau has released, this is probably the one that affected me most. There was a time when I could dream the lyric of this song. No wonder, then, that I bought this single as soon as I recognised its appeal.

My collection: 7" single no. 603

Found: Free record shop, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Valentine' / 'Giving my love away'

Download: cd-single 'Valentine', including both tracks

China in your hand - T'pau

The British band T'pau burst onto the scene in 1987 with this song, 'China in your hand'. It wasn't their first single, but it was certainly their biggest hit. In the Netherlands, it got to number one in early 1988, after having reached that same position in the UK. There was no doubt that this band would make it big...

I bought this single almost right after its release in the charts. I was pretty surprised when I found out, later on, that the single version was actually way better than the album version. I bought the album later on in 1988 and was very pleased that I owned the single to compensate for this.

The throwaway B-side 'No sense of pride' was an early indication of how the second album by T'pau would sound. Like the rest of their career, this single was a hit-and-miss affair.

My collection: 7" single no. 574
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'China in your hand' / 'No sense of pride'
Download: here