Eenzame nachten - Annie

'It's now or never', sang Elvis Presley once, and before that, some Italians would sing 'O Sole Mio'. Leave it up to Dutch singer Annie to give this song a dark turn: 'Eenzame nachten' ('Lonely nights') is sung from the perspective of a woman who has been left behind by her man, but she threatens him with blackmail. She sings: 'Ik ken je fouten / en ook jouw geheimen' ('I know your faults / and also your secrets') and this should coax the man back to her. In the meantime, she is spending lonely nights, waiting for him to return.

The Dutch repertoire is full of bad singers and weird songs, but somehow Annie managed to find her way into my collection because her singles are full of bizarre lyrics. They call it 'camp', I think...

My collection: 7" single no. 2870
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Tracks: 'Eenzame nachten' / 'Het mooiste in het leven'

I believe - Tears for Fears

Such was the success of Tears for fears with their second album Songs from the big chair, that the record company was confident enough to release a fifth single from it. Which is remarkable, since the album only had eight tracks.

I bought the 7" single (a double single, in fact) back in 1985, around the time it was released, but it took me four decades to decide that I also wanted to have the 10" single. My recent obsession with 10" singles has something to do with that. While the double 7" has four tracks, this 10" single only has three, which seems odd. But it's a good selection of more laidback tracks from the band.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 June 2024
Tracks: 'I believe (a soulful re-recording)' / 'I believe', 'Sea song'

So far away - Dire Straits

One of the most catchy songs from their album Brothers in Arms is Dire Straits' third single from that album, 'So far away'. It's a calm piece of work with a guitar hook that stays in your mind once you've heard it. For some reason I didn't really like the song when it came out, but I learned to appreciate it a couple of years later. Which is why I eventually bought the 7" single. 

Flash forward to now, and I bought the 10" single. It contains exactly the same tracks, but in the attractive 10" format. Sometimes I don't know why I buy the things I do, but 10" singles have become my latest obsession I guess.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 July 2024
Tracks: 'So far away' / 'Walk of life'

Some kind of lover - Jody Watley

Although I already owned the 7" single and 12" single of 'Some kind of lover', my recent discovery of a 10" single made me want to own that version as well. It turns out that the '10" extended' version on this disc is different from the one on the 12", which makes this item a very nice addition.

We're still waiting for a deluxe edition of Jody Watley's self-titled debut album, of course, but in the meantime I'm happy just to own another version of this fabulous dance track.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 July 2024
Tracks: 'Some kind of lover (10" extended)' / 'Looking for a new love', 'Some kind of lover (instrumental)'

The Barry Williams Show - Peter Gabriel

I was very surprised to find this 7" single of Peter Gabriel's 'The Barry Williams Show', the lead single from his 2002 album 'Up'. I own the album on CD and even a couple of CD-singles, but I wasn't aware that this one was released on 7" vinyl, and has by now become a bit sought after. The copy I found in Fulda was in mint condition but also very cheap! It's a nice find.

'Up' was, in my opinion, Peter Gabriel's best ever album, but this song about the worst part of TV culture, is actually the weakest song of the ten tracks on it. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7279
Found: Marleen Records, Fulda (Germany)
Tracks: 'The Barry Williams Show (Unadulterated radio edit)' / 'Cloudless (radio edit)'

Amiga Quartett - O.M.D.

While visiting a record shop in Fulda (Germany), a village not too far from the historical border with Eastern Germany, I was happy to find a couple of Amiga Quartett EP's. The Kylie EP was one, and this O.M.D. EP was another one. I've actually been after this one for a few years, but I didn't want to pay a lot of money for it. As luck would have it, this shop had it virtually for free. (Okay, I'm not counting the expenses of travelling to the area for a family holiday...)

Released in 1985, this EP features three singles of the band and one B-side. At the time, O.M.D. were at the height of their popularity, although personally I still prefer their earlier work. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7278
Found: Marleen Records, Fulda (Germany), 24 July 2024
Tracks: 'Talking loud and clear', 'Apollo' / 'Tesla girls', 'Locomotion'

Amiga Quartett - Kylie Minogue

It would be easy to speak of another subcollection when it comes to these Amiga Quartett EP's. Released by the state-run record company Amiga in the GDR until the reunification of Germany, this EP is another example of 'western' music making its way beyond the iron curtain. Of course, this was a regular occurrance, as previous purchases of such EP's by Abba, A-ha and the Bangles have shown. 

This particular EP consists of four tracks by Kylie Minogue, all of which have been released as separate singles in 'the west'. It's funny that the 'Amiga Quartett' logo has been turned upside down on this sleeve to accommodate the design, which is copied from the Australian singer's debut album. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7277
Found: Marleen Records, Fulda (Germany), 24 July 2024
Tracks: 'The Loco-motion', 'It's no secret' / 'I should be so lucky', 'Got to be certain'

Being with you - Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is a legend. Having recorded several singles with The Mircles ('The tracks of my tears' undoubtedly the most famous one), he retired from touring to focus on raising his two children with his wife Claudette, and on his duties as Motown's vice president, a job he had taken on by the mid-1960s after Esther Gordy Edwards had left the position. However, the success of the group's 'Tears of a clown' made Robinson stay with the group until 1972. His last performance with the group was in July 1972 in Washington, D.C.

After a year of retirement he announced his comeback with a solo album, released in 1973. The Seventies weren't his most successful period, but in 1981 he topped the charts again with 'Being with you', which reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The sleeve of this German pressing asserts that he reached number 1 in the USA, but that was only on the Cash Box chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7276
Found: Marleen Records, Fulda (Germany), 24 July 2024
Tracks: 'Being with you' / 'What's in your life for me'

1 2 3 - Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine

'1 2 3' is a 1988 song by American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. The song was written by the band's drummer and lead songwriter Enrique "Kiki" Garcia along with Estefan and appears on the multi-platinum album Let It Loose. Released as the fifth and final single from that album in early summer of 1988, it peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1988, and was the band's 7th and last Top 10 hit. On the UK Singles Chart it peaked at number 9. 

This single was released in an attractive poster sleeve, in order to boost sales. It's one of many poster sleeves of Estefan in my collection!

My collection: 7" single no. 7273
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 July 2024
Tracks: '1 2 3' / 'Surrender'

All hits on deck - The 3 Jacksons

Although the 3 Jacksons issued lots of singles as 'Accordeon Potpourri no. [x]', this one is called 'All hits on deck', despite it being number 44 and 45 in the series. It's odd, especially when you see that this single seems to consist of two singles, as most potpourri's are split across two sides and these two have a silent bit in the middle. It's all technicalities, of course, and of little interest to most.

What is of interest on this one, is the bit where they play 'Tom Pillibi', the song that gave Jacqueline Boyer her victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. And that is why I bought this one, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 7269
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Milord/Mustapha/Valentino/Tom Pillibi/Paper roses/Nur Charly schenkte mir Blumen' / 'Aan de Amsterdamse grachten/Lang geleden/Sie war nicht älter als 18 Jahr/Barcelona/Banjo Boy/Ramona'

Accordeon Potpourri no. 57 - The 3 Jacksons

The productive trio The 3 Jacksons released quite a lot of their Accordeon Potpourri's, and this is number 57. Obviously I'm selective about which ones I buy; they either have to be linked to Marty Wilde (like number 62) or the Eurovision Song Contest (like all the other ones). This one features a piece of 'Fernando en Filippo', the song that appeared in the 1966 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Fact freaks may have noticed that the group is named 'The Three Jacksons' on the sleeve, but on the label they are still 'The 3 Jacksons'. Fortunately some things are still the same.

My collection: 7" single no. 7268
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Tingeling/Wind me up (and let me go)/Nikkelen Nelis' / 'Fernando en Filippo/Marmer, staal en steen vergaan/Shame and scandal in the family'

Cry and be free - Marilyn

I was only vaguely familiar with Marilyn's second single 'Cry and be free', released just before his only Dutch hit 'You don't love me'. 

Marilyn's first chart success came in late 1983 with his debut single 'Calling Your Name', which reached the Top 5 in the UK and Australia. 'Cry and be free' was less successful, as it only reached number 31 in the UK and number 24 in Australia. I found this perfect copy of the UK pressing, and I couldn't resist. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7271
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Cry and be free' / 'Running'

Nothing in common - Thompson Twins

After the album Here's to future days, the one that yielded the singles 'Don't mess with doctor dream' and 'King for a day', Thompson Twins recorded 'Nothing in common' for the movie of the same name. It was the only single they released in 1986. 

The song was written by Alannah Currie and Tom Bailey, and produced by Geoffrey Downes and Bailey. With the departure of band member Joe Leeway earlier in 1986, "Nothing in Common" was the Thompson Twins' first release as a duo. It reached number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 7267
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Nothing in common' / 'Nothing to lose'

Jealous guy - Susan Shirley

This copy of 'Jealous guy' by Susan Shirley is far from perfect: the sleeve is tattered and torn, but at least the disc itself plays reasonably well. I was curious enough about this John Lennon cover to want to buy this single - it helped that it was so cheap, of course. 

Susan Shirley released ten singles between 1968 and 1972, and this cover of 'Jealous guy' was not her most famous release. That would be 'True love and apple pie', a song she recorded in 1971 and which became known as 'I'd like to teach the world to sing (in perfect harmony)'. As for 'Jealous guy': the version by Roxy Music remains the best cover version.

My collection: 7" single no. 7266
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Jealous guy' / 'Oh Yoko!'

Liebelei - Raffaella Carrá

It had to happen, of course: after 'A far l'amore comincia tu' and 'Puisque tu l'aimes dis-le lui', I came across 'Liebelei', the German version of the original Italian song by Raffaella Carrá. I wouldn't actually hunt for it, but finding a copy for just one euro does make it a very attractive proposition.

This German version has a very different cover when compared to the other two, while the song remains pretty much the same. The German lyrics were written by German songwriter, journalist, author and yodel artist Gerd Thumser.

My collection: 7" single no. 7265
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Liebelei' / 'Forte forte forte'

Touch the wind - Eydie Gormé

Whenever I see a single called 'Touch the wind', I immediately think of 'Eres tu', the famous Eurovision anthem from 1973 by Mocedades. They actually recorded the song in English with that title, and I am still looking for that particular single. Meanwhile, I found this version by Eydie Gormé.

Eydie Gormé was born as Edith Gormezano on 16 August 1928. She was an American singer who achieved notable success in pop, Latin, and jazz genres. She sang solo and in the duo Steve and Eydie with husband, Steve Lawrence, on albums and television. She also performed on Broadway and in Las Vegas. She died on 10 August 10, 2013, aged 84, at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in Las Vegas following an undisclosed illness.

My collection: 7" single no. 7264
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Touch the wind' / 'It takes too long to learn to live alone'

Are you man enough - Five Star

I have a lot of singles by Five Star, but I've never come across this one. 'Are you man enough' was only released in the USA and features 'Summer groove' on the B-side - the track that appears on the B-side of 'Rain or shine' in the UK. 

You have to wonder why the band's biggest UK hit wasn't released in the USA - but that's record company policy for you. Also, why didn't 'Are you man enough' come in an attractive picture sleeve? Again, I think the US record company didn't do a proper job on this one. Nice track though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7263
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'Are you man enough (7" remix version)' / 'Summer groove'

It's no secret - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue has just released a new single with two other female artists I've never heard of. It's not the best pop song I've ever heard but it will probably be a big hit, because it's a clever combination of popular names, apparently.

This single was released back in 1988, when Kylie was still working with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, and her voice sounded decidedly shrill. 'It's no secret' was released as the B-side of 'Wouldn't change a thing', but apparently it was a single in the USA around that time. It's a nice addition to the singles I already have, but I wouldn't have bought it if it weren't so cheap.

My collection: 7" single no. 7262
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 6 July 2024
Tracks: 'It's no secret' / 'Made in heaven'

Heart - Pet Shop Boys

It's worth hunting down Pet Shop Boys 12" singles if they contain one or more tracks that aren't available on CD. (Someday there will be a full box set of every track they've ever released, but I'm not sure if that will happen during my lifetime, so it's best to be on the safe side.)

This 12" single of 'Heart' features a dub mix and a 'remix', both of which don't appear on the CD-single of the same name. Unfortunately this copy is a bit crackly, but it still gives a good impression of these remixes which I would otherwise have missed out on.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 July 2024
Tracks: 'Heart (remix)' / 'Heart (dub mix)', 'I get excited (You get excited too)'

Running up that hill - Elastic Band

Kate Bush's 'Running up that hill' was very popular two years ago, thanks to a certain Netflix series, but the song has always attracted some attention. There are many cover versions of the song, and this 12" single features just one of them.

Elastic Band recorded their version of the song in 1994 - a dance-infused track with lots of beats and thin vocals. It wasn't a patch on the original, of course, but it's an amusing take on the classic track nonetheless. And the cover is pretty beautiful, I have to say.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 July 2024
Tracks: 'Running up that hill (Alex Party Version)' / 'Rolling down that mountain (Momentum mix)'