Looking high, high, high - David Hughes

'Looking high, high, high' was the song with which Bryan Johnson represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. It was a remarkable upbeat song that also included the line 'I shall die, die, die ('cause I love you so)'. \

English popular singer and operatic tenor David Hughes also released ‘Looking High, High, High’ as a single around the same time as Bryan Johnson. His version was not a hit. My copy comes in the original Top Rank record company sleeve!

My collection: 7" single no. 6742
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 July 2022
Cost: £2
Tracks: 'Looking high, high, high' / 'Mi amor'

You - Geraldine

Buying singles online can sometimes be a disappointing experience. But I am not totally sure, in this case, if I wouldn't have had the same disappointment if I'd bought this single in a real shop. The disc looks absolutely fine, but playing it it's hard to even hear the music. That's why I only recorded the A-side from this single - I already had the French version on another single. 

The Irish singer Geraldine represented Luxembourg with the song 'Toi', and she recorded the song also in English as 'You'. That version was obviously released in Ireland, but this is the Portuguese pressing with a slightly unflattering photograph of the singer on the front cover.

My collection: 7" single no. 6741
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 July 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'You' / 'Toi'

Dai li dou - Gemini

Gemini was a Portuguese band from the Seventies. The members were Fatima Padinha, Teresa Miguel, Tozé Brito and Mike Sergeant.  In 1977 they participated in the Portuguese national final in order to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Portugal no coração'. The song won. However, every song was sung by two performers, and the audience preferred Os Amigos over Gemini. 

In 1978 they tried again and won the national final with the song 'Dai li dou'. This time they were allowed to go to Paris for the international competition. However, they only reached the 17th position. Teresa and Fatima would represent Portugal once more in 1982 in the band Doce.

My collection: 7" single no. 6740
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 July 2022
Cost: €5
Tracks: 'Dai li dou' / 'Gente lá da minha rua'

La novia / Al di la - Tony Dallara

I already owned one cover version of 'Al di la' by Emilio Pericoli, and here's another one, also in a Japanese sleeve: Tony Dallara recorded his version on the B-side of the single 'La novia'. 

Dallara was born as Antonio Lardera on 30 June 1936. After working as barman and clerk, he began his musical career in the band Rocky Mountains; his singing style was inspired, in particular, by American singers such as Frankie Laine and Tony Williams. In 1957, he signed a contract as singer with the Italian label Music, where he was working as delivery man. His first single 'Come prima' was published in December 1957 and sold 300,000 copies, becoming the biggest selling single in Italy up to that point. 'La novia' was released in 1963, two years after Betty Curtis represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Al di la'.  

My collection: 7" single no. 6739
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'La novia' / 'Al di la'

Some day - Tommy Nilsson

I've always been rather fond of Sweden's 1989 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, 'En dag', performed by Tommy Nilsson. There's something about the powerful vocals, the repetitive chorus and the hopeful lyrics that drew me to this song - and it still does.

When I found out there was a 12" version of the song - I think about a year ago - I put it on my wantlist, but it was quite difficult to get hold of a copy, due to the rather extreme postage rates and the prices some online dealers dare to ask for it. After all, it's just a 12" single in a black generic sleeve. I finally found a cheap copy with cheap postage from a dealer in... Lithuania! Sometimes good things come from far away.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, 1 July 2022
Cost: $5
Tracks: 'Some day [12" version]' / 'En dag', 'Some day'

Nocturne / Un jour, un enfant - Paul Mauriat

Although this single does not specify a year of release, it is safe to assume that Paul Mauriat released this in 1969, when Frida Boccara was one of the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Un jour, un enfant'. Like the previous year, Mauriat delivered an instrumental version of a Eurovision song with his orchestra, although this time it was actually a winning song. 

Curiously though, this single features the self-composed track 'Nocturne' on the A-side. Perhaps Mauriat felt that he couldn't make a worldwide hit of his version, like he did with 'L'amour est bleu' in 1968.

My collection: 7" single no. 6737
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Nocturne' / 'Un jour, un enfant'

Valentine's day - ABC

I always thought that ABC's album 'Lexicon of love' spawned four singles, but it turns out that another song was released as a single - in Japan. 'Valentine's day' is certainly a track worthy of a single release, even if this didn't happen in the rest of the world.

The B-side features 'part 3' of 'The look of love', one of the other singles from the same album. Parts 1 and 2 can be found on the single of 'The look of love', whereas part 4 appears on the album. And then there is of course the remix version, originally released in the USA, which is often called part 5. You will find that one on the limited edition double single package of 'Be near me'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6735
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Valentine's day' / 'The look of love (part 3)'

Slipping through my fingers - Abba

One of the tracks on Abba's 1981 album 'The Visitors' was 'Slipping through my fingers'. It was never released as a single - except in Japan, where it was released as a 'Coca Cola super record'. According to the blurb on the back of this sleeve (in Japanese), the song was recorded "just for you", which of course wasn't entirely true.

The record is actually a picture disc, featuring a photograph of the band complete with signatures on one side (without any music on that side) and a red playable side with the Coca-Cola logo on it. After looking for this item for some time, I am glad to finally own this particular single.

My collection: 7" single no. 6732
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $10
Tracks: 'Slipping through my fingers'

Napoleon und Josephine - Kirsti

Kirsti Sparboe represented Denmark at the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest with the song with the remarkable title 'Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli'. I was happy to find a copy just two months ago - and that was before I knew that she also recorded a German version!

This single, 'Napoleon und Josephine' presents that version on the B-side. On the sleeve it is announced as 'Oi, oi, oi', but she doesn't even sing these words. The song is actually called 'Eins, zwei, drei' and is translated by Kurt Hertha, a German songwriter and composer, who also added German lyrics to songs like 'Stupid Cupid' ('Sexie Hexy') and 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' ('Halt Das Känguruh Fest'). 

My collection: 7" single no. 6728
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 June 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Napoleon und Josephine' / 'Eins, zwei, drei'

Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor - Wencke Myhre

I could write a piece about 'Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor', but that is not the song that caused me to buy this single. More interesting is the B-side: 'Autostop', a cover version of the Greek entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980. The original version, performed by Anna Vissi, was never released as a single, although some demo copies were pressed and I recently saw a copy at a record fair... the dealer wanted €250 for it. That's crazy of course, and I wonder what kind of maniac pays that much for a single. 

But anyway, this single features a cover of the song with German lyrics provided by Werner Schüler and Bernd Meinunger. The Bernd Meinunger, I should add, because he, together with Ralph Siegel, actually wrote many songs that were performed on the Eurovision stage. And so this B-side becomes less of a weird instance, since both Meinunger and Myhre were Eurovision fans, so to speak.

My collection: 7" single no. 6729
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 June 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor' / 'Autostop'

L'amour est bleu / A taste of Vicky - Vicky Leandros

I already had the Japanese single of Vicky Leandros' 'L'amour est bleu', but it turns out that the Japanese also released this EP, entitled 'A taste of Vicky'. Unusually for a Japanese single, it is presented in a regular sleeve instead of the company sleeve with a separate piece of paper to accompany it - if you've seen them you know what I mean. 

What's interesting about this EP is that it adds a track in Japanese and a cover of the familiar Bee Gees hit 'Massachusetts'. And of course, there is the attraction of it being a pretty rare Japanese disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 6726
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 June 2022
Cost: £5
Tracks: 'L'amour est bleu', 'Le soleil a quitté ma maison' / 'Machi-Kutabireta Nochiyobi', 'Massachusetts'

Al di la - Emilio Pericoli

I still haven't been able to locate a copy of Betty Curtis' version of 'Al di la', from the Eurovision Song Contest 1961, but the cover version in Dutch by Sandra Reemer, 'Al di la (Net als wij)' was a recent purchase. And now, here's Emilio Pericoli's version.

This Japanese single presents two songs from the motion picture 'Lovers must learn' (1962), in which a librarian (Suzanne Pleshette) goes to Italy "to learn about love," meets two men (Troy Donahue, Rossano Brazzi) and sees much lovely scenery. The score of the movie included 'Al di la', and this single presents the song in beautiful Japanese style.

My collection: 7" single no. 6727
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 June 2022
Cost: £4
Tracks: 'Al di la' / 'Rome adventure'

I've had enough - Wings

The Wings album 'London Town' featured a markedly softer-rock, synth-based sound than previous Wings albums. The single 'With a little luck' reached number 1 in the US and number 5 in the UK, but the second single from the album, 'I've Had Enough' fared much less well. It only reached no. 42 in the UK and no. 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

While I don't necessarily collect Wings singles, it is always fun to pick one up when it appears in front of me for a low price. And this copy popped up when I was browsing a stall with hundreds of UK pressings. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6723
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 4 June 2022
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'I've had enough' / 'Deliver your children'

Someday - The Blue Diamonds

The song 'Morgen' was performed at the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest by Ronnie Tober. The English version was called 'Someday' and was also recorded by Tober - however that single still remains to be found by me. 

In the meantime, I did find this version of the song by the Blue Diamonds. History doesn't tell us if they were considered for the Dutch national final in 1968, but they did record this single, which didn't make the Dutch top 40. It still is a good version, and the B-side is a charming piece of music as well. The Blue Diamonds were best known in the Netherlands for their single 'Ramona', a huge hit that caused many Dutch parents to call their daughters Ramona as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 6725
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 June 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Someday (Morgen)' / 'Angelina (Liesje)'

I believe (in love) - Hot Chocolate

It's quite interesting how my collection of Hot Chocolate singles is coming together slowly. All the big hits are in there, but the early stuff is still a matter of searching well and waiting for the right price. This single, 'I believe (in love)' was actually a big hit without me knowing it. And that's not strange, because it didn't chart in the Netherlands.

In the UK, however, this single was their second top 10 hit, after 'Love is life' (1970), which reached number 6 in September 1970. This one peaked at number 8 in 1971. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6722
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 4 June 2022
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'I believe (in love)' / 'Caveman Billy'

Waterloo (Svensk version) - Abba

Strictly speaking, I already own a Swedish version of 'Waterloo' on 7", but that one is a re-release from 2014, which I bought in 2015. There is nothing quite like the real thing, and so this original Swedish release of 'Waterloo' is a great find. I bought it together with a few other singles from a Scandinavian seller, and it is lovely to own this particular piece of history. The B-side features the Swedish version of 'Honey, Honey', another track from the album 'Waterloo'. 

It's funny that the back of the sleeve actually contains a price sticker. Apparently you would pay 8.75 for this single back in 1974, but the sticker does not clarify in which currency. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6710
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 April 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Waterloo (Svensk version)' / 'Honey, honey (Svensk version)'

Love isn't love - Carola

Of course I already own a copy of 'Love isn't love', the song that propelled Swedish singer Carola into the consciousness of most of Europe after her successful Eurovision performance with 'Främling'. In the Netherlands in particular she made an impression with her Dutch version: 'Je ogen hebben geen geheimen'. 

I recently found out that the song was also released in Japan, and as usual, the Japanese made an effort to package the single as attractively as they could. I have a particular fondness for Japanese singles and I am actually trying to get more Eurovision singles from Japan into my collection. The problem is that they're usually prohibitively expensive. Not in this case: the single arrived on my doorstep for less than I pay for my daily groceries.

My collection: 7" single no. 6720
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 June 2022
Cost: $6
Tracks: 'Love isn't love' / 'It's raining in Stockholm'

Al di là (Net als wij) - Sandra

Eleven-year-old Sandra made her debut with a version of Italy's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, 'Al di la'. The song was performed by Betty Curtis, and reached a respectable fifth place. Sandra recorded the song with Dutch lyrics and with an orchestra directed by Frans Kerkhof.

The identity of this Sandra is wellknown these days: it is of course Sandra Reemer, whose career would be linked to the Eurovision Song Contest multiple times: in 1964 she recorded a Dutch version of 'Non ho l'eta' as 'Als jij maar wacht' and she would participate in the Contest herself three times: with Andres performing 'Als het om de liefde gaat', and solo with 'The party's over' and 'Colorado'.

My collection: 7" single no. 6719
Found: Bea Records, received 13 May 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Al di là (Net als wij)' / 'Duizenden sterren'

Children of the world - Gary Lux

Gary Lux represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1985 with 'Kinder dieser Welt', a sentimental song in which he pleads for 'more flowers in the asphalt' and 'emotions instead of violence'. The English version, presented on this single, goes even further and describes despair at the state of the world: what are we leaving behind for the children of the world? 

Although the song scored pretty well in the Contest, this UK release did not chart. Still, it is a nice collectors item. The fact that the sleeve is almost identical to the original German version is a nice touch.

My collection: 7" single no. 6718
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 May 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Children of the world' / 'Movies'

Mah-na mah-na - Piero Umiliani

'Mah-na mah-na' is probably better known in the version by the Muppets, shown in the very first episode of this hilarious TV show. The track is however much older, as this single proves: the original version by Piero Umiliani was released in 1969. 

Piero Umiliani (17 July 1926 – 14 February 2001) was an Italian composer of film scores. His composition 'Mah-na mah-na' was originally used in Sweden: Heaven and Hell, a 1968 Mondo documentary about Sweden. It was a minor charting single (spending 6 weeks on the Billboard chart and peaking at number 55, and reaching number 22 in Canada), popularized by The Red Skelton Show, first airing in October 1969, and The Muppets, who covered the song several times; starting on episode 0014 of Sesame Street on 27 November 1969, then The Ed Sullivan Show three days later, and again on the syndicated series The Muppet Show in 1977. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6717
Found: Discogs.com, received 7 May 2022
Cost: €2
Tracks: 'Mah-na mah-na' / 'You tried to warn me'