Showing posts with label Belle Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belle Stars. Show all posts

Thursday 9 March 2023

Sweet memory - Belle Stars

After the Belle Stars had a big hit with 'Sign of the times', they released this single: Sweet memory. They put 'Sign of the times' on the B-side for some reason, but it's just the regular version of that track.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in Ireland, but didn't achieve any chart success in Europe. In fact, only the 1989 re-release of 'Iko Iko' would bring them success outside of the UK again.

My collection: 7" single no. 6896
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 4 March 2023
Tracks: 'Sweet memory' / 'Sign of the times'

Thursday 14 April 2011

Iko iko - The belle stars

I've seen the Belle Stars, or at least, three of them, during those Here & Now tours at the beginning of this century in the UK, and one of the staples in their set was their version of 'Iko iko'. I never found the single of that track, but here it is... a reissue of the song because, apparently, it was used in the movie 'Rain man'.

Originally, the track was released six years earlier, in 1982. It reached number 35 in the UK singles chart. This re-release gave them a number 14 peak position in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and a number 7 peak position in Australia. The single also re-charted in the UK... peaking at number 98.

My collection: 7" single no. 5072
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Iko iko' (Belle Stars) / 'Leaving Wallbrook / On the road' (Hans Zimmer)

Monday 9 November 2009

Another latin love song - The Belle Stars

The Belle Stars made a name for themselves in the London club circuit when they started performing in 1981. Within a few months they appeared on the front cover of Sounds magazine. They were signed by Stiff Records.

The band's debut single, 'Hiawatha' was released in the late spring of 1981. This single failed to chart, just like the follow-up 'Slick trick'. Their third single was this EP, with the lead track 'Another latin love song'. Again, it failed to break into the charts. The band finally found success with their fourth single, a cover of the song 'Iko Iko'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4163
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Another latin love song', 'Miss world' / 'Stop now', 'Having a good time'

Saturday 26 September 2009

Mockingbird - Belle Stars

'Mockingbird' was originally a hit for Inez and Charlie Foxx in 1969. The song was covered by James Taylor and Carly Simon in 1974.

The Belle Stars released their version of the song in October 1982. It was only a modest success, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4073
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mockingbird' / 'Turn back the clock'

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Sign of the times - Belle Stars

Only this year I bought the 12" single of 'Sign of the times' by the Belle Stars, but I've had the 7" single for years. I bought my copy during a holiday in London 16 years ago - and then again a few years later as I'd forgotten I already had it.

The song borrows loosely from Sixties Motown tracks, but sounds very Eighties production-wise. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2025
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Sign of the times' / 'Madness'

Thursday 8 January 2009

The clapping song - Belle Stars

'The clapping song' is a song originally recorded by Shirley Ellis in 1965. The lyrics of 'The clapping song' are reminiscent of a nursery rhyme or jump-rope rhyme, and also feature instructions for a clapping game.

The Belle Stars covered the song in 1982 and it provided them with their first top 20 hit. This picture disc was a great item, one I couldn't resist buying even though I wasn't really impressed with the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2715
Found: June 20, 1996
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The clapping song' / 'Blame'
Download: here

Saturday 3 January 2009

Sign of the times - Belle Stars

In January 1983 the Belle Stars, an all-female group consisting of Stella Barker, Sarah-Jane Owen, Miranda Joyce, Penny Leyton, Judy Parsons, Lesley Shone and Jennie Matthias, released 'Sign of the times'. It peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, and would become their signature song.

I bought the 12" single today, being rather surprised because I'd never seen a 12" single of this track before. This 12" single was made in America.

My collection: 12" single no. 477
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sign of the times (Remixed extended 12" version)' / 'Madness'
Download: here
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