'Rainbow lake' was released as the second single from Wendy & Lisa's third album 'Eroica'. Released in November 1990, it was their last chart hit in the UK, although it only reached number 70 during the one week it charted.
After this single, only 'Don't try to tell me' was released, after which the duo stopped recording for a long time.
My collection: 7" single no. 2402 Found: July 8, 1995 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Rainbow lake (Album remix)' / 'Rainbow lake (12 into 7 remix)'
Seal released 'Violet' as the fifth and last single from his self-titled debut album. It featured acoustic versions of tracks from the album, with all the royalties from the single donated to charity. Unfortunately, the single was not the biggest success from the album: it reached number 39 in the UK singles chart.
Nevertheless, the versions of 'Violet' and 'Wild' on this single are in their own way just as good as the Trevor Horn-produced album versions.
My collection: 7" single no. 2263 Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Violet' / 'Wild'
'Sister of mercy' was the fourth single taken from the Thompson Twins' hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap'. The single version was different from the album version, in that it started out as a ballad. The B-side was a megamix of wellknown Thompson Twins tracks, such as 'We are detective', 'Into the gap' and 'Hold me now'.
The single reached number 11 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories.
My collection: 7" single no. 238 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Sister of mercy' / 'Out of the gap'
'When the snow falls' was originally Ten Sharp's debut single back in 1985. The single did not chart, and since subsequent singles were not a big success either, the band broke up in 1987. When they returned in 1991 with the single 'You', they had a European hit on their hands. The album 'Under the water-line' consisted of nine new tracks, but also a version of 'When the snow falls'.
This version was edited and released as the fourth single from the album. This version is slightly different from the original single and it also contains a different B-side. It didn't bring the band the success they might have hoped for: again, it failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1967 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'When the snow falls' / 'Some sails'
I cited the words 'I could be your friend, I could be your slave, I could be anything you want me to / But please, don't be aggressive' to a friend back in 1992, when she wanted to hit me because I was pulling her hair again. The words stuck in my mind, and subsequently I bought the single just after it had failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.
Written by Michael Cretu and Klaus Hirschburger, 'Don't be aggressive' sounded a lot like a track by Enigma, the newly created project by Cretu. The single reached number 17 in Germany and was only a top 10 hit in Norway, where it peaked at number 7.
My collection: 7" single no. 1592 Found: Free Record Shop, March 21, 1992 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Don't be aggressive' / 'Seal it forever'
Whenever I play this song, I'm very curious what drove the record company to release this as a single. The quirky song with its strange title was not exactly chart material and anyone with one ear could easily admit that. After the commercial failure of 'This side of love', this single was sure not to improve matters much.
Still, the single did manage to reach number 55 in the UK singles chart. It is a success of sorts, since 'This side of love' only managed number 83. I didn't think this single was released on 7" single, until I found it five years after its release.
My collection: 7" single no. 2520 Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'To know someone deeply is to know someone softly' / 'Loose variations on a dead mans vibe in C# M'
Technotronic finally managed to create one track which did not include rapping. The singing on this track was still pretty substandard, but at least it was a kindof decent tune. The lyric is another poetic masterpiece: 'Rockin' over the beat / Rollin' over the melody'.
The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and went top 20 all over Europe. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single managed to get to number 95. And this single concluded by Technotronic collection. Yes, it got out of hand a little.
My collection: 7" single no. 1280 Found: August 23, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Rockin' over the beat' / 'Raw'
Roland Orzabal surprised many when he returned in 1993 on his own under the Tears for Fears band name. Curt Smith had left the group and the album 'Elemental' was created without him. The song 'Fish out of water' on the album was apparently about Curt Smith. Roland has often referred to this song as his 'How Do You Sleep', in reference to the scathing song John Lennon wrote about former bandmate Paul McCartney. Curt released a formal response to this tune four years later, in the song 'Sun King' from his album 'Mayfield'.
'Break it down again' is a less explosive song. It was released as the first single from 'Elemental' in May 1993 and reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 25.
My collection: 7" single no. 1918 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, June 5, 1993 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Break it down again' / 'Bloodletting go'
'Radio Musicola' is the title track from Nik Kershaw's third album. Both the album and the single were released in 1986 by MCA Records. The album deals with subjects of integrity, media skepticism (particularly towards tabloid journalism), privacy, insecurity and mass produced run-of-the-mill pop.
All this intelligence was probably too much for the audience to handle: the single only reached number 43 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3065 Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1999 Cost: 60p Tracks: 'Radio Musicola' / 'L.A.B.A.T.Y.D.'
I still remember vividly the first time I heard 'Belfast child' by the Simple Minds. It was a Saturday evening and I had a splitting headache. I'd taken a few pills to combat this, and started playing some music. As always, I'd borrowed the new cd-singles my sister had bought, and this was one of them. I was listening to this new track with a lot of attention and was very impressed with the buildup and climax near the end of the track. When the song was over, my headache was gone.
The song uses the music from the Irish folk song 'She moved through the fair', but has completely different words. Jim Kerr commented: 'I first heard the melody a few days after the Enniskillen bombing, and like everybody when you see the images I was sick. In the second part of the song, I'm trying to relate to people in Northern Ireland who lost loved ones. I'm trying to talk about the madness, the sadness and the emptiness. I'm not saying I have any pearls of wisdom, but I have a few questions to ask.' The single, released in early 1989, reached number 1 in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 735 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 7, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Belfast child' / 'Mandela Day'
Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú) is a passage tomb of the Brú na Bóinne complex in County Louth. It was originally built between c. 5500 and 2900 BC. It is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, and indeed the most famous of all Irish prehistoric sites.
It is also the title of this Clannad song, released as the third single from their 1982 album 'Magical ring'. It reached number 65 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 2682 Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Newgrange' / 'Seachràn Charn tSiail'
Taken from their debut album of the same name, 'Adolescent sex' was the first hit for Japan, reaching number 27 in the Netherlands and number 20 in Japan. The single did not chart in the UK, where it was not played on the radio because of the title.
The song sounds very different from Japan's later material, and these days many people find it hard to believe that this is actually a track sung by David Sylvian.
My collection: 7" single no. 2942 Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Adolescent sex' / 'Sometimes I feel so low'
Released in October 1987, 'Fight fire with fire' was the last single by Mai Tai to reach the Dutch Top 40. It reached number 31 during a four week chart run. The single was taken from their 1987 album 'Cool is the rule'.
In 1988, a compilation album was released, after which the members of Mai Tai went their separate ways.
My collection: 7" single no. 4091 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Fight fire with fire' / 'If it don't turn you on'
The new single by Madonna notwithstanding, the most famous song called 'Celebration' was originally released in 1980 by Kool & the Gang, a number 1 hit in America for the band. Kylie Minogue, who cited the song as one of her alltime favourite songs, recorded for her fourth studio album 'Let's get to it' in 1991, but it was not included.
The track appeared a year later as a new song on her Greatest Hits album. Released as a single, it reached number 20 in the UK singles chart. This song was the last single Kylie made with PWL and Stock Aitken Waterman.
My collection: 7" single no. 3331 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Celebration' / 'Let's get to it'
'Sounds like a melody' was the second single taken from Alphaville's debut album 'Forever young'. Released in May 1984, the single reached the top 10 all over Europe, including a number 6 position in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in Germany and Austria.
Besides this 7" single I also own the 12" single, which fortunately contains an extended version of this great song.
My collection: 7" single no. 608 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 7, 1988 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Sounds like a melody' / 'The Nelson highrise (Sector one: the elevator)'
Not content with having a European hit with 'Nur geträumt', the German band Nena recorded the track in an English version entitled 'Just a dream'. This English version was the follow-up to '99 red balloons', the English version of her hit '99 Luftballons' which reached number 1 in the UK.
'Just a dream' did much worse in May 1984, reaching number 70 during a two week chart run. It was also the last Nena single to chart in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 3074 Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Just a dream' / 'Indianer'
'Just a shadow' was the third and last single released from Big Country's third album 'Steeltown'. Like the two before, the single was only a significant success in the UK. The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart in January 1985.
Back then, Big Country singles really didn't excite me much. I took in most of my music through television and all of their music videos were very boring. It's only a few years later that I started to appreciate this song. Eventually, I bought the single.
My collection: 7" single no. 1305 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990 Cost: 30p Tracks: 'Just a shadow' / 'Winter sky'
Time for some dodgy Nineties music now. Timmy T was born as Timmy Torres in Fresno, California on September 21, 1967. He released his biggest hit 'One more try' in 1991. The song was written and performed by Timmy himself. The inspiration for the lyric was the breakup with a girlfriend.
Nothing really shocking there. But here is comes: when you listen to this, you will hear the cheap, tinny sounds and the low production standards of the track. You would think this would have been a minor hit, but instead this track topped the charts in America and the Netherlands. Only the people in the UK were sensible: there, the single did not chart. And why did I buy it? Dunno. Must have been a blackout.
My collection: 7" single no. 1436 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 26, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'One more try' / 'What will I do'
Contrary to public belief, Roxette did not debut with the single 'The look', which gave them worldwide fame. Instead, this single, 'Neverending love' was the start of their career together. Per Gessle had been a member of Gyllene Tider, a Swedish pop group, and Marie Fredriksson had a successful solo career in Sweden.
This song was originally called 'Svarta glas' and was written for another Swedish artist, Pernilla Wahlgren. She turned it down and gave it to her brother, Niclas Wahlgren, who decided to record it. This release was cancelled when Roxette's record company found out that writer Per Gessle had recorded an English version of the song with Fredriksson. 'Neverending love' was released all over Europe, but only charted in Sweden, where it reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 2963 Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Neverending love' / 'Neverending love (Love mix)'
'Don't drop bombs' was released as the second single from Liza Minelli's 1989 album 'Results'. Like the album, the single was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelssohn. The track was written by the Pet Shop Boys and featured background vocals by Tessa Niles.
The single was a club favourite, but stalled at number 46 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1944 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 11, 1993 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Don't drop bombs' / 'Don't drop bombs (instrumental)'
'The lovers are losing' was the second single taken from Keane's 2008 album 'Perfect symmetry'. It was released in October 2008.
Despite being the first physical release taken from the album ('Spiralling' was released as a digital download only in the UK), the single only reached number 52 in the UK singles chart. It had a three week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 3517 Found: eBay.com, received December 30, 2008 Cost: 3 pounds Tracks: 'The lovers are losing' / 'Time to go'
The second single from Earth & Fire's 1982 album 'In a state of flux' was the radiofriendly 'Jack is back', an unpretentious pop song from the band that had slowly moved away from their progressive rock roots.
The single reached number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Although all three singles from 'In a state of flux' reached the Dutch Top 40, it was also the last album by the band - until a reunion album in 1989, that is.
My collection: 7" single no. 430 Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Jack is back' / 'Hide away'
Released in 1980, 'I just can't help it' was the Korgis' fourth single release. Their debut single 'Young 'n Russian' was released twice without chart success, whereas their second single 'If I had you' gave them their first chart success.
'I just can't help it' was remixed for the single release, but it didn't help matters much: the single didn't reach the UK singles chart. Their next single would be the biggest hit of their career: 'Everybody's gotta learn sometimes'.
My collection: 7" single no. 2899 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997 Cost: 30p Tracks: 'I just can't help it' / 'O Maxine'
'I want your (hands on me)' was already not the strongest track on Sinéad O'Connor's debut album 'The lion and the cobra', but the single version, released in the spring of 1988, had the added bonus of a rap by a certain MC Lyte. And as you well know, rapping is the worst kind of self-expression.
I wasn't going to buy this single at first, until I noticed the B-side contained a live version of 'Just call me Joe', recorded during a BBC Radio One session in 1987. Okay, so the B-side was better than the A-side this time around... The single reached number 77 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2546 Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'I want your (hands on me) (feat. MC Lyte)' / 'Just call me Joe (live)'
Adamski and Seal recorded 'Killer' in 1990, providing Seal with a platform from which to launch his own solo career. On his debut album, he recorded a new version of the song - and this version was released as the fourth single from the album. This new version was produced by Trevor Horn and William Orbit.
Seal's version of 'Killer' reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. The B-side consisted of two tracks, both recorded live in an attempt to launch him as a 'serious' live artist too. Seal has since done several tours, proving that his great voice is not just a product of studio alterations.
My collection: 7" single no. 2165 Found: London, September 26, 1994 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Killer' / 'Hey Joe', 'Come see what love has done'
'Drive' was the third single from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat City'. Written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and the Cars, the lead vocals were performed by the band's bassist Benjamin Orr.
The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. In the summer of 1985, the song was used for a video showing footage of hungry Ethiopian children during the Live Aid concert. Despite the fact that 'Who's gonna drive you home tonight' is a bit of a stupid question in a country where cars are nowhere to be seen and the question 'Who's gonna give you food tonight' might be more appropriate, the single found itself in the public eye once more. When it was re-released, it reached number 4 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 327 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 5,5 guilders Tracks: 'Drive' / 'Stranger eyes'
'Fame' was written by David Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon in 1975. The original version of the song was released as a single that same year and shot to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1990, a remixed version of the song was released by EMI to coincide with the Sound + Vision tour and the release of the ChangesBowie compilation cd. The B-side of the single featured a very regrettable version with random mumblings by a female rapper. In the UK, 'Fame 90' was released in a special pack featuring three photograph prints. The single reached number 28 in the UK singles chart and did not chart in the USA.
My collection: 7" single no. 1229 Found: Free Record Shop, April 22, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Fame 90 (Gass mix)' / 'Fame 90 (Queen Latifah's rap version)'
A track like 'I don't care anymore' is a far cry from the syrupy ballad material Phil Collins recorded later on in his solo career. Apparently, the lyric of this song is about the anger Collins felt after his first marriage dissolved.
Taken from his second solo album 'Hello, I must be going!', this single did not chart. The B-side was released as a single later on, and reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2416 Found: July 22, 1995 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'I don't care anymore' / 'Don't let him steal your heart away'
'Who will you run to' was the second single from Heart's 1987 album 'Bad animals'. The song was written by Diane Warren. The lyric contains a clear warning to a departing lover that there will be no one else who could care for and support him in the way that the singer of the song has.
The single reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 30 in the UK singles chart. The B-side is the most beautiful track from Heart's 1985 self-titled album.
My collection: 7" single no. 1751 Found: London, October 19, 1992 Cost: 60p Tracks: 'Who will you run to' / 'Nobody home'
I don't think many chart singles are based on classical music these days. But in the Seventies and early Eighties, it happened every once in a while. This track by Demis Roussos is a good example: 'Follow me' was based on Rodrigo's Concerto d'Aranjuez, and was an impressive piece clocking in at six minutes.
Demis reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40 with this single, and had a Europe-wide hit with it as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 169 Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Follow me' / 'Song without end'
After Ricky Wilde debuted in 1972 with 'I am an astronaut', his second single 'April love' was released in early 1973. The song was originally written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster and recorded in 1957 by Pat Boone. Young Ricky didn't reach the UK singles chart with this effort, and I have no further chart statistics for this single. (He reportedly did well in Scandinavia with some singles, but it's never been described which singles exactly).
I found this copy of the single, with a picture sleeve and made in the UK, on eBay, sold by a Danish person. The disc is in pretty fine condition, considering its age of 36 years. And yes, all of Ricky's singles have become a bit of a collector's item: they are rarely offered for sale and especially copies with a picture sleeve are very hard to find.
My collection: 7" single no. 4098 Found: eBay.com, received September 29, 2009 Cost: 9 euro Tracks: 'April love' / 'Round and round'
Produced by Trevor Horn, it's no surprise that 'Left to my devices', taken from the Pet Shop Boys' 1987 album 'Introspective', is quite a bombastic tune. As for the lyrics, Neil Tennant explains: 'I liked the idea of writing a really up pop song about being left alone. This song is a day in the life of someone, so it starts off with getting out of bed and being on the phone and drinking tea and all the rest of it, and it ends up with coming home. By this time I was making the words very exaggerated and camp, though writing a book and going on stage were both things I had wanted to do when I was young.'
The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. It did much worse in America, where it stalled at number 84. The Pet Shop Boys failed to regain their popularity there ever since.
My collection: 7" single no. 707 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 17, 1988 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Left to my own devices' / 'The sound of the atom splitting'
While in the UK their record company had stopped releasing 7" singles by Erasure after 'Run to the sun', their American record company apparently continued for some time, judging from this copy of 'In my arms', released in 1997.
'In my arms', released as the first single from Erasure's 1997 album 'Cowboy', became their first Billboard Hot 100 entry since 1994's 'Always', peaking at number 55. In the UK, the single reached number 13. The B-side features a cover of Blondie's 'Heart of glass'.
My collection: 7" single no. 4059 Found: eBay.com, received September 23, 2009 Cost: $4 Tracks: 'In my arms' / 'Heart of glass'
Cyndi Lauper, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg wrote 'My first night without you', a song about coming home for the first time without a partner being there after a break up. The single was considered a failure in most of the world because it failed to make a big impact on most charts. However, in South America it was a big success, reaching number 1 in Brazil and Colombia.
The track is also a personal favourite of mine. I remember playing it lots of times after I bought it out of curiosity.
My collection: 7" single no. 1269 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'My first night without you' / 'Unabbreviated love'
Released in April 1987, 'Bet that's what you say' was Mai Tai's penultimate hit single in the Netherlands. The song was produced by Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, who also wrote the it. The single reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 during a three week chart run.
The sleeve photograph was taken by one of the Netherlands' most wellknown photographers, Govert de Roos.
My collection: 7" single no. 4090 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Bet that's what you say' / 'Bet that's what you say (dub mix)'
'Don't forget to dance' is a beautiful ballad from the Kinks' 1983 album 'State of confusion'. The single followed 'Come dancing', which was one of the band's most successful singles in the United States. By comparison, this single did not do well.
In the UK, this single reached number 58, while in the Netherlands it did not chart. It was the first Kinks single I ever bought. The band has of course been active since the early Sixties, but most of their material just doesn't interest me much.
My collection: 7" single no. 497 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Don't forget to dance' / 'Young conservatives'
The intro of 'Maid of Orleans' is one of the strangest sounds I'd ever heard in 1982. It piqued my interest, and with the aid of the intriguing music video, this became one of my favourite tracks of the year. About the intro, Andy McCluskey explained: 'The idea came about because we actually had the song recorded but thought the track started oddly and needed something else to announce its arrival. It's not meant to "mean" anything specific, just set up a feeling to let the track grow out of the strange noises. I think that it worked well! Most of the noises are mellotron vocal sounds slowed down/sped up and greatly distorted simply by completely overdriving the old Helios desk in The Manor Studio. Pink noise and snare drum in lots of reverb.'
The song was a big success, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 308 Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 1985 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Maid of Orleans' / 'Navigation'
The first single from Sade's third album 'Stronger than pride' was the track 'Love is stronger than pride'. On the sleeve and in the accompanying music video, frontwoman Sade Adu was pictured on the beach in an attempt to 'sex up' the band. It didn't entirely work, as there was a certain distance exuding from her.
The single performed best, chart-wise, in the Netherlands, where it reached number 18. In the UK, where this limited edition single with a free colour poster was released, the single stalled at number 44.
My collection: 7" single no. 2631 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 16, 1996 Cost: 7 guilders Tracks: 'Love is stronger than pride' / 'Super bien total'
Kid Creole and the Coconuts released their fourth album 'Doppelganger' in 1983. The opening track of the album was 'The lifeboat party', which was subsequently released as the album's second single.
The single reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories. Still, it's a fine party song.
My collection: 7" single no. 4084 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'The lifeboat party' / 'Gina Gina'
Taken from their fourth album 'Scandalous', 'State of love' was another single by Imagination produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The single only charted in the UK, where it reached number 67 in the singles chart.
With 9 out of the 10 singles released before this one having reached the UK singles chart, it's interesting to note that from the 13 singles that followed, only 2 charted in the UK - and none of them anywhere else.
My collection: 7" single no. 4079 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'State of love' / 'Wrong in love'
'Oh Carolina' was originally written by John Folkes and performed by the Folkes Brothers in 1960. The original track incorporated African-influenced Niyabinghi-style drumming and chanting.
In 1993, Shaggy revived the song. His cover version spent two weeks at number 1 in the UK singles chart and reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. I finally bought the single six months after its release to irk a friend of mine who hated the song with a passion. He's since moved to China, although I'm not sure it's because I own this single now.
My collection: 7" single no. 2034 Found: HMV, London, October 22, 1993 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Oh Carolina' / 'Oh Carolina (Raas Bumba Claat version)'
Graeme Clark was inspired to write 'Goodnight girl' for his then girlfriend but has never publicly named her. It became the third single taken from Wet Wet Wet's fourth studio album 'High on the happy side'. It was released in December 1991 and became the second number 1 hit single for the band in the UK .
In he Netherlands, the single reached number 2 in March 1992. A 1994 version reached number 11 in the Netherlands, but did not chart in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 1583 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 15, 1992 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Goodnight girl' / 'Ambrose Wykes'
It's Puck's brother's lucky weekend, as here's another single by Risqué. As far as I know, it's their last single. The track 'Go for it' was produced by Sander Bos and Ben Liebrand. The latter is better known for his remixes of tracks, which were broadcast on Dutch radio weekly on Fridays around that time (1984).
However much the girls went for it, this single did not chart - not even in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 4096 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Go for it!' / 'Go for it! (dub version)'
Clodagh Rodgers was born on March 5, 1947 in Northern Ireland. In 1970 she was asked to represent the United Kingdom in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. Part of the reasoning behind the BBC's invitation was their concern over what reaction the UK entrant would get on the stage from the Irish public. She received death threats from the I.R.A. as a result of her appearing for the UK.
The singer expresses her strong feelings of love to a man who treats her like a toy. She feels that in exchange of his love, she would gladly 'bounce on a spring' like the aforementioned toy. After ending fourth in the Contest, the song coincidentally also peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4097 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Jack in the box' / 'Some to love me'
Not that 'New in town' was a bad song, but the second single by Little boots, 'Remedy' is a lot better. According to Little Boots, ''Remedy' is about dancing and music being a remedy to some kind of poison in your life. I wanted to write a dark dance pop song a bit like Britney Spears' 'Toxic'. The lyrics are not really very personal, I was more imagining a situation.'
The B-side of this single contains a beautiful cover version of Freddie Mercury's 'Love kills'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in Ireland.
My collection: 7" single no. 4063 Found: eBay.co.uk, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 3 pounds Tracks: 'Remedy' / 'Love kills'
Risqué were never excessively popular, even in their native Netherlands, because the formula just didn't fit: they never worked with the best producers, they were trying to be sexy but they couldn't (because they were ugly!) and there was little or no variation in their music. It's rather strange to notice that they perform all their tracks singing together - there are no solos and that makes the whole thing go flat. All this gives Risqué this naff Eighties quality that I'm a sucker for.
'Burn it up (Mr. DJ)' was the last chart hit for the quartet, released in September 1983. It peaked at number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. Two further singles did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4095 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Burn it up (Mr. DJ)' / 'Burn it up (instrumental)'
Personally, I think Prince perfected his craft with this particular song. It sounds very Prince, but the lyric has more substance than any other Prince song. It deals directly with money, poverty and greed - both on a personal and a political level.
The song is notable for its promotional video, directed by Spike Lee. Featuring a poverty-stricken African-American family, with no shots of Prince at all, it was considered overly political and not 'MTV-friendly'. A second version was issued, which included footage of the song being performed by Prince and The New Power Generation. The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4094 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Money don't matter 2 night' / 'Call the law'
In 1985, Olivia Newton-John released the album 'Soul kiss'. The first single was the title track, and the second single was 'Toughen up'. While the first single was a hit in several countries, 'Toughen up' did not chart anywhere - the only exception being Australia, where the single stalled at number 93.
Olivia's pregnancy limited her ability to promote the album and singles properly. Her daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi was born in January 1986 - by then, the album 'Soul kiss' was already forgotten by most people.
My collection: 7" single no. 4093 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Toughen up' / 'Driving music'