La novia / Al di la - Tony Dallara

I already owned one cover version of 'Al di la' by Emilio Pericoli, and here's another one, also in a Japanese sleeve: Tony Dallara recorded his version on the B-side of the single 'La novia'. 

Dallara was born as Antonio Lardera on 30 June 1936. After working as barman and clerk, he began his musical career in the band Rocky Mountains; his singing style was inspired, in particular, by American singers such as Frankie Laine and Tony Williams. In 1957, he signed a contract as singer with the Italian label Music, where he was working as delivery man. His first single 'Come prima' was published in December 1957 and sold 300,000 copies, becoming the biggest selling single in Italy up to that point. 'La novia' was released in 1963, two years after Betty Curtis represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Al di la'.  

My collection: 7" single no. 6739
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'La novia' / 'Al di la'

Some day - Tommy Nilsson

I've always been rather fond of Sweden's 1989 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, 'En dag', performed by Tommy Nilsson. There's something about the powerful vocals, the repetitive chorus and the hopeful lyrics that drew me to this song - and it still does.

When I found out there was a 12" version of the song - I think about a year ago - I put it on my wantlist, but it was quite difficult to get hold of a copy, due to the rather extreme postage rates and the prices some online dealers dare to ask for it. After all, it's just a 12" single in a black generic sleeve. I finally found a cheap copy with cheap postage from a dealer in... Lithuania! Sometimes good things come from far away.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, 1 July 2022
Cost: $5
Tracks: 'Some day [12" version]' / 'En dag', 'Some day'

Nocturne / Un jour, un enfant - Paul Mauriat

Although this single does not specify a year of release, it is safe to assume that Paul Mauriat released this in 1969, when Frida Boccara was one of the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Un jour, un enfant'. Like the previous year, Mauriat delivered an instrumental version of a Eurovision song with his orchestra, although this time it was actually a winning song. 

Curiously though, this single features the self-composed track 'Nocturne' on the A-side. Perhaps Mauriat felt that he couldn't make a worldwide hit of his version, like he did with 'L'amour est bleu' in 1968.

My collection: 7" single no. 6737
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Nocturne' / 'Un jour, un enfant'

Valentine's day - ABC

I always thought that ABC's album 'Lexicon of love' spawned four singles, but it turns out that another song was released as a single - in Japan. 'Valentine's day' is certainly a track worthy of a single release, even if this didn't happen in the rest of the world.

The B-side features 'part 3' of 'The look of love', one of the other singles from the same album. Parts 1 and 2 can be found on the single of 'The look of love', whereas part 4 appears on the album. And then there is of course the remix version, originally released in the USA, which is often called part 5. You will find that one on the limited edition double single package of 'Be near me'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6735
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Valentine's day' / 'The look of love (part 3)'

Slipping through my fingers - Abba

One of the tracks on Abba's 1981 album 'The Visitors' was 'Slipping through my fingers'. It was never released as a single - except in Japan, where it was released as a 'Coca Cola super record'. According to the blurb on the back of this sleeve (in Japanese), the song was recorded "just for you", which of course wasn't entirely true.

The record is actually a picture disc, featuring a photograph of the band complete with signatures on one side (without any music on that side) and a red playable side with the Coca-Cola logo on it. After looking for this item for some time, I am glad to finally own this particular single.

My collection: 7" single no. 6732
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 June 2022
Cost: $10
Tracks: 'Slipping through my fingers'

Napoleon und Josephine - Kirsti

Kirsti Sparboe represented Denmark at the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest with the song with the remarkable title 'Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli'. I was happy to find a copy just two months ago - and that was before I knew that she also recorded a German version!

This single, 'Napoleon und Josephine' presents that version on the B-side. On the sleeve it is announced as 'Oi, oi, oi', but she doesn't even sing these words. The song is actually called 'Eins, zwei, drei' and is translated by Kurt Hertha, a German songwriter and composer, who also added German lyrics to songs like 'Stupid Cupid' ('Sexie Hexy') and 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' ('Halt Das Känguruh Fest'). 

My collection: 7" single no. 6728
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 June 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Napoleon und Josephine' / 'Eins, zwei, drei'

Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor - Wencke Myhre

I could write a piece about 'Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor', but that is not the song that caused me to buy this single. More interesting is the B-side: 'Autostop', a cover version of the Greek entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980. The original version, performed by Anna Vissi, was never released as a single, although some demo copies were pressed and I recently saw a copy at a record fair... the dealer wanted €250 for it. That's crazy of course, and I wonder what kind of maniac pays that much for a single. 

But anyway, this single features a cover of the song with German lyrics provided by Werner Schüler and Bernd Meinunger. The Bernd Meinunger, I should add, because he, together with Ralph Siegel, actually wrote many songs that were performed on the Eurovision stage. And so this B-side becomes less of a weird instance, since both Meinunger and Myhre were Eurovision fans, so to speak.

My collection: 7" single no. 6729
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 June 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Die Nacht, in der ich mich verlor' / 'Autostop'