Fire - Ohio Players

'Fire' was released from the Ohio Players' album of the same name, both released in 1975. The single peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was recorded at Mercury Record's Chicago-based studio. While performing it in California, the band let Stevie Wonder hear the basic track for the song and he predicted that it would become a big hit.

I bought this single as a gamble. Later on I found out that I was acually looking for the 1968 hit 'Fire' by the Crazy world of Arthur Brown.

My collection: 7" single no. 2855

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 21, 1997

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Fire' / 'Together'

Nobody wins - Elton John

'Nobody wins' was a track on Elton John's 1981 album 'The fox'. The album was recorded partly during sessions for Elton's previous album '21 at 33' (1980). The track was not written as usual by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, but by Jean-Paul Dreau and Gary Osborne.

The single was a modest hit, reaching number 42 in the UK and number 31 in the Netherlands. Elton John actually said during a concert at Leeds Castle in 1999 that the album "went 'cardboard' in England", a sarcastic remark on how badly it had been received there.

My collection: 7" single no. 923
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Nobody wins' / 'Fools in fashion'

Zwijgen - Het Goede Doel

Released as the third single from the band's 1986 album 'Mooi en onverslijtbaar', het Goede Doel scored the biggest hit from this album with 'Zwijgen'. The single peaked at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn of 1986.

In the song, the protagonist says that he could say that he loves a woman, and everything he wants to do with her, but 'it's better to stay silent'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3768

Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Zwijgen' / 'Atoombom'

Orinoco flow - Enya

Enya was born as Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin on May 17, 1961 in Gaoth Dobhair, also known as Gweedore in Ireland. She got involved in music when she joined the family band Clannad in 1980. She went solo six years later, when she was contacted to provide music for the BBC television documentary 'The Celts'.

In 1988, Enya achieved an international breakthrough when she released her second solo album 'Watermark'. The single 'Orinoco flow' - the single features an edited version of the album track - sounded fresh and original to the world, and went number 1 in the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 729

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 2, 1989

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Orinoco flow' / 'Out of the blue'

Silent lucidity - Queensryche

'Silent lucidity' is a single by the American hardrock band Queensrÿche. It was released as the fifth single from their 1990 album 'Empire'. The track is an epic piece incorporating an orchestra and a compelling melody. Only hardrock bands are able to make ballads like this. The single peaked at number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 in the Dutch top 40. In the UK it did not chart, but when it was re-relased in 1992, it made number 18.

The original release of the single in the UK was supported by a single box set including five individual band member prints and two cutout cartons of the band logo.

My collection: 7" single no. 1497

Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, August 1, 1991

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Silent lucidity' / 'The mission (live)'

The blood that moves the body - A-ha

'The blood that moves the body' was released as the second single from A-ha's third album 'Stay on these roads' in June 1988. The enigmatic lyrics of this song have been attributed to many things, including teen suicides in Japan and literary references to 'eyes of a blue dog'. World sales reportedly amounted to 400,000 copies.

Personally I thought this was one of the weaker tracks on the album. It was re-released in March 1992 as a remixed version.

My collection: 7" single no. 648

Found: Free Record Shop, Leiden, August 19, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'The blood that moves the body' / 'There's never a forever thing'

Shakti (The meaning of within) - Monsoon

Shakti, from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that move through the entire universe. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism. On the earthly plane, Shakti most actively manifests through female embodiment and fertility.

So this, apparently, is what this song is about. The band Monsoon was never short of Indian influences in their music. The song itself is a good uptempo track, which unfortunately did not meet with much commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3786

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Shakti (The meaning of within)' / 'And I you'

Try jah love - Third world

The Jamaican reggae band Third world formed in 1973 when Michael "Ibo" Cooper and Stephen "Cat" Coore left Inner Circle to form their own band. They recruited Cornel Marshall, Irving "Carrot" Jarrett and singer "Prilly". When they released their second album '96° in the Shade' "Prilly" was replaced by "Bunny Rugs" Clarke and an all-new rhythm section: Ritchie Daleyand former Inner Circle drummer Willie Stewart.

Third World's greatest success came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, peaking with their cover version of The O'Jays' 'Now that we found love', a worldwide hit single in 1979. This song brought them to the attention of Stevie Wonder, who worked with them and co-wrote their next hit 'Try jah love'. The single peaked at number 3 in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 3777
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Try jah love' / 'Inna time like this'

Straight ahead - Nick Straker Band

'Straight ahead' was released as a single from the Nick Straker Band in 1982. It was completely unsuccessful, and I can honestly say I never heard this track anywhere. Buying this was a complete gamble. But it paid off: this is a very danceable and melodic track, vaguely reminiscent of earlier material, but also very different.

The track was remixed by François Kevorkian, the French DJ and remixer who is most famous for his work with Kraftwerk, Eurythmics and U2. He also mixed Depeche Mode's biggest-selling album 'Violator' as well as many of their 12" club remixes.

My collection: 7" single no. 3781

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Straight ahead' / 'Straight ahead (instrumental reprise)'

Listen to what the man said - Wings

'Listen to what the man said' was recorded in early 1975 by Wings during their New Orleans sessions for the album 'Venus and Mars'. The song featured new member Joe English on drums, with guest musicians Dave Mason on guitar and Tom Scott on soprano saxophone.

The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3778

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Listen to what the man said' / 'Love in song'

To France - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield enjoyed a commercial peak with his singles in the first half of the Eighties. He employed different singles to add vocals to his tracks, one of the most successful being 'Moonlight shadow' in 1983 with Maggie Reilly. He did a kind of reprise in 1984 with the single 'To France', also sung by Reilly.

The single was less successful in the UK, but in the Netherlands it peaked at number 3. Maggie Reilly reinterpreted the song in 1996 on her solo album 'Elena'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3783

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'To France' / 'In the pool (instrumental)'

Palm of my hand - Pale Fountains

After the success of 'Thank you', I can imagine that the Pale Fountains would have expected more success with the follow-up single 'Palm of my hand', released in 1983. It is a short, but effective song. However, the single was ignored by the record-buying public although it did get some radio exposure.

I didn't know this track at all but since I liked the other two singles by the band already featured on this blog, I decided to take the gamble. And once again, it paid off.

My collection: 7" single no. 3784

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Palm of my hand' / 'Love's a beautiful place'

Breakaway - Tracey Ullman

'Breakaway' is a song written by Jackie DeShannon and Sharon Sheeley. It was originally recorded by Irma Thomas in 1964 and released as the B-Side of her biggest hit, the US number 17 hit single 'Wish someone would care'.

Tracey Ullman recorded a cover of 'Breakaway' in 1983 as her debut single. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Netherlands. It subsequently appeared on Ullman's album 'You broke my heart in 17 places', which was released in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 3787

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Breakaway' / 'Dancing in the dark'

Protection - Donna Summer

In 1981, David Geffen approached Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager and producer, and asked if Springsteen would be interested in writing a song for Donna Summer. Summer had just recently signed for Geffen Records. Springsteen agreed to write a song and he gathered the E Street Band to record a demo. However when Landau heard the result, 'Cover me', he persuaded Springsteen to keep that song for himself. Springsteen then wrote 'Protection'.

The song became a track on Donna Summer's self-titled album from 1982. On the track, Springsteen played the guitar solo and can clearly be heard on fadeout vocals. It was released as a single in Belgium and Japan only.

My collection: 7" single no. 3779

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Protection' / '(If it) Hurts just a little'

Stiekem gedanst - Toontje Lager

Dutch music from the Eighties can be interesting at times. At the height of the synthpop age, even Dutch artists were inspired to make good tracks. (Which is interesting, because since then, nothing really interesting has happened.)

One of those bands was Toontje Lager. They released three albums during the Eighties, all of them filled with easily recognisable synthpop tunes. 'Stiekem gedanst' ('Secretly danced') came from the band's album 'Stiekem dansen' ('Dancing secretly'). It was their biggest hit, peaking at number 8 in the summer of 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3782

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Stiekem gedanst' / 'Amigo'

Gente di mare - Tozzi and Raff

Umberto Tozzi and Raffaele Riefoli represented Italy during the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Gente di mare' ('People of the sea'). It was a decent effort - although at the time I thought the song was unspeakably boring - reaching third place in the Contest.

While not winning the Contest the song achieved considerable popularity, becoming a Top 10 hit in most parts of Europe and Scandinavia in the summer of 1987. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 3773

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Gente di mare' / 'Lascia che sia il tuo cuore'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'The loco-motion' was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1962. The original recording of the song was sung by Eva Boyd, under the stage name Little Eva, which reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin recorded their version of the song in 1986. It became the duo's last hit, reaching the number 70 spot in the UK singles chart. A subsequent cover version by Kylie Minogue was more successful, reaching number 2 in the UK. Artistically, this is the more interesting version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3775

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'The locomotion' / 'Make me promises'

Gangsters - The Specials

Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding and Horace Panter formed The Automatics in 1977. When Terry Hall and Roddy Byers joined the band the following year, the band changed its name to The Special AKA The Coventry Automatics, and then to The Special AKA.

The Specials began at the same time as Rock Against Racism which first gathered in 1978. According to Jerry Dammers anti-racism was intrinsic to the formation of The Specials with an intention to integrate both black and white people. In 1979, Dammers decided to form his own record label, and 2 Tone Records was born. On this label, the band released their 7" debut 'Gangsters', featuring a part of Prince Buster's ska hit 'Al Capone'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 3788

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Gangsters' (The Specials) / 'The selecter' (The Selecter)

I only want to be with you - The Tourists

'I only want to be with you' was written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. It was the first solo single released by British singer Dusty Springfield. Recorded while she was still a member of The Springfields, the song was released in November 1963, three weeks after The Springfields' final concert.

The Tourists, a British pop band consisting of Peet Coombes, David A. Stewart, Annie Lennox, Eddie Chin and Jim Toorney, recorded their version of the song in 1979. The single peaked at number 4 in the UK at the end of 1979. When the group disbanded the next year, Stewart and Lennox went on to form the Eurythmics. The rest, as they say, is history...

My collection: 7" single no. 3789

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I only want to be with you' / 'Summers night'

Tomorrow never knows - Monsoon

While Monsoon is best known for their hit 'Ever so lonely', the band continued to record tracks for a couple of years. The single 'Tomorrow never knows' was taken from their only album, 'Third eye'. It was a cover of the Beatles track from their 1966 album 'Revolver'.

John Lennon wrote the song in January 1966, closely adapted from the book The Psychedelic Experience by Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, and Ralph Metzner, which in turn was adapted from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. McCartney stated that he and Lennon once visited a newly opened Indica bookshop and Lennon found a copy of The Psychedelic Experience, which quoted the lines: "When in doubt, relax, turn off your mind, float downstream". Lennon bought the book, went home, took LSD, and followed the instructions exactly as stated in the book.

My collection: 7" single no. 3785

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Tomorrow never knows' / 'Indian princess'