In 1981 Cyprus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. This song, 'Monica', performed by Island, represents their very first entry. It is a love ballad directed toward the titular Monica. The chorus also features the repetition of the word 'Moni', which is
Greek for 'alone' (female), as well as being part of the girl's name. At the close of voting, the song had received 69 points, placing it sixth in a field of 20 competitors.
Since its entry, the country has become famous for always exchanging 12 points with Greece, although there have been some (rare) exceptions.
My collection: 7" single no. 5691 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received January 6, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Monica' (Island) / 'Let me go' (Doros Georgiadis)
Pascalis Arvanitidis, Marianna Toli, Robert Williams and Bessy Argyraki managed to get to fifth place in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest with Mathema Solfege. I bought the single back in 2010, but as it turns out, there are several different versions of this single.
In the UK, this single without a picture sleeve was released, featuring an English version called 'A music lesson'. The original version appears on the B-side. There is also a German single, which features the German version 'Freunde der Nacht' and 'A music lesson'. It commands prices that are quite impressive, starting at 15 euros.
My collection: 7" single no. 5688 Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'A music lesson' / 'Mathema solfege'
Almost six years ago, I bought L'oiseau et l'enfant by Marie Myriam. The 1977 Eurovision winner is still the last song in French to win the Contest. However, it turns out that there is an English language version of the song, and it can be found on this British release.
The single didn't come in a picture sleeve, unfortunately, but the track is on the B-side, and out of the many different releases of 'L'oiseau et l'enfant', this single is the only one to include this version on the B-side.
My collection: 7" single no. 5587 Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'L'oiseau et l'enfant' / 'The bird and the child'
Singing actors... there is plenty of evidence that it is not a good idea. Bruce Willis, Don Johnson and (shudder) Meryl Streep have all proved that they were better on the screen than they are on vinyl. With the exception of the latter of course, as she cannot even act.
This single by John Travolta was, of course, released at the time of 'Grease', one of the biggest 'musical films' of all time. I wasn't impressed with this song when it was a hit, and hearing it now, I still am not. But the fact that this single was the only 'Grease' release my collection was lacking, and the fact that this was pressed on clear vinyl were great reasons to acquire this record anyway.
My collection: 7" single no. 5686 Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Sandy' / 'Rainbows'
Statistics! That's what makes big collections interesting. Here's one for you: this single represents one of the biggest gaps between two singles from the same artist I ever bought. 'Sylvia's mother', also by Dr. Hook, was number 304 in my collection, bought on June 30, 1985. This one, number 5685, became mine almost thirty years later.
'Baby makes her blue jeans talk' was the first single from Dr. Hook's tenth studio album 'Players in the dark'. It peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side is worth a spin too, because it's just very funny. With lyrics revolving around a certain three letter word it would have been very risqué in that day and age. Which is probably why it was relegated to a B-side and cryptically entitled 'The turn on'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5685 Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Baby makes her blue jeans talk' / 'The turn on'
Dutch singer Nadieh had a hit with her second single 'Windforce 11', taken from her debut album 'Land of Tá'. Peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40, it had a lasting impression on the general public. The album was awarded music prizes in 1987.
Nadieh would continue to make music until the early Nineties, but then retreated from the stage and concentrated on writing songs for other (Dutch) artists instead. On April 5, 1996, Nadieh died after a battle with cancer.
My collection: 7" single no. 5684 Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Windforce 11' / 'Does it really matter'
Kathy Kirby was born as Kathleen O'Rourke on October 20, 1938. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's 'Secret Love' and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in second place.
Her song 'I belong' was chosen during a television broadcast on January 29, 1965. All six songs feature on this EP, although 'I belong' was rearranged for the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Naples on March 20. While Kirby performed a very contemporary hit song, she was beaten by France Gall who performed an even more modern tune.
My collection: 7" single no. 5681 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'I'll try not to cry', 'Sometimes', 'My only love' / 'I won't let you go', 'One day', 'I belong'
Portuguese singer Dora (full name: Dora Maria Reis Dias de Jesus) represented her country twice: in 1986 with 'Não sejas mau para mim' and in 1988 with this song, 'Voltarei'. Like many Portuguese entries at the Eurovision Song Contest, they weren't very successful. The former ended up in 16th place, and the latter finished in 18th place.
The single features both the Portuguese version and the English translation, 'I'll come back'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5682 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Voltarei' / 'I'll come back'
Scottish singer Kenneth McKellar was born on June 23, 1927 and studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen, then trained at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer. He went on to sing traditional Scottish songs.
In 1965, the BBC selected him to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. This EP features all five songs that were performed during the national final. The song 'A man without love' was chosen for him to perform at Eurovision. It finished ninth in a field of 18 competitors, which was actually the UK's worst placing for a long time - until 1978. McKellar died of pancreatic cancer on April 9, 2010.
My collection: 7" single no. 5683 Found: Discogs.com, received December 12, 2014 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'As long as the sun shines', 'Country girl', 'A touch of the Tartan' / 'A man without love', 'Comes the time'
I started this year with an entry about David Bowie, so I thought it would be appropriate to end the year with Bowie as well. He surprised everyone - again - with his latest offering, 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)'. The single was released on 10" vinyl only, so no cd-singles, 7" or 12" at all. The track also appeared on his latest compilation, 'Nothing has changed'. But does the world really need yet another Bowie compilation album? I guess record companies still like to cash in with old stuff.
'Sue' is a weird offering, as it sounds a lot like jazz and it can seem a bit tedious, being such a long track. But repeated listening is rewarding. Bowie keeps changing, even if nothing much has changed.
My collection: 10" single [unnumbered] Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014 Cost: 8 euro Tracks: 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)' / ''Tis a pity she was a whore', 'Sue (Or In a season of crime) (edit)'
Chocolate, Menta, Mastik ('Chocolate, mint, gum') was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the Seventies, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria (1972-1973) or Leah Lupatin. The trio performed both in Israel and Internationally, especially after being the 1976 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in The Hague with 'Emor Shalom'.
Founded in 1948, Israel was a 28-year-old country in 1976, giving the line "I've been alone for almost thirty years" an extra meaning- since it gained independence Israel was isolated in the Middle East, surrounded by hostile Arab countries (Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel since then).
At the close of voting, it had received 77 points, placing 6th in a field of 18 competitors. This single presents the German and English versions of their song.
My collection: 7" single no. 5680 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Komm' heut zu mir' / 'Say hello'
Blue Danube was an Austrian band that has represented their country in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. Their song 'Du bist musik' ('You are music') was filled with names of famous composers and certain types of music. The band consisted of Marty Brem, Wolfgang 'Marc' Berry, Sylvia Schramm, Rena Mauris and Wolfgang Weiss.
'Du bist Musik' received 64 points, placing 8th in a field of 19 competitors. The group split up after Eurovision, but Marty Brem reappeared solo on the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Austria with 'Wenn du da bist'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5679 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Du bist Musik' / 'Du bist Musik (instrumental)'
Björn Nils Olof Skifs was born on April 20, 1947 in Vansbro, Dalarna, Sweden. He formed his first musical group Slam Creepers in 1962. Slam Creepers split in 1969 and Skifs went on to form a new band, Blåblus, in 1972. As Blue Swede, the band had a number 1 hit on Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 with a cover of 'Hooked on a feeling'. Björn Skifs left the band in 1976 to pursue a solo career. He recorded the duet 'Med varann' with Anni-Frid Lyngstad for his 1975 album 'Schiffz'. Skifs appeared as The Arbiter on the original studio album for Chess, released in 1984. Skifs also recorded several demos for the album, including 'One night in Bangkok', later performed by Murray Head.
In 1981 he represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Fångad i en dröm'.
This was the second time that Björn Skifs had represented Sweden in the contest, having previously entered the contest for Sweden in 1978 with the song 'Det blir alltid värre framåt natten'. Like in 1978, Skifs was the last performer of the night. At the close of voting, the song ended up in 10th place in a field of 20 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5678 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Fångad i en dröm' / 'Stackare, stackare'
I don't know why, but the 1986 Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest always stuck out in my memory as one of the best Spanish entries ever. I had a lot of trouble finding a copy of the single ever since I started looking out for it some 20 years ago. Even online, because whenever I found a copy the seller was asking way too much for it.
That's why I was happy to finally spot a copy on Discogs.com last month for a reasonable price, and from a seller who had more interesting Eurovision singles on offer. After all these years, I finally have this single. And how did this song perform in 1986? At the close of the voting had received 51 points, placing 10th in a field of 20 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5677 Found: Discogs.com, recieved December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Valentino' / 'Tahiti'
Bert Gustav Tommy Körberg was born in Norsjö (Sweden) on July 4, 1948. In 1988, he represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Stad i ljus', a beautifully orchestrated ballad.The song finished 12th in a field of 21 competitors.
The single peaked at number 8 at the Swedish singles chart. On the single, the song appears sung in Swedish and in English. In 2013 Körberg tried to reach the Eurovision Song Contest one more time as part of he group Ravaillacz. They ended up in 10th place in the Swedish national final.
My collection: 7" single no. 5676 Found: Discogs.com, received December 12, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Stad i ljus' / 'Unchained light'
Swedish singer Harpo is best known for his worldwide hit 'Moviestar', which was a hit in 1975. He followed that single up with this one: 'Motorcycle mama', a song with a lyric that mentions various Sixties phenomena, such as Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Ravi Shanker. Still, it only charted in Sweden and Denmark, peaking at number 8 and 9 respectively.
This single is memorable (or should be) because of the B-side, as it gives us a Christmas song, and one that hasn't been played to death. 'Beautiful Christmas' was written by Harpo himself. You won't find it on most of the Christmas compilation albums, so I consider this to be a rather exclusive Christmas experience. Enjoy!
My collection: 7" single no. 5399 Found: unknown Tracks: 'Motorcycle mama' / 'Beautiful Christmas'
One of the best known Christmas songs of all time, 'Last Christmas' was originally released in 1984 but re-released almost every year since then. I already wrote about the 1989 re-release on this blog five years ago, but this time I'd like to present to you two re-releases that I bought earlier this year.
The 1985 edition featured 'Blue (live in China)' on the B-side and came in the same sleeve that was used every year since then. My copy, pictured above, was created in the UK and comes in the kind of thick cardboard sleeve that is so uniquely British.
The 1988 edition, pictured below, was made in Holland and inevitably looks cheaper. There is also an interesting mistake on the back cover, as it promises 'Everything she wants (live in China)', but apparently this is caused by them using the 1985 sleeve and simply replacing the line 'Blue' but leaving the line with 'live in China' intact.
I could of course have written two entries, but I'm sure this is more efficient. After all, we all have some Christmas duties to perform these days...
My collection: 7" single no. 5668 & no. 5471 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014 & Kringloop Hebbes, Den Haag, July 25, 2014 Cost: 1 euro each Tracks: 'Last Christmas' / 'Blue (live in China') & 'Last Christmas' / 'Everything she wants'
Ronnie Carroll returned in the Eurovision Song Contest the year after he appeared with 'Ring-a-ding girl'. 'Say wonderful things' was the song he competed with in 1963, and just like in 1962 he finished fourth. The single was considerably more successful in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 6.
The most popular version of the song in the United States was recorded by Patti Page, as the title song of her first album for Columbia Records. Page's record peaked only at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 but was more successful in Australia, continental Europe and in Asian territories such as Hong Kong and Japan.
My collection: 7" single no. 5675 Found: Discogs.com, received December 2, 2014 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Say wonderful things' / 'Please tell me your name'
Ronnie Carroll was born as Ronald Cleghorn on August 18, 1934 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He scored his first hit in 1956 with 'Walk hand in hand'. Having taken part in the 1960 UK Eurovision selection contest with the song 'Girl with a curl', he returned to win the selection and be Britain's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1962.
The song 'Ring-a-ding girl' received 10 points, placing 4th in the field of 16 competitors. The single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5674 Found: Discogs.com, received December 2, 2014 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Ring-a-ding girl' / 'The girls in their summer dresses'
'Damned if I do' is a single taken from the Alan Parsons Project's 1979 album 'Eve'. The focus of the songs on this album is on the strengths and characteristics of women, and the problems they face in the world of men.
The lead vocal on this single is performed by Lenny Zakatek. He was born just prior to Karachi becoming part of Pakistan and moved to London at the age of thirteen. The single was successful in the USA and Canada, where it peaked at number 27 and number 16, respectively, but it failed to chart in Europe.
My collection: 7" single no. 5673 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Damned if I do' / 'You lie down with dogs'
