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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9. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor (2001, Polydor, 570 494-2, UK)
The sophisticated disco-pop anthem that became Sophie Ellis-Bextor's signature tune. Murder On The Dancefloor is pure, unadulterated glittery fun. This Polydor enhanced CD single from 2001 is a must for pop connoisseurs. Its massive success and recent resurgence in popularity mean you've got a decent chance of finding it, and it’s certainly well-loved on Discogs. 🔎 7170 wants | Getty/Discogs
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10. N-Trance Featuring Kelly Llorenna - Set You Free (1994, All Around The World, CD GLOBE 124, UK)
A towering anthem of 90s rave and Eurodance, N-Trance's Set You Free featuring Kelly Llorenna's powerhouse vocals is pure hands-in-the-air energy. This 1994 All Around The World CD single is a portal back to a more euphoric time. It’s a classic that many dance music fans actively seek out on Discogs and a frequent charity shop spot. 🔎 7482 wants | N-Trance/Discogs
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11. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack (1996, WEA, WEA040CD, UK)
The ultimate comeback anthem! Mark Morrison's Return Of The Mack was a global R&B smash with its smooth groove and unforgettable chorus. Nabbing this 1996 WEA CD single is a must for 90s R&B fans. Its iconic status keeps it on many wantlists for those looking to own a piece of mid-90s swagger, and its popularity means copies are often out there. 🔎 7493 wants | Getty/Discogs
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12. Eric Prydz - Call On Me (2004, Data Records_Ministry Of Sound, DATA68CDS, UK)
The ultimate feel-good dance track of the mid-00s? Eric Prydz's Call On Me, with its Steve Winwood sample and iconic video, was inescapable. This Data Records CD single is pure uplifting nostalgia. It’s a tune that many want to own a physical copy of, hence its regular appearance on Discogs wantlists and its likelihood of appearing in charity shops. 🔎 8512 wants | Getty/Discogs
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