Parlez-vous Français? - Baccara

Right, so this is where things start to become a little confusing. The Spanish duo Baccara competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978, representing Luxembourg, with a song called 'Parlez-vous Français?', which appears here in the English version. Confusingly, the title is still 'Parlez-vous Français?', although most of the lyric is in English - although it has to be said that the Spanish girls do not necessarily pronounce everything correctly.

During the contest they ended up in seventh place, partly thanks to full marks from Italy, Portugal and Spain. The song was a commercial success in most of Europe. Baccara competed for another appearance in Eurovision in 2004, when they appeared in the Swedish national finals. However, they lost out to local star Lena Philipsson.

My collection: 7" single no. 5638
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Parlez-vous Français?' [english version] / 'You and me'

Behind a painted smile - Isley Brothers

'Behind a painted smile' is a song written by Ivy Jo Hunter and Beatrice Verdi.

It was recorded in 1967 by The Isley Brothers appearing on their album 'Soul on the rocks' and released as a single that reached number five in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

Dutch singer Mathilde Santing released a cover version of the song in 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 5422
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Behind a painted smile' / 'One too many heartaches'

You can count on me - Luv Bug

Luv Bug formed in late 1982 and consisted of sister and brothers June (lead vocals), Hugh (bass) and Max (guitar) Cunningham along with Ricky Meyler (vocals and keyboards) and Majella Grant (drums). They became successful as a live act throughout Ireland and released their first single 'Red Light Spells Danger' in 1984. The song was a cover of the Billy Ocean track and was followed up by a string of their own compositions, many of which became hits on the Irish Charts.

In 1986, they represented Ireland during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'You can count on me'. They ended up in fourth place. The group continued successfully, releasing their first album a year later. In 1988 they signed a recording deal with Virgin Records in the UK with two single releases under a different name, Heart of Ice. By the end of the decade the group had toured Europe and had completed some recording work in Los Angeles. Luv Bug still continue today as a four-piece, performing live mainly in Ireland. Their set list is made up of cover versions, with none of their own songs included.

My collection: 7" single no. 5633
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'You can count on me' / 'You can't have it'

I love the nightlife (Disco 'round) - Alicia Bridges

The original single of Alicia Bridges' I love the nightlife was featured on this blog a few months ago, but I also own a copy of a remix of this track. It was released in 1994, after having been used in the movie 'The adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the desert'. The music video that accompanied this release featured Hugo Weaving, star of the movie.

The original track was a disco classic, and these remixes are less memorable. Typical Nineties fare, I would say, as many remixes from that decade have unfortunately turned out to be rather forgettable.

My collection: 7" single no. 5469
Found: HMV, London
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I love the nightlife (Real Rapino 7" mix)' / 'I love the nightlife (Phillip Damien 7" mix)'

The show must go on - Queen

'The show must go on' was released as the third single from Queen's 1991 album 'Innuendo'. It was written mainly by Brian May. It chronicles the effort of Freddie Mercury continuing to perform despite approaching the end of his life; he was dying from complications due to AIDS, although his illness had not yet been made public in spite of ongoing media speculation claiming that he was seriously ill. Mercury was so ill, and could barely walk, when the band recorded the song in 1990, that May had concerns as to whether he was physically capable of singing it. Recalling Mercury's performance, May states; "he went in and killed it, completely lacerated that vocal".

It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 14 October 1991 in promotion for the Greatest Hits II album, just six weeks before Mercury died. Following Mercury's death on 24 November 1991, the song re-entered the British charts and spent as many weeks in the top 75 (five) as it did upon its original release, initially reaching a peak of 16. By now, it is truly obvious that 'the show must go on', as Queen have just released another greatest hits album featuring a few 'new' tracks, recorded before Mercury's death, including a duet with another dead legend, Michael Jackson.

My collection:  7" single no. 5443
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'The show must go on' / 'Keep yourself alive'

Sing sang song - Les Humphries Singers

'Sing Sang Song' was the German entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in German by the Les Humphries Singers. The Les Humphries Singers had had a series of hits Continental Europe and Scandinavia in the early Seventies, most notably 'Mexico' (1972) and 'Mama Loo' (1973). The group's usual line-ups consisted of 20 performers and up from all over the world. For their performance in Eurovision they were however reduced to six singers; two female and four male.

Their Eurovision song was composed by Eurovision veteran Ralph Siegel, who had made his debut in the 1974 Contest when he wrote Ireen Sheer's 'Bye Bye I Love You', representing Luxembourg, this was however his first entry for his native Germany. The song received 12 points, placing 15th in a field of 18 competitors. In late 1976 the group disbanded.

My collection: 7" single no. 5640
Found:  Fun Records, Berlin, received August 29, 2014
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sing sang song' / 'Slow down'

Islands in the stream - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

A duet between two country singers, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers serves as the very definition of 'uncool' these days. But still, in some quarters, both these people are still revered as legends. Dolly Parton rocked Glastonbury earlier this year, and Kenny Rogers is still regularly touring the USA and Canada to sold out theatres. Apparently, he's also the owner of his own chain of chicken-based restaurants called Kenny Rogers Roasters (in California and, rather amazingly, Asia).

'Islands in the stream' was written by the Bee Gees, and reached number 1 in the USA, Canada and Australia. Rogers and Parton went on to record a Christmas album together, and had an additional hit with their 1985 duet 'Real Love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5463
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Islands in the stream' / 'Midsummer nights'