West Germany Vol 3
("English Top Hits Vol 1") (BI 1517)
Bellaphon was a large and well-known label in West Germany, with a
respectable roster of its own acts,
and set about issuing Top of the Pops in a repeat sleeve design of their own.
They started with this Volume 3, emphasising in the title that these were "English" hits. Despite this they, used a the Union Jack rather than the English flag.
On the front, in tiny lettering (and in English, so as to confuse German buyers) was the phrase "well known by", above the songs. Thus, if one misses the significance of this, it appears to list the original artists on the cover.
On the back of the sleeve we find the phrase "Verschiedene Interpreten", which literally means different interpreters (or various artists), which is hardly obvious to record buyers. Also, it should be noted that the Top of the Pops crew are nowhere mentioned! One wonders how many buyers were duped by this ploy.
The ordering of tracks differs from the UK edition, and is as follows:
Side 1
Side 2
They started with this Volume 3, emphasising in the title that these were "English" hits. Despite this they, used a the Union Jack rather than the English flag.
On the front, in tiny lettering (and in English, so as to confuse German buyers) was the phrase "well known by", above the songs. Thus, if one misses the significance of this, it appears to list the original artists on the cover.
On the back of the sleeve we find the phrase "Verschiedene Interpreten", which literally means different interpreters (or various artists), which is hardly obvious to record buyers. Also, it should be noted that the Top of the Pops crew are nowhere mentioned! One wonders how many buyers were duped by this ploy.
The ordering of tracks differs from the UK edition, and is as follows:
Side 1
- Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
- Atlantis
- For Once In My Life
- Private Number
- Ain't Got No - I Got Life
- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Side 2
- Lily The Pink
- Son Of A Preacher Man
- Love Child
- Build Me Up Buttercup
- Albatross
- Something's Happening
Alternative edition
Pictured left is the same album, but in an altered sleeve. Note the song titles are printed against a grey background. The names of the acts are no longer given; instead, the right-hand column of text has a statement reading from top to bottom: "AN ENGLISH PRODUCTION 12 SUPER HITS FROM ENGLAND'S "TOP 20" WITH AN (sic) FANTASTIC ENGLISH SOUND AND GREAT ARTISTS" |