The second single release by the Dutch band Time Bandits was not as succesful as their debut. Whereas 'Live it up' soared to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40, this single did not chart.
It didn't bode well for their debut album, but that was a pretty good success nonetheless. The band of Alides Hidding and company would be successful throughout the Eighties.
My collection: 7" single no. 4844 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Sister paradise' / 'Cues part II'
'Ordinary lives' was released in early 1989 as the first single from the Bee Gees' sixteenth studio album 'One'. Following the premature death of their younger brother Andy Gibb in 1988, the Bee Gees dedicated this song and their new album to him.
The single was a moderate success, reaching number 8 in Germany, number 23 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 54 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 4843 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Ordinary lives' / 'Wing and a prayer'
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'
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)'
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' 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'
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'
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)'
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)'
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'
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' 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)'
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)'
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)'
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)'
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)'
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)'
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)
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'
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'