Silent lucidity - Queensryche

'Silent lucidity' is a single by the American hardrock band Queensrÿche. It was released as the fifth single from their 1990 album 'Empire'. The track is an epic piece incorporating an orchestra and a compelling melody. Only hardrock bands are able to make ballads like this. The single peaked at number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 in the Dutch top 40. In the UK it did not chart, but when it was re-relased in 1992, it made number 18.

The original release of the single in the UK was supported by a single box set including five individual band member prints and two cutout cartons of the band logo.

My collection: 7" single no. 1497

Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, August 1, 1991

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Silent lucidity' / 'The mission (live)'

The blood that moves the body - A-ha

'The blood that moves the body' was released as the second single from A-ha's third album 'Stay on these roads' in June 1988. The enigmatic lyrics of this song have been attributed to many things, including teen suicides in Japan and literary references to 'eyes of a blue dog'. World sales reportedly amounted to 400,000 copies.

Personally I thought this was one of the weaker tracks on the album. It was re-released in March 1992 as a remixed version.

My collection: 7" single no. 648

Found: Free Record Shop, Leiden, August 19, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'The blood that moves the body' / 'There's never a forever thing'

Shakti (The meaning of within) - Monsoon

Shakti, from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that move through the entire universe. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism. On the earthly plane, Shakti most actively manifests through female embodiment and fertility.

So this, apparently, is what this song is about. The band Monsoon was never short of Indian influences in their music. The song itself is a good uptempo track, which unfortunately did not meet with much commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3786

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Shakti (The meaning of within)' / 'And I you'

Try jah love - Third world

The Jamaican reggae band Third world formed in 1973 when Michael "Ibo" Cooper and Stephen "Cat" Coore left Inner Circle to form their own band. They recruited Cornel Marshall, Irving "Carrot" Jarrett and singer "Prilly". When they released their second album '96° in the Shade' "Prilly" was replaced by "Bunny Rugs" Clarke and an all-new rhythm section: Ritchie Daleyand former Inner Circle drummer Willie Stewart.

Third World's greatest success came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, peaking with their cover version of The O'Jays' 'Now that we found love', a worldwide hit single in 1979. This song brought them to the attention of Stevie Wonder, who worked with them and co-wrote their next hit 'Try jah love'. The single peaked at number 3 in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 3777
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Try jah love' / 'Inna time like this'

Straight ahead - Nick Straker Band

'Straight ahead' was released as a single from the Nick Straker Band in 1982. It was completely unsuccessful, and I can honestly say I never heard this track anywhere. Buying this was a complete gamble. But it paid off: this is a very danceable and melodic track, vaguely reminiscent of earlier material, but also very different.

The track was remixed by François Kevorkian, the French DJ and remixer who is most famous for his work with Kraftwerk, Eurythmics and U2. He also mixed Depeche Mode's biggest-selling album 'Violator' as well as many of their 12" club remixes.

My collection: 7" single no. 3781

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Straight ahead' / 'Straight ahead (instrumental reprise)'

Listen to what the man said - Wings

'Listen to what the man said' was recorded in early 1975 by Wings during their New Orleans sessions for the album 'Venus and Mars'. The song featured new member Joe English on drums, with guest musicians Dave Mason on guitar and Tom Scott on soprano saxophone.

The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3778

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Listen to what the man said' / 'Love in song'

To France - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield enjoyed a commercial peak with his singles in the first half of the Eighties. He employed different singles to add vocals to his tracks, one of the most successful being 'Moonlight shadow' in 1983 with Maggie Reilly. He did a kind of reprise in 1984 with the single 'To France', also sung by Reilly.

The single was less successful in the UK, but in the Netherlands it peaked at number 3. Maggie Reilly reinterpreted the song in 1996 on her solo album 'Elena'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3783

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'To France' / 'In the pool (instrumental)'

Palm of my hand - Pale Fountains

After the success of 'Thank you', I can imagine that the Pale Fountains would have expected more success with the follow-up single 'Palm of my hand', released in 1983. It is a short, but effective song. However, the single was ignored by the record-buying public although it did get some radio exposure.

I didn't know this track at all but since I liked the other two singles by the band already featured on this blog, I decided to take the gamble. And once again, it paid off.

My collection: 7" single no. 3784

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Palm of my hand' / 'Love's a beautiful place'

Breakaway - Tracey Ullman

'Breakaway' is a song written by Jackie DeShannon and Sharon Sheeley. It was originally recorded by Irma Thomas in 1964 and released as the B-Side of her biggest hit, the US number 17 hit single 'Wish someone would care'.

Tracey Ullman recorded a cover of 'Breakaway' in 1983 as her debut single. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Netherlands. It subsequently appeared on Ullman's album 'You broke my heart in 17 places', which was released in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 3787

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Breakaway' / 'Dancing in the dark'

Protection - Donna Summer

In 1981, David Geffen approached Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager and producer, and asked if Springsteen would be interested in writing a song for Donna Summer. Summer had just recently signed for Geffen Records. Springsteen agreed to write a song and he gathered the E Street Band to record a demo. However when Landau heard the result, 'Cover me', he persuaded Springsteen to keep that song for himself. Springsteen then wrote 'Protection'.

The song became a track on Donna Summer's self-titled album from 1982. On the track, Springsteen played the guitar solo and can clearly be heard on fadeout vocals. It was released as a single in Belgium and Japan only.

My collection: 7" single no. 3779

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Protection' / '(If it) Hurts just a little'

Stiekem gedanst - Toontje Lager

Dutch music from the Eighties can be interesting at times. At the height of the synthpop age, even Dutch artists were inspired to make good tracks. (Which is interesting, because since then, nothing really interesting has happened.)

One of those bands was Toontje Lager. They released three albums during the Eighties, all of them filled with easily recognisable synthpop tunes. 'Stiekem gedanst' ('Secretly danced') came from the band's album 'Stiekem dansen' ('Dancing secretly'). It was their biggest hit, peaking at number 8 in the summer of 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3782

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Stiekem gedanst' / 'Amigo'

Gente di mare - Tozzi and Raff

Umberto Tozzi and Raffaele Riefoli represented Italy during the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Gente di mare' ('People of the sea'). It was a decent effort - although at the time I thought the song was unspeakably boring - reaching third place in the Contest.

While not winning the Contest the song achieved considerable popularity, becoming a Top 10 hit in most parts of Europe and Scandinavia in the summer of 1987. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 3773

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Gente di mare' / 'Lascia che sia il tuo cuore'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'The loco-motion' was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1962. The original recording of the song was sung by Eva Boyd, under the stage name Little Eva, which reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin recorded their version of the song in 1986. It became the duo's last hit, reaching the number 70 spot in the UK singles chart. A subsequent cover version by Kylie Minogue was more successful, reaching number 2 in the UK. Artistically, this is the more interesting version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3775

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'The locomotion' / 'Make me promises'

Gangsters - The Specials

Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding and Horace Panter formed The Automatics in 1977. When Terry Hall and Roddy Byers joined the band the following year, the band changed its name to The Special AKA The Coventry Automatics, and then to The Special AKA.

The Specials began at the same time as Rock Against Racism which first gathered in 1978. According to Jerry Dammers anti-racism was intrinsic to the formation of The Specials with an intention to integrate both black and white people. In 1979, Dammers decided to form his own record label, and 2 Tone Records was born. On this label, the band released their 7" debut 'Gangsters', featuring a part of Prince Buster's ska hit 'Al Capone'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 3788

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Gangsters' (The Specials) / 'The selecter' (The Selecter)

I only want to be with you - The Tourists

'I only want to be with you' was written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. It was the first solo single released by British singer Dusty Springfield. Recorded while she was still a member of The Springfields, the song was released in November 1963, three weeks after The Springfields' final concert.

The Tourists, a British pop band consisting of Peet Coombes, David A. Stewart, Annie Lennox, Eddie Chin and Jim Toorney, recorded their version of the song in 1979. The single peaked at number 4 in the UK at the end of 1979. When the group disbanded the next year, Stewart and Lennox went on to form the Eurythmics. The rest, as they say, is history...

My collection: 7" single no. 3789

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I only want to be with you' / 'Summers night'

Tomorrow never knows - Monsoon

While Monsoon is best known for their hit 'Ever so lonely', the band continued to record tracks for a couple of years. The single 'Tomorrow never knows' was taken from their only album, 'Third eye'. It was a cover of the Beatles track from their 1966 album 'Revolver'.

John Lennon wrote the song in January 1966, closely adapted from the book The Psychedelic Experience by Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, and Ralph Metzner, which in turn was adapted from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. McCartney stated that he and Lennon once visited a newly opened Indica bookshop and Lennon found a copy of The Psychedelic Experience, which quoted the lines: "When in doubt, relax, turn off your mind, float downstream". Lennon bought the book, went home, took LSD, and followed the instructions exactly as stated in the book.

My collection: 7" single no. 3785

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Tomorrow never knows' / 'Indian princess'

Baby it's true - Mari Wilson

Mari Wilson scored her second UK hit with 'Baby it's true' in 1982. The single peaked at number 42. The single was even played on Dutch radio, but that didn't give her a hit in this country. Like all of Mari Wilson's singles from around this time, the track evokes images of the Fifties and Sixties, with big hair and big bands.

The funny thing is, although I remember this track well, I have totally forgotten about it. The mind is a jukebox but sometimes needs a kick to get started.

My collection: 7" single no. 3774

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Baby it's true' / 'You look so good'

Leaving on the midnight train - Nick Straker Band

'Leaving on the midnight train' was the third single by the Nick Straker Band. After the debut single 'A walk in the park' had been a good success, their second single 'Don't come back' flopped everywhere.

At least, this single charted again, although it only reached number 61 in the UK singles chart. The influence of the New Musik sound is particularly noticeable on the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3780

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Leaving on the midnight train' / 'Play the fool'

Belangrijk nieuws van Louise Tucker

'Belangrijk nieuws van Louise Tucker' ('Important news from Louise Tucker') is a promotional 7" single from the Netherlands. It offers a fascinating insight in the world of the music business in 1983. The single, which can only be played on one side, contains a short greeting by Louise Tucker himself, followed by the original recording of 'Midnight blue', the single that was a hit in the Netherlands the year before. A voice-over then starts to talk about her 'phenomenal success' in the Netherlands and Europe.

The important news, which is announced on the sleeve of the record, is that DJ's and other recipients of this promotional 7" single should look in their mailbox next week, as they will get something (it is not specified what). The single was part of the promotion for Tucker's 1983 album 'After the storm'. Since the album nor the singles were a hit in the Netherlands, I doubt this promotional single was effective.

My collection: 7" single no. 3776

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Belangrijk nieuws van Louise Tucker'

Hop on the bus - Nick Hall

The Dutch singer and bass guitarist Nick Hall released his album 'A very special case', produced by Pim Koopman, in 1980. The single 'Hop on the bus' was taken from that album. The single did not chart.

Later on in the Eighties, Hall joined the band La Blusa, specialising in swamprock and playing Louisiana-inspired compositions, fusing them with funk and rock. The American influence is already obvious on this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2555

Found: November 19, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Hop on the bus' / 'Love couldn't carry us through'

Secret - Heart

'Secret' was released as the fourth and final single from Heart's tenth studio album 'Brigade'. The single at number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 79 on the UK singles chart.

When I found this single, I did not know it had been released. I did know the track, because my sister owns the album 'Brigade'. I always thought it was one of the best tracks on the album so I was very happy to get this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2343

Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Secret' / 'I love you'

Hazard - Richard Marx

'Hazard' tells the story of a relationship between Marx's character (usually considered the protagonist) and a woman named Mary. Mary is presumably murdered and Marx, shunned by many in the small town Hazard in Nebraska since his childhood, is immediately considered the main suspect. Marx, however, maintains his innocence throughout the song, and the question of such is left open to the listener's interpretation.

I got to know the song because of the music video being aired on television regularly in early 1992. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, although it did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1593
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 21, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hazard' / 'Big boy now'

We just - Moses

Although I'm not exactly a fan of Italo disco music, the single 'We just' by Moses was an interesting one. Full of samples and beautiful synth solos, it was a memorable track, even if it seemed to be devilishly simple.

It was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3. The song was apparently the theme to the Italian music programme Discoring. At the time, synthesizer themes were all the rage, because the BBC's 'Top of the pops' used Paul Hardcastle's 'The wizard' at the time.

My collection: 7" single no. 394

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'We just' / 'Our revolution'

A woman needs love (Just like you do) - Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio

The band Raydio started in the second half of the Seventies and had a few hits with songs like 'You can't change that'. From 1980 onwards, they became known as 'Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio', giving more prominence to their lead singer.

'A woman needs love' was taken from their fourth album from 1981. It reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2584

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'A woman needs love (just like you do)' / 'So into you'

Talk - Coldplay

'Talk' was released as the third single from Coldplay's 2005 album 'X&Y'. A number one hit in the Netherlands, it also reached number 10 in the UK and number 4 in Canada.

The band received permission from the German band Kraftwerk to use the main riff from their song 'Computer love' from their 1981 studio LP 'Computer world' for 'Talk', replacing Kraftwerk's synthesizers with guitars. According to reports, Chris Martin from Coldplay sent a letter to Kraftwerk in basic German, which he'd learnt at school.

My collection: 7" single no. 3421

Found: London, December 2005

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Talk' / 'Gravity'

I believe in you - Talk Talk

I wrote about 'I believe in you' before, but that was because of the promotional 7" single that I own. A few years after getting that one, I found a version of the commercially available single, featuring the B-side 'John Cope'. Since this single was made in Spain, it is a bit of a rarity as well.

The single failed to breach the charts in any country as far as I know. Tim Pope directed a music video for this track, featuring Mark Hollis sitting with his guitar, singing the lyrics. 'That was a massive mistake,' said Hollis afterwards. 'I thought just by sitting there and listening and really thinking about what it was about, I could get that in my eyes. But you cannot do it. It just feels stupid.'

My collection: 7" single no. 2613
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I believe in you (edit)' / 'John Cope'

Storm chaser - Erasure

Erasure released the 'Storm chaser' EP in September 2007. While the cd-single contained eight remixes of five different tracks plus a duet with Cyndi Lauper, the 7" single only had two tracks, making it a single, not an EP.

Released as a picture disc, the single still did not chart in the UK - or any other country for that matter.

My collection: 7" single no. 3577
Found: eBay, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Storm in a teacup (single version)' / 'Sucker for love (edit)'

Dream police - Cheap Trick

'Dream Police' was the 1979 studio album by the band Cheap Trick. After their worldwide success with 'I want you to want me' the pressure was on to come up with good new material, and the band rose to the challenge. The album shows the band expanding into longer, more complex songs and incorporating orchestration on several tracks. It was Cheap Trick's most successful studio effort, being certified platinum within a few months of its release.

The title track was released as a single in October 1979, and reached number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2938

Found: January 31, 1998

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Dream police' / 'Heaven tonight'

Breakout - Swing out sister

Swing Out Sister was formed by Andy Connell and Martin Jackson with Corinne Drewery. They took their name from a 1945 movie starring Arthur Treacher, called 'Swing Out, Sister', and they claim they chose the name because it was the only thing the band could agree on, in that they all hated it.

Prior to their debut album, they released the single 'Blue mood' in the UK in November 1985. This single did not chart. The first single from their debut lbum 'It's better to travel' was a big hit, however. It reached the number four position on the UK singles chart in November 1986 and number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1987. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands it peaked at number 30 in January 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2511

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Breakout' / 'Dirty money'

One better world - ABC

After ABC's success with their fourth album 'Alphabet city', Martin Fry and Mark White started experimenting with the hype of the year, house music. Released in 1989, their album 'Up' was their lowest charting album to that point, reaching number 57 during a one week chart run. The first single from the album, 'One better world', didn't do much better, peaking at number 32 in the UK singles chart.

After I bought the single on the strength of the band's name, I got one of the biggest musical disappointments of my life. The superficial music with equally superficial lyrics was a total breach of everything the band had done before. As an ABC fan I expected beauty and intelligence, but unfortunately I got something that merely flirted with the flavour of the week. House music is a thing of the past now, fortunately, but this painful single remains in my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 874

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 3, 1989

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'One better world' / 'One better world (Percapella mix)'

Infatuation - Rod Stewart

Back in 1984, the music video of 'Infatuation' was a regular guest on television programmes. Rod Stewart posing as a voyeur had something, er, believable. After a very successful career in the Seventies, Stewart was struggling to have hit singles. In the UK, he only had four top 10 singles during the Eighties, one of which was this single, peaking at number 6.

These days Stewart is concentrating on singing American standards from the Thirties and Fourties. Hard to imagine now that the man was once a pop star...

My collection: 7" single no. 1030

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Infatuation' / 'Three time loser'

Broken heart - The Babys

The Babys second album, 'Broken heart' was released in September of 1977. The album spent two weeks at number one in Australia. The title track was released as a single, but it didn't chart in any country. Later single 'Isn't it time' was much more successful.

I'd never heard this track when I tried it out in 1988 when I got the opportunity to go through my brother's record collection. Apparently it made some impression because seven years later, I bought the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2244

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 23, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Broken heart' / 'Wild man'

In het donker - Kadanz

The group Kadanz was a continuation of the gay cabaret group Spitsroeden, from which band members Frans Bakker, Herman Schulte and Kees van den Berg came. Their debut single 'In het donker' ('In the darkness'; 1982) was an immediate hit: it reached number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

Since then, the track has been re-recorded several times by the band, during their different incarnations between 1982 and 1998. This original version was also released as an edited and a full length track. The main difference between the two was a synthesizer solo in the middle of the song, which was cut from the edited version on the A-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 181

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'In het donker' / 'In het donker'

Never knew love like this before - Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills was born on March 22, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York. Her single 'Never knew love like this before', taken from the album 'Sweet sensation', shot her to international fame, whereas she had been in the music business for seven years.

In the UK, this single reached number 4, but in the Netherlands it did even better, peaking at the top of the chart in November 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 2730
Found: September 7, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Never knew love like this before' / 'Still mine'

Head over heels - Tears for fears

'Head over heels' was the fourth single taken from Tears for fears' second album 'Songs from the big chair'. The track was remixed for the single, because on the album the track segued from a studio recording of the track 'Broken' and into a live recording of that same track. Roland Orzabal commented about the song: 'It is basically a love song and one of the most simple tracks that Tears for Fears have ever recorded. It is a love song that goes a bit perverse at the end.'

The single performed well in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 12, but in the US Billboard Hot 100 it fared even better: it reached number 3. The music video is centered around Roland Orzabal's attempts to get the attention of a librarian (played by a Canadian model), while a variety of characters (many played by the rest of the band) take part in shenanigans in the library. The final scene shows Orzabal and the librarian as an older married couple. The video was filmed at the Emmanuel College Library in Toronto, Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 302

Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Head over heels' / 'When in love with a blind man'