Dancing on a string - Time Bandits

Having bought a lot of Time Bandits singles lately, I was in doubt whether I would take home this one as I was sure I could find it cheaper someday. But in the end, I did and I'm glad I did: this is possibly one of the band's best tracks. 'Dancing on a string' has a great melody and is quite catchy too.

When released in October 1985, the single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. It was the first single from the album 'Fiction' that would be released a few weeks later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4882
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dancing on a string' / 'Dancing on a string (instrumental)'

He's the greatest dancer - Sister Sledge

Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, who produced the album 'We are family' for Sister Sledge originally formulated all its songs with the group in mind envisioning the title cut as the lead single. When the record company wanted a more overtly disco song Edwards and Rodgers gave Sister Sledge 'He's the greatest dancer', originally intended for their own band Chic.

Nile Rodgers recalled Sister Sledge being 'furious' at being asked to sing the lyric 'My crème de la crème please take me home': 'to them that made them seem like loose women' - and suggested a lyric adjustment to 'My crème de la crème, please don't go home.' Rodgers says he and Edwards refused to change the lyric 'because we knew the world that we were writing about obviously more than they did because they had never even been in a disco...He ain't going to go home because [he is] the greatest dancer...he's gonna stay there longer than you'.

When released as the first single from the album, it reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1979. The single also reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4881
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'He's the greatest dancer' / 'Somebody loves me'

Use it up and wear it out - Odyssey

Since I started listening to Kim Wilde's radio show 'Secret Songs' on Magic FM, I've rediscovered many tracks from the past. One of them is Odyssey's 'Use it up and wear it out', a song I thought was quite ridiculous when it was in the chart in 1980, because of the whistle.

Listening to it now, I have to conclude that the ridiculous whistle is part of the catchy appeal of this track. No wonder that it reached number 1 in the UK charts in the summer of 1980. In the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 4880
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Use it up and wear it out' / 'Don't tell me, tell her'

Back and forth - Cameo

Cameo were very popular in the mid-Eighties after they had a worldwide hit with 'Word up!', the title track of their 1986 album. Subsequent singles 'Candy' and 'Back and forth' were not as successful, but were still hits in some territories.

'Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 4879
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Back and forth' / 'You can have the world'

Knock on wood (remix) / Light my fire (remix) - Amii Stewart

Amii Stewart's career was slowly grinding to a halt when this remix double A side was released in 1985. Her biggest hits 'Knock on wood' and 'Light my fire' were remixed by Barry Leng and Alan Coulthard.

The single was a big success in the UK, where it reached number 7. And thus, the 'Top Hit UK' label on the sleeve of this German pressing is no lie. I don't know what position the single reached in Germany - but in the Netherlands it failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4878
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Knock on wood (remix)' / 'Light my fire (remix)'

Disco Bouzouki - Bouzouki Disco Band

The French producers Jean Kluger and Daniel Vangarde created the track 'Disco Bouzouki', roughly inspired by Greek music, in 1977. The Bouzouki Disco Band they called themselves, and the single became quite a hit in France. When released in other countries, it wasn't quite as successful - despite the rather attractive sleeve.

A few years later, Kluger and Vangarde were more successful when they produced the duo Ottawan, who hit the charts in 1980 and 1981 with hits like 'D.I.S.C.O.' and 'Hands up'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4877
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Disco Bouzouki' / 'Do re mi fa soul'

Light my fire - Amii Stewart

American disco singer Amii Stewart recorded a remarkable disco-flavoured cover version of the Doors' famous rock track 'Light my fire' in 1979. Her version was a commercial success, hitting number 5 in the UK singles chart.

The Doors track has been covered by many other tracks through the years. Acts like Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder, Shirley Bassey, Baccara, Massive Attack, Trini Lopez and UB40 have all had a shot at it - although nothing beats the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4876
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Light my fire' / 'Bring it on back to me'