Leaving - Pet Shop Boys

Released last month, the Pet Shop Boys’ latest album Elysium is a very consistent set of songs. The duo tried to maintain a mood for a whole album and they were pretty successful, even if one or two songs are very different from the others. The second single from the album was released last week and is entitled 'Leaving'. Even in this era where single releases are becoming quite scarce, the Pet Shop Boys have chosen to release two cd-singles, a 12" single and even a 7" single. Much to my delight, of course, because 7" singles are still the best format. It comes with an inner and outer sleeve, with Chris Lowe on the outer sleeve and Neil Tennant on the label of the A-side. The inner sleeve features a beautiful laminated photograph of clouds in a dark sky, befitting the mood of the song. The demo version, featured on the B-side, is slightly different from the finished recording and can be considered quite a treat for fans and casual listeners alike. One of the best tracks on the album as far as I'm concerned.

My collection: 7" single no. 5296
Found: Rough Trade website, received October 18, 2012
Cost: 6 pounds
Tracks: 'Leaving' / 'Leaving (demo version)'

Swingtime - Black

After two years of absence from the music scene, Black returned in 1993, free from his contract with A&M records and owner of a new self-owned company called Nero Schwarz ltd. His comeback album was called 'Are we having fun yet?', taking a stab at his moody, melancholy image. The album was full of quirky sounds and well written pop songs, but unfortunately this music was not picked up by the general public. A concert in Rotterdam at the time was visited by only 60 people. I was one of them, and I also bought all of the cd-singles released from that album.

Little did I know that in Spain a 7" single was released as well. I found out about this some eight years after the fact, when I started corresponding with other Black fans. And I tried for the last decade to find this single. Especially since it contains an otherwise unreleased B-side track. It was on my 'want list' on Discogs.com for two years. And then, suddenly, last Monday morning I found an e-mail from Discogs saying that an item was for sale on my wantlist. I ordered it within minutes. Only five days later, I held a copy of that great sought after item in my hands. Bliss.

My collection: 7" single no. 5295
Found: Discogs.com, received August 10, 2012
Cost: 8 euro
Tracks: 'Swingtime' / 'Quiet side of the road'

For a friend - Communards

In the late Eighties, record companies released as much formats of a single as they could, to sell more copies which meant higher chart placings. In the case of the Communards' impressive 1988 single 'For a friend', the record company opted for a luxurious three disc 12" single set, featuring live tracks from a concert in Paris.

Entitled 'The Communards storm Paris', the set featured twelve tracks, but weirdly enough the single's original B-side, a live version of 'Victims', featured on all three discs. Still, it's a nice item to have and I have searched for it for a couple of years.

My collection: 12" single no. 637 to 639
Found: Discogs.com, received May 10, 2012
Cost: 10 euro
Tracks disc 1: 'For a friend', 'Victims (live)' / 'Don't leave me this way (live)', 'Heavens above (live)'
Tracks disc 2: 'For a friend (remix)', 'You are my world (live)' / 'So cold the night (live)', 'Victims (live)'
Tracks disc 3: 'For a friend (live)', 'Never can say goodbye (live)' / 'Victims (live)', 'Hold on tight (live)'

Lake Tahoe / Among angels - Kate Bush

After a very productive 2011, during which Kate Bush released both the album 'Director's cut' and '50 words for snow', Record Store Day 2012 featured an exclusive 10" vinyl release by Kate. (Incidentally, it was her first vinyl single of recent work since 1993's 'Moments of pleasure'.) Featuring two tracks from the latter album, the 10" picture disc was released in a limited edition of just 2000 copies worldwide.

This spells hell for Kate Bush fans, since record shops participating in Record Store Day in the Netherlands are even more rare than trustworthy right-wing politicians. The official Kate Bush website stepped in and offered copies of the 10" a few weeks after Record Store Day. Again: hell, because the website was stormed by fans and I was clicking my fingers numb, frustrated at the slowness of the site. But after 72 minutes, I finally succeeded to buy my copy. Two weeks later, I hold it in my hands. And indeed, it is a beautiful disc. The tracks may be a bit slow for some, but 'Among angels' is among Kate's most moving songs ever.


My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Katebush.com website, received May 31, 2012
Cost: 15 pounds
Tracks: 'Lake Tahoe' / 'Among angels'

One step ahead - Nik Kershaw

The end of the Eighties was a strange time. Many idols who were very successful in the mid-Eighties were declared 'yesterday's news' and suddenly didn't the charts anymore. One of them was Nik Kershaw, who had been very successful with his first two albums, but the third and fourth one were not so popular.

'One step ahead' was taken from his fourth album 'The works', which left the album charts even before it entered it. Not that the music was bad: personally I think this single is one of his finest tracks. And the remix included on this 12" single is very impressive indeed.

My collection: 12" single no. 356
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, circa 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'One step ahead (Industrial mix)' / 'One step ahead', 'When I grow up'

Julia - Eurythmics

Taken from the soundtrack of the movie '1984', for which Eurythmics provided the soundtrack, 'Julia' was the second single from that album. It couldn't be as successful as the catchy 'Sexcrime (1984)' but personally I find this track much more beautiful.

This 12" single features extended versions of both the A- and B-side of the single. Although 'Julia' is labelled as 'extended', it is actually the album version of the track, and not, like the B-side, a 'real' extended version.

My collection: 12" single no. 153
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1992
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Julia (extended)' / 'Ministry of love (extended)'

Moments of pleasure - Kate Bush

With a still from the movie 'The line, the cross & the curve', EMI Records could have chosen a better picture for the sleeve of this fantastic 12" single. The one they picked was a bit tasteless, especially since 'Moments of pleasure' is such a beautiful, emotional song. The movie retold the fairy tale of the red shoes, featuring a lot of dance scenes because Kate is forced to dance by the shoes she put on.

Anyway, the 12" single - which was the last 12" single by Kate Bush ever released - features a poster sleeve and one exclusive track which was never officially released on CD: the instrumental version of 'Moments of pleasure'. You can hear the orchestra in its full glory, showing how beautifully crafted these melody lines really are.

Truth be told, I have been feeling a bit sad and this song is the perfect soundtrack for such feelings. It's also one of the most beautiful tracks Kate Bush has ever committed to tape.

My collection: 12" single no. 187
Found: HMV, 1993
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Moments of pleasure' / 'Moments of pleasure (instrumental)', 'Home for Christmas'

Everybody's laughing - Phil Fearon and Galaxy

Some 12" singles only appear in my collection because they're cheap. I don't think I would have ever had this one if I'd had to pay more for it than I did back then. 'Everybody's laughing' is a nice pop song, but nothing spectacular.

Still, this 12" single is quite interesting, because it features an extended mix and two instrumental versions. One features Randy Muller (who?) and the other Tom Browne, who had a hit in the early Eighties with 'Funkin' for Jamaica'.

My collection: 12" single no. 273
Found: Spui Records, Den Haag, 1996
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody's laughnig (Sangria mix)' / 'Everybody's laughing (Instrumental featuring Tom Browne)', 'Everybody's laughing (Instrumental featuring Randy Muller)'

Master and servant - Depeche Mode

'Master and servant' was Depeche Mode's 11th UK single and the second single from their album 'Some great reward'. The production and mixing process of "Master and Servant" are remembered by Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones, as among the longest that Depeche Mode ever endured. One famous story about the song includes a mixing duration of seven days, and after all the reworking and final mastering of the mix, they realized they left the channel with the snare drum muted during the last chorus.

Despite controversy surrounding the song, it still managed to reach number 9 in the UK singles chart. The "Slavery Whip Mix" was the longest 12" Depeche Mode song at the time, with the outro being turned into a swing version of the refrain. This 12" disc, released in Germany, features a so-called 'marbled' vinyl in grey, white and brown. 

My collection: 12" single no. 34
Found: Free record shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks:  'Master and servant (Slavery whip mix)' / '(Set me free) Remotivate me (Release mix)', 'Master and servant (voxless)'

Touch dance - Eurythmics

'Touch Dance' is a remix album by the Eurythmics. This mini-album was released by RCA Records in May 1984, six months after the release of the album 'Touch'. It contains dance remixes of four tracks from Eurythmics' Touch album, by John 'Jellybean' Benitez and François Kevorkian, who were noted producers in the New York club scene. Amazingly, it omits all the hits from that album: 'Here comes the rain again', 'Right by your side' and 'Who's that girl'.

Annie Lennox has said in interviews that she disliked the record, as it was too much of a commercial product and was put together by RCA with little involvement from herself and Dave Stewart.

My collection: LP (unnumbered)
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The first cut (François Kevorkian mix)', 'Cool blue (Jellybean remix)', 'Paint a rumour (Jellybean remix)', 'Regrets (François Kevorkian mix)' / 'The first cut (instrumental)', 'Cool blue (instrumental)', 'Paint a
rumour (instrumental)'

Change of heart - Altered Images

The last single to be released by Altered Images was 'Change of heart', taken from their third album 'Bite'. Although that album reached the UK album top 20, it sold less than the two previous albums. Following a concert tour, the band decided to break up.

Clare Grogan and Steve Lironi formed Universal Love School, performing live together but never releasing any recordings. Eventually they got married and lived happily ever after!

My collection: 7" single no. 5306
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Change of heart' / 'Another lost look'

Johnny Rocco - Marty Wilde

Released in March 1960, 'Johnny Rocco' was the first single by Marty Wilde in a long time to peak outside the UK top 10. He'd just married Joyce Baker (in December 1959) and record company executives must have thought they were right when they said that Marty would lose his appeal to teenagers by his new status as a married man. Marty couldn't care less: love was more important to him than fame and he probably already knew that a child was underway: his daughter Kim was born in November 1960.

'Johnny Rocco' was written by Les Vandyke, who would go on to write many hit singles during the Sixties and early Seventies for Adam Faith, Eden Kane, John Leyton and Clodagh Rodgers.

My collection: 7" single no. 5317
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny Rocco' / 'My heart and I'

Uninvited guests - Kit Hain

Decca Records supplied a press information sheet within the sleeve of this single, and so we can read the following: 'Kit is honest enough to admit that 'Dancing in the city' kept her going financially, along with a lot of encouragement and moral support from friends in the business. At times she didn't know what to do. She even thought about going back to teaching in an infants school and playing in pubs at night if it came to it. But, what Kit did learn was to be patient and to recognise the right situation when it happened. It did happen last year when she signed to Decca and teamed up with Mike Thorne, who has also produced Wire, The Shirts, Soft Machine and John Cale. The result is Kit's first single "Uninvited guests" on Decca with her first album in the pipe-line for future release.'

The single was released on January 23, 1981 and didn't chart. The album 'Spirits walking out' was released later that year to similar lack of success...

My collection: 7" single no. 5308
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Uninvited guests' / 'Talk to me'

Everything must change - Paul Young

Paul Young was very successful with his first two albums, 'No parlez' and 'The secret of association'. Sell-out tours and many hit singles followed between 1983 and 1986. This version of 'Everything must change' was a limited edition featuring a free second single. It was a marketing ploy that was very popular at the time.

Released near the end of 1984, it was quite fitting that Paul recorded a Christmas message for his fans to be included on this single. One can wonder whether it was a good idea to put it right in the middle of the instrumental version of 'Everything must change' though.

My collection: 7" single no. 5324
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Everything must change' / 'Give me my freedom' // 'Everything must change', 'Paul's Christmas message' / 'I close my eyes and count to ten (live)'

Scarlet inside - Clannad

Clannad wrote the music for the soundtrack of the television series 'Robin Hood', broadcast by the BBC in the mid-Eighties and released on the album 'Legend' by the band. This single was the second one to be taken from that album, featuring the previous single 'Robin (The hooded man)' on the B-side, as well as the very successful theme from another television series, 'Harry's game' from 1982.

Those two songs reached number 42 and number 5 respectively in the UK singles chart, but this single sank without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 5303
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Scarlet inside' / 'Robin (the hooded man)', 'Theme from Harry's game'

Sometimes like butterflies - Dusty Springfield

Between 1971 and 1986, Dusty Springfield had no hits in the American or British charts. That is a long time by any standard. Still, she kept on releasing singles. This single, released in 1985, explains a little about her lack of good fortune. The song is a bit bland and Dusty's voice sounds a little tired - or is that just the production?

Originally recorded in 1981, this single was released in 1985 and coupled with a B-side of that year, written by Jess Bailey, Diane Schnitzer and Dusty herself. The single didn't chart. In 1987, Dusty would return to the spotlights with a little help from the Pet Shop Boys.

My collection: 7" single no. 5300
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Sometimes like butterflies' / 'I wanna control you'

A million love songs - Take That

'A million love songs' was the penultimate single from Take That's debut album and was written by lead vocalist Gary Barlow at the age of 15. The single peaked at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.

The song has also been voted by critics and music fans as the greatest ballad of all time. That seems a bit odd, but considering the numbers 2 and 3 were 'Everything I do' by Bryan Adams and 'Always' by Bon Jovi, you can just about figure out the blandness of the general public. So... greatest ballad of all time? Not really. A nice little song nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 5301
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'A million love songs' / 'A million love songs (Lovers mix)'

Son of a preacher man - Dusty Springfield

'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. I bought a sleeveless version in 2011 and a year later I found one with a picture sleeve. Sometimes one has to have a better copy of a single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5042 / no. 5319
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011 / Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 0,25 euro / 1 euro
Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'

Sister moon - Transvision Vamp

'Sister Moon' was Transvision Vamp's fifth single release and the final single to be taken from their debut album Pop Art. It was a minor hit on the UK singles chart in 1988, peaking at number 41. Like most of their singles it featured two tracks on the B-side.

The album 'Pop Art' peaked at number 4 in the UK albums chart and became the 25th highest selling album of 1989 in Australia, peaking at number thirteen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5307
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Sister moon' / 'Oh yeah', 'Walk on by'

I wanna be loved by you - Marty Wilde

'I wanna be loved by you' was written by Herbert Stothart and Harry Ruby with lyrics by Bert Kalmar for the 1928 musical 'Good boy'. First performed by Helen Kane, the song became best known in a version by Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder's classic movie 'Some like it hot'.

It was a bit of a surprise when I found this single by Marty Wilde, because I didn't know he'd recorded a version too. It was released in the summer of 1960 but didn't reach the UK singles chart. And of course I should have known about this track because I actually have it on the lengthy 3 cd compilation, 'The full Marty'. D'oh!

My collection: 7" single no. 5318
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I wanna be loved by you' / 'Angry'

Hide and seek - Five Star

'Hide and Seek' was Five Star's second single and would later be included on their 1985 debut album 'Luxury of life'. The single was written by Gary Bell (who co-wrote their later hit 'System addict'), and Anne Dudley, one of the UK's top female songwriters and composers. The single wasn't a hit, only charting at number 113. The song was later covered by New Edition in 1984 as part of their self-titled album.

The video to the single featured a colourful setting with an early Five Star logo as a backdrop, with the floor resembling the American stars and stripes flag, and a very simple dance routine.

My collection: 7" single no. 5315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Hide and seek' / 'I'm gonna make this a night you will never forget'

Music Hall EP - The Muppets

After their top 10 hit with 'Halfway down the stairs' in the summer of 1977, the Muppets followed that single up with an EP featuring four songs. It was another hit for the Jim Henson creations, peaking at number 19 in the UK singles chart in December 1977.


The single displays much of the charm the old television series had, although obviously the songs were a bit more important on this disc than all the slapstick and visual jokes the audiences enjoyed on television. Still, the back of the sleeve displays this message from Miss Piggy: 'To my adoring fans, Thank you for making me the superstar I was destined to become.' Quite.

My collection: 7" single no. 5312
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Don't dilly dally on the way', 'Waiting at the church' / 'The boy in the gallery', 'Wotcher knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road'

When your heart runs out of time - Glenn Gregory and Claudia Brücken

I first discovered this song when I bought the 12" single in November 2008, also at the record fair in Utrecht. I'd just started this blog and it was a great discovery. Now that this blog is slowly winding down (I only have to add a couple of dozen 12" singles and any new records I buy) it's nice to find this single.

According to the information on the sleeve of this single, it doesn't just feature the two famous singers (from Heaven 17 and Propaganda respectively), but also Midge Ure (from Ultravox) on keyboards. The single was released in August 1985 and wasn't a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5310
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'When your heart runs out of time' / 'When your heart runs out of time (drumless)'

Looking for you - Kit Hain

A photographic memory isn't of much use when record companies decide to have different picture sleeves for singles in different territories. I was convinced I didn't have 'Looking for you' by Kit Hain when I bought this, but as it turns out I did (see it here). Fortunately the B-side of this single is different, and it's a good one too.

'Looking for you' was released in 1982, four years after Kit Hain scored a massive hit together with Julian Marshall: 'Dancing in the city'. It's the same delightful voice with different material. She could have been a star, but the general public wasn't interested.

My collection: 7" single no. 5305
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Looking for you' / 'Lost domain'

All or nothing - Fiction Factory

When I posted this blog about the 12" single of Fiction Factory's 'Ghost of love', Laurent from Belgium pointed out that there was another single by this excellent band called 'All or nothing' with an unreleased B-side track, 'Dreaming of someone'. I didn't know this, but it was obviously interesting because I haven't heard anything by the band I didn't like.

I was pleasantly surprised last week when I found this promotion copy of the single. There is a version with a picture sleeve, but in the absence of that, a promo copy is always nice to have. And of course, the track is good, but the B-side is even better. That's my opinion, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 5314
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'All or nothing' / 'Dreaming of someone'

 

Spirit in the sky - Doctor and the Medics

When Kim Wilde recently recorded a cover of 'Spirit in the sky', it was reason enough for me to want to hear (and have) the original version by Norman Greenbaum. That single isn't as easy to find as this 1986 hit version by Doctor & the Medics, which like the original version reached number 1 in the UK singles chart.

The single was taken from their debut album 'Laughing at the pieces'. Subsequent singles weren't as successful. They released three further albums between 1987 and 1996. In 2003 there was a reunion, after which they started performing - in a different line-up - as a tribute act to various artists.

My collection: 7" single no. 5323
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Spirit in the sky' / 'Laughing at the pieces'

Sugar me - Lynsey de Paul

With a softfocus sleeve and a singer like Lynsey de Paul, people in the Seventies knew what they were getting: carefully crafted pop songs brought by a tempting but not entirely convincing voice. At least, that's my opinion. I heard 'Won't somebody dance with me' a while ago on the radio and thought it was a nice song, so the hunt for this single was on.

On this German release, the 1973 UK top 20 hit is relegated to the B-side in favour of 'Sugar me', which was a hit the year before and reached number 4. This single was actually released in 1981, in the hope of improving on the number 16 placing in the German chart almost a decade earlier.

My collection: 7" single no. 5325
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sugar me' / 'Won't somebody dance with me'

State of independence (New bass mix) - Donna Summer

I've already featured the Jon & Vangelis version and the Donna Summer version of 'State of independence' on this blog, so here is the version by Boilerhouse. Who? Boilerhouse, who remixed Donna Summer's version in 1990. Not a lot of spectacular things happen in this version: it apparently features a 'new bass' (whatever that is).

The single was released to promote a compilation album imaginatively titled 'The best of Donna Summer' and did a reasonable, if not great, job: it peaked at number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5320
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'State of independence (new bass mix)' / 'State of independence (original version edit)'

Devil inside - INXS

The Australian band INXS had their biggest success with the 1987 album 'Kick'. The immortal 'Need you tonight' was taken from that album, but also 'Never tear us apart', 'New sensation' and this one: 'Devil inside'. In the UK, the sales were stimulated with a limited edition pack containing six colour postcard, each featuring a member of the band.

I was always aware of this limited edition so I never bought the single until I saw it last weekend. I could have bought it back in 1988, but at the time, there were so many good records and not so much money to go around. These days it's almost the other way around...

My collection: 7" single no. 5311
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Devil inside' / 'On the rocks'

I'm gonna tear your playhouse down - Paul Young

Many artists seemed to reach their creative peak in 1984. It's the year from which I remember so many great songs, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Paul Young's personal best was the single 'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down', also released in that year. I wanted to buy this single for a long time but had to wait until I found the limited edition with a poster sleeve. I finally have it now.

'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down' was the first single taken from Paul Young's second solo album 'The secret of association' and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart in October 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 5322
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down' / 'One step forward'

Scary monsters (and super creeps) - David Bowie

'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' is the title track from David Bowie's 1980 album. It was also issued as the third single from that album in January 1981. The single didn't do as well as the previous two singles, 'Ashes to ashes' and 'Fashion', and peaked outside the UK top 10 at number 20.

Musically the track was notable for its lead guitar work by Robert Fripp and distinctive synthesized percussion. The lyrics, sung by Bowie in a mock-cockney accent, charted a woman's withdrawal from the world and descent into madness ('When I looked in her eyes they were blue but nobody home ... Now she's stupid in the street and she can't socialise'). Personally I prefer the B-side, also taken from the album, 'Because you're young'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5298
Found: Record fair, Utrecht
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Scary monsters (and super creeps)' / 'Because you're young'

Male stripper - Man 2 Man meets Man Parrish

Man 2 Man was founded by brothers Miki and Paul Zone, who had been known in the New York music scene since the mid-1970s. Paul participated in a band called The Fast during this period. After The Fast, the brothers spent the first half of the 1980s singing on a number of Hi-NRG and disco records for record producers such as Bobby Orlando (records like Divine's 'Native love' and The Flirts' 'Passion'). Soon after they formed a new band, which was originally called Man's Favourite Sports. However, another band had already claimed the right to use this name, so the Zone brothers became known as Man 2 Man.

Under this name the band scored their biggest hit, 'Male Stripper', teaming up with cult electro producer Man Parrish. Originally released in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the Bolts Records label, 'Male stripper' was a big club hit throughout the autumn and peaked at number 64 on the UK Singles Chart. In early 1987, the single charted again in the UK, and this time the song became an even bigger hit, spending five weeks in the Top 10 and two weeks at number 4. This success was barely seen by group member Miki Zone, who had died of spinal meningitis caused by AIDS on December 31, 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 5304
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Male stripper (part 1)' / 'Male stripper (part 2)'

So long - Abba

When I was younger, so much younger than today, Abba was my favourite band. I got an album of their greatest hits as a souvenir after a holiday because I really wanted it, and I played it over and over again. One of my favourite tracks on that album was 'So long', which to me sounded like the hardest kind of hardrock I could imagine.

Of course, Abba were never in the business of hardrock, but there is a certain rock edge to this song. It was released as a single in November 1974. Although musically similar to 'Waterloo', it was only a hit in Sweden, Germany and Austria, peaking at number 7, number 11 and number 3 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 5326
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'So long' / 'I've been waiting for you'

Halfway down the stairs / Mah na mah na - The Muppets

If you haven't seen the most recent Muppets movie yet, try to go and see it now because it's rather hilarious. Despite all the squeaky clean candyfloss production values, the writers have done their best to incorporate that good old Muppet anarchy in the story, and best of all: the movie uses the rich history of Jim Henson's creatures to full effect.

One of the great things about the movie is that the song 'Mah na mah na' is featured in it. This was used in the very first episode of the Muppet Show in 1976 and also appeared on the soundtrack album for the show. This single, released by PYE in 1977, features two classic Muppets song. Officially 'Halfway down the stairs' is the A-side, and it is this song which peaked at number 7 in the UK singles chart in June 1977. But who remembers this sweet little song performed by Kermit's nephew Robin?

My collection: 7" single no. 5313
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Halfway down the stairs' / 'Mah na mah na'

Aie a mwana - Bananarama

So these are the humble beginnings of Bananarama. Keren Woodward and Sara Dallan had been childhood friends in Bristol since the age of four, and attended St. George's School for Girls together. The pair became a trio when Dallin met Fahey while studying fashion journalism. They became friends because they both dressed more radically than the other students. The trio were ardent followers of the punk rock and post-punk music scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s and often performed impromptu sets or backing vocals at gigs for such bands as The Monochrome Set, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Department S and the Nipple Erectors.

In 1981, Bananarama's members were living above the rehearsal room that was used by former Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook. With their help, Bananarama recorded their first demo 'Aie a Mwana' (a cover of a song by Black Blood, sung in Swahili). The demo was heard at Demon Records, which offered Bananarama their first deal. The song was an underground hit and Bananarama were signed by Decca (later London Records) and remained on this label until 1993.

My collection: 7" single no. 5299
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Aie a mwana' / 'Dubwana'

One slip - Pink Floyd

Taken from Pink Floyd's 1987 album 'A momentary lapse of reason', 'One slip' was originally released as the B-side of the album's first single 'Learning to fly', but then re-released as its third single, after 'On the turning away'. The song was undoubtedly the least accessible of the three, but it still peaked at number 50 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.

The song was co-written by David Gilmour and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera. This copy was taken from the library of London Weekend Television music services, and sold at the record fair in Utrecht this weekend. Hence the sticker on the sleeve...

My collection: 7" single no. 5296
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'One slip' / 'Terminal frost'

I only want to be with you - Dusty Springfield

This single is not the original release of 'I only want to be with you', but a re-release from 1987. Dusty Springfield had just had a big hit with the Pet Shop Boys ('What have I done to deserve this') and her old record company decided to cash in with a compilation album of Dusty's old hits. Did they think this single would become a hit as well?

Back in November 1963, Dusty Springfield had her first hit with this song, which peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In 1987, this success was not matched: the single didn't even reach the chart. But then, the people who wanted to have it already had it in their collection most probably.

My collection: 7" single no. 5309
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'I only want to be with you' / 'Breakfast in bed'

Cashflow - Leisure Process

The band Leisure Process never had much success, so its only claim to fame was the inclusion of band members Ross Middleton and Gary Barnacle, who have always been successful session artists.

'Cashflow' was one of their singles and when you listen to the two tracks on this single you can hear a great instrumental on the B-side. In my opinion, it's the best track the band have recorded.

My collection: 7" single no. 5297
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 12, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Cashflow' / 'The emigré'

 

Iron out the rough spots - Paul Young

Most people seem to think that Paul Young landed an immediate number 1 hit with his debut solo single 'Wherever I lay my hat' in the summer of 1983, but in fact, it was this single, released in 1982, which started it all. Paul Young left his band the Q Tips and released 'Iron out the rough spots' as his debut single. The single was not successful, in fact it didn't chart in any territory.

Up next was 'Love of the common people', which was equally unsuccessful upon its first release. It was only when the third single was released, the aforementioned 'Wherever I lay my hat', when Paul reached number 1 in the UK and Ireland. 'Love of the common people', of course, still became a hit after fourth single 'Come back and stay' had gone top 10 almost everywhere. But this single remained unknown for most people - although the track still does appear on Paul Young's debut solo album, 'No parlez'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5295
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Iron out the rough spots' / 'Behind your smile'