We don't talk anymore - Cliff Richard

Alan Tarney wrote 'We don't talk anymore' in 1979, planning to use it on an album with the Tarney/Spencer Band. However, Tarney played a demo of the song to Bruce Welch during a break in recording sessions for Where to Now by Charlie Dore (which the two were producing). Welch instantly knew it was going to be a hit and phoned up Richard's manager Peter Gormley, as he believed "there was only one person who could record it — Cliff Richard". It was then quickly recorded in May 1979.

It was released as a stop-gap single between his albums Green Light and Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile. However, it wasn't meant to be included on Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile, as Cliff Richard didn't think it was appropriate for "an energy packed album of progressive rock 'n' roll". However, his record label EMI were insistent on including it after it became a massive hit and Richard reluctantly conceded. 

Funnily enough, two different versions of the single's sleeve exist. The 'blue' one was released in the Netherlands, whereas the 'red' one was released in Germany and adds the 'No. 1 hit Engeland' logo (although a version without it also exists). I decided to buy both.

My collection: 7" single no. 8377 & 8378
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'We don't talk anymore' / 'Count me out'

 

Star - Earth, Wind & Fire

'Star' was a single taken from Earth Wind & Fire's 1979 studio album I Am. The song was written by Maurice White, Allee Willis and Eduardo Del Barrio. The single reached number 64 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

Back in 1979, when this single was released, Earth Wind & Fire were the biggest they'd ever been. They were featured on television so regularly that I got sick of the band. Fortunately their music proves to be almost timeless. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8374
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Star' / 'You and I' 

This is my life - Shirley Bassey

I already bought 'This is my life' in 2010, but I didn't buy this single for that song. I didn't buy it for the tittillating cover either. The B-side of this single is 'Anyone who had a heart', a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick in 1963. In the UK, it was executed to perfection by Cilla Black. But Shirley Bassey does a fine version of this song too, even if it is hidden on a B-side. 

An amusing list of big names performing the song is found on the "Anyone Who Had a Heart" Olympics. It's amusing because the writer writes off a lot of the versions - even the good ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 8373
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'This is my life' / 'Anyone who had a heart'

Rivers of Babylon / Sunny - Boney M

I bought the 'Original Double Hit' single featuring 'Ma Baker' and 'Baby do you wanna bump' three years ago, and found myself pleasantly surprised when I found this one recently. It features a photograph from Boney M's Love For Sale album and two other big hits from the group: 'Rivers of Babylon' and 'Sunny'.

It's not an essential purchase by any means, but as one great philosopher once said: 'Gotta catch 'em all'. And so I did. As far as I know, no other 'Original Double Hit' single by Boney M exists.

My collection: 7" single no. 8372
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Rivers of Babylon' / 'Sunny' 

Sweet Lui-Louise - Ironhorse

I heard 'Sweet Lui-Louise' on the radio recently and when I heard it, I thought it was a track by Bachman Turner Overdrive, because of the similarities with 'You ain't seen nothing yet'. I was not wrong: the Canadian band Ironhorse was founded by Randy Bachman, who left BTO in May 1977. Together with Tom Sparks (vocals, guitars), John Pierce (bass), and Mike Baird (drums) he recorded an album, also titled Ironhorse.

'Sweet Lui-Louise' was released as a single and reached number 36 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 60 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 8371
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Sweet Lui-Louise' / 'Watch me fly' 

Amateur hour - Sparks

After the Sparks enjoyed international success with 'This town ain't big enough for both of us', they released 'Amateur hour' as the second single from their album Kimono My House. The single peaked at number 7 in the UK singles chart and made it into the German and Irish charts as well. Despite a rousing performance in the Dutch TV show Toppop, the single didn't make it into the Dutch Top 40. 

In 1997 they made a new recording of the track for their 17th album Plagiarism. This new version was given a complete electronic synth-pop overhaul and was performed with Erasure.

My collection: 7" single no. 8370
Found: Parkstad Record Shop, Kerkrade, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'Amateur hour' / 'Lost and found'

 

To be reborn - Boy George

After Culture Club fell apart, Boy George, having recovered from a drug addiction, released his first solo album Sold in June 1987. The first single, 'Everything I own' became a big hit (a number one hit in the UK), three more singles were released off the album. 'To be reborn' was the last. 

A limited edition of the single was released in a gatefold sleeve with a booklet, featuring several photographs of the singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 8369
Found: Didi's Record Shop, Heerlen, 29 July 2026
Tracks: 'To be reborn' / 'Where are you now?'