Bonne nuit, ma chérie - Fred Frohberg

'Bonne nuit, ma chérie' by Wyn Hoop was the German entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. It is a relatively unknown German Eurovision song, although it finished in fourth place. Very few cover versions of the song exist.

Perhaps the most interesting one was recorded by Fred Frohberg for the East German label Amiga. The label ceased to exist when Germany reunited after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, but it released a lot of singles during its existence. I'd never seen this old label layout before, and so I was quite glad to buy this single - it's a precious piece of history in many ways!

My collection: 7" single no. 7653
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Bonne nuit, ma chérie' / 'Einer wird bei dir bleiben'

Enjoy yourself - The Jacksons

'Enjoy yourself' was released by the Jacksons in 1976. Featuring Michael and Jackie Jackson on lead vocals, it was the first single for the group since they departed from Motown earlier that year. The song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It was the group's first song to officially feature new member Randy Jackson, who replaced Jermaine Jackson when he decided to stay at Motown after his brothers left. A music video, the Jacksons' first, was released in early 1977 to promote the single; it features the five Jackson brothers wearing white suits and dancing on a stage. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7651
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Enjoy yourself' / 'Style of life'

Romantica - Aurelio Fierro

Whenever a single sleeve promises 'San Remo' in big letters it's time to be on my guard, because this could be one of the many cover versions of early Italian Eurovision entries. And indeed, in this case, Aurelio Fierro performs a version of Renato Rascel's 'Romantica'.

Aurelio Fierro (13 September 1923 – 11 March 2005) was an Italian actor and singer, specialising in songs in the Neapolitan dialect. His first big hit was with 'Scapricciatiello' in 1954. His best-known songs are probably 'Guaglione', recorded in 1956, and 'A pizza', from the Naples song festival of 1966.

My collection: 7" single no. 7650
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Libero', 'Vento, pioggia e scarpe rotte' / 'Romantica', 'Il mare'

Take a chance on me - Abba

Collecting Abba singles has gone out of hand a bit. I used to want to have all the tracks, but now I am also drawn to strange versions from different countries. This one, for instance, was just too hard to resist. 

It's a Yugoslavian pressing of 'Take a chance on me', with, bizarrely, 'Thank you for the music' on the B-side. Official releases would never contain these two songs on one 7" single. As a bonus, this single has a beautiful sleeve too. You can see how I gladly shelled out a few euros for this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 7649
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Take a chance on me' / 'Thank you for the music'

Wishing (If I had a photograph of you) - A Flock of seagulls

One of my favourite songs from the early Eighties is A flock of seagulls' 'Wishing'. You would know that if you saw my previous entries on this song. Two singles would be enough for most people, but when I spotted this picture disc, I simply couldn't resist.

A flock of seagulls have enjoyed a bit of a comeback recently, and their new album Some dreams was released in December 2024. Without the strange haircuts, because even Eighties artists get older.

My collection: 7" single no. 7648
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Wishing (If I had a photograph of you)' / 'Committed'

Gerdundula - Status Quo

Those who know Status Quo from their late Seventies/early Eighties material will associate the band with long hair and just the slightest bit of headbanging. But their beginnings were quite different, as songs like 'Pictures of matchstick men' and 'Ice in the sun' have already proven on this blog.

My latest acquisition is 'Gerdundula', a 1970 single from the band. Confusingly, the song was written by Manston & James, which would lead someone to think that Marty Wilde was somehow involved, as he used the pseudonym Frere Manston at the time. However, in this instance it's the pseudonym for band mates Francis Rossi and Bob Young.

My collection: 7" single no. 7647
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Gerdundula' / 'Lakky Lady'

Miazoume - Takis Biniaris

Some Eurovision singles tend to be overly expensive when you go look for them online. This particular single demands 300 euros on Discogs - at least, if you want it with the picture sleeve. Fortunately, I found my copy for a lot less, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

'Miazoume' was the Greek Eurovision entry from 1985, performed by the singer Takis Biniaris with his dramatic timbre. The song is a ballad with Binaris declaring that despite his and his lover's differences they are alike. The song finished in 16th place in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 7646
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Miazoume' / 'Matia mou'

Playboy - Ann Christine

'Playboy' was Finland's song in the Eurovision Song Contest 1966. The candidates for the Finnish qualifier were selected from an open competition, to which about 200 compositions were received. Playboy's composer Ossi Runne had just been chosen to succeed George De Godzinsky as the conductor of Yleisradio, but in the Finnish qualifier on 22 January 1966, Godzinsky was still conducting the orchestra. The qualifying vote was in two stages and the top three from the first round advanced to the second round. The 12-member jury scored Playboy by far the best and 21-year-old Ann-Christine Nyström was able to go to the international competition. 

Shortly before going on stage, Ann-Christine became worried and asked Ossi: "What if I forget the lyrics?", to which Ossi replied comfortingly: "Don't worry, no one understands them". Finland's seven points were enough for tenth place.

I was actually holding out for a copy with a picture sleeve, until the friendly seller told me that the Finnish version of the song was never released in a picture sleeve at all! This copy remains the only Finnish recording of the single and even though the center has been dinked, I am very happy to have this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 7645
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Playboy' (Ann Christine) / 'Peini sana' (Danny)

Auf Wiederseh'n in Monaco - Caline & Olivier Toussaint

'Les jardins de Monaco' was the Eurovision entry for Monaco in 1978. The song was performed by Caline and Olivier Toussaint, and their song was quite successful: it finished in fourth place.

There was enough reason to think that other countries would be interested in the song, and so the duo also recorded it in German. The lyrics were translated by Wolfgang Mürmann, a successful German composer, writer and producer who worked with many German and foreign artists during his lifetime.

My collection: 7" single no. 7644
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Auf Wiederseh'n in Monaco' / 'Alle die verliebt sind'

Hallo - Hallo - Lonnie Devantier

Lonnie Devantier was born on 28 November 1972. When she was just 17 years old, she represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hallo - Hallo'. The imaginative title was written by John Hatting, Torben Lendager and Keld Heick. Fortunately the music was catchy and uplifting, almost making up for that inane simplicity. The song finished in eighth place in a field of 22 competitors.

The single is a rare one: it wasn't released commercially and it didn't even come with a picture sleeve. Online you can find a copy of the single for almost 200 euro - fortunately I found my copy for a lot less.
Lonnie continued her music career with one album (Nu' det min tur) in 1991, and then turned her attention to other things. She came back in 2008 as Lonnie Kjer.

My collection: 7" single no. 7643
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Hallo - Hallo' / 'Hallo - Hallo'

Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne - Seyyal Taner & Grup Lokomotif

In 1987 Turkey participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne', written by Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz. The song was performed by Seyyal Taner & Grup Lokomotif. During their performance the conductor seemed to be in a hurry, because the orchestra played the song a lot quicker than it had to be. As a result, the performers had to jump around and try to keep up.

At the close of voting Turkey had received no points (or, as Eurovision fans refer to the phenomenon, nul points) placing Turkey last out of 22 entries. At the time this was the worst last placing for a country as it was the largest contest. This was also the third time Turkey came last in the contest and the second time they had received zero points. This is the final contest to date in which Turkey finished last. 

The single is a rare item and very hard to get these days. The disc is housed in a sort of envelope, because the back folds out in three ways.

My collection: 7" single no. 7642
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne' / 'Une mélodie'

Nous aurons demain - Franca di Rienzo

Franca di Rienzo got the honour to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961. Her song was 'Nous aurons demain', written by Géo Voumard and Émile Gardaz, the same team that created 'Refrain', the winning song of the first edition of the Contest.

This EP presents first and foremost Franca's version of the year's winning song 'Nous les amoureux'. Not that Franca did so bad: her own song finished in third place. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7641
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Nous les amoureux', 'Depuis qu'tu m'aimes' / 'Nous aurons demain', 'Lettre a Pinocchio'

Greif' nicht nach den Sternen - Family Four

With 'Vita vidder' Family Four represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971. They were reasonably successful, reaching sixth place on the scoreboard.

And so, they decided to record a German version of their song as well. 'Greif' nicht nach den Sternen' was written by Catrin Toisy. The song was released with a colourful sleeve and another German song on the B-side. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7639
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Greif' nicht nach den Sternen' / 'Liebeslied'

Kun kello käy - Kristina Hautala

'Kun kello käy' was the Finnish entry for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest in London, performed by Kristina Hautala. It was composed by Esko Linnavalli and written by Juha Vainio. The song finished in joint last place with one point.

The 1968 Eurovision Song Contest was the first to be recorded in colour and was broadcast in colour in those countries where colour television had already been introduced. A completely new kind of attention was now paid to the performance outfits of each contestant, and Kristina Hautala's lime green mini dress already received a lot of attention in the Finnish press in advance. Unfortunately the bad placing for the song meant that the typical Finns' "from great hopes to great disappointment" attitude towards Eurovision began that year.

In 1970 Hautala left her longtime label Scandia and debuted on EMI-Columbia with 'Kop kop, ken lie?', a Finnish cover of 'Knock, Knock Who's There?', which proved to be her last evident release as a career recording artist. In 1972 she returned to her native Stockholm to attend university, subsequently working as a psychologist and art therapist. She making a one-off return to singing in 2003 with the album Hetki tää, a collaboration with the Matti Viita-aho Group. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7638
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Kun kello käy' / 'Kielletyt käskyt'

Intet er nytt under solen - Åse Kleveland

Åse Kleveland was born on 18 March 1949 in Stockholm (Sweden). She began playing classical guitar at eight; at 10 she debuted in a radio show. In 1965 she released her debut album. With her second album in 1966 she was one of the pioneers ushering in the new vispop genre, a blend of traditional folk song and pop.

That same year she represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Intet er nytt under solen', a short, jazzy folksong that finished in third place. She broke a tradition expected of female performers at the time in that she was the first woman to not wear a dress, choosing a pantsuit instead. Twenty years later she hosted the event, when it was held in Bergen (Norway). 

My collection: 7" single no. 7637
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Intet er nytt under solen' / 'Gi meg fri'

Im Wartesaal zum grossen Glück - Walter Andreas Schwarz

Back in 1956, the first ever Eurovision Song Contest was organized. The Germans had two singers representing the country, the first of them was Walter Andreas Schwarz, who performed the fourth song of the evening: 'Im Wartesaal zum grossen Glück'. 

Something I never knew what that Schwarz, who wrote the song himself, survived a concentration camp during World War II during his twenties. Both of his parents perished, but he managed to stay alive. The lyrics of his song contain autobiographical allusions, for example the reference to the enforced suppression of the Nazi era in Germany: 'Und man baute am Kai der Vergangenheit / Einen Saal mit Blick auf das Meer / Und mit Wänden aus Träumen gegen die Wirklichkeit / Denn die liebte man nicht sehr' ('And they built on the quay of the past / A room with a view of the sea / And with walls made of dreams to combat reality / Because they didn't like it much.'). The key message of his song was the advice not to cling to the past or hope for a better future, but to live better in the here and now and accept things as they are. And they say that Eurovision songs are always superficial!

This single is a re-release from 1979. Quite why this song was re-released 23 years after its original release is a mystery to me. But this is a lovely copy.

My collection: 7" single no. 7636
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Im Wartesaal zum grossen Glück' / 'Für 300 Francs'

Sol och vår - Inger Berggren

Another EP I bought this weekend was Inger Berggren's 'Sol och vår'. I bought 'Sol och vår' just over three years ago, but that was the regular single with a black and white sleeve. 

This EP features two extra tracks and a colourful picture sleeve. The song was Sweden's 1962 entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, which means that this EP was released 63 years ago. Hard to believe when you see the state of this item. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7633
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Sol och vår', 'Mamma, vad det är kul med twist' / 'Och flickan spann...', 'Du svek mej!'

Oui oui oui oui - Jean Philippe

Back in 2017 I bought this unsightly 7" single without a picture sleeve of Jean Philippe's 'Oui oui oui oui', assuming that it wouldn't be easy to get a better copy. But patience pays off, as this blog has proven so many times: this weekend I found a better copy, and not only that: it features four tracks instead of two. 

'Oui oui oui oui' was, of course, France's 1959 Eurovision entry. The song was covered many times by other artists, including a very successful version by Sacha Distel.

My collection: 7" single no. 7631
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 April 2025
Tracks: 'Oui oui oui oui', 'Dis-lui que je l'aime' / 'Ce serait dommage', 'J'ai mis notre amour au monde'

C'est la vie - Claude

Although the Eurovision Song Contest gives me a right amount of pleasure, that pleasure doesn't often come from the Netherlands. Fortunately we've had the absolute worst last year, so things could only get better. I'm talking about the quality of the songs, of course, not even about all the madness that a certain Dutch artist caused during the event.

This year the Netherlands come up with a song that is normal again. It's not outstanding or especially moving, but at least it is a song. The single was released well in advance, and it is pressed on yellow vinyl too. Let's see what Claude can do next month!

My collection: 7" single no. 7030
Found: Official website, received 11 April 2025
Tracks: 'C'est la vie' / 'C'est la vie (instrumental)'

Strobe lights - Red Sebastian

The Eurovision Song Contest is still almost a month away, but the first vinyl single is already here. It's Belgium's Red Sebastian with the song 'Strobe lights'. And I'm using the term 'song' lightly, because it's mostly beats and a high-pitched voice. The comparison to last century's Eurovision songs isn't always very favourable, but I do think that people who are into dance music will like this one. 

As for me, I'll continue to collect Eurovision singles, especially when they are, like this one, pressed on red vinyl. It is a beauty. I'm not sure whether Red Sebastian will make the final. But we'll have to wait and see.

My collection: 7" single no. 7629
Found: Official website, 9 April 2025
Tracks: 'Strobe lights' / 'Strobe lights (extended mix)'