The Communards released 'So cold the night' in 1986 as a track from their self-titled album from the same year. The 12" single featured a nine minute extended version of the track. It drags out a bit but it is never boring.
The B-side 'When the walls come tumbling down' was dedicated to Nelson Mandela, who at the time was still imprisoned in South Africa.
My collection: 12" single no. 373 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'So cold the night (extended)' / 'When the walls come tumbling down', 'Never no more'
The second single from Black's 1991 self-titled album was the beautiful 'Here it comes again'. It features backing vocals from Colin Vearncombe's wife Camilla Griehsel, who used to be a singer in the Norwegian band One 2 Many.
It was the last single by Black to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 70 in the summer of 1991.
My collection: 7" single no. 1693 Found: London, 1991 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Here it comes again' / 'Every waking hour'
In a way, the single 'De wereld' ('The world') was a charity singles. All the proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn't be a very big gesture, as in the end the single did not chart. All the band could give the WWF was 2500 guilders - which in itself is a nice sum, but not too shocking.
The B-side of this single was a new song, 'Holland is vrij' ('Holland is free'). It's a cynical commentary on the release of 'The two from Breda', two war criminals who were released on account of the fact that they were, according to the minister of justice, 'very old'. Boeijen sketches the image of an old woman who is still suffering from the crimes by these people every night. In a way, Holland is only a free country for those who commit crimes against humanity. It was not a pretty picture, but good enough to be re-recorded and included on the band's next album.
My collection: 7" single no. 750 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'De wereld' / 'Holland is vrij'
The song 'Afscheid van een vriend' ('Goodbye to a friend') was released as the fifth and last single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. According to Koen Wauters from the band, the song was about a friend of him. 'He had an illness, but instead of taking it a bit easier, he was getting more and more out of hand. I imagined him dead. I imagined burying him and wrote the song about that.'
The single reached number 12 in the Belgian singles chart. After this, it became an often requested song during funerals in Belgium.
My collection: 7" single no. 2068 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Afscheid van een vriend' / 'Een huis vol liefde'
'I can't say goodbye' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in the UK. It featured backing vocals by Jaki Graham. The album version was remixed for the single release, and the 7" single featured an edited version of this remix, whereas the 12" single featured the full length version of the remix. The B-side of the single was a megamix of Kim Wilde hits 'You came', 'You keep me hangin' on', 'The second time' and 'Can't get enough (of your love)'.
The single was released as a limited edition pack containing a poster, a Christmas postcard (well, it was that time of the year) and of course the single. 'I can't say goodbye' reached number 51 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1400 Found: 1990 Cost: ? Tracks: 'I can't say goodbye (edit)' / 'Sanjazz megamix (edit)'
'The big sky' was one of the tracks on Kate Bush's 1985 album 'Hounds of love'. The song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as spending the afternoon looking at the sky, watching the clouds take on shapes. It's probably the most uplifting, poppy song on the album.
When the song was released as a single in April 1986, a special single remix was made with an alternate intro. It reached number 15 in the Irish singles chart and number 37 in the UK singles chart.
'The big sky' was also the first Kate Bush single to be released as a picture disc. I wasn't aware of the release of this picture disc until years later. Such special items are notoriously expensive when the name Kate Bush is on it, but just when I had given up hope of finding this for a reasonable price, I found it. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.
My collection: 7" single no. 396 / no. 2948 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1986 / Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998 Cost: 6 guilders / 5 guilders Tracks: 'The big sky (special single mix)' / 'Not this time'
The band King were able to maintain a stylish image throughout their career. The sleeve designs, the music videos and even the songs had a certain glossy quality to them that attracted a faithful fanbase. This 12" single of 'Torture', their last single release, was released in a limited edition poster bag featuring a 1986 calendar with photographs of the band members.
All this to sell a set of tracks that were actually good as well: the extended version of 'Torture' is percussive and dynamic, whereas the extra B-side track 'These things' is recorded with piano and vocals only, creating a very intimate atmosphere.
My collection: 12" single no. 141 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Torture (PF extended mix)' / 'Groovin' with the Kings', 'These things (The reprise)'
The Communards released 'So cold the night' in 1986 as a track from their self-titled album from the same year. The 12" single featured a nine minute extended version of the track. It drags out a bit but it is never boring.
