THE JOY OF SINGLES

BBC 4 The Joy of Singles

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nzchs

BBC 4 broadcast an interesting programme that revelled in the art of the 7" single. A variety of musicians journalists spoke about the first single they bought and the significance, both musically and culturally, of the power of the single. This got me to thinking about my first single and the appeal of the vinyl, the label and the sleeve. Here's a selection of some of the singles that I have bought over the years, starting with my very first one, that had resonance for me and that bring back memories of specific times. Most are 7" singles but there are also 12" singles that are significant. These are not my favourite, or 'best' singles but important to me to only caveat is that they were all bought at time of release. That's what the single is all about, capturing the moment.

Slade-Look Wot you dun

Alice Cooper-Schools out

Roxy Music-Pyjamarama

David Bowie-Life on Mars

T-Connection-Do what you wanna do

Sex Pistols-God save the queen

Evlyn 'Champagne' King-Shame

Change-Searching

Siouxsie & The Banshees-Hong Kong Garden

D-Train-You're the one for me

The Clash-Complete Control

Luther VanDros-Never too much

The Beat-Mirror in the bathroom

Joy Division-Komakino

Afrika Bambaataa-Planet Rock

Rockers revenge-Walking on Sunshine

ABC-Tears are not enough

Teardrop Explodes-Treason

Sade-Smooth Operator

Spandau Ballet-Chant number one

Soul II Soul-Keep on Moving

Jamiraquai-When you gonna learn

Brand New Heavies-Stay this way

SWV-Right here

Talking Heads-Once in a lifetime

Blackstreet-No Diggidy

Lightning Seeds-Life's to short

Paul Weller-You do something to me

Adele-Chasing Pavements

Arctic Monkeys-I bet you look good on the dance floor

end of part 1...