Going back to my roots - Odyssey

The writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland had several hits in the Sixties, as writers of songs by the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers. This single, 'Going back to my roots' by Odyssey was released in 1981 - the song was written by Lamont Dozier alone.

He still had what it takes: the single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4979
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, December 18, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Going back to my roots' / 'Baba awa'

Get up and boogie - Freddie James

It's strange how a run of the mill disco track can sound quite good thirty years on. Freddie James recorded the track in 1979 and managed to get a worldwide hit with it, despite his age (he was just a young kid).

The single reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, but reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4973
Found: Empire Record, Den Haag, December 3, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Get up and boogie' / 'Get up and boogie (instrumental)'

Heartache all over the world - Elton John

Double singles have always been irresistible to me, so when I spotted this one I bought it despite the fact that I didn't know the A-side track. Elton John is a classic singer/songwriter anyway, so most of his stuff is worth listening to. With the exception, perhaps, of 'Heartache all over the world', which is a piece of music that doesn't really go anywhere.

Despite being described as a 'non-hit' on Wikipedia, it still managed to reach number 7 in Australia. In the UK, it didn't get past number 45.

My collection: 7" single no. 4966
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Heartache all over the world' / 'Highlander' // 'I'm still standing' / 'Passengers'

Walking in the air - Aled Jones

Aled Jones was born on December 29, 1970. He was raised in the small Welsh-speaking community of Llandegfan, in Anglesey and attended Ysgol David Hughes. Jones joined the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was lead soloist within two years. The remarkable clarity of his treble voice was appreciated by a member of the congregation, Hefina Orwig Evans, who wrote a letter to local record company Sain, and he was duly signed. In 1982 he won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for competitors under 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

He became famous when he recorded 'Walking in the air' for the Channel 4 animated film 'The snowman', based on the book by Raymond Briggs. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart three years later. I actually got to know the song two decades later, when All About Eve recorded a remarkable cover on their album 'Iceland'. However, this version - with full orchestra - is in a league of its own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4954
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Walking in the air' / 'Walking in the air (instrumental)'

Love's about to change my heart - Donna Summer

Donna Summer's collaboration with Stock, Aitken & Waterman was short-lived, i.e. it only lasted for one album (1989's 'Another place and time'), but there were three singles taken from the album.

'Love's about to change my heart' was the last of the three. It was a moderate hit, but it became a favourite amongst fans due to Summer's strong vocal performance and the fact that it had a slow beginning, reminiscent of several of Summer's disco hits of the 1970s, during which time she was the most successful female of that genre. The single reached number 20 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4955
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Love's about to change my heart' / 'Love's about to change my heart (instrumental)'

When Smokey sings - ABC

'When Smokey sings' was a comeback single of sorts for the band ABC. It was released as the first single from their fourth album 'Alphabet city' and their first big hit since 'All of my heart' almost five years previous.

The song's title refers to Smokey Robinson and is a tribute to this Sixties soul crooner. In the album version of the song, references are made to 'Luther', 'Sly', 'James' and 'Marvin' (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

My collection: 7" single no. 4965
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part 1)'

April love - Pat Boone

Pat Boone was born on June 1, 1934 and was a successful pop singer in the Fifties and early Sixties. As a devout Christian, Boone refused songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards—including a role with sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. In his first film, 'April love', he refused to give co-star and love interest Shirley Jones an onscreen kiss, because the actress was married in real life.

The song from the movie was released as a single in 1958 and reached the top of the charts in the USA, while peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Netherlands. In 1974, the track was covered by Ricky Wilde. Indeed: Kim's younger brother.

My collection: 7" single no. 4953
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'April love' / 'Love letters in the sand'

Feels like winter again - Fiat Lux

I've known the English band Fiat Lux since 1984 when their single 'Secret' made quite an impression on me. For a long time I thought it was their debut single, but I was wrong: they actually started two years previous with the independently released single 'Feels like winter again'.

The track is very catchy and with proper production and promotion could well have been one of THE synthpop hits of the era. The way it is now, I only discovered the single recently, almost three decades since its release, and I am definitely hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 4963
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Feels like winter again' / 'What is this illness'

John I'm only dancing (again) - David Bowie

'John, I’m only dancing (again)' was released in 1979 as a reworking of David Bowie's 1972 track 'John, I'm only dancing', made during the sessions for the album Young Americans. The re-recording featured a much more funk-influenced take on the track. Originally running at 6:57, the track was cut for a 7" single release, but the full version was issued on 12" vinyl – the first Bowie single to have a regular 12" release in the UK. For the B-side, the original version of 'John, I'm only dancing' was remixed.

The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart, while peaking at number 29 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 4958
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'John I'm only dancing (again)' / 'John I'm only dancing (1972)'

Need you tonight - INXS

'Need you tonight' is one of those singles I never bought because by the time it was into the charts I was already sick of it. It must have been one of the most played tracks of 1987 and even now when INXS is remembered, it's usually for this song - although they have recorded much more interesting tracks before and after this.

This 'special magic pack' is an attractive collectors item, however. It consists of a set of square 7" postcards, wrapped inside a sleeve you can open up in various different ways.

My collection: 7" single no. 4962
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Need you tonight' / 'Move on'

Smalltown boy - Bronski Beat

The single 'Smalltown boy' was an instant hit upon its release in 1984. Part of this was due to the track, with a driving beat and haunting vocals, but the music video had a lot to do with it as well. It told the story of a boy moving to the big city after having issues with his parents - his father especially. It wouldn't be all too obvious if it weren't for the fact that the lead singer Jimmy Somerville was very vocal in gay rights groups.

'Smalltown boy' reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 and in Italy, and managed to reach number 3 in the UK top 40. Subsequently, the song has been covered by acts like Rosetta Stone, Indochine, Sharon Corr and the gothic metal band Paradise Lost.

My collection: 7" single no. 4957
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Smalltown boy' / 'Memories'

Just be good to me - S.O.S. Band

The S.O.S Band first found fame in 1980 when they released 'Take your time (Do it right)'. Three years later they joined forces with the new production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who went on to have lots of success with Janet Jackson in the second half of the Eighties.

'Just be good to me' was one of their first production for the band. The single reached number 55 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4974
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 3, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Just be good to me' / 'Just be good to me (instrumental)'

A little time - Beautiful South

Kim Wilde has been presenting her radio show 'Secret songs' for two years now, and being a regular listener, this is one of the songs I picked up on recently. It was apparently a number 1 hit in the UK, when it was released as a single from their 1990 album 'Choke'.

The song features lead vocals by Paul Heaton and Irish vocalist Briana Corrigan. It is described as a 'subversive duet'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4975
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 3, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'A little time' / 'In other words I hate you'

Mathema Solfege - Pascalis, Marianna, Robert and Bessy

'Mathema solfege' was only the third contribution of Greece to the Eurovision Song Contest, back in 1977. They started participating in 1974, two decades after the contest started. This song landed the country in the top 10, as the quartet consisting of Pascalis Arvanitidis, Marianna Toli, Robert Williams and Bessy Argyraki managed to get to fifth place.

As the title suggests, the song features a number of musical terms, with the singers expressing their great love of the discipline and their claim that it can serve as a unifying agent in the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 4977
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 3, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Mathema solfege' / 'I love, I love, I love you'

Stay - Hurts

I wasn't the first to discover the band Hurts this year, but when I did, I was glad. They have been described as a modern version of Black and the Blue Nile, and in a way there are - although the most obvious links would have to be the song titles ('Wonderful life' and 'Stay' respectively).

'Stay' was recently released as the third single from their debut album and it's a very nice slice of Eighties pop - although it was recorded more recently than that. As far as I know, this is their first single to be released on 7" vinyl. It includes an exclusive remix of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4978
Found: Amazon UK, received December 14, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Stay' / 'Stay (Groove Armada remix)'

Something in your eyes - Dusty Springfield and Richard Carpenter

Dusty Springfield's collaboration with Richard Carpenter must have seemed a strange move after she gained street credibility with the Pet Shop Boys. The single, taken from Carpenter's album 'Time', his first project since the death of his sister Karen, didn't repeat the success of 'What have I done to deserve this?' when it was released in October 1987. It only managed one week in the UK singles chart, at number 89.

If it was released several years later, when the Carpenters were back in vogue again, it's quite possible that it would have been a bigger hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4966
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Something in your eyes' / 'Time'

Are you gonna go my way - Lenny Kravitz

I was not impressed when 'Are you gonna go my way' was released in 1993. It was a reasonable chart hit at the time, but the rocky sound of the track put me off. It was at a time when most chart music was putting me off - I'd already moved into more obscure territory.

It was some time later, when I was in the car with Puck - his first car, if I remember correctly - and he played the track, that the ridiculously catchy guitar riff caught my ear. We were headbanging our way to my home, and I suddenly appreciated this track. I only found the 7" vinyl single now, because vinyl singles were already hard to come by at that time.

My collection: 7" single no. 4956
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Are you gonna go my way' / 'My love'

Alejandro - Lady Gaga

If nothing else, the songs by Lady Gaga are infectuous. I don't think they will really stand the test of time, as this kind of overproduced pop rarely sounds fresh a decade later. In the case of 'Alejandro', it sounds a bit like a rejected Ace of Base track from circa 1990, which is quite remarkable in itself.

That's not to say it's a bad track per se: after just one listen you find yourself humming the simple (and thus memorable) chorus. The fact that all of Lady Gaga's singles so far have been released as a 7" picture disc adds to the appeal.

My collection: 7" single no. 4967
Found: HMV, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 3,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Alejandro' / 'Alejandro (Bimbo Jones remix)'

Bittersweet - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is best known for her 2001 hit 'Murder on the dancefloor'. But she's still going strong, as is evidenced by this picture disc 7", released earlier this year. Produced by the Freemasons, this track sounds a lot like the Eighties classic 'Blue Monday' by New Order, yet sounds very contemporary.

'Bittersweet' was released on May 2, 2010 and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4963
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Bittersweet' / 'Bittersweet (Freemasons 7" mix)

Oxygene IV - Jean Michel Jarre

'When 'Oxygene IV' was first released in 1977, it was an instant chart success around the world. Such much, created entirely on synthesizers, had never been heard before and Jean-Michel Jarre acquired a reputation as being a master of technology.' The press info sheet included with this single stretches historical facts a bit: long before 'Oxygene' was released, the German masters of technology Kraftwerk were already at it. But we go on...

'Time has passed and, as the 1990's approach, Jarre shares the same concerns of us all for our environment and the ways in which it is being endangered by the very technology we created.' How interesting... The truth, of course, is that there was some money to be earned by re-releasing this classic. On environment-damaging vinyl, no less.

My collection: 7" single no. 4960
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Oxygene IV (remix)' / 'Industrial revolution (overture)'