Unbelievably, I never owned a copy of ABC's 'The look of love' despite owning all of the band's albums, nearly all of their singles and even a few 12" singles and CD-singles. This strange situation has now been rectified. I ordered a beautiful copy of the UK 7" singles recently.
I can understand, however, how I never bought this single. It was played a lot on the radio during the Eighties and there were loads of other singles that I wanted to own and play. I really didn't need to hear this one - in fact for most of the Eighties and Nineties I'd had enough of this track. It's one of ABC's signature songs and having not heard it in a long time, I can now listen to it and enjoy it again.
My collection: 7" single no. 6051
Found: Discogs.com, received April 17, 2019
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The look of love (part 1)' / 'The look of love (part 2)'
Showing posts with label ABC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ABC. Show all posts
Sunday, 28 April 2019
Saturday, 20 May 2017
That was then but this is now - ABC
After the success they enjoyed with their debut album 'The lexicon of love', ABC decided to do things totally different on their second album, 'Beauty stab' (1983). The single 'That was then but this is now', released in advance of that album, was an indication of their changed sound: lots of guitars, loud drums and no love song, but a politically-charged stab at Thatcher's Britain. The single was reasonably successful, reaching number 18 in the UK and number 13 in Ireland.
This is one of those singles I thought I already had, for many years. And then recently I discovered it wasn't there. It wasn't hard to find a copy online. And so I ordered it along with a handful of other great UK singles.
My collection: 7" single no. 5835
Found: Discogs.com, received May 16, 2017
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That was then but this is now' / 'Vertigo'
Listen to the song
This is one of those singles I thought I already had, for many years. And then recently I discovered it wasn't there. It wasn't hard to find a copy online. And so I ordered it along with a handful of other great UK singles.
My collection: 7" single no. 5835
Found: Discogs.com, received May 16, 2017
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That was then but this is now' / 'Vertigo'
Listen to the song
Saturday, 21 January 2012
The look of love - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFpbXy00Wpc/Txrl1GRA3GI/AAAAAAAAL58/us9_SE41CYY/s200/abc18.jpg)
Another remix was made by Trevor Horn and released exclusively on an American 12" single. That remix was finally released in the UK as a free single with 'Be near me' in 1985.
My collection: 12" single no. 150
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The look of love (part 1)', 'The look of love (part 2)' / 'The look of love (part 3)', 'The look of love (part 4)'
Thursday, 16 December 2010
When Smokey sings - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/TQqSiLEMuVI/AAAAAAAAKi4/V2Mr4wbygto/s200/abc22.jpg)
The song's title refers to Smokey Robinson and is a tribute to this Sixties soul crooner. In the album version of the song, references are made to 'Luther', 'Sly', 'James' and 'Marvin' (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.
My collection: 7" single no. 4965
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part 1)'
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Say it - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SvsXbmztuxI/AAAAAAAAGuc/3JgEfBRxP50/s200/abc17.jpg)
The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart, but remained virtually unknown in the rest of the world.
My collection: 7" single no. 4159
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Say it (Abracadabra mix)' / 'Say it (Black box mix - edit)'
Monday, 9 November 2009
Love conquers all - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Svh38SuD9WI/AAAAAAAAGqU/hqtGfH1Esx4/s200/abc16.jpg)
The first single from the album was 'Love conquers all', which was received without much enthusiasm. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.
My collection: 7" single no. 4158
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love conquers all' / 'What's good about goodbye?'
Friday, 25 September 2009
The night you murdered love - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sr03YZoY0XI/AAAAAAAAFv4/GHdTkPzynr8/s200/abc15.jpg)
This is one ABC single I never bought, not because I didn't like the track but more because it was played on the radio so often back in 1987. I never really felt the need to own this single - until now, that is.
My collection: 7" single no. 4069
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The night you murdered love' / 'Minneapolis'
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Ocean blue - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SnXdRBGlPxI/AAAAAAAAEi8/kjhx7xR1Ao4/s200/abc14.jpg)
The single stalled at number 51 in the UK singles chart during its three week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 1181
Found: Oldies Unlimited, received February 26, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Ocean blue' / 'Tower of London'
Sunday, 26 July 2009
The look of love 1990 mix - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SmzKsZMgWiI/AAAAAAAAEY0/X7iEquGxcug/s200/abc13.jpg)
This single was rewarded appropriately with a one week chart run at number 68 in the UK singles chart. Some would say this was even too much, but you know... a fan has to have everything. Even crap singles.
My collection: 7" single no. 2748
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The look of love 1990 mix' / 'Ocean blue'
Monday, 29 June 2009
The real thing - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SkkheeFEw4I/AAAAAAAADx8/k7VqMMW83cc/s200/abc12.jpg)
After this single, the record company quickly released a compilation album, and must have felt some relief to see an end to the recording contract with the band. Fortunately, further releases were better than 'Up', which despite its title was the lowpoint of their career.
My collection: 7" single no. 1059
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The real thing (edit)' / 'The greatest love of all (edit)'
Thursday, 18 June 2009
One better world - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sjqo_MeaJwI/AAAAAAAADhQ/ryjTITT5FFo/s200/abc11.jpg)
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)'
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
King without a crown - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SjAY19vhBFI/AAAAAAAADZQ/J6hkZbxKUdg/s200/abc10.jpg)
Unfortunately my opinion differered once again from that of the general public. In the UK the single peaked at number 44, in the Netherlands at number 31, making it the worst selling single of the three. After this single, ABC's career once again took a nosedive with ABC's next disastrous album, which ironically was titled 'Up'.
My collection: 7" single no. 752
Found: V&D, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'King without a crown' / 'The look of love (live in Boston)'
Friday, 29 May 2009
Poison arrow - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SiA-oJtW1tI/AAAAAAAADIw/z8N9v6IR_d8/s200/abc9.jpg)
The B-side is an alternate version of 'Poison arrow'. According to the sleeve notes by Martin Fry on the back of this sleeve, it is 'the result of a late night spent with my producer Trevor Horn and piano accompanist'.
My collection: 7" single no. 1716
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1992
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Poison arrow' / 'Theme from 'Man trap''
Friday, 22 May 2009
Tears are not enough - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/ShcQjGnDGPI/AAAAAAAADAI/qhsw-0iqIhM/s200/abc8.jpg)
As far as debuts go, the band did well. The single peaked at number 19 at the end of 1981. The next year the debut album 'Lexicon of love' would be released - it would become a classic album of the Eighties.
My collection: 7" single no. 2015
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tears are not enough' / 'Alphabet soup'
Sunday, 10 May 2009
S.O.S. - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sgare7KYgMI/AAAAAAAACvM/BzVoLfV_qIg/s200/abc7.jpg)
It obviously confused the audience. The single only managed a lowly number 39 position in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 777
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 20, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'S.O.S.' / 'United Kingdom'
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Vanity kills - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SgNHcXA88kI/AAAAAAAACrg/NZi7QTbkIU4/s200/abc6.jpg)
'Vanity kills' appeared in the UK singles chart for one week in June 1985 on number 70. The B-side 'Judy's jewels' is a rarity: it was never released on cd.
My collection: 7" single no. 2419
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Vanity kills' / 'Judy's jewels'
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
All of my heart - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SgAJo3RkBmI/AAAAAAAACoY/wPwGxfrSExg/s200/abc5.jpg)
The orchestral theme was visible on the whole of the release: the four members of the band posed as classical musicians on the sleeve and the B-side was 'Overture', essentially a medley of tracks from 'The lexicon of love' played by a full orchestra.
My collection: 7" single no. 1188
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'All of my heart' / 'Overture'
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
When Smokey sings - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Se97J99gtuI/AAAAAAAACYk/CHhKv9Fw-Nk/s200/abc4.jpg)
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)'
Saturday, 17 January 2009
King without a crown - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SXIz2qLDh7I/AAAAAAAAA9E/VIrZlCz-SPk/s200/abc3.jpg)
My collection: 12" single no. 131
Found: London, 1992
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'King without a crown (The Mendelsohn mix)'
Download: here
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Be near me - ABC
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623130112im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SWO4UYnTVsI/AAAAAAAAAuo/B9QV8cyvzU0/s200/abc2.jpg)
For some time, the - frankly wonderful - remix of 'Poison arrow' was played regularly on local radio in my hometown, and I started searching for this double single. I was overjoyed when I finally saw it and had the opportunity to buy it. I regarded it as a crown jewel in my record collection. In a way, I still do.
My collection: 7" single no. 350
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 14,95 guilders
Tracks: 'Be near me' / 'A to Z' // 'Poison arrow (US remix)' / 'The look of love (US remix)'
Download: here
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