Window widow - Maarten Peters and the Dream

Being almost bilingual by now, I still don't know exactly if the expression 'Window widow' would be used by an Englishman. I've always thought it was a weird title, but anyway... The track itself is a beautiful ballad with a neat little story of a woman who loses her husband and keeps hoping for his return.

'Window widow' was the last single taken from Maarten Peters' second album 'Burn your boats' (1987), and it was re-recorded especially for this single. As such, it was never released on cd, because many Dutch bands didn't release cd-singles yet. The single didn't chart, which makes it even more collectable, I guess.

My collection: 7" single no. 572

Found: Free Record Shop, Utrecht, 1987

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Window widow' / 'Sunset in Rio'

Kiss me - Stephn Tin Tin Duffy

The original version of 'Kiss me' was released in 1982. Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy tried to have a hit with the song two more times. First he released a remixed version in 1983 which was just as unsuccessful as the original version - even though famous remixer François Kevorkian did his work on the track - but the 1985 version was a top 5 hit in the UK. The Art of Noise-esque sound must have helped a lot.

This version became a Europe-wide hit, and was played endlessly on radio and television. I didn't really want to have the single anymore after that. Now, more than two decades later, this double pack was really great to get. And I have to admit, it's great to hear 'Kiss me' again - even in the 1985 version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3634

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Kiss me (1985)' / 'In the twilight' // 'Kiss me (1983)' / 'Holes in my shoes'

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

Often voted as the best ever Christmas song, The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' was specifically recorded for this merry time of year. It did not reach number one in the UK, being held off the top spot by the Pet Shop Boys' 'Always on my mind'. In Ireland, the Pogues did have a number one hit with this.

Guest vocals were performed by Kirsty MacColl. Her part was originally intended for band member Cait O'Riordan. She left the band, however, in 1986, and so producer Steve Lillywhite proposed to have his wife sing a guide vocal for the recording. The band liked her contribution so much that she also sang the part on the actual recording.

On December 18, 2007, BBC Radio 1 banned the words 'faggot' and 'slut' from the song to 'avoid offence'. The words were dubbed out. MacColl's mother Jean, called the ban "too ridiculous", while the Pogues said they found it "amusing". However, that evening Radio 1 backed down and said that after a day of criticism from listeners, the band, and MacColl's mother, they reversed the decision. The unedited version was then played later on that day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3673
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fairytale of New York' / 'The Battle March medley'

't is O.K. - Harmony

Ab van Woudenberg, Donald Lieveld and Rosina Lauwaars formed Harmony in 1978 and represented the Netherlands in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with ''t Is OK' ('It's OK'), lyrically a pale imitation of the 1975 Contest winner 'Ding-a-dong': 'sing a melody / Happy and in harmony'.

The group finished 13th in the Contest, which took place in Paris after the 1977 victory by Marie Myriam. In the Dutch Top 40, ''t Is O.K.' peaked at number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 3647

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: ''t Is O.K.' / 'Bim bam bom'

You are my world 87 - The Communards

I wrote about the Communards' 'You are my world' before (although Blogger seems to have deleted that post again in their random actions vandalism), but that was the original version from 1986 with which they made their debut.

In 1987, they re-released the track in a re-recorded version. This version did better than the original: while that one peaked at number 30 in the UK, this one peaked at number 21. And in the Netherlands, where the original didn't chart, it reached number 24. I bought the single to get my collection of Communards singles complete. Always a good feeling to be complete.

My collection: 7" single no. 3646

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'You are my world 87' / 'Judgement day'

A little bit further away - Kokomo

The British funk band Kokomo formed in the Seventies. They released their debut album 'Kokomo' in 1975. The second album 'Rise & shine' appeared two years later and the third album, again titled 'Kokomo' came out in 1982. This album contained the hit single 'A little bit further away', a beautiful soul song with vocal harmonies and a very early Eighties soul music backing.

While not a big hit in the UK, it peaked at number 4 in the Netherlands. I got to know the song thanks to a compilation cd which I bought in the late Eighties. Now I've finally got the original single as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 3680

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'A little bit further away' / 'Keep on dancin''

The ballroom blitz - The Sweet

'The Ballroom Blitz' was written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. It was released as a single in 1973, where it reached number 1 in Australia and entered at number 2 in the UK singles chart but failed to go to number one. The song reached number 5 in the United States and number 4 in the Netherlands.

The song itself was written about the Grand Hall of the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock, Scotland, after the band was forced off stage by a barrage of bottles.

My collection: 7" single no. 3678

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'The ballroom blitz' / 'Rock & Roll disgrace'

Belfast - Boney M

'Belfast' was originally written by Drafi Deutscher for Marcia Barrett while she was still performing as a solo artist in the early Seventies. Boney M performed the song live because they didn't have enough of their own material yet, and it proved to be an audience favourite. This gave producer Frank Farian the idea to record it anew.

However, because of the politically tinted lyrics ('when the hate you have for one another's past') he first recorded it with Gilla in German. It still appeared on Boney M's 1977 album 'Love for sale' and ended up being a single for them. It peaked at number 9 in the UK and number 3 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3682

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Belfast' / 'Plantation boy'

I'm your man - Wham!

'I'm your man' was released in November 1985 after Wham!'s world tour, followed by a period of rest. The last people had seen of Wham! was during Live Aid in the Summer. Thus, the single was long-awaited. It was a number 1 in the UK and peaked at number 4 in the Netherlands.

Within a few months, Wham! announced their split. 'I'm your man' did not appear on any studio album, and so its only appearance on an album was on 'The final', the compilation album that was released in 1986 to commemorate the end of Wham!'s career. In 1995, Lisa Moorish covered the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3684

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I'm your man' / 'Do it right (instrumental)'

Baby I love your way - Peter Frampton

'Baby I love your way' was written and performed by Peter Frampton and originally featured on his 1975 album 'Frampton'. A live version of the song was released in 1976 on his live album 'Frampton comes alive!'. In this version, the track peaked at number 12 in America and number 43 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3679

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, Apil 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Baby I love your way' / 'It's a plain shame'

Louise - The Human League

The third and last single from Human League's 1984 album 'Hysteria' was the melancholy 'Louise'. Writer of the song and frontman Phil Oakey points out that the story is actually about the original protagonists from 'Don’t you want me' meeting up four years later. In 'Louise' the man sees his lost love again and still cannot deal with reality. The anger that drove the earlier song has dissipated, and is replaced with a hopeful fantasy that his ex-lover is drawn to him all over again.

The single peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart. I spotted this single the last time I went to La La Land, but didn't know whether I had it or not. I checked, and went back today to get it...

My collection: 7" single no. 3676

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Louise' / 'The sign'

Thunder and lightning - Risqué

After the breakup of the Dutch girl group Doris D. & the Pins got ugly, even to the point of lawsuits, the four girls backing lead singer Debbie Petter decided to go on as a girl group of their own. They debut in 1982 with the single 'The girls are back in town'. After this hit and 'Starlight', the follow-up, Risqué release 'Thunder & lightning'. This third single does not chart. One further hit, 'Burn it up (Mr. DJ)' and two flops later, the group falls apart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3681

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Thunder & lightning' / 'Thunder & lightning (Special dance mix)'

Ghost of love - Fiction Factory

Fiction Factory are best known for their Eighties classic '(Feels like) Heaven'. I was surprised to find out that I only have the 12" single of that song, so I started looking out for the 7" single. So today I found the follow-up: 'Ghost of love'. This single peaked at number 64 in the UK but did not chart in the Netherlands.

Still, it's got the same synthpop edge of early Eighties material and the vocals by Kevin Patterson are just as striking as they are on '(Feels like) Heaven'. A great find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3677

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ghost of love' / 'The other side of grey'

Stepping Stone - Duffy

I'm probably going to irritate my friend Puck with this entry, so here goes... I think Duffy is a good singles artist. She's got interesting songs that are worth a spin or two. But a full album by her is bound to be a boring experience: I think the interesting voice will become grating when you listen to it non-stop for an hour.

That said, I liked the single 'Warwick avenue' and so I decided to give this one a try as well. 'Stepping stone' is again a nice song. The single peaked at number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3686

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 5,9 euro

Tracks: 'Stepping stone' / 'Big flame'

Name and number - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat was formed in 1984 by Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Julian Godfrey Brookhouse, Nick Thorpe and Migi Drummond. Their first success came in the guise of the video for the 1986 single 'Misfit', which featured Andy Warhol. Further hit singles were 'Down to earth', 'Ordinary day' and 'Free', all taken from the band's debut album 'Keep your distance' (1987).

Their second album 'Getahead' (1989) was led by the upbeat funky single 'Name and number'. The single peaked at number 14 in the UK and number 24 in the Netherlands. The 'Hey, how you doin'' refrain would be borrowed by De La Soul in 1991 for their song 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)', which would end up being a top 10 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3685
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Name and number' / 'Keep on trying'

Onyx - Space art

I have to admit, I didn't know this track but I assumed this would be instrumental synthpop when I saw the sleeve. I was not wrong. Space Art is a French band that was formed by two friends in Paris in 1977. The group consisted of Dominique Perrier on keyboards and Roger Rizzitelli on drums. Their music was all about experimenting with new sounds on new machines.

'Onyx' was released in the summer of 1977 and reached number 22 in the Netherlands. Space Art released three albums between 1977 and 1980, which have been released as a three cd box set last year.

My collection: 7" single no. 3683

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 25, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Onyx' / 'Axus'

They all run after the carving knife - New Musik

The single 'Churches' featured 'They all run after the carving knife' on the B-side. On this single, that track is the A-side - but it's an edited version, clocking in at 3'19 it's more than a minute shorter than the album version. It's a great dynamic track with lots of synths, which immediately explains its attraction to me.

The track also sounds a lot like A-ha's early work, which is not so strange considering New Musik's Tony Mansfield produced them in the beginning. Worth a listen if you don't know this.

My collection: 7" single no. 2919
Found: Record fair, November 9, 1997
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'They all run after the carving knife [edit]' / 'This world of Walter'

Soley Soley - Middle of the road

Middle of the road had a top 5 hit in the UK in 1971 with 'Soley Soley'. The single did even better in the Netherlands, peaking at number 1. The single was also a huge hit in the Faroe Islands, where the name 'Sóley(ð/g)' is very popular as a girl's name and is pronounced the same way as this song's title.

I bought the single a few weeks ago already, but the sleeve proved to have the wrong disc in it. I usually check the disc, but you'll always find that the one time you forget to do it, you're a victim of a bad sale. Anyway, I found the correct sleeve ánd the correct disc this time around.

My collection: 7" single no. 3663

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Soley Soley' / 'To remind me'

To die a virgin - The Divine Comedy

'To die a virgin' was the second single to be released from The Divine Comedy's 2006 album 'Victory for the comic muse'. The track begins with a sample of Jennifer Ehle in the 1992 TV film 'The camomile lawn'. The B-side, 'Long slow suicide' was an exclusive track, released on the 7" vinyl only.

The single peaked at number 67 in the UK singles chart. The single came with a small promotional poster.

My collection: 7" single no. 3669

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 5 euro

Tracks: 'To die a virgin' / 'Long slow suicide'

Rasputin - Boney M

A disco song about Russian history, now there's something that hadn't been tried before! Boney M recorded and released 'Rasputin' in 1978, a song about Grigori Rasputin who alledgedly healed Tsarevich Alexei of Russia from haemophilia in the first years of the twentieth century. While 'Rasputin' accurately indicates that unfavorable rumors damaged Grigori's reputation, there is no verifiable evidence to suggest that he had an affair with Alexandra.

'Rasputin' peaked at number 8 in the Netherlands and number 2 in the UK. In the Netherlands, the B-side was 'Painter man', which was released as an A-side in the UK, peaking at number 10. The B-side of 'Rasputin' in the UK was 'Never change lovers in the middle of the night'. I bought the UK single back in 1981 and got the European pressing recently. Both B-sides are here for your enjoyment.

My collection: 7" single no. 100 / 7" single no. 3642

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981 / Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 guilder / 0,8 euro

Tracks (1): 'Rasputin' / 'Painter man'

Tracks (2): 'Rasputin' / 'Never change lovers in the middle of the night'