Eenvoud - Goede Doel (het)

Sometimes within a blog one has to push its boundaries. One of the boundaries I had set in the beginning was that I wasn't going to discuss music in Dutch. After all, no-one understands this language, and more often than not the quality of Dutch-language music leaves a lot to be desired. But then I thought: I only buy the good stuff, and there are more strange languages on this blog (like for instance Turkish, Italian and Spanish). So here goes...

The group Het Goede Doel ('The good cause') hails from Utrecht, one of the four biggest cities of the Netherlands. Their seventh single was 'Eenvoud' ('Simplicity'), containing the recurring like 'Alles draait om de eenvoud' ('Everything revolves around simplicity'). With its powerful music it is one of the more energetic songs of 1983. It reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3514

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Eenvoud' / 'Simpel'

Download: here

Shy boy - Bananarama

Bananarama's first single without the Fun Boy Three (with whom they recorded 'It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it' and 'Really saying something') was this single: 'Shy boy'. It was another top 5 hit for them in the UK, and it reached number 12 in the Netherlands. It was taken from their debut album 'Deap sea skiving', which was full of cheerful pop tunes. The B-side was called 'Don't call us', but appeared on the album as 'Boy trouble'.

I bought this single recently, realising what fun the music of these three girls was in the first half of the eighties. When they hooked up with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, it all became more serious and less bubbly.

My collection: 7" single no. 3510

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,75 euro

Tracks: 'Shy boy' / 'Don't call us'

Download: Album 'Deep sea skiving', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Moonlight and muzak - M

Although 'Popmuzik' was his biggest hit, 'Moonlight and muzak' was the song that always intrigued me more. The mysterious sound, the understated vocals and the angelic background vocal were very appealing to me. A lot of people didn't agree: whereas the former made number 2 in the UK, the latter only reached number 33. In the Netherlands, it didn't go any better: a number 3 for 'Popmuzik' and number 12 for 'Moonlight and muzak'.

My collection: 7" single no. 558

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Moonlight and muzak' / 'Woman make man'

Download: here

All fall down - Five Star

'All fall down' was Five Star's first hit in the Netherlands in the summer of 1985. They were described as the UK's new supergroup. I don't know, to me the five youngsters didn't seem that remarkable. The song was not so good either. It was only later, when I started liking their singles, that I thought I might as well buy their earlier pop songs. Most Five Star tracks follow a formula: it's a catchy rhythm, a nice melody and unremarkable lyrics. But that's pleasant every once in a while.

My collection: 12" single no. 461

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2004

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'All fall down [extended]' / 'All fall down (instrumental)', 'First Avenue'

Download: here

Your love is king - Sade

Sade's debut single 'Your love is king' made me shout out 'boring!' every time I saw it on TV. This was during the time when I was watching Music Box and Sky Channel on a daily basis. Her second single, 'When am I going to make a living' interested me more, and gradually I got into Sade. At some point I decided I wanted to have the first single as well, and it sounded a lot less boring by that time. So eventually I even got the 12" single.

Some will be surprised to find 'Smooth operator' on the B-side of this. It is actually a version that is very alike the album version on Sade's debut album 'Diamond life', but the instrumental track that follows immediately after that, 'Snake bite', is a one time thing. It was never released anywhere else, except on this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 483

Found: 2001

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Your love is king' / 'Smooth operator', 'Snake bite', 'Love affair with life (recorded live)'

Download: here

'cause cheap is how I feel - Cowboy Junkies

The Canadian band Cowboy Junkies were formed in 1985 by Michael, Margo and Peter Timmins with Alan Anton. They have always been popular in Canada, but were unable to gain popularity in other territories.

I heard about the band when I hung out with some friends in the early nineties who were very into alternative music. Artists like Tori Amos, Happy Rhodes, Sarah McLachlan, Cocteau Twins and the like filled the room when we were together. I picked up this single because I liked the song a lot, but I never pursued the band any further.

My collection: 7" single no. 1612

Found: March 28, 1992

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: ''cause cheap is how I feel' / 'Thirty summers'

Download: Album 'Caution horses', including both tracks

This world of water - New Musik

New Musik was an English synthpop group, formed in 1979 in London by Tony Mansfield, Clive Gates and Cliff Venner. Their debut album 'From A to B' contained four hit singles, of which 'This world of water' was the only one to reach the Dutch Top 40, peaking at no. 30 in the summer of 1980. This is also how I found out about the band. Now, decades later, I can say that I own all of their singles. But this one was the first that I bought!

My collection: 7" single no. 911

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'This world of water' / 'Missing persons', 'Tell me something new'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

So this is the 12" single I found almost a quarter of a century after it was released. I didn't even know this version existed, but when I saw this record I was very excited. The original song is exciting enough, but an eight minute extended version would be even better. This 12" single delivers on all fronts: it's got a different sleeve, the remix is fantastic and the quality of the vinyl, like most discs from RAK records, is excellent.

My collection: 12" single no. 315

Found: Record fair, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong [extended]' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

How could this go wrong - Exile

I got to know the group Exile because of their hit ballad 'Kiss you all over'. When shortly afterwards the released this exciting disco-inspired rock song 'How could this go wrong', I was slightly confused. Of course I was only a child, so I didn't realise that a group that made ballads could also make uptempo tracks. But my premonition was not off: I thought this would never be a hit after such a beautiful song. It only reached number 37 in the Dutch Top 40. I like to think I contributed to that fact, by waiting until it left the charts until I bought it. But then again, my pocket money didn't stretch far enough for me to be able to buy chart single at that time...

My collection: 7" single no. 22

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'How could this go wrong' / 'Being in love with you is easy'

Download: here

Puppet on a string - Sandie Shaw

Sandie Shaw won the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Puppet on a string'. It subsequently spent three weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. On the national final on UK television, Shaw performed five songs, of which one would be selected to represent the UK. Shaw was very disappointed when this song was chosen. 'I hated it from the very first oompah to the final bang on the big bass drum. I was instinctively repelled by its sexist drivel and cuckoo-clock tune.' Despite all this, she won the Eurovision Song Contest convincingly, although she put it down to her existing popularity on the European continent.

When I bought this single, two versions were staring at me from the shelf. I chose this one, because of the sleeve that contains a photograph from the actual Song Contest performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 3542

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 3,5 euro

Tracks: 'Puppet on a string' / 'Tell the boys'

Download: Album 'Princess of Britpop', including both tracks (password: www.freesoftwarealliance.com )

Like flames - Berlin

Berlin was formed in Orange County, California in the late Seventies. The band consisted of John Crawford, David Diamond and Terri Nunn. Their big break came in 1987, when they recorded 'Take my breath away' for the hit movie 'Top Gun'. It brought them a number one hit in many countries including the Netherlands and the UK. The band then tried to build on this success with this single, 'Like flames'. This single, and other ones, couldn't match the success with 'Take my breath away', and so the band disbanded within a year.

My collection: 7" single no. 3371

Found: London, December 2002

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Like flames' / 'Trash' // 'Take my breath away' / 'No more words'

Download: Album 'Count three and pray', including these tracks (password: =(J+E)= )

Black man Ray - China Crisis

China Crisis's third album was produced by Walter Becker, of Steely Dan fame. Named 'Flaunt the imperfection', the album was preceded by the single 'Black man Ray', which became an international hit.

I bought a limited edition set of two picture discs during a holiday in London. It was a strange find: each shaped picture disc contained one side, one disc holding the 'A-side' ('Black man Ray') and the other holding the 'B-side' ('Animalistic').

My collection: Picture disc (unnumbered)

Found: London, 2001

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Black man Ray' // 'Animalistic'

Download: here

Me and my foolish heart - Johnny hates Jazz

'Shattered dreams', 'I don't wanna be a hero', 'Turn back the clock'... These were the singles that made Johnny hates Jazz's fame in 1987. But before they signed to Virgin records and released the debut album that yielded these hits, they recorded their debut single on RAK records, the label owned by the father of band member Calvin Hayes: Mickie Most. This single did not chart, but the track would end up on their debut album anyway.

I found this 12" single during a record fair and because I knew the album, I also knew this track. It was great to have an extended mix, because it never resurfaced on any other format since. Until last year's re-release of the debut album 'Turn back the clock', that is. For Johnny hates Jazz fans, this is a real must have item. And for music lovers like me, too.

My collection: 12" single no. 340

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Me and my foolish heart (12" mix)' / 'Living in the past', 'Me and my foolish heart (7" mix)'

Download: here

NME Readers' Pollwinners '84 EP - Bronski Beat, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, U2

British music magazine New Musical Express, or NME in short, started giving away free EP's with the magazine in 1985. The first EP featured tracks from four readers poll winners. And quite exclusive tracks, too, as far as I know!

As is usual with such giveaway discs, they turn up in second hand shops years later. I spotted this one in a Dutch shop(!), then saw that it included a dub mix of U2's 'Wire' and decided that I needed to check this out.

My collection: 7" single no. 2215
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, November 14, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hard rain' (Bronski Beat), 'Ivo (new version)' (Cocteau Twins) / 'What she said (live)' (The Smiths), 'Wire (dub mix)' (U2)
Download: here

Baby Jane - Rod Stewart

'Baby Jane' was a number one single in the UK for Rod Stewart, taken from his 1983 album 'Body wishes'. It was his most successful single since 'Da ya think I'm sexy' (1978). It was Stewart's sixth and final UK charttopper.

These days, Rod Stewart is busy recording big band albums, but this is a track from the time when he still rocked the pants off everyone. A style which I much prefer, I have to say.

My collection: 7" single no. 3535

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Baby Jane' / 'Ready now'

Download: Album 'Body wishes', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

La vie en rose - Grace Jones

'La vie en rose' was one of French singer Edith Piaf's most famous songs. The lyrics were written by Piaf, with music composed by Louis Gugliemi. It became a favourite with audiences in 1946. Owing to its popularity, Piaf would include it on many of her albums.

Grace Jones recorded a cover version of this track in 1977 as part of her debut album 'Portfolio'. The radical bossanova/disco interpretation of the track became Jones's first international hit single, even if the single version was heavily edited. The original album version was included on this 12" single, lasting over seven minutes.

My collection: 12" single no. 318

Found: Record fair, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'La vie en rose' / 'I need a man'

Download: Album 'Island life', including both tracks

Valentine - T'pau

Drawn from their debut album 'Bridge of spies', 'Valentine' is a power ballad that is laden with emotions. Released in time for Valentine's day 1988, it climbed to the ninth place in the UK singles chart, only reaching number 22 in the Netherlands.

Of all the singles T'pau has released, this is probably the one that affected me most. There was a time when I could dream the lyric of this song. No wonder, then, that I bought this single as soon as I recognised its appeal.

My collection: 7" single no. 603

Found: Free record shop, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Valentine' / 'Giving my love away'

Download: cd-single 'Valentine', including both tracks

Carmen Brasilia - Anarchic System

This single was released in 1972 at the same time as other versions of 'Carmen Brasilia' by Bob Callaghan and co. and Revolution System. Like the other versions, 'Carmen Brasilia' is an instrumental track, performed on a Moog synthesizer, based on the most famous part of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The B-side is 'Marina', a more acoustic instrumental, featuring faint vocals, guitars and a flute.

Anarchic System consisted of Gilles Devos, Jacqus Deville, Patrick Verette, Christian Lerouge and Michel Dhuy. Later incarnations of the band would draw inspiration from the rock genre. This remains an excellent example of Moog music.

My collection: 7" single no. 2560
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Carmen Brasilia' / 'Marina'
Download: here

She drives me crazy - Fine Young Cannibals

'She drives me crazy' was the first single taken from the Fine Young Cannibals's second album 'The raw and the cooked'. It peaked at number 5 in the UK and reached number one in the USA's Billboard Hot 100.

My copy of the single was issued on red vinyl in a red tin can. The other four singles of the same album were also released in tin cans, each in their own unique colour of vinyl. An item like that takes up a lot of space, but it's so much fun to have.

My collection: 7" single no. 2786

Found: London, November 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'She drives me crazy' / 'Pull the sucker off'

Download: Album 'The platinum collection', including both tracks

Break it up - Lois Lane

The Dutch group Lois Lane was Founded by Monique Klemann, she originally worked with backing singer Angela. When she left the band in 1985, Monique replaced her with her own sister, Suzanne Klemann. In 1987, they won a band contest in the Netherlands, which earned them a recording contract. The bouncy 'Break it up' became their debut single.

It ended up just outside the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1987. They would reach that chart with their third single, the theme song of the movie 'Amsterdamned'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3489

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2006

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Break it up' / 'Nothing left'

Download: here