Star - Kiki Dee

In 1981, 'Star' was Kiki Dee's first solo single release in four years, after the duet with Elton John, 'Don't go breaking my heart' made her a household name in 1978. The single was taken from her first album for her new label Ariola, 'Perfect timing'. Until then, Kiki Dee had been signed to Elton John's record company Rocket.

'Star' was written by Doreen Chanter of the Chanter Sisters. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. Between 1987 and 1990 it was the theme song of the BBC One programme 'Opportunity knocks'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4842
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Star' / 'Give it up'

Jive talkin' - Boogie Box High

Boogie Box High were a musical project headed by Andros Georgiou in the late Eighties that featured a range of musical collaborations such as his cousin George Michael, guitarist Nick Heyward (of Haircut 100), keyboardist Mick Talbot (of Style Council), guitarist–songwriter David Austin, bassist Deon Estus and others.

Released in 1987, Boogie Box High's first single 'Jive talkin'' quickly reached number one in several countries. Part of this success was caused by the involvement of George Michael, who sang lead and backing vocals on the track. Due to contractual obligations to Epic Records, George was never credited on the original release, although fans quickly recognized his voice, making the song an instant hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4841
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jive talkin'' / 'Rhythm talkin' (part 1)'

I can dream about you - Dan Hartman

Dan Hartman recorded 'I can dream about you' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Streets of fire'. In the movie, the sog was performed by Winston Ford.

Dan Hartman's version was released as a single in 1984. It reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4840
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I can dream about you' (Dan Hartman) / 'Blue shadows' (The Blasters)

Dim all the lights - Donna Summer

'Dim all the lights' was taken from Donna Summer's album 'Bad girls' and produced by longtime collaborator Giorgio Moroder with Pete Bellotte. Just like the two previous singles from the album, 'Hot stuff' and 'Bad girls', this was another massive hit for her, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 29 in the UK singles chart. However, in the Netherlands, the single flopped.

Donna Summer herself wrote the song, without any co-writers. As such, 'Dim all the lights' was her only hit single that she wrote alone. She originally intended to give the song to Rod Stewart, but changed her mind at the last minute.

My collection: 7" single no. 4839
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dim all the lights' / 'There will always be a you'

See see the sun - Kayak

Kayak's 1973 single 'See see the sun' was taken from their debut album of the same name. It was actually their third single, but the first one to fail to reach the chart even in the Netherlands.

Finding a Kayak single these days is pretty hard, so I was really stunned to find this one for almost nothing. The quality of the disc isn't the best, as you can hear, but what do you expect, after 37 years?

My collection: 7" single no. 4838
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'See see the sun' / 'Give it a name'

Twee gezichten - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded the track 'Twee gezichten' ('Two faces') together with Henk Hofstede from the Nits. It was released as the third single from Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers').

The B-side was a live track, recorded at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium on February 20, 1992. It was a Dutch version of Elvis Presley's famous track 'I can't help falling in love with you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1703
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Twee gezichten' / 'Kan er niets aan doen (live)'

Something about you - Level 42

Level 42 have always had a knack for making catchy tunes, and when they were at the height of their fame in the mid-Eighties, they were able to treat their fans to lively extended versions of their hit singles.

'Something about you' was released in 1985. The 'Sisa mix' on this 12" single was uncredited, but one can presume that producer Julian Mendelsohn had something to do with it.

My collection: 12" single no. 301
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1991
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Something about you (Sisa mix)' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'

Whenever you need me - T'pau

Without even knowing what was on it, this 12" single was an attractive proposition: it was released as a box set featuring a giant poster of Carol Decker. When I ordered my copy from the UK, the disc turned out to feature an extended remix of 'Whenever you need me', which was not included on the cd-single.

The only thing that irks me to this day, is that the paper slip around the orange box in which this 12" single was packaged tore apart on the day I received it. So I have a damaged copy, alas.

My collection: 12" single no. 114
Found: Esprit mail order, UK, received August 1991
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Whenever you need me (extended)' / 'Whenever you need me (single version)', 'All the love'

The sensual world - Kate Bush

When Kate Bush created 'The sensual world', she originally wanted it to be the speech by Molly Bloom from James Joyce's book 'Ulysses' set to music. However, she was unable to get permission from Joyce's estate to do this. And so she decided to alter the lyric. In the new version, Molly Bloom steps out of the black and white, two-dimensional pages of the book into the real world, and is immediately struck by the sensuality of it all.

Upon its release, the single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was Bush's first release in three years, an eternity in those days. Little did people know that she would take much more time in between albums later on in her career...

My collection: 7" single no. 989
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The sensual world' / 'Walk straight down the middle'

Don't tell me lies - Breathe

'Don't tell me lies' was released in 1987 as the debut single by the British band Breathe. It wasn't until their second single 'Hands to heaven' was released, that they became well-known, as this first single only reached number 77 in the UK singles chart. The single was re-released in 1989 as the last single from their debut album 'All that jazz', and on that occasion it reached number 45.

This 12" single was released in 1987 and featured a free second disc with a dance remix of 'Don't tell me lies'. There is something wrong with my copy though: the labels of disc 1 were stuck on disc 2 and vice versa. It's all very confusing - but at least all four tracks are there.

My collection: 12" single no. 254
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Don't tell me lies (extended version)' / 'Moments (extended version)' // 'Don't tell me lies (dance mix)' / 'Don't tell me lies (12" dub mix)'

Living on video - Trans X

The Canadian duo Trans X became one hit wonders in 1983 with their song 'Living on video'. Written by Pascal Languirand, it was a catchy pop tune about the 'modern' life of the early Eighties.

This 12" single features two extended versions of the track, one in English and one in French. When you listen to it, you can't help but notice that the French vocals sound a bit hysterical - in all senses of the word.

My collection: 12" single no. 316
Found: Record fair, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Living on video (extended version)' / 'Vivre sur video (extended version)'

Dance this night away - Maarten Peters

The unsuccessful single 'Dance this night away' by Maarten Peters was his only one to be released as a 12" single featuring a remix. And it was quite a famous name who remixed his track: Ben Liebrand, who'd had several hit singles to his name during the mid-Eighties. Even he couldn't help this track.

The remix has all the hallmarks of a Liebrand mix: a new dance beat, several elements from the original song and a good groove. And an interesting buy: these days you can't find this 12" single anywhere.

My collection: 12" single no. 69
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Dance this night away (Ben Liebrand dance mix)' / 'Dance this night away (instrumental)'

Matters of the heart - Freur

So here's another disc by Freur. The more often I write about this group, the less I know what to write. They are completely unknown to most people and I don't even know whether these posts appeal to anyone. But Freur has become an essential part of my collection with all their 7" and 12" singles taken from that debut album 'Doot doot', released in 1982.

'Matters of the heart' was another single taken from the album, and both the A-side are, as they call it, 'Dun dif'runt'. It's quirky and eclectic as always.

My collection: 12" single no. 391
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Matters of the heart (Dun dif'runt)' / 'You're a hoover (Dun dif'runt too)'

Closest thing to heaven - Kane Gang

The Kane Gang recorded and released 'Closest thing to heaven' in 1984. I never heard a song any better than this from them, although initially I only knew the single version. This 12" version is slightly longer and adds a little extra to what's already quite a perfect song.

What a difference, though, with the B-side: two throwaway tracks that you are better off not listening to.

My collection: 12" single no. 247
Found: unknown
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven (Full version)' / 'Mighty day', 'Bride of smalltown mudwrestles with Abbott & Costello in outer space (3D Mad Mix II creed)'

Ze geeft om mij - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded a new version of 'Ze geeft om mij' ('She cares for me'), a track from his debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') when it was released as the second single from that album. The track got an altogether 'warmer' sound.

The B-side was a Dutch language cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', performed live during the television programme Rotland, presented by Jan Rot. Boeijen recorded that track in the studio with Belgian singer Yasmine some years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1584
Found: February 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ze geeft om mij' / 'Suzanne (live)'

Popcorn - Popcorn players

Back in 1972, the composition 'Popcorn' by Gershon and Kingsley was a very popular track. No less than four different performers charted with it in the Dutch Top 40. When this LP was released in 1972, roughly translated as 'The first hits of Veronica 538' after the famous radio station broadcasting in the Netherlands, the track could not be omitted.

However, I think they couldn't get permission from Hot Butter, Revolution System, Anarchic System and the Popcornmakers, so a fifth version was included, as performed by the Popcorn players. And when you collect all versions of 'Popcorn' like me, this one is a definite must have.

My collection: LP, unnumbered
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Vaya con dios' (The Cats), 'Popcorn' (The Popcorn Players), 'Everybody is telling me' (Monica & Oscar Benton), 'Black & white' (Three dog night), 'Femmes aux jeux d'amour' (Adamo), '10538 Overture' (Electric Light Orchestra) / 'Who was it?' (Hurricane Smith), 'To make my life beautiful' (Alex Harvey), 'Go all the way' (Raspberries), 'Devilish Mary' (Jen Rog), '6 Uhr früh in den Strassen' (Christian Anders), 'Oei oei' (Jan Boezeroen)

Little brother - Blue pearl

What kind of a name is Durga McBroom? It sounds like something from a fantasy movie. In actual fact, it's the name of the singer of Blue Pearl, one half of a dance duo consisting of her and Martin Glover, who later became famous as the producer Youth.

This 12" single features two unremarkable tracks, but since the B-side is a cover version of Kate Bush's 'Running up that hill', I still was tempted to buy it. Not that this version is actually any good: it's possibly the most unpassionate version of that song ever.

My collection: 12" single no. 408
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Little brother (remix)' / 'Running up that hill'

Hang on now - Kajagoogoo

Kajagoogoo were very successful after they stormed the pop scene with 'Too shy' in 1982. Subsequent singles 'Ooh to be ah' and 'Hang on now' reached the top 20 in the UK without too much trouble, and part of the appeal was, believe it or not, the outrageous hairstyles of the members of the group.

The record company recognised this fact with this release: the 12" single of 'Hang on now' came with a free poster. It took away attention from the fact that the music was pretty good, too: 'Hang on now' features lush synthesizers and a great guitardriven melody.

My collection: 12" single no. 344
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1997
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hang on now (extended)' / 'Hang on now (instrumental)', 'Introduction'

Rain or shine - Five Star

One of Five Star's biggest hits, 'Rain or shine' is best described as a mid-tempo ballad. The single was released in the summer of 1986 and reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single is an attractive package as it brings together two remixes of 'Rain or shine' plus an instrumental remix of 'Find the time', one of Five Star's previous hits. The throwaway B-side 'Summer groove' is also there, of course.

My collection: 12" single no. 259
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Rain or shine (remix)', 'Rain or shine (dub)' / 'Summer groove', 'Find the time (instrumental remix)'

Experiment IV - Kate Bush

In 1986, Kate Bush was involved in the creation of her first - and so far, only - compilation album. She recorded two new tracks for the album, both of which were released on this 7" single. The new track 'Experiment IV' was about the army experimenting with sound to 'kill someone from a distance'. The other track was an old one: 'Wuthering heights', Kate's debut single, in a new version. According to her, the original sounded too much like a young woman.

Both tracks showcase a woman who is definately a perfectionist. But in the case of the B-side, it doesn't always work out well. Fortunately, the A-side compensates a lot for it. The guest appearance of Nigel Kennedy on violin adds much to the spooky atmosphere of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 473
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Experiment IV' / 'Wuthering heights (new vocal)'