If you love somebody set them free - Sting

Although the Police never formally broke up, 1985 was the year in which all three members started concentrating on solo projects. The most successful of the three was Sting, who launched his solo career in the summer of 1985 with this single, 'If you love somebody set them free'. It was the first single from his first solo album, 'The dream of the blue turtles', which he recorded with a band of accomplished jazz musicians.

The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart, number 35 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. I never liked this song much at the time of its release, but now, a quarter of a century later, I have grown to like it. I found a pristine UK pressing of the single, which is always a pleasure too.

My collection: 7" single no. 4476
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you love somebody set them free' / 'Another day'

Blok aan mijn been - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Blok aan mijn been' was the third and final single taken from the self-titled debut album by the Frank Boeijen Groep, the Dutch band that was founded by Frank Boeijen at the end of the Seventies. Like its predecessor 'Vrijdagavond', this single failed to chart.

Just like that single, I had to search for this one for a long time too. I finally found a copy on a festival market for a price that was pretty steep. But after searching for a decade, you're bound to make a compromise. I didn't see the single that much afterwards anyway...

My collection: 7" single no. 2145
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, August 21, 1994
Cost: 12,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Blok aan mijn been' / 'Ik haat jou'

Straighter line - Cock Robin

Just three weeks ago, in my entry about the single 'Manzanar', I wrote that I hadn't been able to find a copy of the third and last single from Cock Robin's third album 'First love last rites', 'Straighter line', and indeed, it has been a hell of a search. But fortunately the single popped up on a mailorder website 12 days ago, and so now I do have it.

'Straighter line' did not chart anywhere, so you'd expect to see this single literally everywhere. But I guess most copies have been destroyed or something. At least I have a copy now.

My collection: 7" single no. 4475
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,4 euro
Tracks: 'Straighter line' / 'We've changed'

Up the hill backwards - David Bowie

David Bowie recorded 'Up the hill backwards' as a track on his 1980 album 'Scary monsters (and super creeps)'. The lyric is often seen as a commentary on the public coverage of his divorce from Angela Bowie, one of several tracks on the album that muse over the double-edged sword of celebrity. It has also been interpreted as facing up to crises in general.

The track was released as the fourth and final single from the album in March 1981. The single was not a big success, reaching number 32 in the UK singles chart and failed to chart everywhere else.

My collection: 7" single no. 4474
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Up the hill backwards' / 'Crystal Japan'

History 1992 - Mai Tai

After Mai Tai had some big successes in the Eighties, their career came to a complete standstill when their third album 'Cool is the rule' (1987) was less successful. They disappeared from view until 1991, when a 'Best of' album was released. This album featured one new track, 'Dance in the light'. That single did not chart.

'History 1992' can be considered one last desperate attempt at chart success. The hit from 1985 was remixed by one Gary Jones, and released as a single. This single did not chart. Soon after, Mai Tai decided to split up.

My collection: 7" single no. 4473
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,1 euro
Tracks: 'History 1992 (radio mix)' / 'History 1992 (Burn-it-mix)'

Love of the common people - Paul Young

'Love of the common people' was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. The lyrics tell a bleak story of poverty and joblessness. Though Wilkins and Hurley did not expressly say so in the lyrics, the song is also a protest of what they saw as the failure of the American government to do more for the poor and unemployed than it had. The track was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings in 1967, then covered by Nicky Thomas in 1970.

Paul Young released his version of the song originally in 1982. After it failed to chart, he had two hit singles with 'Wherever I lay my hat' and 'Come back and stay'. The track was re-released in 1983, and on this occasion it peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and topping the chart in Ireland and the Netherlands. This limited edition double single features three live tracks, with one clocking in at an impressive 9 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 4470
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love of the common people' / 'Behind your smile (live)' // 'Wherever I lay my hat (live)' / 'Oh women (live)'

Thursday's child - Tanita Tikaram

'Thursday's child' was released as the third and last single from Tanita Tikaram's second album 'The sweet keeper'. The track was re-recorded for the single release. However, this did not help matters much: the single did not chart.

The B-side is a charming song taken from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4471
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Thursday's child' / 'Once and not speak'

The circus - Erasure

According to Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, 'The circus' was a deliberate departure of the pop sound of their previous six singles. The lyric touches on social issues and center around the lament of 'working men', whose bright futures and job securities are left shattered in the modern world of greedy corporations and technology.

'The circus' was the fourth and final single from the album of the same name. As the album version was 5'30 minutes long, the song was remixed for the single, clocking in at 3'50. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart. In Germany, where this limited edition pressed on red vinyl was released, the single peaked at number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 4468
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'The circus (remix)' / 'The circus (Decay mix)'

Somewhere in the world - Boney M

With Bobby Farrell out of the line-up of Boney M and new male singer Reggie Tsiboe in, the group was facing difficult times. With already three singles landing outside of the top 40 in Germany, 'Somewhere in the world' was the fourth attempt at having more success - but another failure.

'Somewhere in the world' was the first and only single from Boney M's seventh studio album 'Ten thousand lightyears'. The single only reached number 49 in the German singles chart and failed to chart anywhere else. Though unremarkable, this track is still quite beautiful and features the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4466
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Somewhere in the world' / 'Exodus (Noah's ark 2001)'

La fiesta terminó - Paloma San Basilio

Paloma San Basilio was born on November 22, 1950 in Madrid, Spain. She started her career in the Spanish music scene in the Seventies with the album 'Sombras'. In 1985, she represented Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'La fiesta terminó'. This song was composed by Juan Carlos Calderón, who is best known for the 1973 entry 'Eres tu' by Mocedades, which ended second in the Contest but went on to become a worldwide hit. 'La fiesta terminó' was less successful: it finished 14th in the Contest in a field of 19 competitors.

This single features the track 'Sin ti' on the B-side, a Spanish language cover of Nilsson's 'Without you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4465
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'La fiesta terminó' / 'Sin ti'

Only your love - Bananarama

'Only your love' was the first single by Bananarama after a four year relationship with the producers trio Stock, Aitken & Waterman. This song was co-written and produced by Youth. It was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album 'Pop life' and released several months prior to its release.

The song contains several references to other singles: the 'woo woo' hoots directly reference 'Sympathy for the devil' by the Rolling stones, and the track also contains samples of 'Loaded' by Primal Scream and 'Fool's gold' by the Stone Roses. The single peaked at number 27 in the UK singles chart but did not chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4464
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,3 euro
Tracks: 'Only your love' / 'Only your love (Hardcore instrumental)'

Never knew love - Rick Astley

'Never knew love' was written by John Paul and Derek Bordeaux and recorded by Rick Astley on his third album 'Free', the one he made without the involvement of Stock, Aitken & Waterman. Instead, this track was produced by Gary Stevenson and Astley himself.

The single was not a big success, while it only charted in the UK, where it stalled at number 70. As a result, this third single was also the last from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4463
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 2,2 euro
Tracks: 'Never knew love (remix)' / 'So glad'

A little respect - Erasure

I might never have heard 'A little respect' if Kim Wilde hadn't decided to start performing the song live during her 2009 spring tour. Although the single was a big hit in the UK in 1988, I didn't hear the song at the time so I caught up 21 years later.

Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell's use of falsetto in the chorus. The lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to show compassion and respect. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and even managed to reach number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4472
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A little respect' / 'Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor'

Song sung blue - Altered Images

If this song sounds familiar to you, then most probably you're reminded of the original version of 'Song sung blue' by Neil Diamond, recorded in 1972. It was a number 1 hit in the USA, also reaching number 14 in the UK singles chart.

Altered Images recorded this cover version on their album 'Pinky blue' in 1982. With the peculiar but charming voice of Clare Grogan and the very Eighties treatment of the track, it was given a new lease of life. Although the single did not chart in any territory...

My collection: 7" single no. 4462
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Song sung blue' / 'See you later'

More than physical - Bananarama

'More than physical' was one of two tracks on Bananarama's 1986 album 'True confessions' that were produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, with the other tracks being produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The other track was 'Venus', which had just become a worldwide hit after its single release. 'More than physical' was released as the follow-up in an attempt to capitalize on that success.

The track was remixed for the single, giving it a similar Hi-NRG sound as 'Venus'. However, this did not prove to be a successful strategy: the single stalled at number 41 in the UK singles chart and number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4461
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More than physical' / 'Scarlett'

Principles of lust - Enigma

'Principles of lust' was the third single released from Enigma's debut album 'MCMXC a.D.'. The single version of 'Principles of lust' is actually 'Find love', part two of the album version of 'Principles of lust'. The song contains a sample of 'Justify my love' by Madonna. The cover includes a detail from the painting Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time by Agnolo Bronzino.

'Principles of lust' reached number 29 in France, number 90 in Germany and number 59 in the UK singles chart. This 7" single is pretty rare, I don't think I've seen it very often even in 1991, when it was just released.

My collection: 7" single no. 4460
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 3,3 euro
Tracks: 'Principles of lust (radio edit)' / 'Principles of lust (Jazz mix)'

Bridge of spies - T'pau

The title track of T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies' was released as a single in the USA and Germany only. This is the German single, featuring the US edit of the track, as well as the live version of 'Sex talk' which was released as a single in the UK around the same time.

I actually bought this single over 10 years ago already, but to my dismay it turned out to contain the wrong disc in the sleeve. So I've had the sleeve for a long time, but now for the first time I can say I really own this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4459
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Bridge of spies (US remix)' / 'Sex talk (live)'

I can't go for that (No can do) - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall sketched out the basics of 'I can't go for that' one evening at a music studio in New York City in 1981 after a recording session for the album 'Private eyes'. Hall played a bassline on a Korg organ, then came up with a guitar riff - both were recorded by sound engineer Neil Kernon. The duo Hall & Oates took it from there the next day.

The single version of 'I can't go for that' is not an edit of the album verison, but an edit of the dance mix. It was released as a single in early 1982 and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 195
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I can't go for that (No can do)' / 'Unguarded minute'

I won't steal away - Time Bandits

'I won't steal away' was one of the songs to come out of the collaboration between the Time Bandits lead singer Alides Hidding with American hit producer Dan Hartman. It was recorded on the band's 1986 album 'Fiction' and released as a single.

The single reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40, and was their last single to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3301
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I won't steal away' / 'Cool world'

No one is to blame - Howard Jones

'No one is to blame' was a track on Howard Jones' second studio album 'Dream into action'. It was originally recorded as a ballad, but for the single release, the track was re-recorded with Phil Collins producing and adding backing vocals and drums into the mix.

The single became a hit, peaking at number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 16 in the UK singles chart.

I bought the German pressing of this single at the time of its release, and found an American pressing with a totally different sleeve in 2000.

My collection: 7" single no. 3240
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'No one is to blame' / 'The chase'