Do re mi - Jahn Teigen

Jahn Teigen is known as a three time representative for Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1978, 1982 and 1983. For some reason, the adjective 'unsuccessful' always seems to spring to mind, but in fact, his last attempt was quite successful. 'Do re mi' was written by Teigen with his wife Anita Skorgan and ended up in ninth place at the Contest.

Although Teigen appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, he participated in no less than fourteen(!) Norwegian national finals: in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 and once again as late as in 2005. In addition to this, Teigen has been the host of Melodi Grand Prix and provided the interval act of the Melodi Grand Prix on a number of occasions. He has also acted as commentator for Norwegian television in 1991 in Rome, together with Jon Andreassen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5256
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Do re mi (English version)' / 'Do re mi (Norwegian version)'

Ring ring - Dollar

Released in 1982, 'The very best of Dollar' was a compilation album released by the duo's first label Carrere at a time when the duo was successful with Trevor Horn-produced singles on the WEA label. The old tracks were repackaged and re-released, with Carrere probably hoping for similar success.

Such schemes rarely work, and this case was no exception. 'Ring ring', recorded in 1979, was re-released as a single in 1982, and failed to reach the UK singles chart. Even if the B-side, 'Star control', is an intriguing piece of work, clocking in at 6 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5252
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Star control'

Jet - Paul McCartney & Wings

'Jet' is a song by Paul McCartney & Wings from their album Band on the Run. The song peaked at number 7 in both the British and American charts in 1974. Whereas most of the album was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, 'Jet' was recorded entirely at EMI Studios in London after the group's return.

Reviewers have reported that the subject of the song is McCartney's Labrador Retriever dog named 'Jet'. However, in a 2010 interview on the UK television channel ITV1 for the program Wings: Band on the Run (to promote the November 2010 CD/DVD re-release of the album) McCartney explained that 'Jet' was the name of a pony he had owned, although many of the lyrics bore little relation to the subject.

My collection: 7" single no. 5251
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Jet' / 'Let me roll it'

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

'Sweet Caroline' was written and performed by Neil Diamond and released in September 1969. In a 2007 interview, Diamond revealed the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" was President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time.

The song reached number 4 on the Billboard chart and eventually went platinum for sales of one million singles. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 8 in 1971.

My collection: 7" single no. 5250
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Sweet Caroline' / 'I am the lion'

Instant replay - Dan Hartman

'Instant Replay' is a disco song performed by Dan Hartman from the album of the same name. The single reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978. In the UK, the song peaked at number 8.

The single was successfully covered in 1990 by the UK pop duo, Yell!, who reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Instant replay' / 'Instant replay (replayed)'

Disco queen - Hot Chocolate

Released in early 1975, 'Disco queen' was Hot Chocolate's first big hit since 'Emma', released a year earlier. Three singles were released in the mean time, of which only 'Cheri babe' managed to reach the UK and Dutch top 40.

'Disco queen', written about the most popular music genre of those days, reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the US Billboard Hot 100 - their second American hit since 'Emma'. Later in the year Hot Chocolate would immortalise themselves with the single 'You sexy thing'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5248
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Disco queen' / 'Bump and dilly down'

Say you do - Janet Jackson

'Say you do' was the third single from Janet Jackson's self-titled debut album 'Janet Jackson' (1982). There are three versions of the song: an edit of 3'48, an album version of 5'20 and the 12" remix version, which clocks in at 6'49.

Janet performed this song live for the first time during her 2008 'Rock Witchu tour'.

My collection: 12" single no. 606
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Say you do [extended version]' / 'You'll never find (a love like mine)'

For America - Red Box

When Red Box released 'The circle and the square' as their debut album on WEA records, it was critically acclaimed. The record company worried about the lack of mainstream appeal of the band's material and was further provoked by the song 'For America', written by Simon Toulson-Clarke after WEA's request for something to appeal to American radio.

The lyric lambasted what he saw as the style-over-content approach of the American media. The song also alluded to the American military involvement in Grenada and Nicaragua. The song was not a hit in the USA, though it did worldwide outsell the previous single 'Lean On Me', reaching number one in six countries and the top ten in several others including the UK, where it spent twelve weeks in the chart including two at number nine.

My collection: 7" single no. 5253
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For America' / 'R 'n A'

One more chance - Diana Ross

'To love again' is a 1981 compilation album by Diana Ross, produced by Michael Masser. Following the success of 1980's 'Diana', produced by Chic, the set was released in early 1981 and consisted of old and newly recorded love songs by the Motown diva. Two of the three new recordings were issued as singles.

The first of them, 'One more chance' was the only one of the two to reach the charts, although it wasn't a very big hit. It reached number 79 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart. 'To love again' was to be Ross' last album of new material for Motown (before her return in 1989) after signing a $20 million contract with RCA.

My collection: 7" single no. 5246
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'After you'

Trouble - Heaven 17

Heaven 17 had their biggest success with their first three albums, 'Penthouse and pavement' (1981), 'The luxury gap' (1983) and 'How men are' (1984). When they released 'Pleasure One' in 1986, their popularity seemed to have vanished. The first single, 'Contenders' only reached number 80 in the UK singles chart and 'Trouble', the second and last single from the album, peaked at number 51.

A promotional video was created for the single, becoming one of the band's last music videos to date.

My collection: 7" single no. 5245
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Trouble' / 'Move out'

Till I can't take love no more - Eddy Grant

Although this song sounds remarkably like 'I don't wanna dance', the song that became a hit for Eddy Grant in 1982 and was taken from his third album 'Killer on the rampage', it was actually released a year later and the first single from the fourth album 'Going for broke'.

This similarity probably also explains why 'I don't wanna dance' was a number one hit in several countries, and this single only managed to reach number 42 in the UK and number 26 in Germany. This German pressing is part of a limited edition on red vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 5244
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Till I can't take love no more' / 'California style'

Because the night - Patti Smith Group

'Because the night' was originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen during sessions for his album 'Darkness on the edge of town'. He was not satisfied with it; the Patti Smith Group was working on Easter in the studio next door, with engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine working on both albums. Iovine gave Smith a tape of the song, she recast it, and it was included on Easter, becoming the first single released from that album.

The single quickly became a hit, peaking at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The song was later covered by 10,000 Maniacs, Cascada and Kim Wilde.

My collection: 7" single no. 5243
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Because the night' / 'God speed'

Not that funny - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac released the album 'Tusk' in 1979, with the first two singles, 'Tusk' and 'Sara' being the album's best known singles. Four more singles were released from the album, and this German release features two of them: 'Not that funny' and 'Think about me'.

'Think about me' reached number 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 24 in the Canadian singles chart, whereas 'Not that funny', which is the A-side of this single, wasn't a hit in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 5242
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Not that funny' / 'Think about me'

Ja - Gigliola Cinquetti

After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 singing 'No ho l'età', Gigliola Cinqutti returned to the Contest ten years later, again representing Italy. She performed the song 'Si' ('Yes') and finished second, behind Abba, who won the contest with the legendary 'Waterloo'.

Just like the winners, Gigliola recorded several versions of her song, one in English (entitled 'Go (before you break my heart)') and one in German (simply titled 'Ja'). I was pleasantly surprised to find this German single cheaply.

My collection: 7" single no. 5241
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Ja' / 'Es singt die Nachtigall'

A teenager in love - Donny Osmond

Released in 1972, 'A teenager in love' by Donny Osmond was a cover version of a track originally written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, and made famous in 1959 by Dion and the Belmonts, Craig Douglas and, last but not least, Marty Wilde. I am most familiar with Marty's version, and it's funny to find a cover by Donny Osmond, since Marty tried to launch his son Ricky as a sort of 'new Donny Osmond' that very same year, 1972.

In the UK, the sides of this single were apparently flipped, because 'Why' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in November 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 5240
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'A teenager in love' / 'Why'

Wings of a dove - Madness

'Wings of a dove' was released by Madness in 1983 as a stand-alone single. In 1984 it was included on the American version of their album 'Keep moving'. The single spent 10 weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2.

"Wings of a Dove" was written by Suggs and Chas Smash and they also share lead vocals here. The song is quite unusual for Madness, featuring steel drums by Creighton Steel Sounds and a gospel choir from the First Born Inspirational Church of the Living God. The song enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity in 1999 when it was featured in the movie '10 things I hate about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5239
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wings of a dove' / 'Behind the ball'

If we were lovers - Gloria Estefan

On the inside of this poster sleeve, Gloria Estefan explains: ''Con los años que me quedan' and 'If we were lovers' share the same melody but were written as two separate songs. They are not meant to be translations of each other, rather songs celebrating two different aspects of love. One being the renewal of vows for "eternal" love and the other being the inevitable sensual and passionate love affair.'

The single peaked at no. 40 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5238
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If we were lovers' / 'Con los años que me quedan'

Live your life - Stephanie

This 7" single of 'Live your life' is different from an earlier release, which features the album version of the track. This one features a dance remix, created by one Dimitri and clocking in at 5'17. The B-side is different too: it features the album track 'Besoin', which appears on Stephanie's debut - and only - album.

The sleeve of this single features images of a music video filmed at Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, according to the information at the back.

My collection: 7" single no. 5231
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Live your life (remix)' / 'Besoin'

Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac - Hot Chocolate

I should probably not enjoy a title like this one as much as I do, but I do. 'Heaven is in the back seat of my Cadillac' has got to be the best pickup line from the Seventies. Considering it's now 35 years old, it should probably get back in fashion, and fast. Shame I don't have a car, and I never will.

It was a hit for the band Hot Chocolate, peaking at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the German singles chart, but in other territories the single didn't do as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5247
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac' / 'Sex appeal'

Cours apres le temps - Svetlana

'Cours après le temps' ('Run after time') was the Luxembourgish entry in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in French by Svetlana. The song deals with the focus of the modern world - with Svetlana suggesting that it is all about running after 'time', 'money' and 'glory', when that is ultimately going to cause problems. As she explains, 'If I have to run all the time/What would I do with the money?' As the song concludes, she explains that she will simply love - and if this is madness, she wants to meet other mad people.

The song did pretty good during the night, ending up in 6th place in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5236
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Cours apres le temps' / 'Heureuse aupres de toi'