Listen to your heart - Roxette

According to Per Gessle, 'Listen to your heart' was conceived as 'The Big Bad Ballad. This is us trying to recreate that overblown American FM-rock sound to the point where it almost becomes absurd. We really wanted to see how far we could take it.'

They took it very far, all the way to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart to be exact. When released in the UK in October 1989 it only reached number 62, but a re-release took it to number 6. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 1072
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Listen to your heart' / '(I could never) give you up'

19 (The final story) - Paul Hardcastle

'19 (The Final Story)' was the second 12" single to be released by Paul Hardcastle as a result of the success of his single '19'. The new remix features new spoken material and samples, as well as a totally different sleeve.

It's uncanny how catchy this collection of soundfiles about the Vietnam war is still after two decades. It's also strange how such a serious subject becomes danceable.

My collection: 12" single no. 521
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: '19 (The Final Story)' / 'King Tut (US remix)', 'Fly by night'

Can you forgive her? - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys followed up the two singles from their compilation album 'Discography' with the dramatic and impressive single 'Can you forgive her?'. It was a remarkable comeback for the duo, complete with a rather ridiculous space age image and a computer animated music video.

The lyrics describe a young man's humiliation when his girlfriend accuses him of having gay tendencies – even though he does in fact have them. The title of the song is taken from the Anthony Trollope novel of the same name. 'Can you forgive her?' reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1919
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Can you forgive her?' / 'Hey headmaster'

Bopper en larmes - Laurent Voulzy

'Bopper en larmes' is a rather straightforward pop song, not one of the things Laurent Voulzy specialized in during the Eighties, when he was predominantly releasing ballads and well thought out album tracks.

Still, it was a hit for Voulzy in France, where he has always had a big fan following. Outside of France, he remained virtually unknown.

My collection: 7" single no. 4199
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bopper en larmes' / 'L'Océane'

My number one - Luv'

After Patty Brard left Luv', it seemed like the girl group had reached the end of their tether. But this wasn't necessarily true: with a new girl, Ria Tielsch, they record their fourth studio album 'Forever yours'. The first single, released in advance of the album, is 'My number one'.

This single is their last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4184
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My number one' / 'The show must go on'

One more time - Fay Lovsky

Another single from Fay Lovsky's 1983 album 'Origami', 'One more time' is a ballad with a very intimate instrumentation. It's another single by Lovsky that didn't make the Dutch charts, although it was heavily promoted at the time as the follow-up to 'Ramon'.

I found this single together with three other Fay Lovsky releases in Belgium, which is quite extraordinary since they are so hard to find in Lovsky's native Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4178
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One more time' / 'Sugar me Sam'

Hero takes a fall (remix) - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is a single from the Bangles' debut album 'All over the place'. The song was written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from the band.

The single did not chart, but it did give the band some exposure. So much so, that they performed as an opening act for Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis and the News in 1984. It also won the attention of Prince, who would write their first hit: 'Manic Monday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4197
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'Tell me'

When will I be famous? - Bros

'When will I be famous?' was the second single by Bros, released in November 1987. The single became a huge success, launching Bros as the new boyband hype of the Eighties. The song reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

I remember the most ridiculous claims surrounded this single: some parts would have been sung by Michael Jackson, whereas frontman Matt Goss was made out to be a female by some. It all helped to give them exposure, I guess...

My collection: 7" single no. 4195
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When will I be famous?' / 'Love to hate you'

War child - Blondie

'War child' was a song on Blondie's sixth studio album 'The hunter'. It was written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison. It was released as a single in various countries, but not in the band's native USA. It was the second and final single from the album, and the last Blondie single (except re-releases and remixes) for some 17 years, when the band reformed and released 'Maria' in 1999.

The single was the lowest charting Blondie single to date in the UK, peaking at number 39.

My collection: 7" single no. 4192
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'War child' / 'Little Caesar'

Love enough for two - Prima Donna

Prima Donna represented the United Kingdom during the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. The group consisted of sisters Kate and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston (brother of Jay Aston, who became a member of Bucks Fizz the next year).

They performed the song 'Love enough for two', which finished in third place during the Contest.
It was the first UK entry since 1964 not to make the UK singles chart prior to the Eurovision final, only debuting in chart the week after the contest, peaking at number 48.

My collection: 7" single no. 4189
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love enough for two' / 'Missing out on love'

I didn't know - Ph.D.

'I didn't know' is the first single from Ph.D.'s second album 'Is it safe?', released in 1983. The single did not chart in the UK, but reportedly it did have some success in certain European countries.

Jim Diamond and Tony Hymas have recently reformed and released their third album 'Three' earlier this year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4188
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I didn't know' / 'Theme for Jenny'

Never let her slip away - Andrew Gold

I rediscovered 'Never let her slip away' by Andrew Gold a couple of years ago when I bought a compilation cd with hits from 1978. I loved the single when it came out (even though I was very young at the time) but forgot about it somewhere in the Eighties. When I heard it again, the memory came flooding back.

It's only this weekend that I realised I didn't actually have the single. That error has been corrected now. 'Never let her slip away' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4171
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never let her slip away' / 'Genevieve'

Louise (we get it right) - Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie had one of his biggest successes with 'Louise (We get it right)'. Although the single was ignored in Europe and the UK, it reached number 2 in Australia.

I didn't know this track when I bought the single. Since I like most of the Jona Lewie singles I have, this one couldn't go wrong I thought. And fortunately, I was right.

My collection: 7" single no. 4167
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Louise (We get it right)' / 'It never will go wrong'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Genetic engineering' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's fourth studio album 'Dazzle ships'. The album was co-produced with Rhett Davies, who was best known for his work on lusher-sounding albums by Roxy Music.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart, making it the biggest hit from the album - although it did not chart in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4165
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering' / '4 Neu'

More more more - Bananarama

'More more more' was originally recorded in Jamaica by the porn star Andrea True, who performed under the name Andrea True Connection. The song became a worldwide disco hit.

Bananarama covered the song on their 1993 album 'Please yourself'. Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Stock and Waterman added a second verse to their version of the song which was not present on Andrea True's original. When it was released as a single, it was remixed. It peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart. It was their last single to be released by London Records, their label since 1983. The duo would not release another single in the UK until 'Move in my direction' in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 4161
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More, more, more' / 'Give it all up for love'

Say it - ABC

'Say it' was the second single release from ABC's 1992 album 'Abracadabra'. The track was remixed by the people behind the house group Black Box.

The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart, but remained virtually unknown in the rest of the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 4159
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Say it (Abracadabra mix)' / 'Say it (Black box mix - edit)'

Theme from Mahogany - Diana Ross

'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' was written by Michael Masser and Gerald Goffin, and originally recorded in 1973 by Thelma Houston. Diana Ross recorded her version for the soundtrack of the 1975 Motown/Paramount movie Mahogany. Recorded with a full orchestral accompaniment, the track became one of the most recognizable elements of the movie.

The single was a number 1 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4156
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' / 'No one's gonna be a fool forever'

How do you do - Mouth and Macneal

Exactly a year ago, this blog started with what I consider to be my very first single. A year later, I have posted more than 3000 entries, and I'm three quarters through my collection. Looks like early next year, all I'll need to do is post my new acquisitions.

Anyway, to celebrate the one year anniversary of this blog, here's another single by Mouth & Macneal. Since 'Hello-ah' was the duo's second number 1 hit in the Netherlands, I thought it would be appropriate to post their first here. I bought 'How do you do' in 1981, ten years after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 98

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'How do you do' / 'Land of milk and honey'

My song of you - Laurent Voulzy

Laurent Voulzy recorded the song 'Les nuits sans Kim Wilde' in 1985, a tribute to the English singer and a remarkable pop song. I bought the compilation album 'Carib islander' a decade later and found out that Voulzy actually made several remarkable pop songs - and some lovely chansons as well.

'My song of you' is one of those chansons. Despite the English title, the song is almost entirely in French and showcases the amazing talent of Voulzy to write and perform a very melodic song seemingly without effort.

My collection: 7" single no. 4200
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My song of you' / 'My song of you (version acoustique)'

Smalltown boy (1991 remix) - Bronski Beat

When the record company released a compilation album of Jimmy Somerville's work with Bronski Beat and the Communards in 1991, they also decided to release a single to promote the collection. Bronski Beat's debut single 'Smalltown boy' was remixed by Stephen Hague and released in January 1991.

The single did not chart in Europe, but did manage to reach number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4196
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Smalltown boy (1991 remix)' (Bronski Beat) / 'There's more to love than boy meets girl' (Communards)

Keep each other warm - Bucks Fizz

'Keep each other warm' was released as the fifth and final single from the 1986 Bucks Fizz album 'Writing on the wall'. Despite positive reviews from the music press, the single didn't reach the UK top 40, stalling at number 45.

The B-side was 'Give a little love', which went on to become more famous as a top 20 hit by Aswad two years later. 'Keep each other warm' was later covered by Barry Manilow in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 4194
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Keep each other warm' / 'Give a little love'

(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear - Blondie

'(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear' was written by Gary Valentine, for his then girlfriend, before he left Blondie. The song was included on their album 'Plastic letters', and subsequently released as the second single off the album.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, but it was not released as a single in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4191
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear' / 'Poets problem', 'Detroit 442'

I wish you love - Princess

Those who are familiar with Princess's biggest hits will be very surprised upon hearing this single. I know I was. I bought this single because I quite like her dance songs, but this nostalgic track is very different - but I do like it a lot. It turns out that Princess does actually have a better voice than I always assumed...

'I wish you love' was taken from her 1987 album 'All for love'. It didn't chart, however. It was probably too different for the general public.

My collection: 7" single no. 4190
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I wish you love' / 'Risky business'

Happy station (Scratch version) - Fun Fun

Fun Fun are the Italian singers Francesca Merola and Roberta Servelli. They made themselves famous with their early Eighties blend of dance music and simple pop songs.

Their first hit single was 1983's 'Happy station', which was remixed in a so-called 'scratch version' to appeal to the youth market at the time. The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 4187
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Happy station (Scratch version)' / 'Happy station (instrumental version)'

Starlight dancer - Kayak

Kayak singles have become hard to get, and even if they do pop up, it's usually the same titles. That's why I was quite excited to find this mint copy of 'Starlight dancer' - in Belgium, of all places.

'Starlight dancer' was the title track of Kayak's fifth studio album, released in 1977. The single was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 and even brushing the lower regions of the American singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4180
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starlight dancer' / 'Irene'

Rich - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

'Rich' is a single taken from Lloyd Cole & the Commotions' second album 'Easy pieces', released in 1985. The B-side of this single is taken from their debut album 'Rattlesnakes'. For me, the reason for buying this single was the B-side, but I'm glad to say that the A-side is actually very good too.

The information I have suggests that this single was actually only released in Europe. A DJ 12" from the UK exists, but I have not heard about any commercial copies. Which makes this single a bit of a rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 4176
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rich' / 'Down on Mission street'

Breaking away - Jaki Graham

'Breaking away' is the title track from Jaki Graham's second album, released in 1986. The album reached number 25 in the UK albums chart.

When the song was released as the second single from the album, it performed rather well in the charts. In the UK, 'Breaking away' peaked at number 16, and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 4175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Breaking away' / 'Love me tonight'

Living in sin - Rupert Hine

Attentive listeners will recognise the voice of Robert Palmer on backing vocals on this single. 'Living in sin' was released as a single from Rupert Hine's 1983 album 'The wildest wish to fly'. Although very successful as a producer, none of his single releases have actually charted.

The B-side, 'An eagle's teaching', is an exclusive track that as far as I know hasn't even made it to cd yet, despite several cd reissues.

My collection: 7" single no. 4174
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Living in sin' / 'An eagle's teaching'

Cars and girls - Prefab Sprout

'Cars and girls' was the first single taken from Prefab Sprout's 1988 album 'From Langley Park to Memphis'. The song is a response to Bruce Springsteen's perceived lyrical style and alleged narrow song repertoire. McAloon suggests that Springsteen's worldview is too restricted and that 'some things hurt more, much more, than cars and girls'.

The single reached number 44 in the UK singles chart. It is one of their best known songs despite this comparatively low chart placing.

My collection: 7" single no. 4173
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Cars and girls' / 'Vendetta'

Hitpack - Luv'

Although Luv' had their biggest successes in the late Seventies and early Eighties, someone thought it would be a good idea to release a Megamix of their biggest hits in 1989. The 'Hitpack', as it was called, was mixed by Peter Slaghuis, a moderately wellknown Dutch DJ around that time, and he put together the Luv' singles 'Casanova', 'U.O. me', 'You're the greatest lover' and 'Trojan horse'. The nonsensical B-side finished the job.

Obviously, the single did not chart. Luv' were a thing of the past, and megamixes are rarely a commercial success anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 4186
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hitpack' / 'Luv' stuff'

We belong to the night - Ellen Foley

Releasing the bombastic single 'We belong to the night' in the slipstream of the success of 'Paradise by the dashboard light', the famous Meatloaf track on which Ellen Foley performed the female lead vocals, was a smart move from the record company.

It was also rewarded: 'We belong to the night' became a number 1 hit in the Netherlands for Ellen Foley in the autumn of 1979. Amazingly, the single did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4182
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We belong to the night' / 'Young lust'

Ramon - Fay Lovsky

Taken from Fay Lovsky's 1983 album 'Origami', the track 'Ramon' was remixed for the single release. It was one of many Fay Lovsky singles that didn't reach the Dutch Top 40.

I've seen this single numerous times over the years, but it is only now that I've decided to collect all of her singles that I finally got around to buying this one. I didn't know the track so well, but I'm glad to say this is one of her better singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 4177
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ramon (special dance mix)' / 'Window across the street'

Lonely boy - Andrew Gold

Andrew Maurice Gold was born in Burbank, California on August 2, 1951. He recorded 'Lonely boy' in 1976 for his album 'What's wrong with this picture?' . The song features backing vocals by Linda Ronstadt. The lyric of the song follows the life of a child who is neglected by his parents after the birth of a younger sister. Many assume this song to be autobiographical, but Gold has denied this.

When released as a single in 1977, it reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4170
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lonely boy' / 'Must be crazy'

The friends of Mr. Cairo - Jon and Vangelis

'The friends of Mr. Cairo' is the title track of Jon & Vangelis' second album, released in 1981. On the album, the track lasts 12 minutes, but is edited down to a little more than 4 minutes for this single release. It is still a rather confusing track, which didn't have any commercial appeal.

The song is an ode to classic Hollywood films of the Thirties and Fourties. Most notable references are to the classic film noir 'The Maltese falcon'. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era, most notably Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre.

My collection: 7" single no. 4168
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The friends of Mr. Cairo' / 'Beside'

Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic - Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie is best known for his wry lyrics in the songs he's recorded. This is why 'Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic' is a remarkable single in his catalogue: it is an almost entirely instrumental track. It does feature a guitar part, performed by Juan Martin.

Instrumental tracks are rarely commercially successful, and this one is no exception: the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4166
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic' / 'I'll be here'

The hunter - Clannad

Clannad recorded 'The hunter' as a new track on their 1989 compilation album 'Past present'. It is a re-worked version of the song 'Herne' from their 1984 album 'Legend'. The track was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World studios in Bath.

The single did not chart in the UK, unlike the album 'Past present', which reached number 5 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4164
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The hunter' / 'Atlantic realm (The theme from)'

Another latin love song - The Belle Stars

The Belle Stars made a name for themselves in the London club circuit when they started performing in 1981. Within a few months they appeared on the front cover of Sounds magazine. They were signed by Stiff Records.

The band's debut single, 'Hiawatha' was released in the late spring of 1981. This single failed to chart, just like the follow-up 'Slick trick'. Their third single was this EP, with the lead track 'Another latin love song'. Again, it failed to break into the charts. The band finally found success with their fourth single, a cover of the song 'Iko Iko'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4163
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Another latin love song', 'Miss world' / 'Stop now', 'Having a good time'

I owe you nothing - Bros

I wrote about 'I owe you nothing' once before, as I already owned the single for a long time. But this weekend, I managed to find three more copies of the single. Three more? Yes, because the single was actually released with four different sleeves. One was a compilation of the three others, featuring one member on the front sleeve each. Such was the popularity of Bros, that the single was not only released this way in the UK, but also in Europe.

When 'I owe you nothing' was released as Bros's debut single a year earlier, it failed to chart. The re-release was much more successful, as it managed to climb to the top of the UK singles chart this time around. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 4.

Finding these singles - the German pressings of them, by the way - saw me confronted with an administrative question: would I catalogue them as three separate singles?
In the end, I decided to give them all the number 4162. After all, all three singles contain the same two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 4162
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro each
Tracks: 'I owe you nothing' / 'I owe you nothing (The voice)'

Robert de Niro's waiting - Bananarama

Bananarama write and recorded 'Robert de Niro's waiting' on their self-titled second album, which was released in 1984. The track was apparently originally called 'Al Pacino's waiting', but was changed to 'Robert de Niro's waiting' because it fitted the music better. According to Siobhan Fahey: 'At Jolley [and] Swain's insistence the line 'Talking Italian' was added to add a 'romantic' edge.;

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. When Robert de Niro heard of the 'tribute' song, he arranged to meet the girls from Bananarama for drinks and dinner.

My collection: 7" single no. 4160
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Robert de Niro's waiting' / 'Push!'

Love conquers all - ABC

After the release of the compilation album 'Absolutely' in 1990, ABC moved to a new record company and started recording their sixth studio album 'Abracadabra'. Just like with all previous albums, they radically changed their sound. This time, they opted for early Nineties techno sounds with a rather unemotional, distanced production.

The first single from the album was 'Love conquers all', which was received without much enthusiasm. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.

My collection: 7" single no. 4158
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love conquers all' / 'What's good about goodbye?'

Where did tomorrow go - Ellis Beggs and Howard

The album 'Homelands' by Ellis, Beggs & Howard was not a successful one, despite the fact that their debut single 'Big bubbles, no troubles' was a hit in some European countries. The second single from the album, 'Bad times', was a flop.

Despite this, a third single was released, the uptempo 'Where did tomorrow go?'. Unfortunately, this single also failed to make the chart. The trio started to record a second album in 1989, but it was not released in the end. The tracks did surface several years later as 'The lost years volume 1', including contributions from Warren Cuccurullo and Robert Fripp.

My collection: 7" single no. 4157
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Where did tomorrow go?' / 'Nobody knows'

A brand new day - The Wiz Stars

In 1978, the soundtrack album for the movie 'The Wiz' was released. Chiefly produced by Quincy Jones, the soundtrack features cast performances by the stars of the movie, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross, amongst others.

This quartet also starred on the first single taken from the soundtrack, 'A brand new day', which was released as a single in the summer of 1979. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. The soundtrack marks Jones' first collaboration with Michael Jackson; he would go on to produce Jackson's hit solo albums 'Off the wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4155
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A brand new day' / 'Liberation ballet: a brand new day'

The planet doesn't mind - New Musik

You know a single is rare when it is offered on eBay for enormous amounts of money. It is even more rare when it isn't offered on eBay at all. Ever since I knew about the existance of New Musik's single 'The planet doesn't mind' (which really isn't that long ago) I have been searching for this single to no avail. A copy recently popped up on discogs.com, offered on sale for the amount of 20 euros.

How lucky I was to find this copy of the single for one tenth of that amount. It means that I am very close to completing my collection of New Musik singles. The only one I am looking for now is the title track of their third album, 'Warp'. For a reasonable price, of course. After all, all these singles flopped.

My collection: 7" single no. 4151
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The planet doesn't mind' / '24 hours from culture (part 2)'

I wanna dance - Novi Fosili

Novi Fosili (English: The new fossils) was a Croatian pop band, one of the most popular music acts in former Yugoslavia. They formed in Zagreb in 1969. They found success when composer Rajko Dujmić joined the band in 1976. That same year the band played at the Split Festival, where their song 'Diridonda' became a hit throughout the country. Their next several albums sold millions of copies and delivered many hits that are still aired on radios in Croatia today. The first female singer was Đurđica Barlović, in 1984 replaced by Sanja Doležal. The group's male vocalists were Vladimir Kočiš Zec and Rajko Dujmić.

In 1987 the band represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest. With their song 'Ja sam za ples' they reached fourth place. The single was released all over Europe, but this didn't bring them international success. The band disbanded when the former Yugoslavia fell apart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4150
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'I wanna dance' / 'Ja sam za ples'

Cygnus - Nova

The synthesizer wizards of Nova recorded two albums, but they will always be remembered for their debut single 'Aurora'. It's as if they never recorded anything else! But they did.

'Cygnus' was the first single from their second album 'Quo vadis', released in 1983. The single did not make a dent in the charts, although it didn't sound very different from the material on their first album. But perhaps that was the problem...

My collection: 7" single no. 4149
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cygnus' / 'Jig'

Starchild - Level 42

'Starchild' was written by Wally Badarou, Mark King and Phil Gould. It was released in 1981 as a track on Level 42's debut studio album. It was subsequently released as a single.

The single peaked at number 57 on the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4148
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starchild' / 'Foundation and empire part 1'

Megamix - Imagination

In 1989, Imagination released a compilation album entitled 'Like it is: revised and remixed classics'. To promote the album, this Megamix was released. The single did not chart in any territory.

I don't know many megamixes that were chart hits. Perhaps it's because, as this single demonstrates quite effectively, a megamix makes the entire catalogue of an artist sound like they've only made one song: everything blends together too much. Still, it is amusing to hear four Imagination tracks within five minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 4147
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Megamix' / 'Burning up'

Young 'n' Russian - Korgis

'Young 'n' Russian' was the debut single of the Korgis, back in 1979. The label Rialto records, on which it was released, was owned by their managers Nick and Tim Heath.

The single did not chart, but it would appear on their self-titled debut album, released a few months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4146
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Young 'n' Russian' / 'Cold tea'