When Smokey sings - ABC

'When Smokey sings' was released in 1987 as the comeback single of ABC. Their last album release, 'How to be a zillionaire', had been less successful and the new album 'Alphabet City' was seen as a return to form. The single was a tribute to Smokey Robinson and other soul singers from the Sixties.

Personally, I didn't like the song because the lyrics were way too specific to be able to identify with. Melodically I also thought the song was boring. The only reason for buying it now is to complete my collection of ABC singles. One thing makes this single worthwhile: the single version of 'When Smokey sings' is different from the album version!

My collection: 7" single no. 3643

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part one)'

True colours - Go west

Peter Cox (born November 17, 1955) and Richard Drummie (born March 20, 1959) formed Go west in 1982. Without a recording contract, they recorded 'We close our eyes' and 'Call me' themselves, with which they managed to persuade Chrysalis Records to sign them. These two songs were subsequently released as their first two singles. Both were very successful, starting a very promising career. Their debut album 'Go west' (1985) featured these and three more singles.

Their next album, 'Dancing on the couch' (1987) was introduced by this first single, 'True colours'. The limited edition double single featured previous single 'Call me' as a bonus. The single still only managed to peak at number 48 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3631

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'True colours' / 'XL 5' // 'Call me' / 'The man in my mirror'

Arabesque - Friday night

'Friday night' is the second single taken from Arabesque's debut album of the same name. This line-up did not feature Sandra Cretu yet; she joined the group a year later, in 1979. 'Friday night' is a pretty standard Seventies disco tune, charming in all its pretention-free simplicity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3662

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Friday night' / 'Someone is waiting for you'

Good tradition - Tanita Tikaram

'Good tradition' was Tanita Tikaram's debut single back in 1988. Written by Tikaram herself, the single originally didn't get much airplay. But in time, the single slowly climbed up the UK singles chart, until it finally reached number 10 after many weeks.

A few weeks before I went to the record fair in Utrecht this last weekend, I found a special edition of the single on eBay. It featured a black inner sleeve to fill up a hole in the outer front sleeve. I was interested in this item, but the postage costs made it an expensive buy. So I was obviously happy to find that same release for one euro only. Sometimes a record buyer is lucky.

My collection: 7" single no. 3633

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Good tradition' / 'Valentine heart'

Red rain - Peter Gabriel

'Red rain' was the third single released from Peter Gabriel's multimillionselling album 'So' (1987) . The song is a combination of several inspirations. The lyric directly reference a recurring dream Gabriel was having where he swam in his pool drinking cold red wine. According to the sleeve notes from the remastered version of 'So', it is also a reference to acid rain.

The single peaked at number 46 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it did considerably less well than the previous two singles 'Sledgehammer' and 'Don't give up' (the duet with Kate Bush).

My collection: 7" single no. 3629

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Red rain' / 'GA-GA I go swimming instrumental'

Cut me down (remix) - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1982. The band consisted of Lloyd Cole, Blair Cowan, Lawrence Donegan, Neil Clark and Stephen Irvine. Their debut album 'Rattlesnakes', released in 1984, was a commercial and critical success. When they released 'Easy pieces' a year later, they continued this success.

'Cut me down' was the third single from this second album. Released as a limited edition double pack, it included two live tracks from September 1985 ('Are you ready to be heartbroken?') and December 1984 ('Forest fire'). 'Cut me down' peaked at number 38 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3650

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Cut me down (remix)' / 'Are you ready to be heartbroken? (live)' // 'Perfect blue (Instrumental)' / 'Forest fire (live)'

Our house - Madness

Released in November 1982, 'Our house' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. The single was also a big success in America, where it peaked at number 7. The song subsequently won an Ivor Novello award for 'best song'.

I remembered the song most for its video, which depicted the band acting out the song's lyrics in an old mews. The song's lyrics mostly describe the daily activities in the house, with some of the band portraying the 'family'. The video cuts between scenes of the 'family', the band playing in a living room, and exterior shots of various other houses including Buckingham Palace.

My collection: 7" single no. 3635

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Our house' / 'Walking with mr. Wheeze'

Littlest things - Lily Allen

Lily Allen was born May 2, 1985 as the daughter of actor/musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. She debuted in 2006 with the single 'Smile' and the album 'Alright, still'. 'Littlest things' was the third single from that album, peaking at number 21 in the UK, which was the only country where this single was actually released.

The B-side, 'Everybody's changing' is a cover of the song by Keane, recorded live at BBC Radio 2 in Dermot O'Leary's show.

My collection: 7" single no. 3668

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 7 euro

Tracks: 'Littlest things' / 'Everybody's changing'

Un tout petit pantin - Sandie Shaw

Sandie Shaw represented the United Kingdom during the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967. With the song 'Puppet on a string' she managed to win the Contest, despite the fact that Shaw herself hated the song from beginning to end.

She recorded several versions of the song that year, amongst others in German, Spanish and this one, in French. The French EP features four songs in French, all of which were originally recorded in English. 'J'ai rêvé de lui' was originally 'Had a dream last night', 'Prends la vie du bon coté' was 'Tell the boys' and 'Tout est changé' was 'I don't think you want me anymore'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3640

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Un tout petit pantin', 'J'ai rêvé de lui' / 'Prends la vie du bon coté', 'Tout est changé'

We let the stars go - Prefab Sprout

'We let the stars go' was the second single taken from Prefab Sprout's 1990 album 'Jordan: the comeback'. The album was, like the single, produced by Thomas Dolby, and nominated for a Brit Award.

This single comes with a press release from Germany, which states: ''We let the stars go', mit der Prefab Sprout einmal mehr unter Beweis stellen, dass es nicht unbedingt immer der lauten Töne bedarf, um eine Erfahrung mitzuteilen'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3656

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'We let the stars go' / 'Cruel'

Me (Without you) - Andy Gibb

In 1980, Andy Gibb released 'Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits' to finalize his contract with RSO Records. The album contained two new songs: 'Time is time' and 'Me (Without you)'. Both were released as a single. 'Me (Without you)' was Andy Gibb's last Top 40 entry in the USA, although it only made number 40.

At the time, Andy Gibb had a relationship with Victoria Principal, with whom he recorded his last chart single in 1981, 'All I have to do is dream'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3655
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 0, 5 euro

Tracks: 'Me (Without you)' / 'Melody'

Churches - New Musik

This single by New Musik was released in France only. 'Churches' is a track from New Musik's second album 'Anywhere'. The photograph on this sleeve also appeared on an American album called 'Sanctuary', which collected tracks from New Musik's debut album 'From A to B' and 'Anywhere'.

'Churches' is one of the standout tracks from 'Anywhere'. I don't know if the single charted in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 3639

Found: 7" single no. 3639

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Churches' / 'They all run after the carving knife'

You thrill me - Exile

'You thrill me' was released as the follow-up single to Exile's worldwide hit 'Kiss you all over' in 1978. In America, the single reached the top 40 for one week only, making the 'Top-hit in USA' banner on this sleeve a tad overenthusiastic.

In Europe the single sunk without a trace. I bought this single because I saw it for the first time and I've always had a soft spot for Exile.

My collection: 7" single no. 3665

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'You thrill me' / 'Don't do it'

We all stand together - Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus

'We all stand together' was viewed by some as definite proof that Paul McCartney had lost his marbles. Beatles-haters pointed to this song as track to try to demonstrate the infantility of the entire Beatles catalogue. It is, of course, a novelty song, taken from the animated movie 'Rupert and the Frong Song'.

The 'Frog Chorus' backing on the song was provided by the King's Singers choral group and the choir of St Paul's Cathedral. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and number 12 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3623

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'We all stand together' / 'We all stand together (Humming version)'

Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) - Chagrin d'amour

Chagrin d’amour is a French pop duo, often hailed as the artists to record the first French hip hop album. In 1982, they released 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)', a single taken from their debut album of the same name. It was probably the first ever French rap single.

The single barely missed the Dutch Top 40 in 1982. I had vague memories of this song when I bought the single and was slightly disappointed: beside the catchy chorus, there isn't much else.

My collection: 7" single no. 3641

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)' / 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) (dub instrumental)'

The way you make me feel - Michael Jackson

With all the controversy always surrounding Michael Jackson, you'd almost forget the man is responsible for many catchy tunes throughout the years. And this is one of them. 'The way you make me feel' was the third single release from his 1987 album 'Bad'. It reached number 1 in the USA and Canada, number 3 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.

Jackson has released so many singles that I missed out on buying some of them. Lately I'm trying to fill the holes in my collection, and I'm hopeful I will have all of his singles from 'Off the wall' onwards soon.

My collection: 7" single no. 3651
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The way you make me feel' / 'The way you make me feel (instrumental)'

Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zuhaus) - Maggie MacNeal

Maggie MacNeal represented the Netherlands during the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Amsterdam'. It was the first Eurovision Song Contest I was allowed to see live. I had seen the 1978 and 1979 editions, but only on video since I was not allowed to stay up that late. But the 1980 edition, held in the Netherlands, was reason enough for my parents to relax the rules a little. The counting of the votes was very exciting: for a while, it seemed that the Netherlands would actually win the contest! In the end, 'Amsterdam' finished fifth and Ireland's Johnny Logan won.

Such was the international appeal of 'Amsterdam', that the record company decided to release alternative versions of the track. In Germany, the record-buying public was treated to 'Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zuhaus)' .

My collection: 7" single no. 3672

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 4 euro

Tracks: 'Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zu Haus)' / 'Amsterdam (Englische Originalversion)'

This is not a love song - PIL

Ex-Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten presented his new song 'This is not a love song' in the Netherlands' best music TV show Countdown in 1983. After the performance, the presented walked up to him and tried to start an interview with the remark: 'That's a nice lovesong'. Johnny simply replied with: 'Yeah', and walked away.

The single peaked at number 17 in the Netherlands and number 5 in the UK. I bought a three inch cd-single of the track at the end of the Eighties, but only now I have the 7" vinyl equivalent.

My collection: 7" single no. 3624

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'This is not a love song' / 'Public Image'

My male curiosity - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

This track was released as a single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Against all odds'. The title track, performed by Phil Collins, had already been a big hit, and it was hoped that this single would do similarly well. It didn't.

However, it was played regularly on the local radiostation I always listened to in 1984, and so it became engraved in my memory.

My collection: 7" single no. 3661

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'My male curiosity' (Kid Creole & the Coconuts) / 'Making a big mistake' (Mike Rutherford)

Good-bye bad times - Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

I've seen this single countless times over the years, but I never made the decision to buy it until now. Philip Oakey, frontman of the Human League, and producer Giorgio Moroder, had a big hit with 'Together in electric dreams' in 1984.

They got together again in 1985 to work on an album that was to be called 'Body beat', but finally was simply named after the performers. The record label had high expectatoins for the first single from the album, 'Good-bye bad times', but they did not come true. Both the single and the album flopped. This is still a nice popsong though.

My collection: 7" single no. 3653

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'Good-bye bad times' / 'Good-bye bad times (instrumental)'

L'amour toujours - Telex

The Belgian synthpop group Telex released their fourth album 'Wonderful world' in 1984. The single 'L'amour toujours', released a year later, was taken from this album. The single wasn't a commercial success for the band.

I didn't know this song when I bought it, I just assumed that it would be just as nice as the other Telex singles I have. And it is.

My collection: 7" single no. 3637

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'L'amour toujours' / 'I don't like music'

Bitakat hob - Samira

In 1980, Morocco competed in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first - and so far, only - time. It was the first time that the contest featured a song in Arabic, while the music also showed clear Arabic influences.

Samira Bensaïd, who was born on January 10, 1958 in Rabat, performed the song 'Bitakat hob' ('Message of love') as the fifth of 19 performers in the Contest, finished 18th. This low placing may have contributed to the withdrawal by Morocco from further Contests.

I bought this single for its rarity value - and was very happily surprised when it also contained an original press sheet inside!

My collection: 7" single no. 3674

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Bitakat hob' / 'Les enfants de l'amitié'

Lifeline - Spandau Ballet

Released in September 1982, 'Lifeline' became Spandau Ballet's fourth top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7. Produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, this track is a sign that the band were slowly moving away from their earlier, rougher work and taking a slightly more commercial-sounding approach.

This picture disc was a limited edition release, which probably helped the sales of the single in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3627

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Lifeline' / 'Live & let live'

Adventures in modern recording - The Buggles

I didn't know this single existed until I saw it mentioned on discogs.com recently. 'Adventures in modern recording' is the title track from the Buggles' second album, and it sums up the career of band member Trevor Horn pretty nicely. During and since the Buggles, he's always been on the forefront of modern recording and producing, creating the most fabulous albums out there.

This single, however, was not rewarded with chart success, just like the other singles taken from the album - as well as the album itself.

My collection: 7" single no. 3671

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Adventures in modern recording' / 'Blue nylon'

Rough justice - Bananarama

It's hard to tell from this image, but the sleeve of this single has a 3D postcard on the front. It's this kind of collectable issues that always draws me in. I had to buy 'Rough justice' anyway, because it's one of those tracks that take me right back to the year 1984, the year in which I avoided homework by watching music videos on television every day.

The socially conscious 'Rough justice' deals with social apathy towards children, poverty and starvation. The single peaked at number 23 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3670

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Rough justice' / 'Live now'

Friends - Shalamar

Jody Watley was one of the members of Shalamar, and she would go on to have solo success. One of her solo singles was called 'Friends', just like this single by Shalamar. As you might expect, they are two different songs.

Shalamar released 'Friends' in November 1982, and it peaked in at number 12 in the UK singles chart. Like much of their material, it's a very groovy, danceable song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3625

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Friends' / 'I just stopped by because I had to'

Love to stay - Altered Images

'Love to stay' was the third single from Altered Images' 1983 album 'Bite' and also their penultimate single. It was their first single since 1981's 'A day's wait' that didn't reach the UK top 40, halting at number 46. It is one of their more polished-sounding singles, thanks to Mike Chapman, who produced the track.

It has become my wish to collect all of Altered Images' singles. Six down, only four to go now...

My collection: 7" single no. 3659

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Love to stay' / 'Another lost look (recorded live)'

Shouldn't do that - Kaja

After all the international success as Kajagoogoo, first together with singer Limahl and then without him, the band found themselves reduced to a trio when Jez Strode left the band in 1985. The band was relaunched as Kaja in 1985.

The first single released by Kaja was 'Shouldn't do that', as a taster from the album 'Crazy people's right to speak'. It also featured on the soundtrack for 'Santa Claus: The Movie'. Still, this single peaked only at number 63 in the UK, and it signalled the end for the band in this line-up. Kajagoogoo has recently reformed and they are touring Europe and the UK again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3644

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'Shouldn't do that' / 'Charm of a gun'

Words of love - Sanci Bell

Corinne Hermes won the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Si la vie est cadeau'. That same year, the singer Sanci Bell recorded an English version of that song entitled 'Words of love'. It's hard to find any information on Sanci Bell, she didn't release much more than this one single, I have to assume.

And even this cover isn't a very pretty version. One has to wonder why a French singer has to record an English version of a French song anyway...

My collection: 7" single no. 3675

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 6 euro

Tracks: 'Words of love' / 'Si la vie est cadeau (Version Orchestrale)'

King Kong - Bobby Pickett and Peter Ferrara

At the height of the disco rage, novelty songs were all around. I described one of them on this blog: Rick Dees and his 'Disco Duck'. And this is another one: 'King Kong', a song about the movie gorilla of the same name.

Bobby Pickett had a hit in 1962 with another novelty song, 'Monster Mash', a number one hit in America. Pickett proceeded to make further novelty songs, such as 'Star Drek' (about the television series 'Star Trek') and this one. Based firmly on the story of the movie 'King Kong', Pickett and Ferrara perform the various voices on this track. The single was released in 1976, but didn't become a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 3658
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'King Kong' / 'Disco Kong'

Waiting for a star to fall - Boy meets girl

I heard this song for the first time last year, twenty years after its release. It appeared regularly on the show 'Secret songs', which is presented by Kim Wilde on Magic FM in the UK. Magic FM actually doesn't broadcast abroad, but a kind friend from the UK has been sending me a recording of every show for months now.

Boys Meets Girl consists of George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam. 'Waiting for a star to fall' was their most successful single, taken from their second album 'Reel life'. It peaked at number 9 in the UK and number 5 in the USA. The song was originally written by the duo for Whitney Houston, but she rejected it. Belinda Carlisle did record a demo of the song while she was recording her 'Heaven on earth' album, but it didn't make the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 3632
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Waiting for a star to fall' / 'No apologies'

Popcorn - Rod Hunter

I have no idea how many versions of Gershon and Kingsley's composition 'Popcorn' exist. Everytime I think I have found everything, a new single I've never heard of pops up. Check out yesterday's new find: it's Rod Hunter's version of 'Popcorn', released on the Decca label in 1972. I have no further information on it, just that it's another nice version of that old classic.

And it's great to add it to my collection, of course!

My collection: 7" single no. 3622

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Snoopy'

Juliet - Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb was not content just to be part of the Bee Gees, one of the most successful bands of all time. In 1983, he released a solo album. It was actually his second solo album, since 1970's 'Robin's Reign' was an early attempt at making it on his own. The 1983 album 'How old are you?' was a more successful attempt, since it yielded several hit singles.

'Juliet' was the first single taken from the album. It was a number one hit in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, peaking at number 2 in Austria and, by way of contrast, number 94 in the UK. Robin performed this song last December during the Night of the Proms concerts in Germany, and I took to the song instantly. I simply had to buy the single. I didn't know it was such an old song, though!

My collection: 7" single no. 3620
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Juliet' / 'Hearts on fire'

Take me don't break me - Arabesque

Arabesque was a German disco music group, founded in 1977. The trio consisted of Sandra Cretu, Jasmin Vetter and Michaela Rose. In 1984, Cretu would leave the group to pursue a solo career as Sandra, produced by Michael Cretu. This single is their fifth release, 'Take me don't break me' (1980). It barely made the German top 40 at the time.

I bought this single because I became interested in Sandra's pre-solo activities. I supposed she always made lightweight pop. This single delivers as promised.

My collection: 7" single no. 3664

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Take me don't break me' / 'Parties in a penthouse'

19 (German version) - Paul Hardcastle

In 1985, synth wizard Paul Hardcastle had a big hit with the sample-heavy '19'. The track contains stuttering samples of television narrator Peter Thomas speaking about Vietnam war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is a little-known fact that Hardcastle also made French and German versions of the track. This is the German version of '19', narrated by Werner Veigel. Just like in many other countries, '19' topped the chart in Germany, partly thanks to this version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3657

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: '19 (German version)' / 'Eat your heart out'

Beat the clock - Sparks

'This town ain't big enough for the both of us' was my favourite childhood song, but it was also the last hit by the Sparks as far as I knew. The chart book tells me they had another hit in 1974 with 'Amateur hour' and one in 1975 with 'Something for the girl with everything', but in 1979 the Sparks returned with 'Beat the clock'. It peaked at number 15. In the UK, it was the Sparks' first top 10 hit since 'Amateur hour'.

Listening to 'Beat the clock' you can tell that the band took on a very different sound at the end of the Seventies. The disco-influenced track with operatic vocals is, like much of the band's work, a one-off.

My collection: 7" single no. 3666

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Beat the clock' / 'Beat the clock (Alternative mix)'