Shipbuilding - Tasmin Archer

'Shipbuilding' was written by singer/songwriter Elvis Costello and producer Clive Langer during the Falklands War of 1982. Costello's lyrics discuss the contradiction of the war bringing back prosperity to traditional shipbuilding areas of Merseyside (Cammell Laird), Tyneside (Swan Hunter) and Belfast (Harland and Wolff) to build new ships to replace those being sunk in the war, whilst also sending off the sons of these areas to fight and, potentially, lose their lives in those same ships.

Tasmin Archer recorded the song as part of her 'Shipbuilding EP', which contains covers of four Costello songs. The EP reached number 40 in the UK singles chart in 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 2665
Found: Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Shipbuilding', 'Deep dark truthful mirror' / 'All grown up', 'New Amsterdam'

Arienne - Tasmin Archer

'Arienne' was the fourth and last single taken from Tasmin Archer's debut album 'Great expectations'. The name Arienne came up when Tasmin had a melody in her head and the name just seemed to fit. The name is not that common, but it is an old French family name. Tasmin says the lyrics of 'Arienne' are about 'finding your way in the world and having to cope with growing up in a world that's not so friendly.'

The single peaked at number 30 in the UK singles chart, but only spent four weeks in the chart before dropping off.

My collection: 7" single no. 2376
Found: London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Arienne' / 'In your care (live)'

Lords of the new church - Tasmin Archer

The lyrics of 'Lords of the new church' are not primarily religious. Tasmin Archer commented about the song: 'It's about the modern breed of politicians and it was written in the very early Nineties even before things became has bad as they are now.'

The song was released as the third single from Archer's debut album 'Great expectations'. Released in May 1993, it did not perform as well as previous releases from Archer. Although it debuted inside the UK top 40 unlike previous releases, it stalled at number 26 and completely dropped off of the charts three weeks later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2388
Found: Newcastle, July 5, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Lords of the new church' / 'Hero'

In your care - Tasmin Archer

After peaking early with her debut single 'Sleeping satellite', Tasmin Archer never managed to hit the UK top 10 again. That's not to say that the rest of her singles weren't much cop: 'In your care' is an intense ballad that should really have been a massive hit as well. The lyric of 'In your care' is about child abuse, a topic Archer feels very strongly about.

The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories. The money made from this release was donated to the UK charity Child Line.

My collection: 7" single no. 2344
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'In your care' / 'Sleeping satellite (Fitz mix)'

Sleeping satellite - Tasmin Archer

Although first released in 1992, Archer and her co-writers wrote 'Sleeping satellite' in the late Eighties, but it was only when Archer got a record deal that the song saw the light of day. Archer sings backing vocals on the track along with Tessa Niles and Carol Kenyon. Released on August 31, 1992, the single rose to the top of the chart in the UK, creating an instant media hype at the time.

The single was also a success in other countries. In the Netherlands, 'Sleeping satellite' became Archer's only chart hit, peaking at number 9 in November 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 2482
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Sleeping satellite' / 'Sleeping satellite (acoustic version)'