Love is the drug - Grace Jones

'Love is the drug' was originally recorded by Roxy Music and released in September 1975. Grace Jones recorded the song for her fourth studio album Warm Leatherette (1980). The track was released as the second single, following 'A Rolling Stone' in the UK, while it was the first single to be released in Germany. 

Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music has since spoken positively of Jones' version, commenting, "I really liked Grace Jones's 'Love Is the Drug' cover, produced by the great Alex Sadkin – she gave it such attitude."

My collection: 7" single no. 7422
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Love is the drug' / 'Sinning'

I feel free - Belinda Carlisle

'I feel free' was originally recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. In 1987, American singer Belinda Carlisle recorded the song for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). The recording was produced by Rick Nowels. It was the fourth single released from the album, released in the USA only. It peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

Belinda Carlisle singles from the Eighties are usually attractive because of their picture sleeves, and this one is not an exception. The song's nice too, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 7421
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'I feel free' / 'Should I let you in?'

We got the beat - Go-Go's

Originally this picture disc came in a transparent sleeve with a sticker, but the sticker is gone and now all I have is the picture disc. It's a beautiful picture disc and it features two songs by the Go-Go's: 'We got the beat' and 'Our lips are sealed'. I already owned the latter, of course, but I couldn't leave this picture disc behind  

'We got the beat' was originally released in 1980 on Stiff Records, but it was re-recorded for their debut album Beauty and the Beat on I.R.S. Records. It became the Go-Go's biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' 'I love Rock 'n Roll'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7420
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'We got the beat' / 'Our lips are sealed'

Ecstacy (Apple of my eye) - Strawberry Switchblade

A long time ago I discovered that the only album by Strawberry Switchblade - featuring the singles 'Since yesterday', 'Let her go' and most of all 'Who knows what love is' - is actually a perfect pop album. When I bought the CD, a Japanese pressing, it came with a lot of bonus tracks.

One of those bonus tracks is 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)', a track recorded, most probably, for the Japanese market. Judging from the sleeve of this single it was made for a commercial of a Subaru car. Music for commercials was a common practice in Japan. I don't know if it was a hit; I do know that I was pleased and surprised to find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7419
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Ecstacy (Apple of my eye)' / 'Being cold'

S.O.S. - Abba

The Swedish supergroup Abba is back on this blog, with a Japanese single no less. This is an interesting one, because it couples 'S.O.S' with 'I do, I do, I do, I do', two songs that were released as individual singles in other territories.

The attractive thing about Japanese singles is the impeccable quality and, more often than not, unique sleeves. This particular sleeve features a group photo that I've never seen on any other Abba single release. And so, a very nice rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 7418
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'S.O.S.' / 'I do, I do, I do, I do, I do'

Tom Pillibi - Jean Leccia

Jean Hubert Leccia (19 February 1938 – 10 January 2023), known in the United States as Jean Lexia, was a French composer, conductor, singer, and pianist. Leccia was active in various musical genres, such as pop, jazz, ballet, electronic, and classical. He collaborated with many artists, including Charles Aznavour, Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Line Renaud. He was also the composer of several film scores and television series, such as the soap opera Les Saintes Chéries. 

This EP features his version of 'Tom Pillibi'. It's yet another cover version of the winning song from the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. There's also a cover version of 'Ce soir la', the entry from Monaco that same year.

My collection: 7" single no. 7416
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Partir un matin', 'Tom Pillibi' / 'L'amour qui fait chanter', 'Ce soir la'

Se piangi, se ridi - Les Christy Minstrels

Seven boys and two girls formed the Christy Minstrels. They were a very productive group, having released many albums and EP's during their career. 

An interesting one (for me at least) is this one, featuring a cover version of 'Se piangi, se ridi', the song with which Bobby Solo won the San Remo festival in 1965. Quite why the Minstrels called themselves the winners of San Remo on the sleeve of this EP is beyond me - probably there were multiple winners or they are referring to the song. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7415
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Se piangi, se ridi', 'La colline sono in fiore' / 'Mighty Mississippi', 'Casey Jones'