Radio ga ga - Elaine Paige

Elaine Paige released 'The Queen album' in 1989. It was an album with ten covers of tracks originally performed by Queen, performed with full orchestral backing. I didn't know the album until I found this single, containing great versions of 'Radio ga ga' and 'Love of my life'.

The orchestral arrangements are beautiful, Elaine Paige's voice is pretty good as well, but still I have difficulty deciding whether I find this simply great or just a tad tacky. There is a certain camp element to Queen's work, and it may only get worse by treating it this way. Well anyway: listen for yourself; you decide!

My collection: 7" single no. 3106
Found: Big Company records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Radio ga ga' / 'Love of my life'

Child in time - Deep Purple

I got to know 'Child in time' as the number 1 of the Top 100 of all times, which was played annually on Radio Veronica. It was an extremely interesting track to me, mainly because of the tension and build-up in the first half of the song and the extreme noise at the end.

Deep Purple wrote and recorded 'Child in time' in 1969 for their album 'In rock' (1970). The original album version is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long. For this single release, the track was slightly edited. Vocalist Ian Gillan utilizes his entire vocal range for this song, starting out low and almost whispering, to high-pitched screaming at the end of the song. Since 1993, when Gillan returned to Deep Purple, the band has not played this song live anymore. They only played it once in 2002, and on this occasion high-pitched guitar covered up Gillan's now-limited vocal range.

'Child in time' charted twice in the Netherlands: in 1972 it peaked at number 10 during its 12 week chart run, and in 1975, it reached number 9 during a 10 week chart run. My copy of the single is a re-release from the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 509

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Child in time' / 'Woman from Tokyo'

If you can't stand the heat - Bucks Fizz

Released as the first single from their third album 'Hand cut', 'If you can't stand the heat' was a deliberate attempt by Bucks Fizz to display a tougher image. Having been known for their sweet pop tunes ever since they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, this single showed the band members wearing leather and singing a tune that sounded a lot less 'friendly'. The lyrics of the song tell of someone who is manipulative, but when faced wth her own medicine, can't handle it, hence the song's title. In the UK, the single peaked at number 10. This 12" single features a longer version of the track.

My collection: 12" single no. 393

Found: Record fair, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'If you can't stand the heat (12" version)' / 'Stepping out'

We almost got it together - Tanita Tikaram

The 'difficult second album syndrome' hit Tanita Tikaram hard. The first single taken from her second album 'The sweet keeper' (1990) was the upbeat, but slightly contrived 'We almost got it together'. The single peaked at number 52 in the UK and number 34 in the Netherlands.

The single was released in a gatefold sleeve, featuring a photograph of Tanita Tikaram and the lyric of the song on the inside. It was the sleeve that convinced me to buy this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 1145

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 13, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'We almost got it together' / 'Love story'

So many men, so little time - Miquel Brown

Miquel Brown was born circa 1945 and is the step sister of disco singer Amii Stewart. She made a name for herself as an actress and disco/soul singer from the Seventies and Eighties. Perhaps her best known song is 'so many men, so little time'.

Billed on the sleeve as 'a biography of a modern girl, a 'classic in its own time'', the song has become a popular gay anthem among males because of the lyrical content. The single peaked at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3149

Found: Record fair, October 23, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'So many men, so little time' / 'So many men, so little time (instrumental mix)'

The gold bug - The Alan Parsons Project

Taken from their 1980 album 'The turn of a friendly card' and released after the single of the same title, 'The gold bug' is an instrumental track, which was edited for the single release. As such, it has become a bit of a rarity, because compilation albums habitually use the album version - if they use it at all.

The single didn't reach the chart in any territory, which I think is a strange thing, because it's such a beautiful piece of music. Perhaps the record company shouldn't have edited it...

My collection: 7" single no. 3146

Found: Record fair, October 23, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'The gold bug' / 'Snake eyes'

Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman) - Joe Tex

Joe Tex was born as Joseph Arrington jr on August 8, 1933. He was the first artist to record a Southern soul record that also hit the pop charts in America ('Hold what you've got' in 1965). Between 1965 and 1972 he had several hits in America, but in 1972 he decided to retire from the music business.

He returned to music in 1975, and two years later enjoyed a massive comeback hit with 'Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman)', which reached number 12 in America. It was also his first big hit in the Neherlands, peaking at number 6.

My collection: 7" single no. 3123
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Ain't gonna bump no more (with no big fat woman)' / 'I mess up everything I get my hands on'

Video killed the radio star - The Buggles

'Video killed the radio star' was the debut single by the Buggles. Group member Trevor Horn has said that his lyrics were inspired by the J.G. Ballard short story 'The Sound-Sweep'. The theme of the song is nostalgia, and refers to a period of technological change in the Sixties, the desire to remember the past and the disappointment that children of the current generation would not appreciate the past.

The first version of this song was recorded by Bruce Woolley & the Camera Club (with Thomas Dolby on keyboards) for his album 'English Garden'. The Buggles later recorded the song. It was a number one hit in the UK, peaked at number 40 in America and number 17 in the Netherlands. The music video for the song was famously the first to be shown on MTV America, when the music channel debuted on August 1, 1981. On February 27, 2000 it also became the millionth video to be aired on that channel.

My collection: 7" single no. 508

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Video killed the radio star' / 'Kid Dynamo'

Falling in love (uh-oh) - Miami Sound Machine

It's easy to discard the entire output of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine as typical Eighties drivel, but you would overlook some genuinely good pop in the process. This single, for instance, is an unknown but very radiofriendly classic.

'Falling in love (uh-oh)' was taken from Miami Sound Machine's second English language album 'Primitive love' and released after their international breakthrough with 'Dr. Beat' and 'Conga'. Still, the single only managed a number 25 placing in America and number 27 in the Netherlands. It's always the less commercial singles that get to me...

My collection: 7" single no. 450

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 4, 1986

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Falling in love (uh-oh)' / 'Surrender paradise'

Shopping around - Sylvia and the Sapphires

Although released in 1982, this single sounds like it was recorded in the sixties. It sounds like the Supremes produced by Phil Spector, but it isn't. It's the British trio Sylvia and the Sapphires, a girlgroup that recorded a few singles before fading back into obscurity.

'Shopping around' did not chart in the UK and narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40. This limited edition picture disc was a real find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3265

Found: Record fair, 2001

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Shopping around' / 'Street of love'

Only the lonely - T'pau

After a few disappointing singles, T'pau returned to form with 'Only the lonely', one of the standout tracks on their second album 'Rage'. For the single release, the track was remixed, which gave it a more powerful sound.The work was rewarded, since it peaked at number 28 in the UK singles chart in early 1989.

I bought a limited edition version of the single, which featured a gatefold sleeve and a booklet, which featured photographs of the band and individual members.

My collection: 7" single no. 992

Found: Record Exchange, October 16, 1989

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Only the lonely (Guitar remix)' / 'Between the lines'

(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena - Sandra

Sandra Ann Lauer was born on May 18, 1962. In 1975 she visited a talent show. She was not actually taking part in it, but sitting in the audience. While the jury was counting the votes for the performers of that night, Sandra walked onto the stage, persuaded the DJ to put on the German cover version of a song from Olivia Newton-John, grabbed the microphone and started singing. Aided by newfound recognition, she released a debut single 'Andy Mein Freund'. This single flopped.

In 1979 Sandra joined the girl group Arabesque, which was successful for a couple of years. After nine albums and the end of the disco era the group broke up. In the mean time, Sandra had met musician Michael Cretu. They became romantically involved and started living together and working together in Cretu's self-built studio. Their first single together was 'Japan ist weit' (1984), a German cover of the Alphaville song 'Big in Japan', which flopped. Their second single was more successful: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' was a hit in 21 countries, including a number one hit in the Netherlands, Germany and several other European countries. It launched Sandra's career, which is still going today.

My collection: 7" single no. 1858
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 30, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' / 'Party games (instrumental)'

The bed's too big without you - The Police

Sold separately in a second hand shop in London, this single is actually part of a six disc collection called 'Six Pack'. This pack, which came in a pvc folder containing the first five hit singles by the Police ('Roxanne', 'Can't stand losing you', 'So lonely', 'Message in a bottle' and 'Walking on the moon') plus this single.

'The bed's too big without you' appeared on the second album by the Police, 'Reggatta de Blanc' (1979). This single included a previously unreleased mono version and a live track, pressed on blue vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2188

Found: Record Exchange, London, September 29, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'The bed's too big without you (mono version)' / 'Truth hits everybody (live in Boston)'

Absolut(e) - Claudia Brücken

After having been in Propaganda until 1986, and then in Act with Thomas Leer circa 1988, Claudia Brücken recorded a solo album, which was released as 'Love and a million other things' in 1991. Two singles were released from this album, of which 'Absolut(e)' was the first. Despite favourable reviews, the single did not reach the UK top 40.

It was released as a limited edition in a box set, including three postcards.

My collection: 7" single no. 2997

Found: London, May 29, 1998

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Absolut(e)' / 'Whisper'

Quand je te rêve - Céline Carzo

Céline Carzo represented Luxembourg during the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest. It was one of the most dynamic songs Luxembourg had ever contributed to the Contest. After it finished 13th in a field of 22 competitors, I lost hope that this song would be released in the Netherlands. All I could do was search for the single that was released in Luxembourg and/or France. Someone I knew actually bought a copy in France, but he also told me it was very rare.

Indeed, it took me seven years to find this single. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the single version lasted for 4 minutes, 1 minute longer than the maximum performance time during the Contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 2849

Found: Bea Records, 1997

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Quand je te rêve' / 'Looking for love'

Love and pride - King

The band King formed in 1983 in Coventry. The band consisted of lead singer Paul King, Mick Roberts, Anthony Wall and Jim Lantsbery. Their debut album 'Steps in time' was released in 1984, along with the band's debut single 'Love & pride'. In May 1984, this single only reached number 84 in the UK singles chart, but after extensive promotion the single was re-released and made number 2 in early 1985.

This limited edition release features a colour poster. It was the main reason for buying the single at the time, because I didn't really need to hear this track anymore. Now I'm glad to have it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3084
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love & pride' / 'Don't stop'

Computer games - Mi-sex

The Australian new wave rock band Mi-sex was founded in 1978. The band centered around Steve Gilpin (vocals), Murray Burns (keyboards) and Kevin Stanton (guitar). In August of that year, they were signed to CBS Records. Their debut album 'Graffiti crimes' included their biggest hit 'Computer games'. This single went to number 1 in Australia and was a top 5 hit in New Zealand.

The single was also released in the Netherlands - which is how I heard it - but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2903

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Computer games' / 'Wot do you want'

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

The first version of 'Opportunities' was recorded already in 1983, produced by Bobby Orlando. However, this version wasn't released. When the Pet Shop Boys signed to Parlophone records in 1985, they re-recorded the song with J.J. Jeczalik (from Art of Noise) and Nicholas Froome producing.

This single charted lowly at number 116 in the UK. Their second single on Parlophone would be 'West End Girls' in a new version. This would become what many people thought to be their debut single - and a worldwide hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 2642

Found: Record fair, May 12, 1996

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Opportunities (Let's make lots of money)' / 'In the night'

It's a fine day - Opus III

Opus III consisted of vocalist Kelly Hawkshaw and producers Kevin Dodds, Ian Munro and Niger Walton. 'It's a fine day', their debut single in 1992, was a cover of a 1983 single by Jane & Barton. Their debut album 'Mind fruit' was an uplifting dance album, with a strong environmental message in the lyrics and album liner notes.

This single peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and was also a minor hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2391

Found: Eastbourne, July 5, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'It's a fine day' / 'Evolution rush'

Take a chance on me - Abba

Much has been said about Abba's later years, when both couples had divorced and their music took on an increasingly serious tone. It's easy to forget that it all started out as great fun. 'Take a chance on me' is one of those upbeat tracks. The song's origins sprang from Ulvaeus, whose hobby was running. While running, he would sing a "tck-a-ch"-style rhythm to himself over and over again, which then evolved into "take-a-chance" and the eventual lyrics.

'Take a chance on me' was a number one hit in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, and peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands. The song was covered by Erasure on their 'Abba-esque' EP (1992).

My collection: 7" single no. 2117

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, June 11, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Take a chance on me' / 'I'm a marionette'