Living on video - Trans X

The Canadian duo Trans X became one hit wonders in 1983 with their song 'Living on video'. Written by Pascal Languirand, it was a catchy pop tune about the 'modern' life of the early Eighties.

This 12" single features two extended versions of the track, one in English and one in French. When you listen to it, you can't help but notice that the French vocals sound a bit hysterical - in all senses of the word.

My collection: 12" single no. 316
Found: Record fair, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Living on video (extended version)' / 'Vivre sur video (extended version)'

3D dance - Trans X

When you see the sleeve pictured here, you might think it's a mispressing. But that's not true: you need to watch it with 3D glasses (Don't know if it works on the screen of your computer though!). The music weekly Bravo in Germany supplied them with the 12" single of this, but not with the 7" single.

It was a nice gimmick with this synthpop track by the Canadian duo Trans X. Despite the very Eighties sound of this, I'm still curious how this track would sound in Dolby Surround. Released in February 1984, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4312
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '3D dance' / '3D dance (instrumental)'

Living on video ('85 re-mix) - Trans X

After I'd bought 'Living on video' shortly after it was released, Trans X disappeared from the scene. The duo consisting of Pascal Languirand and Cerstin Strecker, hailing from Canada, did release some more singles, but they failed to chart outside of Canada. In 1985, Trans X released a 1985 re-mix of 'Living on video', which reached number 9 in the UK singles chart. Incidentally, the original version didn't chart in that country. In the Netherlands, the original version reached number 12 in the summer of 1983, but this remix version didn't chart. And so I only found out about this single more than a decade later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2896

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Living on video ('85 re-mix)' / 'Digital world'
Download: here

Living on video - Trans X

My sister didn't approve. That's what I always think when I see this single. Back in 1983, it was still a big issue which records we bought. As we both had record collections, she didn't appreciate it much when I bought the same singles she did, because we would have less extra songs to play, but whenever I bought something she didn't like, she was disappointed as well.

'Living on video' was an example of electronic music. When I grew older, I came to realise that women generally don't like electronic music, because of its mechanic nature. But I loved this song for all its simplicity and weird noises. And that includes the vocals...

My collection: 7" single no. 212

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Living on video' / 'Digital world'

Download: Album 'Living on video', including both tracks. (Part one / Part two; password video93)