Advice for the young at heart - Tears for fears

When the record company decided to release 'Advice for the young at heart' as the third single from Tears for fears' third album, I wasn't at all surprised. It was the most easily accessible, if slightly forgettable, track of the album, which was full of intricate arrangements and lengthy songs. It wasn't a big hit, which wasn't any surprise either.

The B-side, 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams', was a version of the earlier single 'Sowing the seeds of love', which was released as a single in its own right just months earlier.

Fontana 876 895-2
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Don't ask me why - Eurythmics

You could have a worse deal than this one: for the price of a regular CD single you got a 7" square box set including a CD single with exclusive tracks plus a big poster, with pictures on both sides. Well, the poster was folded of course, so perhaps some people may not have enjoyed this a lot, but it's still a great set.

As for 'exclusive': the two exclusive tracks here were only issued on a promotional CD single, so 'normal' people got a good deal on this front too.

RCA DA CD 20
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Interview 1986 - Kate Bush

This 'limited edition 3" CD', as it is described on the cover, is actually a 5" CD and not only a limited edition but also very illegal. The 'Interview 1986' was recorded in 1985 and was taken from an uncredited source. It's not a very long interview either: at just 7'19 it could be considered something of a ripoff. But I wouldn't have bought this if it was very expensive, so that shouldn't be a feeling connected to this.

The truest statement comes from the inside of the sleeve: "There will never be another Kate Bush".

KB7CD
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Worlds apart - Cock Robin

One of my favourite bands of the Eighties returned in 1989 with their best album, 'First love last rites'. I liked their two previous albums but the third one was, frankly, amazing. And the first single from that album, the powerful 'Worlds apart' impressed me a lot. It's very weird how this album never became the big hit I anticipated it would be.

This CD-single comes with two bonus tracks, one of them being a live recording of an unknown date.

1. Worlds apart
2. Don't think twice (live)
3. We've changed

CBS 655475 3
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To know someone deeply is to know someone softly - Terence Trent d'Arby

After selling millions with his debut album, Terence Trent d'Arby decided to burn his bridges and release 'Neither fish nor flesh', which was a pretty apt description of what the press thought of this album. 'To know someone deeply is to know someone softly' was the second single off the album, bravely released on two different CD-singles by the record company.

This was version no. 1: a replica of the 7" single with two tracks. The title track is pretty brilliant in all its madness, the other track is, er, neither fish nor flesh.

1. To know someone deeply is to know someone softly
2. Loose variations on a dead man's vibe in C#M

CBS 655588 1 
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Nothing compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor

I bought this CD-single when it was released, long before I ever saw the video and long before it shot to number 1 and stayed up there for ages. I only played it during the first few weeks and then didn't play it for twenty-three years (and counting). This Prince composition has won the hearts of many millions of people, but the overexposure has killed the song a bit. Which is a shame because I really liked it at first.

Chrysalis 663 006
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Straight up - Paula Abdul

Pop is a weird beast. What sounds trendy at one point, can sound totally outdated the next. Such is the case with this single by Paula Abdul. Hip and trendy in 1989, this sounds very much like a product from its time now. And I stress the word 'product', because songs like this were promoted like they were a new sort of cereal at the time.

That's not to say that this is necessarily a bad track: it still bounces around quite cheerily. Paula's thin voice can become grating after a while though.

Siren 661 997
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Words - The Christians

Based on the melody of a traditional song, 'Words' is undoubtedly one of the best tracks by the Christians. This CD-single features the full length version which clocks in at over 7 minutes. Even if the two bonus tracks are much less remarkable, this is quite a nice CD-single to have.

1. Words
2. Long gone
3. Funny money

Island 662847
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Martha's harbour - All about Eve

I discovered the band All about Eve in 1988, when a satellite channel on TV broadcast a special on the band, featuring two or three videos. I'm sure 'Every angel' was one of them, but I'm not sure 'Martha's harbour' was included. Still, I was inspired to buy a single by them later that week in the record shop (yes, that's vinyl guys). A few weeks later, I had their debut album, and a few weeks after that I had a whole stack of vinyl singles.

My first CD-single followed in 1989 in the shape of this CD Video. The best treat on this was the B-side 'Another door', which unlike the other tracks didn't appear on the album.

1. Martha's harbour
2. Like Emily
3. Another door
4. She moves through the fair

Mercury 080 522-2
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School - Supertramp

'School' by Supertramp was never released as a single originally, but when a compilation album was released in 1989, this CD-single (and a vinyl 7" counterpart) did see the light of day. A nice way to finally own this track as a single, then.

Not only the studio version, but also a live version of 'School' appears on this, but the artwork gives us no clue where the two live tracks on this disc were recorded.

1. School
2. Dreamer (live version)
3. School (live version)

A&M 01 4230 6 1
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The road to hell - Chris Rea

The title track from Chris Rea's 1989 album 'The road to hell' was also released as the first single from that album. This version of the CD-single features the single version (which is 'part 1' on the album) and a bonus track.

I recently learned that there is also a version featuring part 1 & 2, the bonus track, plus a French version of the 1985 hit 'Josephine'. Now why wasn't that in the shops back then...

1. The road to hell
2. He should know better

Magnet Records 162.791

Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw - Frank Boeijen Groep

The first single from this Dutch group's ninth album of the same name translates as 'A summer at the end of the twentieth century'. The band was rocking out in a way they hadn't done for a long time, as this single - and the album - was a less synth-laden affair than previous efforts. And that's exactly what I didn't like about it, by the way.

The second track is this CD-single's saving grace: a beautiful ballad with a reference to Beethoven's piano, by which singer and songwriter Frank Boeijen probably means one of the great composer's compositions for piano.

1. Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw
2. De piano van Beethoven

Ariola 162.773
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Lean on you - Cliff Richard

No record collection would be complete without a few Cliff Richard tracks: the man has been an integral part of the British pop scene ever since he started in - wait for it - 1958. Although his last UK hit single happened in 2009, he is still recording music and also appeared at last year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

'Lean on me', released in 1989, was produced by Alan Tarney. This CD-single features a rather good extended version of the track. Previous single 'Some people' was never released as a CD-single (amazingly), otherwise I would have had that one too.

1. Lean on you (extended version)
2. Lean on you
3. Hey mister

EMI CDEM 105
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Are you just using me - Richenel

Richenel, a Dutch singer had some dance/pop hits in the mid-Eighties with 'Dance around the world', amongst others, but 'Are you just using me', the first single from his second album, was a much more sophisticated affair. Not least, probably, because the song was written by George Michael, using the pseudonym R. Phillips.

This CD-single was the only one I ever bought of this androgynous-looking artist, who continued for a while in the dance/pop scene with a distinct lack of success.

1. Are you just using me (extended version)
2. Billie
3. Are you just using me

CBS 654637 3
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This woman's work - Kate Bush

Originally released on the soundtrack of the movie 'She's having a baby' in 1988, 'This woman's work' also appeared as the second single of 'The sensual world', Kate's sixth album. The single mix of this track was only slightly different from the album version, so this disc's real surprises were the two extra tracks: a new version of 'Be kind to my mistakes' (originally released on the soundtrack of the movie 'Castaway', also in 1988) and the dynamic 'I'm still waiting', with some pretty intriguing adlib vocals by Kate.

1. This woman's work (single edit)
2. Be kind to my mistakes
3. I'm still waiting

EMI CDEM 119
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Woman in chains - Tears for fears

The second single from Tears for fears' third album 'The seeds of love' was 'Woman in chains', featuring the then-unknown Oleta Adams on vocals. The boys from Tears for fears discovered her while she was playing in Kansas. She'd released two self-financed albums which had limited success. They chatted with her after her performance, and two years later they contacted her to invite her to join their band as a singer.

'Woman in chains' was one of the strongest tracks on the album, so it was no real surprise that it was released as a single. The two bonus tracks on this disc are pretty surprising, especially the improvised 'My life in the suicide ranks'.

1. Woman in chains
2. Always in the past
3. My life in the suicide ranks
4. Woman in chains (instrumental)

Fontana 876 249-2
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Circle - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

It was never my own idea to listen to Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, I simply got into the CD my sister had bought at the time.As a result I started buying all the 7" singles and - later - CD singles by the band.

This CD single was interesting for me because it featured the best album track, 'Now' as track 2. I wasn't going to buy the album CD anytime soon, so this was the perfect replacement. I only got the album two decades later...

Geffen 921207-2
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Lily was here - David A. Stewart & Candy Dulfer

Although the sleeve of this CD-single makes no mention of it, 'Lily was here' was taken from the soundtrack of the Dutch movie 'De Kassiere' (released as 'Lily was here' in other countries) starring Marion van Thijn and Thom Hoffman. Don't remember the movie? Don't feel bad, no-one does.

This instrumental piece, however, was more successful: peaking at number 1 in the Netherlands and number 2 in Belgium and Norway, it was also a top 10 hit in Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

1. Lily was here
2. Lily robs the bank

RCA ZD 43045
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The downtown lights - The Blue Nile

With two extra tracks, this CD-single of the Blue Nile's 'The downtown lights' was an unexpected pleasant surprise for those who knew the band from their one previous album, released in 1984. After five years of complete silence, the band returned in 1989 with the album 'Hats' and this single.

Critically acclaimed and non-prolific, the Blue Nile have released only four albums in the 22 years of their existance.

1. The downtown lights
2. The wires are down
3. Halfway to paradise

Linn Records LKSCD 3
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Tainted love - Soft Cell

The only CD single I bought during a holiday in London in October 1989 was this one, and it was made in Germany, sold as an import. Most of my money went into 7" singles, which were being sold in abundance in second hand shops at the time.

Featuring four singles from the illustrious duo, this CD single also featured the long version of their debut hit, 'Tainted love' as a medley with 'Where did our love go'.

1. Tainted love/Where did our love go
2. Torch
3. Say hello, wave goodbye
4. Numbers

Vertigo 888617-2
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The sensual world - Kate Bush

Two years into my new hobby of buying CD-singles, there were still a lot of 'firsts'. No 'first' was more important than this one: my first Kate Bush CD-single.

Released in advance of her sixth album of the same name, 'The sensual world' was promoted with a beautiful video, a 7" single, a 12" single, a cassette single and a CD-single. It took some time to buy them all, but this format was the first I bought.

1. The sensual world
2. The sensual world (instrumental)
3. Walk straight down the middle

EMI 2034942
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All I want is you - U2

The fourth single from U2's album 'Rattle and hum' was, in my opinion, the best. 'All I want is you' was a ballad with trademark guitar work by the Edge without all the overblown lyrics from the previous three singles. A simple love song, with a very impressive musical end, lasting over two minutes.

While these last few minutes were cut from the single version, this CD-single fortunately offered the full album version, which is why I bought it. Track three, 'Everlasting love', became another top 40 hit for the band in the Netherlands, although there was no new CD-single made: this one was simply sold again.

1. All I want is you [7" edit]
2. Unchained melody
3. Everlasting love
4. All I want is you 

Island  662406
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Sowing the seeds of love - Tears for fears

Tears for fears made a comeback of sorts in 1989, when they finally released a follow-up to the hugely successful 'Songs from the big chair'. 'The seeds of love' was preceded by the release of the single 'Sowing the seeds of love', a Beatles-esque track. I was quick to buy this single, as Tears for fears was - and still is - one of my favourite bands.

1. Sowing the seeds of love
2. Tears roll down
3. Shout (US remix)

Fontana 874 711-2
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Money for nothing / Brothers in arms - Dire Straits

Released in 1989, this CD-single was meant to support the release of the compilation album 'Money for nothing'. It featured two singles: 'Money for nothing' and 'Brothers in arms', but unfortunately both tracks were edited, despite the fact that this CD-single only featured two tracks.

I got this CD-single as a present, but because of these edited versions, I felt it was a little bit of a disappointment.

1. Money for nothing (4'05)
2. Brothers in arms (4'48)

Vertigo 874624-2
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Dagen dat ik je vergeet - Kadanz

The Dutch band Kadanz had some hit singles in the first half of the Eighties, then disappeared for a few years, only to return in 1989 with this single, 'Dagen dat ik je vergeet' ('Days I forget you'). Although I'm not really fond of Dutch music, I had to make an exception for this CD single because it is a rather well produced track. I also have to say I don't play this very often, since my dislike for Dutch music usually supersedes my desire to listen to it.

1. Dagen dat ik je vergeet
2. Dagen dat ik je vergeet (12" remix)
3. Kristal
4. In het donker

Cloud CL 8010-8
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Mystify - INXS

Another single from the INXS album 'Kick', 'Mystify' was attractive most of all for the inclusion of the Ben Liebrand remix of 'Need you tonight'. Dutch DJ Ben Liebrand was famous for his 'minimixes', broadcast on Dutch radio every Friday at the time, and it was great to own this particular mix on CD. A convincing reason, then, to buy this disc.

1. Mystify
2. Need you tonight (Ben Liebrand 12" mix)
3. Shine like it does
4. Never tear us apart (live)

Mercury 874 151-2
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Empty rooms - Gary Moore

Although I love the track 'Empty rooms' - which is, after all, the reason for buying this disc in the first place - I was knocked sideways when I first played the second track, a live version of 'Parisienne Walkways', featuring Phil Lynott on vocals. Not only are those vocals just wonderful, the guitar work performed by Gary Moore is one of the best pieces of guitar work I've ever heard. What a great melody. And so this turned out to be one of the CD singles I have played the most in my entire collection.

1. Empty rooms (long version)
2. Parisienne walkways (live)
3. Empty rooms (Summer '85 version)

Virgin CDT 35
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Love in the natural way - Kim Wilde

The fifth and final single from Kim Wilde's 1988 album 'Close' was 'Love in the natural way', a track that might have been a massive hit with some more promotion. Not that MCA did a bad job: in the UK a picture CD was released, and in Europe this 3" CD single appeared. A collectable 7" single with a poster sleeve was also available at the time.

An extended version of the title track is the only treat on this disc, however: the two other tracks are identical to those on the album.

1. Love in the natural way
2. You'll be the one who'll lose
3. Love in the natual way (extended version)

MCA 257627-2
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Dreaming - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Taken from their compilation album 'The best of OMD', also released in 1988, 'Dreaming' was the only new track on that album and the last to be released by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys together, before Paul quit the band because he was unhappy with the band's commercial orientation. It would take until 2006 for them to reunite for their recent albums.

'Dreaming' was a great pop song and a great way for the band to wave goodbye - although Andy continued as OMD for some years on his own.

1. Dreaming (extended mix)
2. Satellite
3. Gravity never failed
4. Dreaming

Virgin VSCD 987
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Catch - The Cure

I already owned the 7" single of 'Catch' when I bought this CD Video and so I already knew that the B-side 'Breathe' was a great track. Adding to that the Tim Pope-directed video which was quite charming and I was convinced that I needed to have this disc.

I was less impressed with the other two audio tracks, but anyway, this is still a disc I'm very happy with.

1. Catch
2. Breathe
3. A chain of flowers
4. Icing sugar (new mix)
5. Catch (video)

Fiction Records 080 186-2
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Hold me in your arms - Rick Astley

The mid-tempo ballad 'Hold me in your arms' shows off Rick Astley's beautiful voice in a way his uptempo dance tracks never could. Another Stock Aitken Waterman production, this was taken from Rick's second album - also titled 'Hold me in your arms' - which was entirely produced by the trio.

'Rick's Hit mix', also included on this disc, was a medley of all of Rick's previous hit singles, mixed by Tony King.

1. Hold me in your arms (extended)
2. Rick's Hit mix
3. Hold me in your arms (7")

RCA PWL PD 42616
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One step ahead - Nik Kershaw

As much as I'm opposed to the whole marketing approach that record companies adopted in the Eighties - and even worse in later decades - I have to admit that it worked in this case. When I saw this CD-single I was triggered by the name Nik Kershaw. Then I noticed that two old singles were included in the track listing - an idea that obviously came from the marketing men - and presto: I'd bought the disc.

Of course, 'One step ahead' turned out to be a great pop song itself, but I only found that out by playing this CD single. Nik Kershaw wasn't exactly played much on the radio in 1989...

1. One step ahead
2. When I grow up
3. Wouldn't it be good  
4. The riddle

MCA  257 747-2
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You're my world - Nick Heyward

Nick Heyward had his biggest hits in the first half of the Eigthies, first with the band Haircut 100 and then solo with songs like 'Whistle down the wind' (delicious) and 'Warning sign' (funky).

'You're my world', released in 1988, was a very nice pop ditty, which failed to impress the audiences and so I had the opportunity to pick this up for a few guilders - quite a feat at a time when CD-singles were still new enough not to be found in bargain bins like they were in later years.

1. You're my world (edit)
2. Pizza tears
3. You're my world (extended version)
4. Strange life

WEA 921 041-2
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De wereld - Frank Boeijen Groep

The third single off the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1988 album 'Dans in slow-motion' was this song, 'De wereld' ('The world'), imaginatively presented with a sleeve featuring a photograph of the world.

The profits of this discs were all meant to go to the World Wildlife Fund, but since the single never became a hit, those numbers wouldn't have been very high. Not that this was a bad disc: it features an excellent B-side and a powerful, if slightly edited, live version of the band's older track 'Hier komt de storm'.

1. De wereld
2. Holland is vrij
3. Hier komt de storm (live)

Ariola 662.128
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Everlasting love - Howard Jones

Time has been kind to Howard Jones. By 1989 his popularity was waning, but the man is still making records and performing all over the world. I wasn't exactly impressed with this CD-single in 1989, but now I can play it with a lot of pleasure.

'Everlasting love' was the first single from his 1989 album 'Cross that line', which was too America-oriented in my opinion. A lot of British artists were pointing their compasses to the USA in the second half of the Eighties, and that didn't result in their best albums. But I do have to admit that all four tracks of this disc still sound very good nowadays.

1. Everlasting love
2. The brutality of fact
3. Power of the media
4. No one is to blame

WEA 247077-2
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Now you're gone - Black

The third single from Black's second album 'Comedy' was 'Now you're gone', one of the weaker tracks from the album I felt. The fact that this was released as a 3" disc added to my interest, because otherwise I might have held off on buying it.

I'm glad I didn't, though: by now this version is so collectable it wasn't even listed on Discogs.com until now. The UK version was released in a 5" cardboard sleeve, but this German version comes in a 3" cardboard sleeve.

1. Now you're gone
2. Now you're gone (Mardi Gras version)
3. Brother o' mine

A&M 390 409-3
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Take me to your heart - Rick Astley

The inlay of this CD-single is a bit odd, because what you see on the scan here was really it: the other side of the inlay card was empty and white. For the track listing, you need to read the label of the CD, which is pretty difficult if you're actually playing the disc.

This CD single comes with three versions of the title track plus a pretty good B-side. It's mid-Eighties pop by those famous producers Stock Aitken & Waterman, but although dated this sound pretty good still. Not least because of Rick Astley's smooth voice.

1. Take me to your heart (Autumn leaves mix)
2. I'll be fine
3. Take me to your heart (instrumental)
4. Take me to your heart (7" version)

RCA PWL  PD 42574
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