Take a look - Level 42

Level 42 enjoyed a great deal of success in the mid-Eighties, but after the huge success of their album Running in the family, the original line-up split up, leaving Mark King and Mike Lindup having to find replacements for Boon and Phil Gould. They recorded the next album Staring at the sun with Gary Husband on drums and Dominic Miller, who towards the end of the sessions was replaced by Alan Murphy.

'Take a look' was a single taken from the album. Like the previous single 'Heaven in my hands' it peaked outside of the UK singles chart's top 10, at number 32. All this despite the 'limited edition envelope pack' which included four postcards of the band members. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7197
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 May 2024
Tracks: 'Take a look' / 'Man'

Tonight - David Bowie

David Bowie is often praised for his pre-Eighties work, but during the Eighties I discovered the man, and personally I feel his best work was released during the Nineties. But from all I've read, most people think his Ziggy Stardust era was the best thing since sliced bread. Obviously I disagree.

As for comments that his Eighties work is sub-par, I disagree for the most part as well. Perhaps the album Tonight, released in 1984, is an exception. It wasn't a particularly inspired piece of work, with the title track made a little less enjoyable for the guest appearance by Tina Turner. I can't really stand her voice, but again, most people seem to be particularly fond of her cat wailing. So why buy this single, 'Tonight'? Well, it was missing from my collection, and it seems odd that I would miss just one of Bowie's Eighties singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 7204
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 May 2024
Tracks: 'Tonight' / 'Tumble and twirl'

Heartache No. 9 - Hot Chocolate

This Hot Chocolate single is a bit of a landmark, because not only does it feature Errol Brown prominently on the sleeve, it is also his last single with the band. The song was released on The very best of Hot Chocolate in 1986, an album that also featured a Ben Liebrand remix of 'You sexy thing'. The single only reached number 76 in the UK and number 52 in Germany.

After 'Heartache No. 9', Errol Brown went solo and a few more remix singles were released. Hot Chocolate continued without Errol Brown for a while, releasing the songs 'Never pretend', 'What about you', 'Get it right', 'Kiss to mean goodbye' and 'Cry little girl' between 1988 and 1993, none of which managed to chart. Hot Chocolate continued to make live appearances in the UK and Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 7195
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 May 2024
Tracks: 'Heartache No. 9' / 'One life'

I'm no one - Ilanit

I've been rather successful in collecting Ilanit's Eurovision songs recently. Having bought 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' last month, I am also the proud owner of the French and German versions of that song - and now I have also added the English version.

Entitled 'I'm no one' on the cover and 'I'm no one if you leave me' on the label, this should be my penultimate Ilanit single, as I'm still after the Italian version of that other Eurovision song, 'Ey sham'. It's fun to collect all these versions, to be honest.

My collection: 7" single no. 7192
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 May 2024
Tracks: 'I'm no one if you leave me' / 'I can't say I love you'

You are young / Sea fog - Keane

The album Strangeland is not Keane's best known album - that honour would go to Hopes & fears, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year - but back in 2022, a special 10" single, released on Record Store Day, commemorated the 10th anniversary of that album. Like all Record Store Day releases, the disc was overly expensive.

Fast forward two years and it is available for half price in some stores (but not all, I noticed recently). Pressed on clear vinyl, this 10" single presents alternative versions of the album tracks 'You are young' and 'Sea fog'. Only the biggest Keane fans still remember those tracks, but it's a nice little item - especially for half price.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Paagman, Leidschendam, 12 May 2024
Tracks: 'You are young (alternative structure - work in progress)' / 'Sea fog (full band version - work in progress)'

Eat the music - Kate Bush

Kate Bush seems to be in full Kraftwerk mode recently, re-releasing her music as if she isn't creating any new music anymore. (Well, who knows.) We've had the CD and vinyl box sets, then the coloured vinyl LP's and, a few months ago, overly expensive repackagings of the albums Hounds of Love and The Dreaming. And now this.

Record Store Day is always an opportunity to repackage music and sell it for steep prices. Last month Kate Bush released this beautiful product: a white vinyl 10" disc with three tracks on one side and the cover image printed on the other side. It has to be emphasized that the image is actually printed on the disc, and not, as usually with picture discs, pressed inside the disc. The effect is absolutely beautiful.
Unfortunately the disc features the 'remastered' versions of the tracks, which especially in the case of 'Big stripey lie' is an act of vandalism, because the track fades out instead of its original beautiful ending. I have to say that I'm slightly disappointed with Kate these recent years. But still, this EP is a 'nice to have'.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 26 April 2024
Tracks: 'Eat the music', 'Lily', 'Big stripey lie'

Toy E.P. - David Bowie

Toy is a studio album by the English musician David Bowie, recorded from July to October 2000 in New York City and featured re-recordings of songs Bowie recorded between 1964 and 1971, along with a couple of new tracks. Bowie's intention for the project was to rehearse the tracks, record them live and release them as quickly as possible, predating the idea of the surprise album. Intended for release in March 2001, the album was shelved by EMI/Virgin, leading Bowie to depart the label and begin work on his next album Heathen (2002). Various Toy tracks saw release as B-sides and bonus tracks in the ensuing years; two were remade for Heathen and two appeared on the Nothing Has Changed compilation in 2014. The album was posthumously released in November 2021.  

Then, in April 2022, this EP was released. The Toy E.P. features special versions of six of the tracks that appeared on Toy. Like the album, this EP features the ugliest sleeve artwork made in the history of mankind, but it was apparently conceived by Bowie while he was still alive. Whatever - it's still nice to have this EP for the reduced price I found it recently.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Sounds, Delft, 4 May 2024
Tracks: 'You've got a habit of leaving (radio edit)', 'Shadow man (vocal and piano mix)', 'Silly boy blue (alternative ending mix)' / 'Can't help thinking about me (live BBC Radio 1 session)', 'I dig everything (live)', 'The London boys (live)'

Waterloo - Abba

With the final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest taking place tomorrow, there's a lot of speculation about Abba. Will they appear on stage? Will they perform their song 'Waterloo', which won the competition half a century ago? (Spoiler: no and no.)

At least there is the recent re-release of 'Waterloo' to celebrate the half-centenary. For the first time ever, all four versions of the song were released on one vinyl disc - and a 10" vinyl disc at that. It is actually the first ever official Abba 10" EP, which makes this release rather unique. Which is, of course, why I bought it.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Platenzaak.nl, received 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Waterloo (Swedish version)', 'Waterloo (English version)' / 'Waterloo (German version)', 'Waterloo (French version)'

Yesterday's men - Madness

It's funny how a living and changing collection like mine stays quite staticly online. I have recently done away with all of my Madness singles, only to buy different copies, most of them limited editions or UK pressings in the months to come. I recently bought 'Michael Caine', and this is Madness single number two.

One of the singles I no longer own is 'Yesterday's men', at least, the one I wrote about in 2009. I now own the double single, consisting of a picture disc with the two tracks on the single I bought in 1989, plus a bonus single with two tracks I didn't have already. You can see how that's an improvement over the other copy. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7190
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 April 2024
Tracks: 'Yesterday's men' / 'All I knew' // 'Yesterday's men (Harmonica mix)' / 'It must be love (Recorded live at Brighton Conference Centre, 5 March 1983)'

Legenden om Joe Hill - Goran Hagwall

It's not exactly clear to me for whom Marty Wilde wrote 'The Spirit of Joe Hill', but it seems that Laurie Dryden was the only one who recorded the song. Interestingly, the song took on a life of its own in Scandinavia, because several Swedish versions of the song exist.

One of those versions is the one by Göran Hagwall (Gothenburg, 29 October 1946 — 10 October 1991). I received this copy in the original Philips record company sleeve, which I have to say is very well preserved after almost half a century!

My collection: 7" single no. 7189
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 April 2024
Tracks: 'Legenden om Joe Hill' / 'Michaela'

Fernando och Filippo - Suzie

Hard to imagine this year, but back in 1966 the Netherlands were still sending quality songs to the Eurovision Song Contest. Milly Scott made an impression with her bouncy 'Fernando en Filippo'. 

The song was covered in Swedish by Suzie. You may wonder, how come a Swedish singer covers this song? That's because the singer isn't actually Swedish. Suzie was born as Maria Catharina Martina Pereboom in Tilburg, the Netherlands, on 21 August 1946. She moved to Sweden around 1960. In 1965 she married Mike Watson (bass player in The Lee Kings). This EP wsa released in 1966, not long after the Eurovision Song Contest took place. Interestingly, around that time she also recorded singles in Dutch, German, French and, in 1969, a successful cover version of 'Walkin' Back to Happiness'. For many years she owned a very exclusive snack bar in Täby, just north of Stockholm, Sweden. She passed away in March 2008. 

My collection: 7" single no.7188
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 April 2024
Tracks: 'Fernando och Filippo', 'Grabben I Ljusblå Tröja' / 'Gott om tid', 'Svag i geografi'

Kleptocracy - OMD

OMD delivered a great album with Bauhaus Staircase recently, and 'Kleptocracy' is possibly the strongest track on that album. No wonder that it was finally released as a single. The CD-single comes with two remixes, but the 7" single only features the original song and an instrumental B-side track. The single was pressed on red vinyl. 

The word 'kleptocracy' is used to describe a society or system ruled by people who use their power to steal their country's resources. McCluskey's lyrics deal directly with such subjects. Institutions such as Deutsche Bank, the Kremlin, the KGB, the GOP, as well as the assassinated Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, are all name-checked. There is also veiled reference to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson "The narcissist (who) stole the exit." 

My collection: 7" single no. 7191
Found: OMD webstore, received 4 May 2024
Tracks: 'Kleptocracy' / 'Silver cloud'

Queen of sorrow - Sade

A white label 12" featuring a 10 minute remix of a Sade song. It sounds pretty interesting, doesn't it? Well, that's what I thought. The 12" came with an A4 leaflet announcing that the disc contained "the choc electric 2001 mixes", but only one side is playable. As for the track itself, well... admittedly it does seem to contain a few samples of Sade Adu's voice, but the whole thing sounds pretty dismal. But I bet that this kind of thing did pretty well in clubs at the beginning of this century.

I played it, I recorded it and I put it up for sale on Discogs. If you'd like to own it - there's your chance. Meanwhile, I'll wait for better Sade discs to turn up.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Delft, 4 May 2024
Tracks: 'Queen of sorrow (Choc Electric 2001 mix)'

Opportunities (Let's make lots of money) - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys have been around for forty years now and they have been able to create great music consistently. The early beginnings weren't easy, with a few Bobby Orlando-produced tracks and singles that didn't end up high in the charts. One of those early singles was 'Opportunities', released by EMI to muted response. It was only when they released their next single, 'West End Girls', that their career took off.

This 12" single has, therefore, become a bit of a collector's item. It features two remixes by the Latin Rascals. The dub mix on the B-side of this disc has never been released on CD, and so it was worth getting this disc just for that track alone - although the A-side remix slightly differs from the one on the album Disco as well!

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Opportunities (Let's make lots of money) (Version Latina)' / 'Opportunities (Let's make lots of money) (dub for money)', 'In the night'

Running up that hill - Kate Bush

It's always nice to buy a rare Kate Bush item, but buying an illegal item always feels less comfortable. In the case of this 12" single, it has to be established that this is certainly an illegal item. For one thing, it uses the catalogue number of the original US promotional 12" single from 1985. It hss an EMI logo and a His Master's Voice image, while all of Kate's releases are done by Fish People these days, and the disc features two remixes that almost certainly have never been approved by Kate. 

Still, it's a nice item to have, especially when one of the two remixes - the one by Orlando Voorn - is a really good one. My excuse is that I've already bought all of Kate's official releases anyway. Except those insanely expensive reissues of last year and this year, that is. She can't have it all.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: HHV.de website, received 2 April 2024
Tracks: 'Running up that hill (12" remix)' / 'Running up that hill (Orlando Voorn downtempo mix)', 'Running up that hill (Ashley Beedle edit)'

You keep me hangin' on - Reba McEntire

Today is King's Day in the Netherlands, and traditionally this means that you take the stuff you don't want anymore and offer it for sale on a little piece of claimed territory (often beforehand) in the middle of town, together with other citizens living nearby. In my case, I always offer some music on vinyl and CD's that I don't want anymore. (My collection is a living one: I often buy better versions of singles I had when I was younger and when I used to write on the sleeves.) 

One of the records I had on offer was this 12" single by Reba McEntire. I bought it a long time ago, basically because it was another version of 'You keep me hangin' on', a song made famous by the Supremes and later by Kim Wilde. Reba's version - I have to say it - pales in comparison to those versions. But: it was pressed on very pretty pink vinyl. I sold my copy today, but it hasn't featured on this blog yet, so here it is... 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: [unknown], 20 years ago
Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on (Classic Paradise mix)', 'You keep me hangin' on (Classic Paradise instrumental)' / 'You keep me hangin' on (Deep Love mix)', 'You keep me hangin' on (Aphrodisiac mix)'

I'm just (a simple country girl from France) - Michele Torr

Michèle Torr represented Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 with 'Une petite Française'. The song reached fourth place in the competition, and this apparently prompted the singer or her team to also record the song in other languages, Besides the German, Italian and Spanish versions, there was this English version of the song, which for those of us who can read this blog is probably the most accessible version. It certainly is for me.

The lyrics stay roughly the same: just like in the French version, the singer explains that she is just a simple country girl from France with a desire to sing. And so she does, and if I may say so, it comes across a little better in English.

My collection: 7" single no. 7186
Found: Discogs.com, received 17 April 2024
Tracks: 'I'm just (a simple country girl from France)' / 'Une petite Française'

We came to dance - Ultravox

I had the good fortune of finding two picture disc 7" singles of Ultravox on one day, and because they both looked so good I simply had to snap them up. 'We came to dance' was the fourth and last single taken from the band's album Quartet, and it reached number 18 in the UK singles chart. 

I already own the clear vinyl version of this single, but when a picture disc looks as good as this, it is a worthy addition to my collection. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'We came to dance' / 'Overlook'

Hymn - Ultravox

I had the pleasure of seeing Ultravox live at Paradiso during the last tour they ever did - and with the recent passing of Chris Cross I think there won't ever be another one - and this song was one of the most rousing tracks on the set. It wasn't the bands biggest hit, but it could have been. 

Lyrically, the song describes a time of corruption, in which "all that's good will fall from grace" and "Different words [...] have other meaning"; the protagonist expresses his worldly ambitions for "power and glory" in phrases from Bible ("the storybook"), especially The Lord's Prayer. 'Hymn' peaked at number 11 in the singles chart in the UK, where it was certified silver, and reached top 10 in Germany and Switzerland. This picture disc is a beautiful piece.

My collection: 7" single no. 7172
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Hymn' / 'Monument'

Changing world - Hot Chocolate

Another Hot Chocolate single I didn't already have is 1974's 'Changing world'. In this case, it's the Belgian pressing with a picture sleeve - which is just as well, because the UK version came in the same old RAK record company sleeve.

'Changing world' was written, once again, by lead singer Errol Brown and bassist Tony Wilson, and it was taken from the band's debut album Cicero Park. It was released as the follow-up to the massively successful single 'Emma' - a top 10 hit in various countries - but it wasn't as successful. In fact, it only managed to reach number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7168
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Changing world' / 'Bump and dilly down'

You could've been a lady - Hot Chocolate

With all the Hot Chocolate singles already in my collection, it's always a bit of a surprise when one turns up that I don't already have. 'You could've been a lady' was written in 1969 and released as a single in 1971. The song was written by band members Errol Brown and Tony Wilson.

Although initially released by Hot Chocolate as a non-album single, the song later appeared on the 2009 reissue of the album Cicero Park.  In 1976, the band re-recorded the song for their album Man to Man. Boasting a fuller, heavier production than the 3:42 original, it runs for 4:25. Rather than the original single version, a 3:48 edit of the re-recording has appeared on all compilation albums issued both by the band and with various other artists.

My collection: 7" single no. 7167
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'You could've been a lady' / 'Everybody's laughing'

Never - Heart

25 years ago I bought the single 'Never / These dreams' by Heart, a compilation of two songs from their self-titled album in 1985, but released in 1988. 

This single, featuring a remix of 'Never', was released in 1985, just after the album was released. The song was written by Holly Knight, Gene Bloch (from the band Device) and "Connie" (a pseudonym for Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Sue Ennis). The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but failed to chart in the UK and Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 7165
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Never (remix)' / 'Shell shock'

Swear - Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton had a very decent career during the Eighties, with a good selection of hits and quality pop songs. It has caused me to buy a single by her whenever I come across one I don't have yet.

Unfortunately, there are a few unexpected duds among the many great singles. I bought 'Swear' recently but the song isn't really that great. It's a bit of a screamfest, to be honest. Fortunately the B-side is a little more attractive. It ain't no 'Strut', this one, but anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 7162
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Swear' / 'Fallen angels'

Love is blue - Jeff Beck

The song 'L'amour est bleu' competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967, performed by Vicky Leandros, and it became a big hit worldwide, especially when Paul Mauriat released his version in 1968. But he wasn't the only one to cover the song.

Jeff Beck released his version in 1968 as well. He had some success, as the single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart. The single is quite a catch, because I've never seen a copy before.

My collection: 7" single no. 7160
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Love is blue' / 'I've been drinking'

Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel - Ilanit

It doesn't happen very often that two versions of a single appear with the same seller, especially when you're after both versions. But that's exactly what happened earlier this month when I finally found 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' and its German counterpart, 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel'. It was a bit of a relief to find both singles in quick succession.

Ilanit recorded her 1977 Eurovision entry in several languages, but the original version and this German version are possibly the hardest to get hold of.Of course, now there is still the English version to go.

My collection: 7" single no. 7153
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel' / 'Lass dich mal gehen'

Yo soy aquel - Willy Alberti

Although the A-side of this single is really the Italian song 'Nessuno mi puo giudicare', all the attention has to be focused on its B-side, a version of 'Yo soy aquel', one of the most impressive Spanish Eurovision entries ever. 

The original was performed on the Eurovision stage on 5 March 1966. Dutch singer Willy Alberti was quick to recognize the quality of the song and released his version just two months later, on 9 May 1966. Finding this single was a real surprise for me - and the fact that the original picture sleeve was included was very fortunate.

My collection: 7" single no. 7159
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Nessuno mi puo giudicare' / 'Yo soy aquel'

La la la (She gives me love) - Joan Manuel Serrat

Like I wrote when I bought the French version of 'La, la, la', I only had the Portuguese and English version of Joan Manuel Serrat's version of the song to go. And this month the day has come that I can present the English version.

'La, la, la (She gives me love)' is basically the male version of 'La, la, la (He gives me love)' which was recorded by Massiel when Joan Manuel Serrat was replaced after he refused to perform his song in Catalan. The colourful sleeve of this single is a bit of a bonus.

My collection: 7" single no. 7158
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'La la la (She gives me love)'  / 'Mis gaviotas'

L'amour est bleu - Vicky Leandros

Having already bought 'L'amour est bleu' and 'A taste of Vicky', I thought I had a pretty decent selection of Japanese singles of this song, but it turns out there was one more: this re-release from 1980 featuring Vicky's Eurovision song and a cover version in French of Mary Hopkin's 'Those were the days'. 

It's interesting that even this single doesn't complete the collection: these two tracks were originally released on a Japanese single in 1971. Something tells me that version will land in my collection pretty soon as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 7154
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'L'amour est bleu' / 'Les temps des fleurs'

Dios mio, como te quiero - Domenico Modugno

It's funny how Domenico Modugno keeps popping up on this blog, while I'm really only after three of his songs. However, 'Volare', 'Piove' and 'Dio, come ti amo' have all become classics and they have been covered by many artists as well. 

In the case of the latter, it was Domenico himself who recorded a different version. He recorded 'Dio, come ti amo' in Spanish and released it in Spanish-speaking countries as 'Dios mio, como te quiero'. Whether it was a big success in those territories, I don't know, but it is certainly as good as the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7157
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Dios mio, como te quiero' / 'Es una cosa grande'

Dance butterfly - Milestones

The Milestones represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972 with 'Falter im Wind'. It remains one of the most underrated and undiscovered gems of Eurovision history, with its combination of dreamy lyrics and - a first on the Eurovision stage, I reckon - the use of a transverse flute. 

The band also recorded the song in English. That single is very rare, and I was lucky enough to pick up a copy that apparently used to be in the archives of Radio Miramar in Spain. It is, of course, a Spanish pressing of the single. 'Dance butterfly' sounds even better in English, I think.

My collection: 7" single no. 7156
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Dance butterfly' / 'Oh fairy day'

Children, Kinder, enfants - Margo, Franck Olivier, Diane Solomon, Malcolm Roberts, Ireen Sheer, Chris Roberts

I bought 'Children, Kinder, enfants' in 2009, a single by an international group of singers. I bought it a few times after that, because I knew there was a different version of the single, but somehow I always ended up buying the one with the 'international version' on it. Somehow I just couldn't remember that I already owned that one.

This time I finally managed to get the correct one. This version of 'Children, Kinder, enfants' features the French version like it does on the B-side of the 'international version', but also the English version of the song. This should mean that I own all three versions of the song, finally. There's also a 12" single of this song, but it doesn't contain any different version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7155
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Children, Kinder, enfants (French version)' / 'Children, Kinder, enfants (English version)'

Ahava hi shir lishnayim - Ilanit

Back in 1977 Ilanit represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time. She'd been the country's first representative in 1973 but she was invited back when the entries of the years after that didn't deliver the goods. While Ilanit had reached fourth place, Poogy only managed seventh place, Shlomo Artzi only got to place 11 and while Chocolate Menta Mastik reversed the county's fortunes by landing on sixth place, it wasn't enough for the ambitious Israeli broadcaster.

And so, Ilanit came back with the song 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' ('Love is a song for two'), not exactly the most accessible title but a melodious song nonetheless. Ilanit also recorded the song in French as 'Ensemble' and in German as 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel'. The song ended up in a slightly disappointed 11th place. In 1978 Israel would go for gold with Izhar Cohen.

My collection: 7" single no. 7161
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' / 'Hene halaila'

Das war eine schöne Party - France Gall

In September 2021 I wrote: "France Gall only recorded a French and Japanese version of ['Poupée de cire, poupée de son'], as far as I know", but how wrong I was. She also recorded the song in Italian and German. It's the German version that landed in my collection last week.

It was released, obviously, in Germany, but confusingly, the sleeve was very similar to the German sleeve of the original version. Fortunately the title of the song is printed prominently next to the photograph, otherwise buyer would never have known the difference. Listening to this version, it's quite impressive how France Gall managed to pronounce German in this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 7152
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Das was eine schöne Party' / 'Meine erste grosse Liebe'

Pump pump - Fredi ja Ystävät

Having bought 'Pump pump' and 'Schon wieder macht mein Herz bump bump', obviously I was curious whether I could get hold of the original Finnish version of Fredi & Ystävät's legendary Eurovision entry from 1976. 

Lo and behold, I actually found the single - albeit without its picture sleeve - during last week's record fair. The funny and catchy song was released in three languages, which means that I now have all versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 7151
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Pump pump' / 'Kun ita hämärtyy'

Twee kleine Italianen - Conny

Conny Froboess represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1962 with 'Zwei kleine Italiener', a song that went on to become a bit of a classic. Such was its popularity, that Conny recorded the song in three other languages besides German: English, Italian and Dutch!

The Dutch version can be quite hard to get hold of - several copies online are being sold without its picture sleeve. So I felt rather lucky when I found a good copy at last week's record fair. 'Twee kleine Italianen' roughly follows the lyrics of the original song  Even the B-side was recorded in Dutch.

My collection: 7" single no. 7150
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Twee kleine Italianen' / 'Hallo, hallo, hallo'

Ein kleiner gold'ner Ring / Einmal sehen wir uns wieder - Lale Andersen

Lale Andersen (23 March 1905 – 29 August 1972) was a German chanson singer-songwriter, born in Lehe (now part of Bremerhaven). She is best known for her interpretation of the song 'Lili Marleen' in 1939, which by 1941 transcended the conflict to become World War II's biggest international hit. Popular with both the Axis and the Allies, Andersen's original recording spawned versions, by the end of the War, in most of the major languages of Europe, and by some of the most popular artists in their respective countries.

 In 1961, she participated as the West German representative in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Einmal sehen wir uns wieder', which only reached 13th place with three points. Fifty-six years old at the time, she held the record of the eldest participant at Eurovision for over 45 years – surpassed only in 2008 by the 75-year-old Croatian entertainer 75 Cents. Her Eurovision song was, oddly, only released on the B-side of a single, this 'Ein kleiner gold'ner Ring'. Finding a copy was hard... but I finally did it!

My collection: 7" single no. 7149
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ein kleiner gold'ner Ring' / 'Einmal sehen wir uns wieder'

Un premier amour - Jean-Paul Mauric

'Un premier amour' was the winning song of the 1962 Eurovision Song Contest. It was performed by Isabelle Aubret, but as per usual back then, other artists were quick to cash in on that success. One of them was Jean-Paul Mauric, who represented France a year ealier with 'Printemps (Avril carillone)', a song that was met with rather less enthusiasm. 

This EP presents four songs by the singer, displaying a wide range of musical styles. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7145
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Twist avec maman', 'Un premier amour' / 'Qu'est ce que c'est', 'Un printemps'

Angel - David Gates

Ex-Bread singer David Gates thought he would make it on his own and released a few albums on his own, before reuniting with his old band. His second solo album was 'Never let her go', from which this single, 'Angel' was taken. I was curious enough to want to take this single home.

I was quite surprised when I found that this single was listed for sale on Discogs by three people, with prices starting at €50. However, I also learned that the single has never sold on there, so I guess these people are just very optimistic. Anyway: it's a German promotional disc, which I guess does count for something. Maybe not €50 though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7143
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Angel' / 'Never let her go'

It's great fun - Hearts of Soul

The Hearts of Soul represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 with 'Waterman', and continued to release singles in the years after that. 'It's great fun' was actually their last single, before they moved to Antwerp and formed Dream Express after that. 

This promotional German single features a special promo sleeve (quite usual for German promotional singles around that time) with a short blurb about the trio. 'It's great fun' didn't chart, although it did make an appearance in the Dutch 'Tipparade', the top 30 of candidate Top 40 singles, where it peaked at number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 7142
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'It's great fun' / 'Dream'

Do or die - Grace Jones

'Do or die' was the first and in most parts of the world the only single release from Jones' Fame, her second disco album. On Fame it made up the first part of the A-side non-stop medley 'Do or die /Pride / Fame'. The 7" single featured a heavily edited version (3:22) with the French-language non-album track 'Comme un oiseau qui s'envole' as the B-side, included as a bonus track on the Canadian edition of the Fame album. 

'Do or die' reached number 13 in the Spanish chart but only reached dance charts in the USA and Canada. Eartha Kitt recorded a cover of the song for her 1989 album I'm Still Here. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7141
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Do or die' / 'Comme un oiseau qui s'envole'

Limousine - Hubert Kah

One of my weaknesses is I can't resist coloured vinyl. There was a time in Germany where they released red vinyl singles as limited editions, and I actually have quite a few of those. In the case of this Hubert Kah single, I didn't know the track, but I was vaguely familiar with the work of producer Michael Cretu, who during this time was also producing Sandra and made some excellent singles with her.

So, because this single was pretty cheap, I decided to take it and I didn't regret it. It's a typical mid-Eighties song. It pays to buy a single on a whim from time to time.

My collection: 7" single no. 7140
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Limousine' / 'Drowning'

Native love (Step by step) - Divine

They were called transvestites in those days: men who dressed as women. In the case of Divine, you had a rather voloptuous man, Harris Glenn Milstead, looking like a cross between an overweight housewife and a glamorous pop star. After some success appearing in film productions during the Seventies, Divine first appeared in 1979 at a gay club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where his unscripted act included shouting "fuck you" repeatedly at the audience and then getting into a fight with another drag queen, a gimmick that proved popular with the club's clientele. Subsequently, he saw the commercial potential of including disco songs in with his act.

In 1982, he joined forces with young American composer Bobby Orlando, who wrote a number of Hi-NRG singles for Divine. Among them was this single, 'Native love (Step by step)'. It was his first hit in the Netherlands, reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40. Subsequent singles 'Shoot your shot' and 'Shake it up' would prove to be even more successful.

My collection: 7" single no. 7139
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Native love (Step by step)' / 'Native love (Step by step) (Remixed version)'

Heart begin to beat - Savage progress

The racial mix within Savage Progress was never fully stressed in the media, but had a definite effect on their music: Glynnis Thomas was born in Zimbabwe to mixed race/African parents, Rik Kenton came from Nottingham, Carol Isaacs was English-Jewish, Ned Morant had Indian parentage, and Andrew Edge was from Leeds, in northern England. 

This mix of differing cultures proved to be advantageous for Savage Progress' music, as Kenton infused their songs with as many cultural influences as possible. 'Heart begin to beat' is an example of their work, sounding slightly weird and certainly not your standard chart fodder. Although the music video was shown regularly on channels like Sky and Music Box in 1984, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 7138
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Heart begin to beat' / 'Dark town'

Lead me to the water - Gary Brooker

'Lead me to the water' was Gary Brooker's second solo album, released in 1982. The title track was released as a single, but like most of his solo singles, it didn't chart. What's interesting about the sleeve of this single, is that it's very similar to the one of 'The Angler'. 

While Gary Brooker wasn't that successful as a solo artist, he was a much sought after musician, appearing on albums by Alan Parsons Project and Kate Bush. He remains best known, of course, for founding Procol Harum, the band which he reformed in 1991 and toured with during the three decades that followed until his untimely death on 19 February 2022.

My collection: 7" single no. 7137
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Lead me to the water' / 'Badlands'

Walk like an Egyptian - Bangles

Although I already own a copy of 'Walk like an Egyptian' on 7", that one is a re-release and this is the original one. In fact this version was also included in the double pack of 'Walking down your street', complete with the B-side 'Not like you', but who could resist a poster sleeve? I never could.

'Walk like an Egyptian' was actually the third single release from the Bangles' album 'Different light'. It became a number one hit in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United States. In the UK, where this poster sleeve was released, the single only reached number 3, amazingly enough. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7136
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Not like you'

White winter hymnal - Fleet foxes

'White winter hymnal' is the first single from Fleet Foxes' debut 2008 self-titled album. Released by European label Bella Union in July 2008, the single was issued on 7" vinyl as well as digital MP3 format. The B-side is the non-album track 'Isles'. 

Former Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde, the head of record label Bella Union, was considering shutting his label down due to financial troubles, but after hearing a demo version of 'White winter hymnal', he was motivated to continue going on and signed Fleet Foxes to the label based on how much he liked the song. The single ended up selling more than 200,000 units and was certified silver. The song was covered by Kim Wilde, together with her dad Marty and her brother Ricky, on her album 'Wilde winter songbook', which is how I got to know this track. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7135
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'White winter hymnal' / 'Isles'

Ah! Quelle histoire (Congratulations) - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, but the amount of singles that spawned is quite amazing. Thanks, of course, to the fact that he recorded his Eurovision songs in numerous languages. I already had 'Congratulations' on 7", as well as 'Man gratuliert mir', the German version of that song, and of course 'Congratulations' in Spanish.

And then... here's 'Ah! Quelle histoire', the French version of 'Congratulations'. The only version I don't have yet is the Italian one. Something tells me it will be just a matter of time...

My collection: 7" single no. 7134
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ah! Quelle histoire' / 'Girl you'll be a woman soon'

A cidade (até ser dia) - Anabela

During the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 Portugal was represented by Anabela with the song 'A cidade (até ser dia)', written by Pedro Abrantes, former Eurovision entrant Paulo de Carvalho, and Marco Quelhas. The song was arranged by the song writer's brother Fernando Abrantes, who also performed it at the piano live on stage together with the singer Anabela during the Eurovision final in Ireland. The song ended up in tenth place.

Since 1993 the single has become quite rare. When you search for it online you can get a decent copy for more than 25 euros, which in my book is much too high a price. And so I have to say that going to record fairs really is a good thing if you know where to look. In this case, I ended up with a seller who had some Eurovision singles - not too much - and in between the expected titles by Bucks Fizz, Johnny Logan, Celine Dion and others, there it was: a good copy of 'A cidade (até ser dia)'. I've searched for this one for quite a long time, and finding it during the first hour of my visit to the record fair in Den Bosch was a really good start of the day.

My collection: 7" single no. 7133
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'A cidade (até ser dia)' / 'Nightfall in the city'

Always on my mind - Pet Shop Boys

Back in August 1987, a TV special was broadcast on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. Various artists, including Kim Wilde, Boy George and others, performed Elvis songs with some of Elvis' original musicians. One of the artists performing were the Pet Shop Boys, who did a version of 'Always on my mind'. Their performance was released on this special Japanese 7" single, free with copies of the album 'Actually' in that country. 

Of course, the Pet Shop Boys recorded the track and had a number one hit single with it at the end of the year, but this single features the original version as performed on that TV special, which makes this quite a rare single. I found a copy without the accompanying LP - which is fine, because I don't really 'do' LP's anymore. So guess what? I'm quite pleased with this find.

My collection: 7" single no. 7132
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Always on my mind' / 'Heart (dub)'