Is it a crime? - Sade

In 1985 and 1986, Sade's 'Is it a crime?' was one of my favourite songs of all time. Its intensity, the beauty of the melody, the subtle tones in the music and the dynamics of the song (from soft to loud and back) were a true revelation. A few years later, I would buy the cd of 'Promise' for this song alone - although the rest of the album was pretty beautiful too.

The 12" single didn't come into my collection after years of doubting. Sure, I loved the song, but Sade B-sides are not always that interesting - and this 12" featured two B-sides. Both tracks are instrumentals, performed by Sade's band. But without Sade Adu's voice, it's a lot less interesting. Even if the lyric is a bit bland, like on 'Is it a crime?'.

My collection: 12" single no. 293

Found: Record fair, Netherlands, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Is it a crime?', 'Wired' / 'Punch drunk'

Download: here

One more chance - Pet Shop Boys

In August 1983, music journalist Neil Tennant is sent to New York to interview The Police for his employer, Smash Hits magazine. While he is there, he decides to also have lunch with producer Bobby Orlando. Flattered by Neil's compliments about his hi energy music productions, Bobby O agrees to make a record with the Pet Shop Boys, the duo Neil has formed two years earlier with Chris Lowe. The first single they release together is an early version of 'West end girls'. This single is the follow-up: an early version of 'One more chance'. This version sounds a lot more mechanic and tinny than the version that would appear on their 1987 album 'Actually'.

I found this single, which is made in Sweden, in Denmark. It was very cheap for an item that can be considered a collector's item among Pet Shop Boys fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 3429

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'One more chance (remix)'

Download: here

Il veliero - The Chaplin Band

The Chaplin Band was founded in 1976 by the brothers Bartels in Maastricht, the Netherlands. They want to make disco music, and their first attempt is a success: the debut single 'Let's have a party', released in January 1977, reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Their second hit comes only five years later: 'Il veliero', a cover from a song originally performed by Italian singer Luigi Battisti.

The 12" single features a seven minute dance version. A twelve minute extended remix also seems to exist.

My collection: 12" single no. 36

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 7,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Il veliero (long dance version)' / 'Il veliero (radio version)', 'Gimme just a minute of your time'

Download: here

Let her go - Strawberry Switchblade

After Strawberry Switchblade had a hit with 'Since yesterday', the follow-up single 'Let her go' was released quickly. It couldn't compare to its success: it only reached number 59 in the UK singles chart, and didn't even chart in the Netherlands. And this despite the video being directed by Tim Pope and production duties performed by Phil Thornalley.


The B-side, 'Beautiful end', was recorded for a session on BBC Radio 1 in Janice Long's programme.

My collection: 7" single no. 2774
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 31, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Let her go' / 'Beautiful end'
Download: here

Family man - Fleetwood Mac

As much as I love 7" single box sets, some of them are pretty lame. Take for instance this one: it includes, besides the 7" single, two 'special prints'. The two illustrations on the prints by Susan Young and Christine Tongue are nice, but do they really warrant the manufacturing of a special box? Couldn't they just have put these two bits of paper into the sleeve of the single? These are just the questions that popped up in my head while I was doubting whether I would buy this item.

'Family man' was the fourth out of six singles drawn from the 1987 Fleetwood Mac album 'Tango in the night'. It was a very modest hit for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 3463

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Family man' / 'You and I, part II'

Download: here

I can buy you - A Camp

The Cardigans were at the height of their popularity after singles like 'My favourite game' and 'Erase/rewind', when singer Nina Persson went off and started to work with Niclas Frisk to found A Camp. Their first single 'I can buy you' was released in the UK with a little success: peaking at number 46 in the singles chart.

Contrary to the aforementioned Cardigans singles, this single was released on vinyl and so I bought it when I was in London. I didn't play it very often, though...

My collection: 7" single no.

Found: HMV London, 2001

Cost: 2,5 pounds

Tracks: 'I can buy you' / 'Charlie Charlie'

Download: here

Wired for sound - Cliff Richard

I don't think 'Wired for sound' is regarded as one of Cliff Richard's best singles ever. The lyrics are a bit naff ('I like small speakers / I like tall speakers / If they've music / they're wired for sound') and the music is not revolutionary. After all, it must have been the umpteenth single produced by Alan Tarney. Still, it's a nice little song, and that's why I have it.

Cliff Richard is of course one of Britain's living pop legends. These days he's mainly recording Christmas singles - although he quit doing that as well recently I think - and he's still the tall, dark bachelor - although at 68 he isn't really attracting screaming young girls anymore I think.

My collection: 7" single no. 3479

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Wired for sound' / 'Hold on'

Download: here