Thursday 17 April 2008

Betty Boo - Hangover


From 1992, this was the third single taken from the album 'GRRR! It's Betty Boo'. Sadly, at the time, it gave Betty Boo the lowest chart position of her career with the track peaking at #50 in the UK charts. Despite its low chart performance it's a great track and certainly one of my favourites from her.

TRACKLISTING:

Hangover
Hangover (12" Mix)
Hangover (Saturday Night Remix)
Hangover (Sunday Morning Remix)
Hangover (Alternate Mix)




PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Friday 11 April 2008

Sarah Brightman & Hot Gossip - I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper


From 1978, this sci-fi themed single was the debut of the then teenage Brightman as a singer. The song is a lightweight space disco track that cashed in on the media hype surrounding the original Star Wars film: the lyrics include the lines "And evil Darth Vader has been banished to Mars" and "Or are you like a droid, devoid of emotion". Many of the lyrics are mild sexual innuendo; for example, "Take me, make me feel the force". It peaked at #6 in the UK charts. In 1998 the track was remixed and given a promo only release under the name 'United Citizen Federation Ft Sarah Brightman - Starship Troopers'.

TRACKLISTING:

Original Version
D-Bop's Saturday Night Radio Edit
Jox Maximalistic Club Mix
Loop Skywalker Mix
Rated PG's Club Mix
Trooper's Video Remix
Trouser Enthusiasts' Iris Unguicularis Mix

La Toya Jackson - Private Joy


Taken from La Toya Jackson's 1984 album 'Heart Don't Lie'. The song is a cover of Prince's 1981 track of the same name. The single had limited release in Japan as a 7" single, and failed to chart there or gain much attention anywhere else.

TRACKLISTING:

Private Joy
Private Joy (Extended Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Thursday 10 April 2008

Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona


From 1987, 'Barcelona' was written as the theme song of the 1992 Summer Olympics. The song reached #8 in the UK, #15 in Sweden and #34 in the Netherlands.

In 1992 the song was re-released and performed live at the opening of the Olympics by Montserrat, with Freddie's voice recordings. It again hit the charts reaching #2 in the UK, #2 in the Netherlands, #8 in Switzerland, #12 in Sweden and #42 in Australia.

TRACKLISTING:

Barcelona
Barcelona (Extended Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Sunday 6 April 2008

Betty Boo - 24 Hours


From 1990, this was the last single to be taken from the album 'Boomania'. It didn't do as well as the previous singles, peaking at #25 in the UK and #94 in Australia. Two of the remixes for the track were by Norman Cook and Vince Clarke.

TRACKLISTING:

24 Hours (7" Version)
24 Hours (12" Mix)
24 Hours (12" Instrumental)
24 Hours (Norman Cook Remix)
24 Hours (Oratronic Vince Clarke Mix)




PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Nick Kamen - I Promised Myself 2004


'I Promised Myself' was originally released by Nick Kamen in 1990. It was a moderate hit in Europe, reaching #1 in Austria and Sweden, #3 in Switzerland, #11 in France and #42 in Holland. The track was given a remix and a re-release in 2004.

TRACKLISTING:

I Promised Myself (2004 Radio Edit)
I Promised Myself (2004 Extended Mix)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Saturday 5 April 2008

Blondie - Call Me


From 1980, 'Call Me' was the main theme of the film 'American Gigolo'. It reached #1 both in the UK and US charts. Blondie also released the song in Mexico and some South American countries as 'Llámame', complete with translated Spanish lyrics.

TRACKLISTING:

Call Me (7" Edit)
Call Me (Full Length Disco Version)
Call Me (Spanish Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Thursday 3 April 2008

Jamiroquai - Stillness In Time


From 1995, this was the 3rd single taken from Jamiroquai's 1994 album, 'The Return Of The Space Cowboy'. It gave them their highest chart position with the single peaking at #9 in the UK charts. This chart position was undoubtedly helped by the inclusion on the single of the David Morales remix of 'Space Cowboy' which was very popular in clubs at the time. 'Stillness In Time' though is a great classy pop song and deserves to be a pop gem!

TRACKLISTING:

Stillness In Time
Stillness In Time (Extended Vinyl Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Opus III - I Talk To The Wind


From 1992, taken from the album 'Mind Fruit', this was the follow-up to their previous hit 'It's A Fine Day'. Sadly, 'I Talk To The Wind' could not match its success and the track peaked at #52 in the UK charts. The 'Transcendent Mix' was remixed by producer & remixer Moby.

TRACKLISTING:

I Talk To The Wind (Single Edit)
I Talk To The Wind (12" Extended Mix)
I Talk To The Wind (The Transcendent Mix)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Miquel Brown - So Many Men, So Little Time


From 1983, this track was one of the first pioneering records of the 'High Energy' scene. Co-written & produced by Ian Levine, it's an infectious relentless track, but despite its energy it only managed to reach #88 in the UK charts. It was though, a considerable dance hit around the world. After gaining some momentum in 1983 the track was re-released in 1984, but second time round it only managed to reach #78.

Many pop fans don't realise that Miquel Brown is the mother of another 80's popstar, Sinitta! Oh, and the video is possibly the campest gayest video ever made! :D

TRACKLISTING:

So Many Men, So Little Time (Single Version)
So Many Men, So Little Time (Extended Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com

Freddie Mercury - Stop All The Fighting


From 1985, 'Stop All The Fighting' was the b-side to 'I Was Born To Love You' which reached #11 in the UK charts. The track wasn't included on Mercury's album 'Mr.Bad Guy' so was exclusive to 'I Was Born To Love You'. Unusually for a b-side an extended version was produced. It's a great little pop track, with it's insistant bass-line and beat. And it has a positive message too!

In 1993, the track was featured as a b-side on the re-release of 'The Great Pretender'.

TRACKLISTING:

Stop All The Fighting
Stop All The Fighting (Extended Version)

PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com