The show must go on - Queen

'The show must go on' was released as the third single from Queen's 1991 album 'Innuendo'. It was written mainly by Brian May. It chronicles the effort of Freddie Mercury continuing to perform despite approaching the end of his life; he was dying from complications due to AIDS, although his illness had not yet been made public in spite of ongoing media speculation claiming that he was seriously ill. Mercury was so ill, and could barely walk, when the band recorded the song in 1990, that May had concerns as to whether he was physically capable of singing it. Recalling Mercury's performance, May states; "he went in and killed it, completely lacerated that vocal".

It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 14 October 1991 in promotion for the Greatest Hits II album, just six weeks before Mercury died. Following Mercury's death on 24 November 1991, the song re-entered the British charts and spent as many weeks in the top 75 (five) as it did upon its original release, initially reaching a peak of 16. By now, it is truly obvious that 'the show must go on', as Queen have just released another greatest hits album featuring a few 'new' tracks, recorded before Mercury's death, including a duet with another dead legend, Michael Jackson.

My collection:  7" single no. 5443
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'The show must go on' / 'Keep yourself alive'

Sing sang song - Les Humphries Singers

'Sing Sang Song' was the German entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in German by the Les Humphries Singers. The Les Humphries Singers had had a series of hits Continental Europe and Scandinavia in the early Seventies, most notably 'Mexico' (1972) and 'Mama Loo' (1973). The group's usual line-ups consisted of 20 performers and up from all over the world. For their performance in Eurovision they were however reduced to six singers; two female and four male.

Their Eurovision song was composed by Eurovision veteran Ralph Siegel, who had made his debut in the 1974 Contest when he wrote Ireen Sheer's 'Bye Bye I Love You', representing Luxembourg, this was however his first entry for his native Germany. The song received 12 points, placing 15th in a field of 18 competitors. In late 1976 the group disbanded.

My collection: 7" single no. 5640
Found:  Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sing sang song' / 'Slow down'

Islands in the stream - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

A duet between two country singers, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers serves as the very definition of 'uncool' these days. But still, in some quarters, both these people are still revered as legends. Dolly Parton rocked Glastonbury earlier this year, and Kenny Rogers is still regularly touring the USA and Canada to sold out theatres. Apparently, he's also the owner of his own chain of chicken-based restaurants called Kenny Rogers Roasters (in California and, rather amazingly, Asia).

'Islands in the stream' was written by the Bee Gees, and reached number 1 in the USA, Canada and Australia. Rogers and Parton went on to record a Christmas album together, and had an additional hit with their 1985 duet 'Real Love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5463
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Islands in the stream' / 'Midsummer nights'

Softly whispering I love you - Paul Young

Paul Young released his fourth solo album 'Other Voices' in 1990. The album peaked at number 4 in the UK albums chart, selling over 100,000 copies. The first single from the album was 'Softly whispering I love you', written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook in 1967. The song was originally recorded by the duo under the name of David and Jonathan. It was covered in 1971 by the Congregation and in 1972 by Johnny Farnham and Allison Durbin.

Paul Young's version was a hit in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, peaking at number 21, 16 and 44 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 5420
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Softly whispering I love you' / 'Leaving home'

A bit of U2 - Kiss AMC

Released in 1989, 'A bit of U2' is the debut single by Kiss AMC, featuring a sample of U2's 'New Year's Day'. This single was quite controversial because the title actually mentioned U2, something the band wasn't too happy about. Later copies would cut the word from the title, naming it 'A bit of...' instead. This is why I wanted to buy this copy, because it is a rarity in a way. And you know how much I like rarities.

Kiss AMC consisted of sisters Anne and Marie Copeland. They took a chance on using the sample but still got permission from the band to use it. Further singles by the duo were unsuccessful. Which really isn't much of a surprise if you listen to the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5432
Found: Music Exchange, London
Tracks: 'A bit of U2' / 'The raw side'

Ring Ring - Abba

'Ring Ring' was originally a 1973 single by ABBA, which gave the group their big break in several European countries (although the rest of Europe, North America and Australia would be introduced to ABBA the following year). It was originally written in Swedish by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, along with their manager Stig Anderson, and the translation into English lyrics was helped by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody.

This German single was actually released in 1974, after ABBA had won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo'. It couples 'Ring Ring' with another previous single hit, 'Honey Honey'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5365
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Ring Ring' / 'Honey Honey'

Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

Listening to this old single by Fleetwood Mac, you realise the band has got quite a history. You wouldn't recognise this as a Fleetwood Mac single if you grew up in the Eighties or later. There is a reason, of course, for this metamorphosis: in the Sixties, the band's blues rock guitarist and founder member Peter Green was a major member of the band, until he left in 1970, being diagnosed with schizophrenia and spending time in psychiatric hospitals.

The composition and its arrangement suggest a relaxing sea setting, with cymbals imitating the sound of waves (Mick Fleetwood played his drum kit using timpani mallets to give a muted sound) and a dreamy solo from Green's guitar. It is often assumed that Green used his Les Paul but he said it was his Fender Stratocaster, as there is subtle use of the vibrato bar. The single, released in November 1968, went no. 1 in the UK singles chart and no. 2 in the Netherlands.The B-side, 'Need your love so bad', released as a single in its own right four months earlier, was similarly successful, reaching no. 31 and no. 4 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 5395
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Albatross' / 'Need your love so bad'

Happy - Michael Jackson

No, this is not the big - and sometimes very irritating - hit single by Pharrell Williams, but a song recorded in 1973 by Michael Jackson for the movie 'Lady sings the blues' (although it doesn't actually appear in that movie). According to Smokey Robinson, who wrote 'Happy', the song was inspired by the film's melody, which was originally composed by Michel Legrand. He explained, "I was looking at the movie one day, and I was listening to that melody, and I thought it was just such a beautiful melody, until I wanted to write some words for that melody, which I did, and I went and I sang them for Berry Gordy, and he was really upset because I didn't write them before he finished the movie so they could've been in the movie." Jackson continued to perform the track in concert as late as 1977, citing it as one of his favorite songs.

Record companies are always eager to cash in on success, and so Motown re-released this track in 1983 when Jackson hit it big with the many hit singles from his album 'Thriller'. 'Happy' appeared as a regular single, a limited edition in a poster sleeve and this, a picture disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 5645
Found: Alan's Records, London, September 9, 2014
Cost: 3,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Happy' / 'We're almost there'

I close my eyes and count to ten - Dusty Springfield

'I close my eyes and count to ten' was written by Clive Westlake. Recorded June 1, 1968 at Chappel Studios in London, Dusty Springfield's version was released that August to reach number 4 in the UK singles chart, where it ranks as one of Springfield's biggest hits: only 'I just don't know what to do with myself" (number 3) and 'You don't have to say you love me' (number 1) fared better.

It is quite rare to find such a good copy of one of Springfield's singles, so when I did, I jumped at the chance. It is one of very few 'early' Dusty Springfield singles in my collection. Well, there's always the CD box set 'Dusty', of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5410
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'I close my eyes and count to ten' / 'No stranger am I'

Oh, the divorces! - Tracey Thorn

Described as "a record about the person I am now and the people around me... about real life after forty", Tracey Thorn (ex-Everything But The Girl) released 'Love and its opposite' in 2010. 'Oh, the divorces!' was released as the first single from that album, as a free digital download on February 17, 2010.

Fortunately, that wasn't all there was to it: 'Oh, the divorces!' - which by the way is a beautiful song - was also released on a 7" single, pressed on clear vinyl no less. The B-side, 'Taxi cab', was not included on the album and is exclusive to this release.

My collection: 7" single no. 5646
Found: Music Exchange, Greenwich, London, September 11, 2014
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Oh, the divorces!' / 'Taxi cab'

Chance of a lifetime - Pat McGeegan

'Chance of a lifetime' was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968, performed by Pat McGeegan. It was written by John Kennedy. The song is a ballad, with McGeegan reminiscing about the first time he saw his lover. He tells her that he thought her appearance in his life was "the chance of a lifetime", and goes on to explain that he doesn't want to lose such a chance.

The song was performed fourteenth on the night. At the close of voting, it had received 18 points, placing 4th in a field of 17. Subsequently, the song went to the top of the Irish singles chart.

My collection: 7" single 5596
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received August 2, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Chance of a lifetime' / 'Don't laugh at me (if I cry)'

Fire to ice - The Associates

'Wild and Lonely' was the last album released by the Associates in 1990. It may have been an accurate description of the state of affairs at the time, since Billy MacKenzie, the sole member of the band by then, had seen band mate Alan Rankine leave, and his previous album, 'The Glamour Chase', unreleased as the record company deemed it not commercially viable.

The first single from this album, 'Fever', had flopped, and 'Fire and Ice' had to face the same fate. After the release of a third single, 'Just can't say goodbye', which also didn't chart, the Associates name was finally put to rest. That's not to say that the material from the 1990 album was necessarily bad: this single is a good example of nice, melodic pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 5449
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Fire to ice' / 'Green tambourine'

Watching - Thompson Twins

In 1983, Thompson Twins released their third album 'Quick Step and Side Kick', featuring the singles 'We are detective' and 'Watching'. The album reached number 2 in the UK albums chart and number 34 in the USA.

The latter of the two singles is featured here. It peaked at number 33 in the UK singles chart. Even in 1984, this was still a regularly rotated video on satellite TV channels like Music Box.

My collection: 7" single no. 5468
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Watching (you watching me)' / 'Dancersaurus (Even Large Reptiles Have Emotional Problems)'

Busy doing nothing - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Busy doing nothing' was released in 1983 as the fourth single by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin. It was quite a whimsical song, originally written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, and recorded by Bing Crosby in 1949.

Throughout his forty year career, Van Heusen received 10 Oscar Nominations for Best Song in a Motion Picture, 4 Academy Awards for Best Song in a Motion Picture, 1 Emmy Award for Best Musical Contribution and 6 Golden Laurel Nominations for Best Music in a Motion Picture. He died on February 7, 1990, just under two weeks after his 77th birthday.

My collection: 7" single no. 5467
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Busy doing nothing' / 'The world spins so slow'

Rip it up - Orange Juice

Orange Juice formed in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden as the Nu-Sonics in 1976. Edwyn Collins formed the Nu-Sonics (named after a cheap brand of guitar) with his school-mate Alan Duncan and was subsequently joined by James Kirk and Steven Daly, who left a band called The Machetes. The band became Orange Juice in 1979. They are best known for the hit 'Rip It Up'.

This limited edition features a colour poster and a free second single. The single was taken from the band's second album, also entitled 'Rip it up', and peaked at number 8 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1983, the band's only UK Top 40 hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5460
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received July 23, 2014.
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rip it up' / 'Snake charmer' // 'Lovesick (live)' / 'A sad lament'

Sneaking out the back door - Matt Bianco

'Sneaking out the back door' was the second single by Matt Bianco, taken from the band's debut album 'Whose side are you on'. Released in April 1984, this single reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in Ireland.

The single is considered a double A-side, since the instrumental 'Matt's Mood' was used a lot on the radio in the Eighties. When you play the track (below), you will almost certainly recognise it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5622
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, August 10, 2014
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sneaking out the back door' / 'Matt's Mood'

Love fire - Simply Red

'Love fire' is a single taken from Simply Red's second album 'Men & women'. The single was only made in Germany and Spain, although this probably implies a Europe-wide release. However, this did not earn them any chart success.

Only three of the six singles released from 'Men & women' had some substantial (international) chart success, which was surprising in light of the sales of the album. The band's third album 'A new flame' would yield four hit singles and remains their biggest success.

My collection: 7" single no. 5445
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Love fire' / 'Love fire (dub mix)'

Tama - Mory Kante

Most people would consider Mory Kante a one hit wonder, as his only hit was 'Yé ké yé ké', released in 1987. Fair enough, I suppose. However, this single is evidence that the man produced some more music. 'Tama' was taken from the same album, and even managed to reach number 44 in the German singles chart.

It is even more stunning to realise that Mory Kante has released more than ten albums during a career that began in 1981. So is this single worth a spin? It is, even if the B-side is a bit wordy.

My collection: 7" single no. 5427
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Tama' / 'Inch'Allah'

It sure brings out the love in your eyes - David Soul

David Soul was best known for his acting, starring as Ken Hutchinson on the American TV series Starsky & Hutch, when he embarked on a singing career. His debut single, 'Don't give up on us' was a smash hit, as was the follow-up, 'Going in with my eyes open', but subsequent releases weren't as successful.

'It sure brings out the love in your eyes' was his last hit in the UK, peaking at number 12. For some reason, the B-side of this single appears in Mono sound only.

My collection: 7" single no. 5466
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'It sure brings out the love in your eyes' / 'A friend of mine'

Love will tear us apart - Joy Division

'Love will tear us apart' was written in August 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar (albeit somewhat minimally). The lyrics reflect the problems in Ian Curtis's marriage to Deborah Curtis, as well as his general frame of mind in the time leading up to his suicide in May 1980.

The song was first released in June 1980 and became the band's first chart hit, reaching number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. The band postponed their US tour after Ian Curtis's death, performed a few short sets as The No-Names, then finally renamed the group as New Order. 'Love Will Tear Us Apart" was re-released in 1983 and reached number 19 on the UK charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 5425
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Love will tear us apart' / 'These days', 'Love will tear us apart'