Being boiled - Human League

It's hard to believe that this single was released in the summer of 1978, because the Human League's 'Being boiled' sounds a lot like early Eighties synthpop. But actually, it was one of the first pieces of electronic pop music produced in the UK. It was recorded on a domestic tape recorder, in mono, in an abandoned factory at a cost of £2,50.

The song was written by Martyn Ware and Ian Craig-Marsh before Philip Oakey joined the band. They gave him the music to listen to, and he returned two days later with lyrics for the track. Ware and Marsh liked the lyrics, and the song was born. The song was re-recorded in 1980, but this single contains the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 5600
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Being boiled' / 'Circus of death'

Alors je chante (and then I sing) - Dimitri Dourakine and his orchestra

The title 'Alors je chante' may only seem familiar to those who have read about Rika Zarai's single on this blog almost six years ago. It is a cover of the 1969 Eurovision song Vivo cantando, one of four winners that year.

Dimitri Dourakine recorded this - instrumental - version of the song in 1969, not long after his single 'Casatchok' became a number one hit in France. It's kitsch, but Eurovision-related kitsch is always worthwhile of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5599
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Alors je chante (and then I sing)' / 'Haifa'

The man who sold the world - Lulu

'The man who sold the world' was written by David Bowie and recorded as the title track of his third album in 1970. The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974. Bowie invited her to a concert he gave after which he met her in his hotel room saying: "I want to make an MF of a record with you [because] you're a great singer." She didn't think Bowie would follow up, but a short time later she was actually in the studio, recording tracks with David Bowie and Mick Ronson producing.

When 'The man who sold the world' was released as a single, it reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and also top 10 in the Netherlands and Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 5698
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro  
Tracks: 'The man who sold the world' / 'Watch that man'

Johnny & Mary - Leigh Jaeger

In 1989, Leigh Jaeger sang a cover of Robert Palmer's 'Johnny & Mary'. The track was produced by Stephen Stewart-Short, but received an 'additional production and remix' treatment by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow for PWL. No wonder, then, that this track sounds suspiciously like a Stock/Aitken/Waterman production.

So who is Leigh Jaeger, actually? The internet fails to give any information about her, and her only claim to fame seems to be this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5697
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny & Mary (remix)' / 'Johnny & Mary (instrumental)'

I was born to love - Rosy & Andres

Well, the following could become complicated... Dries Holten was born on January 30, 1936 in Cimahi, Dutch East Indies. He represented the Netherlands as Andres in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Sandra Reemer. Sandra en Andres, as they called themselves, performed Als het om de liefde gaat. They were a duo until 1975, when Andres said he wanted to work behind the scenes more.

Sandra went on to participate in the Dutch national final in 1976 and was surprised to learn that Andres had teamed up with Rosy Pereira to form Rosy & Andres. Together they sang 'I was born to love', the song that is presented on this single. They were unsuccessful: Sandra won the national final with The party's over and went on to represent the Netherlands in The Hague.

My collection: 7" single no. 5596
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I was born to love' / 'Why don't you phone me'

Un baiser volé - Sarah Bray

In the early Nineties, vinyl singles were becoming increasingly scarce. For some reason, singles from that era have become rather collectible. As a result, a single like this commands prices upwards of 8 euros on the internet. If they are offered at all, that is. Imagine my surprise when I found this copy in a big store filled with singles at 1 euro!

Sarah Bray represented Luxembourg in 1991 with 'Un baiser volé', a song composed by Patrick Hippert with lyrics by Mick Wersant and Linda Lecomte. At the close of voting, it had received 29 points, placing 14th in a field of 22 competitors.This single presents both the French and English versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 5595
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un baiser volé' / 'One stolen kiss'

Les quatres chemins de l'amour - Frida Boccara

Frida Boccara used the melody of Vivaldi's Concerto for two mandolins in G major for 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour', a single released in 1970. It was the year after her impressive Eurovision win with 'Un jour, un enfant', one of the most melancholy Eurovision winners ever.

It's never fun and games with Frida Boccara, so this song sounds almost upbeat in comparison. Classical music can lend itself to modern interpretations, and this one is a good example.

My collection: 7" single no. 5693
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 9, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour' / 'La croix, l'étoile et le croissant'

1 2 3 - Vulcano

After Vulcano participated in the Dutch national final of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1983, finishing second with Een beetje van dit, they were hopeful the next year, participating once again. They participated with the song '1 2 3', which, if you understand Dutch, has a very strange lyric for a Eurovision song. It's all about a party where things are a bit 'strange'. The song then progresses into a happy chorus, which seems to describe the joys of a swingers club.

The band wasn't successful: they lost out to Maribelle, whose Ik hou van jou represented the Netherlands in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. Vulcano, meanwhile, split up in 1986, only to reform 20 years later - without ever releasing any new records, focusing on live performances instead.

My collection: 7" single no. 5892
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 9, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '1, 2, 3' / 'Ik wil je in een hokkie'

No one gets the prize - Diana Ross

Diana Ross is one of the true female superstars in the history of pop. She could be criticized for not writing her own material, but no one ever does. 'No one gets the prize' was the second single taken from her 1979 album 'The Boss', released as a single after the title track. Both were actually written by Ashford and Simpson (the duo that would become famous in the Eighties with their own hit single 'Solid').

'No one gets the prize' was almost a prophetic title: the single didn't become a hit. It only charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 59.

My collection: 7" single no. 5690
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'No one gets the prize' / 'Never say I don't love you'

Right in the socket - Shalamar

'Right in the socket' was the third and last single taken from Shalamar's 1979 album 'Big fun'. While the album was Shalamar's third album, it was the first to feature the band's 'classic' line-up of Jeffrey Daniel, Howard Hewett and Jody Watley. Hewett had replaced Gerald Brown early on in 1979 after conflicts over lack of payment from Dick Griffey and Solar Records.

This single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 44 in the singles chart. It isn't entirely inconceivable to interpret the lyrics in a sexual manner, but that's all up to the listener of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5689
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Right in the socket' / 'Girl'

Monica - Island

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)

A music lesson - Pascalis, Marianna, Robert & Bessy

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'

L'oiseau et l'enfant - Marie Myriam

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'

Sandy - John Travolta

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'

Baby makes her blue jeans talk - Dr. Hook

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'

Windforce 11 - Nadieh

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'

BBC-TV's Song for Europe 1965 - Kathy Kirby

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'

Voltarei - Dora

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'

Songs for Europe - Kenneth McKellar

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'

Sue (Or In a season of crime) - David Bowie

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)'