Smooth criminal - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was never one to use understatements, and so it was a bit of a surprise to see a 3 inch CD single for 'Smooth criminal' when that single was released. One would expect a mega gold disc in an extra thick box, or at least a 5" disc.

But anyway, this small disc still came with three - count them: 3 - remixes of 'Smooth criminal', and they all sound a bit alike. But that doesn't mean I didn't like this disc, and I still do. I just wish I could get my hands on the other 3" discs by Michael.

1. Smooth criminal (extended dance mix)
2. Smooth criminal ("Annie" mix)
3. Smooth criminal (Dance mix - dub version)

Epic EPC 653026 3
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Somewhere in my heart - Aztec Camera

I was very glad to see that 'Walk out to winter' was included on this CD single - that track alone is a reason for buying this disc. Fortunately the title track is a very good pop song too and the other two tracks are not half bad either.

A great package, then, from one of the most underrated bands of the Eighties.

1. Somewhere in my heart
2. Walk out to winter
3. Still on fire
4. Everybody is a number one (Boston '86 version)

WEA 247956-2
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Halt mich - Herbert Grönemeyer

60 discs into my CD singles collection, it was time to finally buy some German music. 'Halt mich' by Herbert Grönemeyer was an interesting choice, brought on by its discount price and the fact that I liked the song. It's not often that a German love song is executed well, but this one proves that it can be done.

For those of you who wonder what 'Verlängerter neumix' (track 2) means: it's not a description of nuclear waste, but rather German for 'new extended mix'. And who would have thought that this disc now costs 95 euros? Wow.

1. Halt mich
2. Fragwürdig (Verlängerter neumix)
3. Lesmona

EMI CDP 560-14 7386 2
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Belfast child - Simple Minds

Presented to the world as the 'Ballad of the streets' EP, this CD single by the Simple Minds essentially presented three A-sides, a point that is stressed by recent compilations that feature two or three tracks from this EP.

'Biko' is of course a cover of the Peter Gabriel track, the other two were original tracks, although 'Belfast child' was based on a traditional song.

1. Belfast child
2. Mandela day
3. Biko

Virgin 661998
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Head over heels - Tears for fears

The second in the series of my CD Video discs was, just like the first one, by Tears for fears. It was another attractive package, with 'Sea song', originally the B-side of the single 'I believe', and a remix of 'Mothers talk' included.

I remember at the time having to choose between the different CD Videos (for budgetary reasons) and I finally decided on this one because the audio was better than the other ones. I wanted to have 'I believe' too, because I'd never even seen that video, but the audio tracks on that one were much less interesting: a choice of tracks from the band's debut album.

1. Head over heels
2. Sea song
3. The working hour
4. Mothers talk (USA)
5. Head over heels (video)

Mercury 080062-2
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Four letter word - Kim Wilde

It is a wellknown fact that Marty and Ricky Wilde wrote most of Kim Wilde's early hit singles, but only few people know which of her singles was the last to be written by the duo. It is this mid-tempo ballad, 'Four letter word'. This CD single features the album version and an extended version, although a 'Late night mix' also exists.

'She hasn't got time for you' originally appeared on Kim's 1986 album 'Another step' and is transformed from a ballad to a dance track for this release.

1. Four letter word
2. She hasn't got time for you '88
3. Four letter word (extended version)

MCA 257696-2
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Good tradition - Tanita Tikaram

Tanita Tikaram's second single, 'Twist in my sobriety', was amazing of course, but I was less impressed with her debut single, 'Good tradition'. By the time I bought this CD single, I'd already heard her album numerous times and I'd grown very fond of the song 'Valentine heart', which appeared on this disc.

After buying this CD single, I found out it wasn't the album version of that song, but rather a demo version with guitar and vocals only. Conversely, 'Poor cow', which is listed here as a demo version, is actually the album version.

1. Good tradition
2. Cathedral song
3. Valentine heart [= demo version]
4. Poor cow (demo version) [= album version]

WEA 247820-2
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All she wants is - Duran Duran

The second single from 'Big Thing', Duran Duran's 1988 album, 'All she wants is' intrigued me much more than the first single, 'I don't want your love', which I didn't buy.

The three tracks on this disc are all equally good, with the five minute B-side 'I believe/All I need to know' as good as any album track and mysteriously left off. The recent deluxe re-release of 'Big thing' actually revealed a longer version of that track.

1. All she wants is (45 mix)
2. Skin trade (Parisian mix)
3. I believe/All I need to know (medley)

EMI CD DD 11
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Big bubbles, no troubles - Ellis Beggs & Howard

If you think this sleeve looks a bit odd, you're right: it looks like the back of a sleeve instead of the front. Since this CD single was a so-called 'Picture CD single' (i.e. there was a photograph printed on the label of the disc) apparently the sleeve was designed this way.

It all distracts from the music, which is actually very good. Ellis Beggs & Howard was formed by Simon Ellis, Austin Howard and Nick Beggs. The latter was best known for his work with Kajagoogoo at the time. He went on in various music projects, and is currently touring with Kim Wilde and Steven Wilson, among others. 'Big bubbles no troubles' was this trio's debut single, and a very good song in my opinion. I bought this CD single in a sale in early 1989.

1. Big bubbles, no troubles (Bubble mix)
2. Hungry man
3. Rock me (Block mix)
4. Big bubbles, no troubles (Rubble mix)

RCA PD 42090
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Left to my own devices - Pet Shop Boys

If you're lucky enough to find a copy of this 3 inch CD single these days, expect to pay some 85 euros for it. (Well there is one for sale via the link below...) I wonder, though, if people would pay as much for my copy, which is pictured here. When I bought it, it looked exactly like this: scarred and blistered on the front. I don't know what happened but the shop didn't have another copy and I really wanted to have this one back in December 1988. So I bought it. I've always kind of regretted it, because it doesn't look very good, but anyway. It's still great to have this version on CD.

1. Left to my own devices
2. The sound of the atom splitting

EMI  CDP 506-20 3081 3
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Absolute beginners - David Bowie

This 3 inch CD single by David Bowie was part of the Virgin series that introduced the format to the general public by way of releasing old classic hits. And a classic hit this was. The title track from the soundtrack of the movie 'Absolute beginners' appeared on this disc in two versions. Although I had the 7" single, both the full length version and the dub mix did not appear on there - so this was a great addition.

It was my first ever David Bowie CD single... and certainly not the last.

1. Absolute beginners (full length version)
2. Absolute beginners (dub mix)

Virgin CDT 20
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Somebody to love - Queen

By 1988, retro CD singles were being made in high tempo. When a large selection of Queen singles appeared on 3 inch CD singles, I quickly opted for 'Somebody to love' because I loved the track and I never managed to buy the 7" single until then.

Originally I wanted to buy more from this series, but in the end I never did.

1. Somebody to love
2. White man
3. Tie your mother down

EMI QUECD 4
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You're a big girl now - Black

'You're a big girl now' was the second single off Black's second album, 'Comedy'. It was another accomplished song by the highly talented Colin Vearncombe who was still using the 'band name' Black even though he was the only remaining member.

This CD-single comes with three bonus tracks, including one live track from Japan. It's one of four tracks that were released as a mini album in Japan, 'Live at the Tokyo Power Station'.

1. You're a big girl now
2. Enough is enough
3. Reunion
4. Ravel in the rain (live at the Tokyo Power Station)

A&M 390386-2
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Road to our dream - T'pau

The second single from T'pau's second album, this 'Road to our dream' was a piece of pretentious pop/rock that never quite convinced me. I loved the band, but this single seemed even more of a miss than 'Secret garden', which was released before it. The singles from 'Rage' seemed to lack the pop potential that all of the singles from 'Bridge of spies' seemed to have in abundance.

This disc still comes with two extra tracks and an instrumental version of the title track, so in theory it's an attractive package. But I have to say I never really played this all too often.

1. Road to our dream
2. Call me
3. Time of our lives
4. Road to our dream (instrumental)

Siren SRNCD 100
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Rent - Pet Shop Boys

From the already impressive back catalogue of the Pet Shop Boys, I bought this CD single a year after its release for a discounted price - and so this became the first Pet Shop Boys CD single I ever bought. 'Rent' was released as the third single off the boys' album 'Actually', featuring the brilliant B-side 'I want a dog' that would reappear in different versions later on in their career, plus two versions of the title track.

It's one of those rare CD singles with a cloth inner sleeve, a gimmick that was only used during the first year the CD single existed - and even then only in the ones that were housed in a cardboard sleeve, like this one.

1. Rent (Extended mix)
2. Rent (Dub)
3. I want a dog

Parlophone CDR 6168
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Heimwee - Frank Boeijen Groep

When the Frank Boeijen Groep embarked on their first tour in theatres all over the country in 1987, broadcaster Veronica recorded a show for broadcast on television. After this concert was broadcast on television in two parts in early 1988, two tracks ended up as bonus tracks on this CD single. It was a treat for fans, even if the first of the two live tracks was edited, unfortunately.

1. Heimwee
2. De wind nam hem mee (live)
3. Zwart wit (live)

Ariola 661.910
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Till I loved you - Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson

I didn't buy this CD single for the sloppy love ballad that is the title track, and the sight of Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson together wasn't exactly a turn-on for me either, but there were two classic tracks on this disc: the old hits 'Guilty' and the Jim Steinman-produced 'Left in the dark' which I both really wanted to have on CD. The fact that this was a 3" CD single was a nice bonus in this case.

1. Till I loved you (duet with Don Johnson)
2. Guilty (duet with Barry Gibb)
3. Left in the dark
4. Two people (Theme from the Motion Picture 'Nuts')

CBS 652979 3
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Good times - Matt Bianco

My good memories of Matt Bianco music in 1984 and 1985 triggered me to buy this CD single - and the discounted price too. I think this was the first time I ever bought a CD single for less than 10 guilders. Unfortunately, this was also the first time a CD single totally disappointed me. The versions of old hits 'Don't blame it on that girl' and 'More than I can bear' were not good, and the two new tracks were pretty boring too.

1. Good times (new version)
2. Tumbao (long version)
3. Don't blame it on that girl (Rare groove mix)
4. More than I can bear (new version)

WEA YZ302CD
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Never trust a stranger - Kim Wilde

Featuring an extended remix of the title track and a Shep Pettibone remix of 'You came', Kim's previous single, this attractive package was completed by B-side track 'Wotcha gonna do', a Ricky Wilde-produced corker that was left off the 'Close' album probably because it sounded a bit out of place with the rest. It's classic Kim Wilde with furious lyrics and an aggressive delivery.

1. Never trust a stranger (extended version)
2. You came (Shep Pettibone remix)
3. Wotcha gonna do

MCA Records 257820-2
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This feeling - Sam Brown

After getting the debut album by Sam Brown it was pretty obvious I would have to buy her CD singles as well, as they always had a minimum of three non-album tracks on them. And 'This feeling' became my first purchase simply because the title track was remixed for the single release - so four new tracks on one CD single!

1. This feeling (remix)
2. Window people
3. Soldiers
4. Pitiful world

A&M 390362-2
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Is she really going out with him? (acapella version) - Joe Jackson

'Live 1980/86' was a great double album by Joe Jackson featuring live tracks from throughout his career. There were lots of great versions of his hits and album tracks included, and two of them appear on this CD single. I didn't have the money at the time to buy the horribly expensive double CD, so this was a nice replacement for me. 25 years on, I still haven't bought that album....

1. Is she really going out with him? (acapella version) (live)
2. A slow song (live)

A&M 390331-2
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Everybody wants to rule the world - Tears for fears

Another new format was introduced in 1988: the CD Video. Not content with the success of 'regular' CD's, record companies also came with a CD single that could also play a video when inserted into a CD Video player. This was an analogue video system, so all these discs have now become useless as CD Video players are no longer made. When you're lucky, you can get hold of a Laserdisc player and it should still accept these discs.

Back in 1988 I actually had access to a CD Video player because my mum bought one out of a small inheritance. The good news is: all the audio tracks are still working in CD players, and so this disc is still worth owning. The gold color of the disc is a nice bonus, too...

1. Everybody wants to rule the world 
2. The marauders
3. Pharaohs
4. When in love with a blind man
5. Everybody wants to rule the world (CD Video track)

Mercury 080032-2
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Forbidden colours - David Sylvian & Riuichi Sakamoto

The second 3 inch CD single in a 3 inch sleeve that ended up in my collection was again from the Virgin classics series. This time, it was the vocal version of the theme from the movie 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence', performed by David Sylvian and Riuichi Sakamoto in 1983 originally. One of my alltime favourite tracks, and great to own on CD. The two 'bamboo' tracks on this discs are nice additions.

1. Forbidden colours
2. Bamboo houses
3. Bamboo music

Virgin CDT 18
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I believe in you - Talk Talk

Most people seem to agree that with 'Spirit of Eden', Talk Talk delivered their best album in 1988. Only one single was lifted off the album, much to the dismay of singer Mark Hollis, who wasn't pleased to hear there was an edit made of the track 'I believe in you' for this release. Luckily for him, this CD single featured the full length version of the track.

There were some treats for fans: the unreleased B-side 'John Cope' was included on this disc, plus an edited version (again, curses from mr. Hollis) of 'Eden'. The music was a bit too 'out there' to become a chart hit, but it's become a classic CD single nonetheless, fetching good prices on Discogs and Ebay.

1. I believe in you
2. John Cope
3. Eden (edited version)

Parlophone CDR 6189
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This is not a love song - P.I.L.

3" CD singles were already around, but in 1988, Virgin launched a whole new concept: 3" CD singles in 3" square sleeves (so without the free adapter!) featuring titles from their back catalogue. So, this CD single didn't feature a song that was released in 1988, but rather in 1983. It was part of a series of 20 CD singles, all featuring hits from previous years, all from Virgin.

This particular one was of interest for me because I never bought the 7" single in 1983 although I liked the song, plus this disc featured a remixed version of the title track! I'm still looking for a lot of 3" CD singles from this series of 20, as I never bought them all at the time. The hunt goes on even after 25 years...

1. This is not a love song
2. Blue water
3. This is not a love song (remixed version)
4. Public Image

Virgin CDT 14
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Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben - Frank Boeijen Groep

CD singles of Dutch bands were a relatively new phenomenon in 1988, especially when the band was singing in Dutch only. Yet, the record company didn't shy away from a CD single release of the Frank Boeijen Groep's new single when it was released in the summer of 1988.

'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' ('How terrible I am') was released as a three track disc, featuring the single edit and the album version of the title track plus B-side (and later album track) 'Piccadilly Circus'. Now that's an English song title, but a Dutch lyric nonetheless...

1. Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben
2. Piccadilly Circus
3. Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben (speciale versie)

Ariola 661.772
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Monkey - George Michael

George Michael teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for a remix version of 'Monkey', a track from his debut album that needed a single release. It sounds a lot better than it did originally, even though the lyric is still slightly cringeworthy.

Passing up on all the other George Michael CD singles released from his debut and second album was not my smartest move as they are selling for fortunes now, but at least I have this one - it's still pretty hard to get for a reasonable price and it's got the most 'exclusive' tracks. Well, until last year's re-release of 'Faith' that is.

1. Monkey (extended version)
2. Monkey (a cappella)
3. Monkey (extra beats)
4. Monkey (7" edit)

Epic EPC 651700-3
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The big one - Black

Unlike his previous efforts on single, I wasn't totally in awe of 'The big one' when it was released as the first single off Black's second album. Fortunately, besides two versions of the track this disc came with two otherwise unreleased bonus tracks, and they were superb as ever.

Plus they complement one another beautifully: 'You are the one' is a joyful, explosive affair, and 'Scrapbook of ghosts' is a minimal, intimate little song - until it explodes in all its beauty later on. Still well worth having.

1. The big one
2. You are the one
3. Scrapbook of ghosts
4. The big one (The bigger one)

A&M Records 390365-2
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Nothing can come between us - Sade

The third and last single from Sade's third album 'Stronger than pride' was 'Nothing can come between us', a swinging piece of pop/jazz with all the trimmings that make a Sade track so appealing.

The bonus tracks on this disc are also quite nice: a new B-side in the form of the near-instrumental 'Make some room', and an old B-side called 'You're not the man', first released in 1985.

1. Nothing can come between us
2. Make some room
3. You're not the man

Epic EPC 652921 3
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I'll always love you - Taylor Dayne

I don't think I'm really into these big ballads like 'I'll always love you' anymore, but when I bought this CD single I obviously was. Taylor Dayne was a big star in 1988 and had two consecutive number 1 hits with 'Tell it to my heart' and 'Prove your love'. This single marked a slow downfall, although she did manage a handful of hits after this.

'Prove your love' is represented here in remix form, the B-side track 'Where does that boy hang out' was taken from her debut album. No real surprises here then.

1. I'll always love you (extended mix)
2. Prove your love (House mix)
3. Where does that boy hang out?

Arista 661536
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Sex talk (live) - T'pau

Originally released as 'Intimate strangers', the more explicitly titled 'Sex talk' was released in 1988 as a live EP featuring four tracks recorded at the Scottish Exhibition Centre on October 29, 1987. T'pau had built a reputation as an attractive live act, something which was underlined by a VHS video, also released in 1988, featuring a full concert by the band.

This live EP is an attempt to capture the band as dynamic as they were at the time, and with good success: these versions are even better than their studio-recorded equivalents.

1. Sex talk (live)
2. Heart & soul (live)
3. Monkey house (live)
4. You give up (live)

Siren SRNCD 80
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Paradise - Black

'Paradise' was the fifth and last single from Black's millionselling debut album 'Wonderful life'. For a long time I thought this was the first single released on CD, but later on it turned out that 'Sweetest smile' and 'Wonderful life' had also had a CD single release. (Which, in turn, makes you wonder why the fourth single, 'I'm not afraid', was never released on CD.)

Released in a digipak, this CD single features three tracks, just like the 12" single of this release. There was a 7" edit of the title track, but that one was never released on CD.

1. Paradise
2. Dagger reel
3. Sometimes for the asking (new version)

A&M Records AMCD 422
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Fast car - Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman came out of nowhere with her debut single 'Fast car' and like many people at the time, the song touched me in some way. I'd just started thinking I was buying so many CD singles I already owned on vinyl as well, and so I decided I would buy this one as a CD single only.

The disc comes with one live track recorded at the Donmar Warehouse, London on March 25, 1988.

1. Fast car
2. For you
3. Behind the wall (live)

Elektra 966758-2
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You came - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde CD singles were being released quite quickly in 1988 and I had to keep up if I was to have a complete collection, which was obviously my goal, being a Kim Wilde fan for over five years by then. 'You came' was the second single from the album 'Close' and the CD single was an attractive package, featuring two versions of the title track, both of which didn't appear on the album CD.

1. You came (extended version)
2. You came (7" version)
3. Stone

MCA Records 257881-2
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I will be with you - T'pau

Perhaps the record company became a little overenthusiastic, releasing five singles from T'pau's debut album 'Bridge of spies', but with the album selling so well, who could blame them? 'I will be with you' was the fifth single, featuring an alternative version of the album track 'Thank you for goodbye' plus two new tracks.

The CD single was released as a new phenomenon called the 'CD single picture disc'. On vinyl, picture discs were quite attractive because one could see a photograph spinning around while the record was playing. The attraction of CD singles with a picture printed on them was lost on me, because CD players are usually closed when the disc is playing. But oh well...

1. I will be with you
2. Still so in love
3. Thank you for goodbye rides again
4. Walk away René

Siren SRNCD87
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Scritti Politti have released quite a few extraordinary pop songs, but the sad lovesong 'Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)' is perhaps the best example of what Green Gartside and his band were capable of during the often so kitschy Eighties. This beautifully crafted song featuring Miles Davis on trumpet is presented here in three different versions, together wit ha bouncy B-side called 'Best thing ever'.

How apt.

1. Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)
2. Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy) (12" version)
3. Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy) (instrumental)
4. Best thing ever

Virgin CDEP 17
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Paradise - Sade

'Paradise' was the second single from Sade's third album 'Stronger than pride', and this CD single features three mixes of the track. Just like the previous release, this was released on a 3 inch disc with a free adapter.

1. Paradise (remix)
2. Paradise (instrumental)
3. Paradise (extra beats)

Epic EPC 651617 2
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Hey mister heartache - Kim Wilde

'Hey mister heartache' was the first single by Kim Wilde to be released on CD, and it was quite a spectacular selection of tracks on this disc, too: the album version and extended mix of the track (both of which would appear on the CD 'Close' a few months later) and the B-side, 'Tell me where you are'. Oddly enough, the 7" edit of 'Hey mister heartache' didn't make it onto this selection, but would be released on a compilation CD in Germany some time later.

Years later, I would buy the UK version of this CD single, which features two old hits of Kim. But I think the European audience got the better deal.

1. Hey mister heartache (extended version)
2. Hey mister heartache (album version)
3. Tell me where you are

MCA Records 257999-2
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Valentine - T'pau

Although 'Valentine' is perhaps T'pau's strongest ever single choices, this CD single is a bit of a mixed bag. It features the B-side 'Giving my love away' which sounds suspiciously like a hastily thrown together demo, a cover of 'I'm a believer' sung not by frontwoman Carol Decker but instead by Ron Rogers, and a live version of 'China in your hand', recorded at the Scottish Exhibition Centre on 29th October 1987. Although I love the title track, I was less impressed with the rest.

1. Valentine
2. Giving my love away
3. I'm a believer
4. China in your hand (live)

Siren SRN CD 69
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Broken land - The Adventures

I loved the band The Adventures ever since their first hits back in 1984, so when they returned with a new album in 1988, I was pretty excited. The first single from that album was 'Broken land', and although it didn't become a hit in the Netherlands - what good music ever does? - I did get my hands on this CD single.

The acoustic version of the title track is as powerful as the album version. They're both included here.

1. Broken land (LP version)
2. Don't stand on me
3. Broken land (Acoustic version)

Elektra 966773-2
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Love is stronger than pride - Sade

The return of Sade after an absence of more than two years was pretty sensational in 1988. I remember that I bought this CD single pretty soon after its release and that hadn't happened much before. 'Love is stronger than pride' was the title track of Sade's third album and came with an extended mix of the B-side, 'Super bien total'. It was the first of my CD singles with just two tracks on it.

1. Love is stronger than pride
2. Super bien total (extended mix)

Epic EPC 651477-9
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Mandinka - Sinéad O'Connor

'Still listening' was the non-album track included as the B-side of the 7" single of Sinéad O'Connor's phenomenal debut single 'Troy'. Since that single was never released on CD, I immediately went for this one when I found out 'Still listening' was included as one of the extra tracks. Even if I didn't like the title track of this CD single all that much. The album track 'Drink before the war', also included here, was a great track too, so this is one of those strange instances where the title track and its remix don't really stand up to the bonus tracks.

1. Mandinka
2. Drink before the war
3. Mandinka (Instrumental dub)
4. Still listening

Chrysalis 659712-211
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For a friend - Communards

The dramatic 'For a friend' was released by the Communards in 1988. It was written in memory of Mark Ashton, a friend of the duo who died of Aids. The single reached number 28 in the UK singles chart.

This CD single comes with a 10'22 remix of 'Don't leave me this way', the song that was a hit for the band a year earlier.

1. For a friend
2. Don't leave me this way (Son of Gotham City) 
3. Victims (live)

London LONCD 166
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Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

The album 'Tango in the night' was probably the most 'pop' album Fleetwood Mac ever made. It was full of catchy songs, written by inspired band members. And inspired they were: nearly all of the singles lifted from the album - and there were five or six - ended up high in the charts worldwide.

'Everywhere' was one of my favourites, and so it was no surprise I ended up buying this CD single - long before I ever bought the album CD by the way. It comes on a 3 inch disc and features two old tracks from the band's impressive back catalogue.

1. Everywhere
2. When I see you again
3. Rhiannon
4. Say you love me

Warner Bros. 920907-2
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That's the way it is - Mel & Kim

While Mel Appleby was suffering from cancer, the story was that she had a back problem and so the promotion of this single was quite minimal. Unfortunately, this would turn out to be the duo's last effort, as Mel Appleby subsequently died in January 1990.

Two new tracks appeared on this CD single, as well as an old remix of 'I'm the one who really loves you', a track from their debut (and only) album 'F.L.M.'.

1. That's the way it is
2. I'm the one who really loves you (US remix)
3. You changed my life

Supreme Records SUPCD 117
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Dear God - XTC

One of the angriest songs in pop is this atheist song called 'Dear God'. It was released in 1987 and immediately got a release on CD as well.

The CD single comes with a six part musical piece called the 'Homo Safari Series', varying in length between two and five minutes. The gatefold sleeve also contained a booklet called the 'CD Circular', a folder that promotes other CD releases on the Virgin label.

1. Dear God
2. Homo Safari
3. Bushman President
4. Egyptian solution
5. Mantis on parole
6. Frost circus
7. Procession toward learning land

Virgin CDEP 3
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New sensation - INXS

Another single from their album 'Kick', 'New sensation' was released after the phenomenal success of 'Need you tonight'. The CD single was a compilation of old INXS tracks, taken from 1984, 1985, 1986 and (the title track) from 1987.

1. New sensation
2. Do wot you do
3. Love is (what I say)
4. Same direction

Mercury 870092-2
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I'm only wounded - I've got the bullets

This CD single is actually a singles EP, since all four tracks were released as a 7" single between 1986 and 1988. The record company probably thought the disc would sell better if all of the Dutch band's singles were included.

I've got the bullets, fronted by Rotterdam-born singer Frederique Spigt, got together in 1985 and folded in 1988 when their second album, 'Wounded', failed to chart. This CD single, too, was not a success. It was, however, the second 3 inch disc in my collection.

1. I'm only wounded
2. Shoot the moon
3. In the middle of the night
4. Nighttrain

CBS 651313 2

More love - Feargal Sharkey

Ex-Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey released some strong hits in the mid-Eighties, but by 1988 his star was falling. His music was still the same but the fickle audience had moved on. 'More love' is a fine popsong but didn't reach the charts.

The CD single featured two versions of the track, a nice B-side, plus the debut solo hit 'A good heart'. A good package you would say - but I still picked this one up from the bargain bin.

1. More love
2. A breath of scandal
3. More love (piano version)
4. A good heart

Virgin CDEP 18
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Need you tonight - INXS

The biggest hit by the Australian band INXS was 'Need you tonight'. They had lots more hits, of course, but this one overshadowed them all. Taken from the album 'Kick' (which was given a deluxe treatment last year), the single was also released on CD.

This three track EP features the title track plus two extra tracks. A few months later, this CD would also be released as a CD Video - the short-lived format that also included a video track, to be played on special CD Video players.

1. Need you tonight
2. Mediate
3. I'm coming (home)

Mercury Records 888813-2
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