Spasticus Autisticus - Ian Dury

'Spasticus Autisticus' was written by Ian Dury and Chas Jankel in 1981 for the International Year of Disabled Persons. The lyric was deliberately provocative, as the word Spastic (a name for sufferers of cerebral palsy) was becoming taboo in Britain, due to its use as a derogatory term. Despite the fact that Dury was himself disabled (from polio, rather than cerebral palsy), the BBC deemed it offensive to polite sensibilities and denied it airplay, only confirming the validity of Dury's uncompromising lyrics.

The single did not chart in any territory, but I remember it made quite an impression on me when the single was first released and Dury performed it on television in the music programmes at the time.

My collection: 7" single no. 2939
Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Spasticus Autisticus' / 'Spasticus Autisticus (Version)'

I don't wanna go on with you like that - Elton John

'I don't wanna go on with you like that' was taken from Elton John's 1988 album 'Reg strikes back'. Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the song describes the breakup of a lovers' relationship.

When the single was released in the summer of 1988, it reached number 30 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was kept from the top spot by the single 'Monkey' by George Michael.

My collection: 7" single no. 660
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't wanna go on with you like that' / 'Rope around a fool'

Breakfast in America - Supertramp

'Breakfast in America' was the title track of Supertramp's 1979 album. During the recording of this album, tensions between band members and main songwriters Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson were rising. Hodgson later commented: 'Rick didn't like the song 'Breakfast in America' and didn't want it on the album. He also didn't want the album to be titled 'Breakfast in America' either and I guess I won out on both accounts'.

When released as a single, 'Breakfast in America' became a big hit in various countries. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 851
Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Breakfast in America' / 'Gone Hollywood'

Confusion / Last train to London - Electric Light Orchestra

'Confusion' was released as a double A-side single with 'Last train to London' in the UK and Ireland, whereas the two tracks were released as separate singles in other territories. Thanks to this fact, we can conclude that 'Confusion' was actually the better selling of the two, since it was a top 10 hit in four other countries, in contrast to 'Last train to London', which only reached the top 10 in France. Meanwhile, the double A-side single reached number 8 in the UK and number 9 in Ireland.

Both tracks were taken from Electric Light Orchestra's 1979 album 'Discovery', from which three previous singles had already been released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2758
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Confusion' / 'Last train to London'

It's called a heart - Depeche Mode

'It's called a heart' was the second new track to be lifted from Depeche Mode's compilation album 'The Singles (81-85)'. Both Alan Wilder and Martin Gore have commented about their dislike of the track in hindsight. They actually wanted 'Fly on the windscreen' to be the A-side of this single, but the record company thought the violent nature of the song would be suitable for radio play (Imagine hearing the first line, 'Death is everywhere' on a sunny Sunday morning).

The single was released with a limited edition poster sleeve in the Netherlands. In the UK singles chart, 'It's called a heart' reached number 18.

My collection: 7" single no. 351
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'It's called a heart' / 'Fly on the windscreen'

Lied für einen Freund - Maxi and Chris Garden

The mother and daughter duo Maxi & Chris Garden represented Germany during the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Lied für einen Freund' ('Song for a friend'). Like many of Germany's entries, the song was written and composed by Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger, but this one is actually a rather baroque track musically speaking: lots of orchestral backing, piano riffs and, well, a disappointing lyric.

At the close of voting, 'Lied für einen Freund' finished 14th in a field of 21 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4455
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Lied für einen Freund' / 'Du und ich'

State of independence - Donna Summer

Donna Summer has been around for such a long time, that many of her singles are still wellknown. From her output in the Eighties, 'State of independence' is quite probably her best known song. The track was originally written and recorded by Jon Anderson & Vangelis on their 1981 album 'The friends of Mr. Cairo'.

Donna Summer recorded her version a year later on her 1982 self-titled album, with Quincy Jones producing. Her version of the song features an all-star choir including among others Michael Jackson, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. Upon its original release, it became a number 1 hit in the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 41 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Remixes were released in 1990 and 1996.

My collection: 7" single no. 293
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'State of independence' / 'Love is just a breath away'

The train - The Nits

'The train' was the second single taken from the 1988 album 'Hat' by the Nits. The song was written and produced by the band. The sleeve of the single featured stills from the rather strange music video. And like the music video, the song was rather strange as well.

'Strange and beautiful' was increasingly becoming the trademark of the Nits, which earned them a big fan following in the Netherlands, but also a lack of commercial success: this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 753
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The train' / 'Blue'

Beyond my control - Mylene Farmer

Mylene Farmer's song 'Beyond my control' was inspired by two characters in the 1782 French novel 'Les liaisons dangereuses'. In the song, the voice heard on the chorus of the song which repeats 'It's beyond my control' is in fact a sample of John Malkovich's voice from the film 'Les liaisons dangereuses' by Stephen Frears. The song deals with self-control, love and death. Farmer tells her own story from the sampled sentence: that of a woman who kills her unfaithful lover after a night of love.

The single reached number 8 in France and number 10 in the French-speaking part of Belgium. The single was also released in the Netherlands, but without any chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 2220
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Beyond my control' / 'Beyond my control (Ya ya version)'

Everybody hurts - R.E.M.

The statement is quite belittling: to say to the thousands of victims of an earthquake, in this case in Haiti: 'Everybody hurts sometimes'. Yet, that's what happening right now: an array of pop stars have recorded a cover version of this sog by R.E.M. I haven't heard it yet, but when Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey are involved, it's bound to be an atrocious track.

So let's go back to the original. Much of the song was written by R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry. He said about the song: 'If you're consciously writing for someone who hasn't been to college, or is pretty young, it might be nice to be very direct. In that regard, it's tended to work for people of a lot of ages.'

My collection: 7" single no. 1916
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 22, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody hurts' / 'Pop song 89'

Midnight man - Flash and the Pan

'Midnight man' is a track from Flash and the Pan's fifth studio album 'Early morning wake up call'. The album was produced by Harry Vanda and George Young themselves, like all their albums.

The track was edited for the single release. The single reached number 66 in Australia and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 289
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Midnight man' / 'Fat night'

Save me - Queen

'Save me' was released as a single in January 1980, six months before the album 'The game' was released, on which the track appeared. Brian May wrote the song about a friend whose relationship had ended.

The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in the UK singles chart, while it was also a top 10 hit in Ireland, Italy and Norway.

My collection: 7" single no. 1575
Found: Record fair, January 25, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Save me' / 'Let me entertain you'

God - Tori Amos

Released as the last single from Tori Amos' second album 'Under the pink' in Europe (as opposed to the USA, where it was released as the first single), 'God' was issued in several different formats. The 7" picture disc featured the album version and a remix, whereas the cd-single and the 12" single featured a few more remixes.

One has to question the point of those remixes though. The 'acapella vocal and rain mix' is basically the prettiest version of three remixes that are basically the same: the 'Thinking mix 2' and the 'Rainforest Resort mix' are just lengthier versions with some alterations in them. The only reason why this 12" single is worth owning, is the CJ Bolland mix: this one actually adds something to the track that makes it sound danceable, and even gives it a poppy, Kraftwerk-ish appeal.

My collection: 12" single no. 222
Found: HMV, London, 1994
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'God (Thinking mix 2)', 'God (acapella vocal and rain mix)' / 'God (Rainforest resort mix)', 'God (CJ Bolland mix)'

Julia - Eurythmics

'Julia' was a track on the soundtrack of the movie '1984', which was composed and recorded entirely by the Eurythmics. It was subsequently released as the second and final single from the album. The song is a ballad with very sparse electronic instrumentation and an almost a cappella performance by Lennox. Her vocals are accentuated by vocoder effects in the background. The title and lyrics of the song are based upon the novel's heroine and love interest, Julia.

The single was released as a limited edition in the UK, featuring a pop-up sleeve and a picture disc with a still image from the film, featuring English actress Suzanna Hamilton as Julia. The single reached number 44 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1346
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 18, 1990
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Julia' / 'Ministry of love'

Spending my time - Roxette

Although for some this song may be a bit too melodramatic, this was my favourite single of the year 1991. 'Spending my time' was one of the best tracks on Roxette's 1991 album 'Joyride', and when it was released as a single, it was coupled with a very strong non-album track, 'The sweet hello the sad goodbye'. The cd-single also added a great extended remix of the track.

The single reached number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 22 in the UK singles chart. In 1996, a Spanish version, 'Un dia sin ti' was recorded on the album 'Baladas en Español'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1548
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Spending my time' / 'The sweet hello, the sad goodbye'

Dance this night away - Maarten Peters

In 1988, Maarten Peters left his record company Dureco after releasing two albums with them, and signed a new contract with EMI. His first release for EMI was the standalone single 'Dance this night away'.

Despite the danceable music and the straightforward lyric, the single was not a chart success. It almost seemed like his career was heading for a nosedive, but in 1989 Peters came back with a new album, that would give him his biggest successes.

My collection: 7" single no. 634
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Dance this night away' / 'Dance this night away (instrumental)'

China girl - David Bowie

A nice romp on the beach with an Asian woman: David Bowie knew how to have a good time in the early Eighties. The video for 'China girl' caused some controversy, as back then, artists were not generally showing their naked bodies too often. (These days you would long for even one of them to put on some clothes...) It was a visual reference to the movie 'From here to eternity', but still some TV channels censored the music video.

'China girl' was written by Bowie and Iggy Pop and originally recorded by Iggy Pop on his 1977 album 'The idiot'. David Bowie recorded the song in 1983 on his album 'Let's dance'. He decided to put the song on his album when Pop was in dire straits and was close to facing bankruptcy. The inclusion of the song on the album and the subsequent release as a single helped him to get back on his feet financially, as he collected half the royalties. The single reached number 2 in the UK and the Netherlands, while also reaching number 10 in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1602
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'China girl' / 'Shake it'

Army dreamers - Kate Bush

Released in September 1980, Kate Bush's 'Army dreamers' can actually be described as an EP, as it contained not one, but two B-side tracks: an old demo recording from 1973 called 'Passing through air' and the album version of 'Delius', though without the outro of Babooshka through the first few seconds of the tracks as on the album 'Never for ever'.

The lyric of 'Army dreamers' was about the effects of war and about a mother who grieves for her young son, who was killed on military maneuvers. Saddened by his unnecessary death, she wrestles with her guilt over what she could have done to prevent it. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 76
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Army dreamers' / 'Delius', 'Passing through air'

We don't need another hero - Tina Turner

'We don't need another hero' by Tina Turner doesn't sound too far removed from an earlier hit, 'What's love got to do with it'. That's not a surprise, given that the track was written and produced by the same people behind Turner's album 'Private dancer'. It was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie 'Mad Max: beyond Thunderdome', in which Turner had a starring role.

On the track, Turner was backed by a choral group from King's House School in Richmond, London. The song's lyrical content and theme is mostly a statement of anti-war and anti-violence. It reached number 1 in several European countries, number 7 in the Dutch Top 40, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 315
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'We don't need another hero' / 'We don't need another hero (instrumental)'

He's a liar - Bee Gees

The 12" single of 'He's a liar' was featured on this blog some time ago already, but mostly when I've got a 12" single, I also have the 7" single. And this one is no exception.

'He's a liar' was the first single from the Bee Gees album 'Living eyes', released in 1981. It had been approximately 2 years since the last Bee Gees single had been released - which was an eternity at that time - and although this song sounded nothing like the Bee Gees disco era singles, this single was ignored in most territories because the band had become so heavily associated with disco - and disco was no longer in fashion.

My collection: 7" single no. 882
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'He's a liar' / 'He's a liar (instrumental)'