Give - Missing Persons

Missing Persons was founded by Warren Cuccurullo, Dale Bozzio and Terry Bozzio. They recruited Patrick O'Hearn and Chuck Wild. After releasing an EP and a debut album, the album 'Rhyme & Reason' came out in 1984. After the success of their debut album, this album sold less well.

'Give' was the second single drawn from the album, and the striking video for it helped it make number 67 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It didn't chart in Europe, although the video was shown there on a regular basis as well. That's how I noticed this song - and eventually got to buy it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1493

Found: Van der Horst, Den Haag, July 18, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Give' / 'Clandestine people'

Download: Album 'Rhyme & Reason', including both tracks

Sol - Nova

'Sol' was the second single released by the instrumental synthpop band Nova. Expectations were high, since 'Aurora' made number one in the Dutch Top 40. By comparison, 'Sol' did less well, but it still made a very respectable number 20 in the summer of 1982.

It was the only Nova single I bought that year, since 'Aurora' had been played to death on the radio and I really didn't need to hear it anymore. That said, I don't think I played 'Sol' very often...

My collection: 7" single no. 125

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Sol' / 'Ariane (The traveler)'

Download: Album 'Terranova', including both tracks

L'amour interdit - Gemini

Besides the Swedish group Gemini, there is also a Belgian one. A quite different one, too. It is obvious from this sleeve, but when you listen to the music, you notice another difference: this is not serious pop music, but a track styled after other novelty records like 'Je t'aime... moi non plus' by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. In other words: lots of groaning and moaning.

My collection: 7" single no. 3561

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'L'amour interdit' / 'I miss you so'

Download: here

Have mercy - Gemini

Gemini consists of Karin and Anders Glenmark. They debuted in 1985 with a self-titled album, which included their only international hit, 'Just like that'. 'Have mercy' was the follow-up single in Europe, but it flopped. Just like all the other songs on their debut album, 'Have mercy' was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, from Abba. Which just goes to show that even that didn't guarantee success in the eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 3560

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Have mercy' / 'Too much love is wasted'

Download: Album 'Gemini', including both tracks

La luna - Nova

After 'Aurora' and 'Sol' had become chart hits, CNR Records released a third single from Nova's debut album 'Terranova', 'La luna'. Despite the fact that it was another beautiful instrumental synthpop tune, the audience had had enough: the single didn't chart at all.

It didn't mean that Nova quit: another album, 'Qua vadis' would be released, and for Veronica television they would compose a soundtrack. But the commercial success was over for good.

My collection: 7" single no. 3555

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'La luna' / 'Terra'

Download: Album 'Terranova', including both tracks

Clean clean - The Buggles

'Clean clean' is the third single to be taken from the Buggles debut album 'The age of plastic'. Backed by the non-album track 'Technopop', the single reached number 38 in the UK singles chart, but fared less well in other territories.

Owning all the other Buggles singles by now, 'Clean clean' was the last one missing from my collection. It's always nice to complete a part of your collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3559

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Clean clean' / 'Technopop'

Download: here

Lady Lady - Bravo

The Spanish group Bravo consisted of Amaya Saizar, Luis Villar, Yolanda Hoyos and Esteban Santas. They represented Spain in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Luxemburg. Their song 'Lady Lady' finished third in the contest, behind the Swedish winners The Herrey's ('Diggi loo diggi ley') and Linda Martin from Ireland ('Terminal 3').

The track was released as a single in various European countries, including the Netherlands, where it hovered just outside the Dutch Top 40 for a couple of weeks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3558

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Lady Lady' / 'Dime por que'

Download: here