Does anyone else remember the excitement of hearing something on the radio, then heading to the supermarket on pocket money day to pick up a CD single?
Am I showing my age here quite badly?
For a long time, when 'Spotify' was something you did with a Where’s Wally book, our immediate access to songs was either a) taping it off the radio and praying the DJ wouldn’t talk over the end, or b) picking up one of the many… many CD maxi-singles that gathered in music retail outlets and, eventually, supermarkets – much to the dismay of Art Brut.
In the United Kingdom, a CD maxi-single was a music single on a Compact Disc containing more tracks than the standard two-track (A-side and B-side) CD single. It was essentially the CD equivalent of the 12-inch vinyl single, often offering more value or a more comprehensive experience of a single release.
CD maxi-singles, like CD singles in general, were very popular in the UK throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, forming a significant part of the music market and singles chart. They were typically released in standard 5-inch jewel cases, or often in slimline jewel cases. Sometimes, special packaging like digipaks or card sleeves was used, occasionally with space to house a second companion CD single for multi-part releases.
It’s the kind of CD that many charity shops across the United Kingdom still have hidden amongst albums people have donated; and some of them are, according to Discogs, very much still wanted by users of the marketplace.
So, what CD singles are people looking for? We’ve picked the ones that have more than likely either been passed down through the annals of time to find themselves in a charity shop or, again, are stuffed into the far recesses of your car's glove compartment.
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5. The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony (1997, Hut Recordings_Virgin, HUTDG 82, UK)
With its iconic orchestral sample and soaring ambition, Bitter Sweet Symphony became The Verve's signature song and an anthem of the late 90s. This 1997 Hut Recordings CD1 single is a monumental piece of Britpop history. Despite its ubiquity in the charts, owning a physical copy is a must for many, making it a Discogs favourite you might well find. 🔎 5148 wants | Getty/Discogs
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6. Blur - Girls & Boys (1994, Food/Parlophone, CDFOODS 47, UK)
The track that heralded Blur's imperial phase, Girls & Boys is a quintessential Britpop anthem with its driving disco beat and witty lyrics. This 1994 Food/Parlophone CD1 single is a snapshot of a vibrant time in British music. A classic of the era, it’s always a popular one with collectors on Discogs and a likely find in charity outlets. 🔎 5480 wants | Getty/Discogs
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7. Oasis - Wonderwall (1995, Creation Records, CRESCD 215, UK)
Arguably one of the defining songs of the 90s, Oasis' Wonderwall is a global anthem. This 1995 Creation Records CD single is a piece of music history. While millions were sold, finding a clean copy is always a joy, and it's a track many want in their collection for its sheer iconic status, often tracked on Discogs and frequently found while crate digging. 🔎 5517 wants | Getty/Discogs
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8. The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl (1999, Virgin/Freestyle Dust, 7243 8 95887 2 9, UK)
"Here we go!" The Chemical Brothers unleashed this iconic big beat anthem in 1999, and dancefloors haven't been the same since. This Virgin/Freestyle Dust CD single is pure, unadulterated energy. A cornerstone of late 90s electronic music, it’s a classic that many are eager to own, as seen by its Discogs popularity and reasonable chance of discovery. 🔎 5818 wants | Getty/Discogs
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