Every now and then I play an old cd that's been orphaned in my collection. A few weeks ago I took out the greatest hits collection of the Fine Young Cannibals, and the standout track on that, I felt, was their version of 'Suspicious minds'. I never liked this track much in the past, but things change. The hysterical backing vocals by Jimmy Somerville add a certain something to this track. I decided I had to buy the single after all these years.
'Suspicious minds' was a hit in the UK, peaking at number 8. The track was also used in the cult films 'Dangerously close' and 'Down twisted'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5057 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Suspicious minds' / 'Prick up your ears'
'Heavenly Action' was released in November 1985 as Erasure's second single. Released after 'Who needs love like that', it was another commercial failure for the duo. In the UK it is still their lowest charting single, peaking as it did at number 100.
The song was later included on the duo's debut album Wonderland, released in June 1986. This German pressing is a limited edition on red vinyl.
My collection: 7" single no. 5056 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Heavenly action' / 'Don't say no'
When Siobhan Fahey left Bananarama some might have thought she would disappear into nothingness, but nothing was further from the truth: within months she set up Shakespear's sister together with Marcella Detroit and the duo released a couple of very successful and artistically interestig albums.
Their debut single, released in 1988, was 'Break my heart', a track that would also appear on their debut album in 1989. Siobhan Fahey wanted 'Heroine' to be the group's debut single, but her label was not convinced it was a strong enough single, and instead opted for 'Break my heart'. It didn't matter much: the single flopped anyway. Thankfully, later singles would be more successful.
My collection: 7" single no. 5055 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Break my heart' / 'Heroine'
In August 1981, Bowie had begun rehearsals to appear in the BBC version of Bertolt Brecht's play 'Baal'. The lyrics to the songs were all translated by Ralph Manheim and John Willett. Dominic Muldowney provided all new musical settings, except for 'The drowned girl', which was a setting by Kurt Weill done originally for Das Berliner Requiem. In September 1981, Bowie and Tony Visconti returned to the Hansa studios in Berlin to re-record the five songs Baal performed in the play.
'Baal’s Hymn' is a combination of the vignettes spread throughout the play, and establishes Baal’s amoral character. 'Remembering Marie A' concerns Baal’s reminiscences of a past conquest, where he can remember a cloud drifting overhead, but not the face of the girl he was with. 'Ballad of the Adventurers' is Baal’s aggressive lament to the death of his mother. 'The Drowned Girl' relates the suicide of one of Baal’s conquests. 'The Dirty Song' is a short number, with Baal humiliating his lover Sophie.
Bowie's performance as Baal was broadcast on February 2, 1982, and RCA issued the EP to coincide with this. Both the play and EP were well received, with the latter reaching number 29 in the UK chart, which was a high placing considering the unconventional tracks. The 7" single comes packaged in a double gatefold sleeve containing extensive notes pertaining to the musical content and a short biography of Bertolt Brecht. This EP was Bowie’s final new release for RCA Records. Bowie's next release was issued by EMI. The EP was re-released as a digital download in 2007.
My collection: 7" single no. 5054 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Baal's hymn', 'Remembering Marie A.' / 'Ballad of the adventurers', 'The drowned girl', 'The dirty song'
Giorgio Moroder made a restoration and new edit of 'Metropolis', the 1927 movie by Fritz Lang. Moroder’s version of the film introduced a new contemporary pop music soundtrack for the film. Although it restored a number of previously missing scenes and plot details from the original release (in particular, Moroder's version restores the character of Hel, who was omitted from the original release version of the film), his version of the film runs to only 80 minutes in length, compared to the original 153 minute version.
The lead single for the soundtrack was Freddie Mercury's 'Love kills', a Moroder-produced track that sounded very similar to Queen tracks that were released around the same time. The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in Ireland. It also reached the charts around Europe, but peaking at lower positions.
My collection: 7" single no. 5053 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Love kills' / 'Rotwang's party (Robot dance)' (Giorgio Moroder)
In 1992, Erasure released the Abba-esque EP, featuring four covers of Abba songs. All formats were released with four tracks on them, so one would think no other formats would exist.
But here it is: a Spanish promotional one-track single, featuring the track 'Take a chance on me'. Probably worth something to a Erasure fan, but I just happened to stumble across this copy while browsing the racks.
My collection: 7" single no. 5052 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Take a chance on me'
Freda Charcilia Payne was born on September 19, 1945. She's an American singer and actress best known for her million selling, 1970 hit single, 'Band of Gold'. The song, written by the famous writing team Holland-Dozier-Holland, tells a story of a recently married woman whose husband is incapable of loving her (even though he tried), resulting in the couple sleeping in separate rooms on their honeymoon, to her dismay. It would appear that the marriage ended in the husband's abandoning his bride, leaving her with no more than the titular 'band of gold'.
The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and remains a wellknown classic to this day.
My collection: 7" single no. 5051 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Band of gold' / 'The easiest way to fall'
'We'll live it all again' (Italian title: 'Noi lo rivivremo di nuovo') was the Italian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in Italian and English by Al Bano & Romina Power. So far, this the country's only ever entry not to be sung entirely in Italian (although this year's entry will also be in English, I understand).
Bano and Power also recorded the song in French, entitled 'T'aimer encore une fois'. This single contains the original English/Italian version and the French version. At the close of voting, the duo's song had received 69 points, placing 7th in a field of 18 contenders.
My collection: 7" single no. 5050 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'T'aimer encore une fois' / 'We'll live it all again'
In 1974, France did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. Still, here it is: a single of the 1974 entry by Dani. How come?
France had been going to enter the contest with the song 'La vie à vingt-cinq ans' by Dani, but they withdrew after the French President, Georges Pompidou, died during the week before the contest. Since his funeral was held the day of the contest, it was deemed inappropriate for the French to take part. Dani was seen by viewers in the audience at the point the French song should have been performed, after the Irish and before the German entry.
My collection: 7" single no. 5049 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'La vie a 25 ans' / 'Pour que ça dure'
'Tubular bells' is Mike Oldfield's signature theme and he has released several versions around the theme of the thunderpipes, as well as several singles. The original album was released in 1973 and at the time it came with a single in the UK and a different single in the US.
The American single was released when Mike Oldfield's music was used in the motion picture for 'The Exorcist', and this single features an extract from the album that differs from the UK single. I never knew this, of course, and so when I found out, I had to have this single. It's a bit of a shame it's not in better shape.
My collection: 7" single no. 5044 Found: eBay.com, received March 23, 2011 Cost: 4 euro Tracks: 'Tubular bells (Now the original theme from 'The Exorcist')' / 'Tubular bells'
'To love somebody' was originally recorded and released by the Bee Gees in 1967, back when they were still a quintet. The song was written on a boat in Monte Carlo the day the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein was found dead (August 1967) after manager Robert Stigwood encouraged Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Redding, however, died in an airplane crash before he could record the song.
In 1990, Jimmy Somerville released a reggaefied cover version of the track. Released as a single in November of that year, it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart, his last top 10 hit until now.
My collection: 7" single no. 5043 Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'To love somebody' / 'Rain'
'Son of a Preacher Man' was recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 as a track on her legendary album 'Dusty in Memphis'. Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, the song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, but she turned it down. Only after she'd heard Springfield's version she recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, 'This girl's in love with you', ended up as a B-side of the single 'Call me' only.
Although the album 'Dusty in Memphis' was released in stereo, the singles off the album were remixed and released in mono. This single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5042 Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'
Janet Jackson's album 'Control' was a big success, and the way the album was 'milked' for singles was equal to her brother Michael's 'Thriller' a few years before. After six singles released internationally, 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' was released as single number seven in the UK and Australia.
This limited edition version from the UK featured a giant poster with two pictures of Janet in black and white. The single performed poorly in the UK singles chart despite this: it only reached number 59. Janet performed the song live for the first time in 2008, during her Rock Witchu Tour.
My collection: 7" single no. 5041 Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 28, 2011 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' / 'When I think of you'
I always get a kick out of buying really old singles, and this one is almost 50 years old. Marty Wilde released 'Tomorrow's clown' in October 1961, and reached number 33 in the UK singles charts with it.
The B-side is called 'The Hellions' and that's also the title of the movie he starred in. The western movie has never been released officially on DVD, but I got a recording of it last year and it's really interesting to see how the rocker proves himself as a credible actor.
My collection: 7" single no. 5040 Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 21, 2011 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Tomorrow's clown' / 'The Hellions'.
'Some kind of lover' was the fourth single taken from Jody Watley's self-titled debut solo album. It was a relative failure, reaching number 81 in the UK singles chart, but it is one of the nicest funky tracks on the album.
These remixes were made by Louil Silas, jr., who mostly adds a lot of 'bounce' to the track. The 12" single features three versions of the tracks which are quite similar to one another. Still, good stuff.
My collection: 12" single no. 217 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1994 Cost: 1,5 pounds Tracks: 'Some kind of lover (extended version)' / 'Some kind of lover (instrumental)', 'Some kind of lover (dub)'
'If it happens again' is one of my favourite tunes by UB40, and a lot of that has to do with the last few minutes of the track. So I was hoping that the 12" version would offer more of that. Well it doesn't, but that's okay because this dub mix is quite interesting too.
It was the seventh top 10 hit in the UK for UB40. It peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart, but did even better in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 12" single no. 375 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'If it happens again (12" version)' / 'Nkomo a gogo'
'We were so turned on: A tribute to David Bowie' was released worldwide on September 6, 2010 as a charity for War Child UK. It is the only tribute album that has been approved by David Bowie and his management.
This single was released from the album, featuring the tracks by Duran Duran and Carla Bruni. It is the first Duran Duran 7" vinyl single since 1995's 'Perfect day'. Upon first listen, I have to say I like the cover by French president Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni better: she has turned the wonderfully rich original into an intimate piano-and-vocal song - and that works very well. This single is a limited edition and was pressed on clear vinyl.
My collection: 7" single no. 5039 Found: HMV, London, received February 16, 2011 Cost: 4 pounds Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' (Duran Duran)' / 'Absolute beginners' (Carla Bruni)
Released in 1972, Ricky Wilde (yep, Kim's brother) was just eleven years old when he sang 'I am an astronaut'. The single was not a hit all over Europe, but the single was released in several countries.
Attentive readers of this blog will have seen the previous entry about 'I am an astronaut' from two years ago, but this single is a recent acquisition: a Belgian pressing featuring a beautiful photo sleeve of a young Ricky. And so it merits a repost.
My collection: 7" single no. 5038 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 9, 2011 Cost: 5 euro Tracks: 'I am an astronaut' / 'The Hertfordshire rock'
'Verlieben verlieren' can be translated as 'loving and losing', which qualifies this song as a story everyone has gone through at one point or another. It's a pleasant popsong and the B-side is a nice bonus, as it holds a remix of the A-side track.
It's another single from Münchener Freiheit's 1989 album 'Purpurmond', and this wasn't a hit either.
My collection: 7" single no. 5028 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Verlieben verlieren' / 'Verlieben verlieren (Rhythm mix)'
A Taste of Honey was the name of an American recording act formed in 1971 by associates Perry Kibble and Donald Ray Johnson. In 1978 they had one of the best known songs of the disco era, 'Boogie Oogie Oogie'. The single as a number 1 hit in the USA, while reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.
After their popularity waned during the 1980s Johnson went on to record as a solo artist and release the album 'One Taste Of Honey' which produced numerous minor hits in America.
My collection: 7" single no. 5034 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Boogie oogie oogie' / 'World spin'
One of many Münchener Freiheit singles I bought recently, 'Ich will dich nochmal' was taken from their 1989 album 'Purpurmond'. Produced, as usual, by Armand Volker, the single didn't trouble the charts, which must have been a disappointment after the success of 'Keeping the dream alive' a year earlier.
The pop song is pleasant but forgettable. The same could be said of more of their singles, actually...
My collection: 7" single no. 5029 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Ich will dich nochmal' / 'Lass mich nie mehr los'
There's an air of calculation behind this single release by the Dutch band Pussycat. After a handful of top 10 hits their singles 'I'll be your woman' and 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' landed outside the top 10, and so someone must have suggested a cover version.
'Same old song' was originally a hit for the Four Tops in 1965 and written by the Motown writers team of Holland, Dozier & Holland. Pussycat's version was rewarded with a highest chart placing at number 10. The strategy had paid off.
My collection: 7" single no. 5032 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Same old song' / 'Stupid Cupid'
'Guilty' is one of those classic albums that literally everybody owned in 1980. It featured two big hits: the title track, a duet with Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees, who also produced the album, and of course the inevitable 'Woman in love'.
I didn't know a third single had been taken from the album: 'What kind of fool', another duet with Barry Gibb. No wonder: it wasn't a hit. It isn't necessarily a bad song, but not very memorable either. The B-side, by contrast, is horrendous.
My collection: 7" single no. 5031 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'What kind of fool' (with Barry Gibb) / 'Make it like a memory'.
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians released their 'difficult second album' in 1990. 'Ghost of a dog' was less accessible than their debut album 'Shooting rubberbands at the stars' (1988) and, as a result, failed to capture the imagination of the listening audiences worldwide.
The single 'Mama help me' was released around the same time as the album but was greeted with the same muted response. The band fell apart soon after, causing Edie Brickell to launch a solo career.
My collection: 7" single no. 5033 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Mama help me' / 'Oak cliff bra'
'Oh Lori' was originally recorded by the Alessi brothers in the Seventies. This Dutch band recorded a cover version on their 1986 album 'Heavy harmonies' and released it as a single from that album.
Evidence sounds a bit like an acapella group for which the producer decided he wanted to have some background music anyway. Hence, the single sounds a bit contrived, which is a shame because a real acapella version of this song would have been fabulous.
My collection: 7" single no. 5035 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Oh, Lori' / 'Get up join the party'
The German band Münchener Freiheit released their third album 'Herzschlag einer Stadt' in 1984. The Neue Deutsche Welle, which had launched many German bands in the early Eighties, was almost over, but they finally managed to hit success with this album and the single 'Oh baby', a top 30 hit in Germany.
The next single was a remix version of 'Herzschlag ist der Takt', released in early 1985. Unfortunately, this single did not repeat the success of 'Oh baby'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5030 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Herzschlag ist der Takt' / 'Keiner hat mich gewarnt'
Joe Leeway left Thompson Twins in 1986, leaving Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie to carry on making music as a duo for another seven years. They released their first album as a duo in 1987, entitled 'Close to the bone'. 'Get that love' was the first single taken from that album.
It reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart but failed to reach the charts in the UK and Europe.
My collection: 7" single no. 5036 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Get that love' / 'Perfect day'
'Cherchez la femme' is a French phrase which literally means 'look for the woman'. When a man behaves out of character or in an otherwise inexplicable manner, it's because he is trying to cover up an affair with a woman. It was also the title of a hit single by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, released in 1977. The lead vocals were performed by Cory Daye.
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a big band and swing influenced disco band, formed in the Bronx, New York. The single was taken from their self-titled debut album. They released two more albums before the end of the Seventies. Bassist Thomas August Darnell Browder and vibraphonist Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi), went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers. Lead singer Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career. The song 'Cherchez la femme' was covered by Gloria Estefan on her album 'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me' (1994).
My collection: 7" single no. 5037 Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,25 euro Tracks: 'Cherchez la femme' / 'Sunshower'
Bobby Farrell died last month, legendary dancer of Boney M, who also lipsynched so well to the words that were in actual fact sung by producer Frank Farian. I didn't write an entry about Boney M at the time since all my Boney M singles were already up on this blog. But I've found a new single to write about.
This '88 remix of 'Rivers of Babylon' was released in Germany to celebrate the reunion of the original line-up of the band, including the aforementioned Bobby Farrell. The remix-album 'Greatest hits of all times' was as unsuccessful as this ill-fated single.
My collection: 7" single no. 5027 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Rivers of Babylon ('88 remix)' / 'Mary's Boy Child - Oh my Lord ('88 remix)'
'Keeping the dream alive' is perhaps Münchener Freiheit's biggest hit, and it was taken from their 1988 album 'Fantasy'. That album was released in English and in German. The German version was entitled 'Fantasie' and several singles were taken from that one.
'So heiss' was released in Germany with the same kind of sleeve as 'Keeping the dream alive'. The design was only slightly different. All this to cover the fact that there really isn't that much to report about this single. It is a nice song, that's all.
My collection: 7" single no. 5026 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'So heiss' / 'Lass es einfach geschehn'
'In the heat of a passionate moment' was released in 1986 as Princess's fifth single. Like all previous singles, it was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman which meant that it sounded a lot like all their other productions. It was popular at the time but it's easy to recognise the same sounds that were used in Rick Astley and Mel & Kim tracks.
The single reached number 74 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it was her least succesful single up to that point.
My collection: 7" single no. 5025 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'In the heat of a passionate moment' / 'In the heat of a passionate moment (instrumental)'
Released in 1986, 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' ('There is no next time') is a single by the German band Münchener Freiheit that was successful in Germany only. It was taken from the compilation album 'Von Anfang an'.
Living up to its title, the album contained a selection of new singles, a previously unreleased live version of 'Zeig mir die Nacht' (from the album 'Umsteiger'), two remixes and the occasional track from their previous two albums. Its success was due largely to its two original hit singles, 'Ohne Dich (schlaf' ich heut' nacht nicht ein)' and 'Tausendmal Du'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5024 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' / 'Wenn das so einfach ist...'
After having had success with 'They don't know', composed and recorded by Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman recorded another Kirsty MacColl track, 'Terry' in 1984, shortly after the original version by MacColl had been a hit. This cover version is a bit unnecessary as it adds nothing to the original. The music sounds like a replica, and if anything, Ullman's vocals are less powerful than MacColl's.
That said, I've always been fond of the song 'Terry' and so having different versions of it is quite interesting. Quite rightfully, however, this version was not a hit.
My collection: 7" single no. 5023 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Terry' / 'I don't want our loving to die'
'Back in love again' was released in 1977 as a single from Donna Summer's album 'I remember yesterday'. The track combined a disco beat with an interesting Sixties sound. The song is actually a re-working of a track called 'Something's in the wind', originally a B-side to 'Denver dream', a single released by Donna Summer in 1974.
This single peaked at number 29 on the UK singles chart. Although announced as 'Der neue Superhit von Donna Summer' on this German sleeve, the single never made it into the German charts.
My collection: 7" single no. 5022 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Back in love again' / 'A man like you'
In 1982, Supertramp released their final album of the 'classic line-up' including Roger Hodgson, '...Famous Last Words...'. While the first single 'It's raining again' was a hit in several countries, its followup 'My kind of lady' disappeared without a trace in most territories.
A worldwide tour followed in 1983. After the tour, Hodgson left the band. There was much speculation behind the reasons why Roger Hodgson left Supertramp. In an interview, Hodgson stated that the reason he left the band was to spend time with his two small children. He has stated that there were never any real personal or professional problems between him and Rick Davies as some people thought.
My collection: 7" single no. 5021 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'My kind of lady' / 'Know who you are'
Because the shopping has to be done. Because the garbage has to be taken out. Because there's always a fight around the corner. Because life is so hurtful. Because they get kicked around so much on the football field. Because he can't kill a cow otherwise. Because women are so weak.
Paul Young asks, 'Why does a man have to be strong'. Well there you have the answers.
My collection: 7" single no. 5020 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Why does a man have to be strong' / 'Trying to guess the rest'
According to the blurb on the sleeve of this promotional single, Percy Faith's version of 'Crunchy Granola Suite' was a hit in the Netherlands. At the time of writing, the track was at number 9 and still climbing. The information was not entirely correct: the track was still in the Tipparade, the 'bubbling under' chart in the Netherlands - and never actually reached number Dutch Top 40.
The fact that this track was wellknown in the Netherlands was because it was regularly used by the Dutch radio station Veronica. As such, it was a daily background noise in their programmes.
My collection: 7" single no. 5019 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Crunchy Granola Suite' / 'Enter the dragon'
You'd be forgiven for not knowing who Olivia Pascal is, but she was Germany's most popular singer in 1980, judging from the fact that she won Bravo's golden Otto that year. Olivia's singing style is quite reminiscent of Wendy James from Transvision Vamp or an even breathier version of Samantha Fox.
The two songs on this single are quite familiar: 'I'm a tiger' was originally a hit for Lulu and written by Marty Wilde (Kim's dad) in the Seventies. The other side is 'Glad all over', originally recorded by the Dave Clark Five. That song was recently covered by the Pet Shop Boys as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 5018 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'I'm a tiger' / 'Glad all over'
'Solsbury Hill' was written by Peter Gabriel after he left the and Genesis. Released as his debut single, it allegedly explains the reasons behind his departure, while also talking about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset.
The song has been used in a number of movies like 'Vanilla sky' (2001) and 'In good company' (2004). The song has been covered by various artists, such as Dave Matthews, Erasure, Sarah McLachlan, Saga, and Justin Hines.
My collection: 7" single no. 5017 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Solsbury hill' / 'Moribund the burgermeister'
Released as the second single from the Alan Parsons Project's 1984 album 'Ammonia avenue', 'Prime time' was the follow-up to 'Don't answer me'. The success of that single was so phenomenal, that this single could never compare, but still it reached number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The title of the album was inspired by Eric Woolfson's visit to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Billingham, England, where the first thing he saw was a street with miles of pipes, no people, no trees and a sign that said 'Ammonia Avenue'. The album focused on the possible misunderstanding of industrial scientific developments from a public perspective and a lack of understanding of the public from a scientific perspective.
My collection: 7" single no. 5016 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Prime time' / 'The gold bug'
I have The eve of the war, The eve of the war and The eve of the war, but now I've also got 'The eve of the war', an original German pressing with a very different sleeve. This particular pressing contains the version sung by Chris Thompson, whereas later pressings would feature Justin Hayward on vocals.
The way I understand it, this single is the rarest one of all four, which made it all the more amazing I found it for such a low price. The world of record collecting is baffling sometimes.
My collection: 7" single no. 5015 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'
Climie Fisher released 'Keeping the mystery alive' in 1987 as their third single. Although a flop in most territories, it reached number 35 in the German singles chart. The track was produced by Steve Lillywhite and mixed by Bruce Forrest.
Their next single was to be 'Rise to the occasion', the biggest hit in the duo's career.
My collection: 7" single no. 5014 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Keeping the mystery alive' / 'Nothing but a feeling'
After the Go-Go's broke up in 1985, Belinda Carlisle (born August 17, 1958) embarked on a solo career. Her first solo album 'Belinda' was released in 1986. It was a successful album in the USA and Canada, although it didn't trouble the charts in Europe.
'Mad about you' was released as a single from the album, reaching number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and also reaching the top 10 in Australia. Duran Duran's Andy Taylor played guitar on some of the tracks on the album and appeared in the music video for 'Mad about you'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5013 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Mad about you' / 'I never wanted a rich man'
Ultravox became famous in 1980 when their single 'Vienna' became a Europe-wide hit. The Conny Plank-produced album of the same name became a classic album as well, and the band continued to churn out wonderful hits all through the Eighties.
This 'Old gold' single brings together two of their biggest hits: 'Vienna' and 'The voice'. The band has reformed two years ago, did two very successful tours in 2009 and 2010 and this year they are planning to release a whole new album. There is a God.
My collection: 7" single no. 5012 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Vienna' / 'The voice'
Quite possibly one of the best tracks from the soundtrack of 'Saturday night fever', the Tavares brothers recorded 'More than a woman', a track written by the Bee Gees and did some wonderful harmonies in it, especially near the end of the song. It was an era in which black artists were actually able to record something worth listening to.
'More than a woman' was actually recorded by the Bee Gees themselves too - and both versions appeared on the soundtrack of the movie.
My collection: 7" single no. 5011 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'More than a woman' / 'Keep in touch'
The Dutch producer and composer Hans van Hemert wanted to record a medley of wellknown hits. He needed a group, found three models, Iris Wolkenstein, Gaby and Angie Kreutz with their friend Manfred Köhler and called them Veronica Unlimited, after the popular Dutch broadcasting organisation. Their first single 'What kind of dance is this' was a big hit in several countries.
This single, 'Right on', was its follow-up. Although less successful, it still managed to reach number 30 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1978. The B-side is particularly amusing if you want to hear four Germans sing a medley of Dutch children's songs. The pronunciation of 'papier' ('paper'), which is a word both in German and Dutch is unmistakably German.
My collection: 7" single no. 5010 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Right on' / 'Childrens opera'
Although the sleeve says that this single contains a remix of 'Back and forth', it is actually no different from the one I already had on this single. You could say that therefore this is not a good buy, but oh well, at least the sleeve is beautifully designed.
Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album 'Word up' and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.
My collection: 7" single no. 5005 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Back and forth (remix)' / 'You can have the world'
Every now and then I play an old cd that's been orphaned in my collection. A few weeks ago I took out the greatest hits collection of the Fine Young Cannibals, and the standout track on that, I felt, was their version of 'Suspicious minds'. I never liked this track much in the past, but things change. The hysterical backing vocals by Jimmy Somerville add a certain something to this track. I decided I had to buy the single after all these years.
