'First of May' was released as the only single from the Bee Gees' 1969 album 'Odessa'. The song was partially responsible for the departure of Robin Gibb from the group. He wanted his song 'Lamplight' to be the album's first single, while Barry preferred 'First of May'. When Robert Stigwood, their manager, sided with Barry, Robin quit the band.
The single reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 37. Robin Gibb eventually returned to the Bee Gees, after Barry and Maurice released one album as a duo.
My collection: 7" single no. 5100 Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011 Cost: 0,2 euro Tracks: 'First of May' / 'Lamplight'
In 1992, Gloria Estefan released the album 'Greatest hits' to try and make some money with her past successes. Her enormous popularity of the late Eighties was fading a bit, and although her fans were still very much in awe of her, the rest of the world seemed to lose interest. 'Always tomorrow' was a new track included on the album and released as its first single. The song was about starting over in the wake of tragedy or disaster.
The royalties of the single were donated by Estefan to victims of Hurricane Andrew, which ruined much of Miami, Florida in August 1992.
My collection: 7" single no. 5093 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Always tomorrow' / 'Words get in the way (live)'
Dina Carroll was born as Geraldine Carroll on August 21, 1968 in Newmarket, Suffolk (UK). She started singing at age of five, primarily at home with her sister. Despite the lack of formal vocal coaching, in 1981, at the age of thirteen, she won a local Cambridgeshire talent competition, with her rendition of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman in Love'. After leaving school, she worked in various jobs, including a one-day stint as a chambermaid in a Cambridge hotel in 1985.
In 1989, Carroll secured a recording contract with Jive/Zomba and released a number of singles in 1989 and 1990. After a short time at Jive/Zomba, Carroll was spotted by Dennis Ingoldsby, one half of First Avenue Management, a small and newly founded management group. She was signed to A & M Records by managing director Howard Berman. Carroll's first solo single (produced and co-written by Nigel Lowis) 'Ain't no man' was released in June 1992, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart. Carroll and Lowis worked on future singles together, one of which being the top 20 hit 'So close', which was released in December 1992; coincidentally the title of her debut album. Carroll was approached by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory who invited her to New York to become the first British artist to work with them. Carroll interrupted the writing and recording of her album to record 'Special kind of love', which also reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5092 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Special kind of love' / 'If I knew you then'
The Maisonettes were an English band formed by Lol Mason and Mark Tibenham. Their debut single, 'Heartache avenue', reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983. It was also a big hit in the rest of Europe - I heard the song so often back in 1983 that it really bored me in the end.
I finally bought this single now because it was so cheap and because the feeling of boredom has finally worn off after almost two decades. And now it turns out the B-side of the single, 'The last one to know', is actually quite brilliant.
My collection: 7" single no. 5091 Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Heartache avenue' / 'The last one to know'
The Adventures debuted in 1984 with the album 'Theodore and friends' which has recently been released on cd by Cherry Red records (Buy it here). The fourth and final single taken from that album was released after the relative success of 'Send my heart' and 'Feel the raindrops'.
Unfortunately, this single stalled at number 96 and this meant that the album didn't get the much needed promotional push. Fortunately, the band's second album, released in 1988, would do much better.
My collection: 7" single no. 5090 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Two rivers' / 'Love in chains (live)'
In 1986 the band Flip had a minor hit with 'That's what they say about love'. They were signed to Arista two years before, and - this I didn't know - released two singles as Touch before they changed their name to Flip.
This single was the second one: the very same recording of 'That's what they say about love' that would become a hit in 1986. This limited edition double pack includes their debut single 'Plague of hearts' as well. The fun thing about this double pack is that aside from 'That's what they say about love', the other tracks are different from the ones that would end up on Flip's debut album.
My collection: 7" single no. 5089 Found: Record fair, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'That's what they say about love' / 'Nothing really matters' // 'Plague of hearts' / 'Plague of hearts (the imagination) (instrumental)'
Guesch Patti had a number 1 hit in France with her single 'Etienne' (1987). Despite the French language, which can be quite difficult for non-francophones, the song had a strong enough melody to also give her a top 10 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
The single was subsequently also released in the UK. This version of the single included an exclusive English-language version of the track. Despite this, the single failed to chart in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 5087 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Etienne' / 'Un espoir', 'Etienne (English version)'
'Takin' a chance on you' was the second single from Dollar's second album 'The Paris collection'. Contrary to its predecessor 'The girls are out to get ya' and the follow-up 'You take my breath away', this single did make the UK singles chart, but only reached number 62.
This copy is a limited edition picture disc.
My collection: 7" single no. 5086 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Takin' a chance on you' / 'No mans land'
Cicero released his debut single 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' on 12 August 1991 on the Spaghetti Records label, owned by the Pet Shop Boys. Despite promotion from the artist and Pet Shop Boys, the single failed to chart. The two singles that followed, 'Love is everywhere' and 'That loving feeling' were co-produced by Pet Shop Boys and were minor hits in the UK.
His debut album, 'Future boy', was released in June 1992. Pet Shop Boys remixed 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' for the album. It was released as the fourth single and charted at number 70 in the UK. The music video for the single was directed by Chris Lowe.
My collection: 7" single no. 5088 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix)' / 'Jungilism'
One of Israel's most famous singers Ofra Haza competed in the 1983 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hi'. Although the song title means 'Alive' in Hebrew, it was translated into English as 'High' and into German as 'Frei'.
This German version was released on the Jupiter Records label, owned by Ralph Siegel, who has written loads of songs for the Contest. The label has released many Eurovision-related singles through the years.
My collection: 7" single no. 5085 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Frei' / 'High'
In 1986, after Dollar reformed for the first time, they released the single 'Haven't we said goodbye before' on Arista records. The lack of success of this single and its predecessor 'We walked in love' had them looking for another record contract the next year.
The song, however, is nice enough. The B-side of this single, however, is a contender for the title 'worst B-side ever'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5083 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Haven't we said goodbye before' / 'Platinum rap'
'Passengers' was released in 1984 as the second single from Elton John's album 'Breaking hearts'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Australia.
The song was written not only by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, who write most of John's material, but in collaboration with Davey Johnstone and Phineas McHize.
My collection: 7" single no. 5082 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Passengers' / 'Lonely boy'
On his album 'New light through old windows' (1988) Chris Rea re-recorded the tracks that made him famous in the Eighties. They were not always better versions, but I guess the man felt the need to do these songs once again.
The album spawned three singles, of which 'I can hear your heartbeat' was the last one. It was the least successful one, too: it only reached number 74 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5081 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I can hear your heartbeat' / 'Loving you again (live version)'
When I visited the record fair in Utrecht a year ago, I saw the single 'Never turn away' and thought I already owned it. I was very dismayed upon my arrival home to find that I didn't. So a year later, back at the record fair, I found that same single with a different dealer... and snapped it up.
'Never turn away' was released as the fourth and final single from the band's 1984 album 'Junk culture', the one that spawned better known hits 'Locomotion', 'Talking loud and clear' and 'Tesla girls'. This single only reached number 70 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in Ireland.
My collection: 7" single no. 5080 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Never turn away' / 'Wrappup'
'Shine' was released in 1986 as a single by Mike Oldfield, featuring Jon Anderson on vocals. It barely scraped the UK singles chart, reaching number 100, but peaked at number 31 in the German singles chart.
The music video for 'Shine' features use of computer graphics, such as a computer generated game of chess. Oldfield plays a Gibson SG guitar in the video.
My collection: 7" single no. 5079 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Shine' / 'The path'
'California blue' was written by Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. The latter two worked with Orbison on what was to become his last album, 'Mystery girl'. The album was released briefly after he died in December 1988, since the lead single 'You got it' had already become a hit while he was still alive.
The song was released as the third single from the album in the spring of 1989. It wasn't a hit, stalling at number 77 in the UK singles chart and sinking without a trace in most European countries.
My collection: 7" single no. 5078 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'California blue' / 'Blue Bayou (live)'
Phil Collins' debut solo single 'In the air tonight' was re-released in 1988 as a remix. The remix was made by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham, although a more accomplished remix by Ben Liebrand existed (and was included on 12" and cd-single versions of this single).
The re-release could not give the song a higher chart placing than the original release from 1981, but still it did well: peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and at number 3 in the German singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5077 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'In the air tonight ('88 remix)' / 'I missed again'
'Sisters are doin' it for themselves' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. It was intended as a feminist anthem. They recorded the track together with American soul/R&B musician Aretha Franklin and released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985. It was featured on both Eurythmics' 'Be yourself tonight' and Franklin's 'Who's zoomin' who?' albums.
The single reached number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 9 in the UK Singles Chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5076 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Sisters are doin' it for themselves' / 'I love you like a ball and chain'
Back in 1992, they were presented as a modern day Abba, the Swedish quartet Ace of base. And they certainly started out promising: 'All that she wants' quickly became a number one hit in Denmark, the UK and Australia. The single was certified Platinum in the United States, where it peaked at number 2. It is one of the highest-selling #2 songs of all time in the States: it stayed in the top three songs on Billboard Hot 100 list for three months, but never actually reached the peak position.
Although the band still exists, both female members have left the group a few years ago and have been replaced. Their albums were all less successful than its predecessor: debut album 'Happy nation' selling 21 million copies worldwide, while the 2002 album 'Da capo' only sold half a million copies.
My collection: 7" single no. 5075 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'All that she wants (radio edit)' / 'All that she wants (Banghra version)'
'Love so right' is a R&B/pop ballad released by the Bee Gees in 1976. The single hit number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It peaked at number 2 in Canada, but was less successful in Europe: in the UK the single only reached number 41, and in Germany it reached number 38.
It was the second single from their 1976 album 'Children of the world'. A year later they would be much more successful with the original soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5074 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Love so right' / 'You stepped into my life'
'First of May' was released as the only single from the Bee Gees' 1969 album 'Odessa'. The song was partially responsible for the departure of Robin Gibb from the group. He wanted his song 'Lamplight' to be the album's first single, while Barry preferred 'First of May'. When Robert Stigwood, their manager, sided with Barry, Robin quit the band.
