Your love alone is not enough - Manic street preachers

It may have been a surprise to some to hear a female vocal on a Manic Street Preachers track. And some may even have wondered who it was. Well, the guest star here was Nina Persson, who is known as the frontwoman of The Cardigans.

'Your love alone is not enough' was released as a single in April 2007. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4066
Found: eBay.co.uk, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Your love alone is not enough' / 'Fearless punk ballad'

New in town - Little boots

Every now and again, I discover a new artist that has actually been around for a little while but I just managed to miss it. It doesn't matter because usually I'm there early enough to still collect all the relevant singles. Little boots is my latest discovery, recording so-called electropop music that incorporates a lot of influences from the Eighties into a more modern sound.

'New in town' is Little boots' debut single, released in May this year. Victoria Christina Hesketh, who uses Little boots as her stage name, wrote the song herself together with Greg Kurstin. According to her, the song is about 'being a stranger in a strange place which is fun but also has a dark side, and someone showing you around and in the end just kind of letting go'. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4062
Found: eBay.co.uk, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'New in town' / 'New in town (No one is safe - Al Kapranos remix)'

Another way to die - Jack White and Alicia Keys

A lot of care went into the James Bond themes in the early days. And I have to say, the quality was still there in the Nineties, although some of the tracks released in the Eighties and Nineties relied on cliche a little too much. But with the latest Bond movie, 'Quantum of solace', nothing really is Bond anymore - and the theme song went the same way.

'Another way to die', performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, sounds like a hastily compiled demo, in which the writer, Jack White, forgot to include a melody and a comprehensible song structure. On the plus side: it's the first time since Madonna's 'Die another day' that the Bond theme appeared on the 7" vinyl format again and it is pressed on semi-gold coloured vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3576
Found: eBay.co.uk, received February 2, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Another way to die' / 'Another way to die (instrumental)'

Tokyo - Athlete

'Tokyo' was the second single from Athlete's third album 'Beyond the neighbourhood'. While the cd-single contained four live tracks (including 'Tokyo' itself), this 7" single featured the album version of 'Tokyo' and an exclusive B-side track.

Released in November 2007, the single did not reach the UK top 100, partly due to lack of promotion and the fact that the cd-single EP sales were discounted as a result of UK chart rules.

My collection: 7" single no. 4057
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received September 23, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tokyo' / 'Accidents happen'

22 - Lily Allen

'22' is the latest single by Lily Allen, released just last month. The title of the song is slightly misleading, since it is about a nearly thirty-year-old woman realizing she's at the end of her prime. Lily commented on the song: 'It's more about girls that haven't figured out what they want to do with themselves. Especially really pretty girls. They can rely on their looks to an extent: people will pay for their dinners and drinks and they don't really have to think. And then suddenly it hits them that they're not doing anything with their lives and it's too late. And, yes, it's about a specific person. Most of my songs start like that and then become more general.'

The single was released, like the two previous ones, as a 7" picture disc. It peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4056
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received September 23, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: '22' / '22 (The Big Pink Remix)'

Love comes - Bananarama

Disc two features Keren Woodward on the picture disc and the B-side 'Voyage voyage', originally performed by Desireless. The tracks were all produced by Ian Masterson, who previously had success as part of the remix team Trouser Enthusiasts, producer of Dannii Minogue and also producing Kim Wilde's surprise hit 'Loved' in 2001.

'Love comes' is a track from Bananarama's latest album 'Viva', released last week.

My collection: 7" single no. 4054
Found: Townsend Records, UK, received September 22, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love comes (radio edit)' / 'Voyage voyage'

Love comes - Bananarama

'Love comes' is the brand new single by Bananarama, released on September 6 - just two weeks ago. Much to my delight, the single was released as two separate 7" picture discs. Since they are a duo these days (and have been since 1993), each disc portrays a member of Bananarama.

Picture disc number one features Sara Dallin and the B-side is a cover of Bryan Ferry's song 'Tokyo Joe'. 'Love comes' peaked at number 44 in the UK singles chart earlier this month.

My collection: 7" single no. 4053
Found: Townsend Records, UK, received September 22, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love comes (radio edit)' / 'Tokyo Joe'

The night sky - Keane

'The night sky' was written and performed by Keane and released as a non-album single in aid of War Child in October 2007. The song is written from a child's point of view on war. Originally the song was meant to be included on Kean's 2006 album 'Under the iron sea', but it was dropped from the track listing on the last minute.

The single did not chart in the UK due to controversial chart rules. The 7" single was not eligible for chart placing because of the free poster included with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The night sky' / 'Put it behind you (Ffrisco mix)'

Solo so long - Dimestars

In 2000, Roxanne Wilde (Kim Wilde's sister), Morgan Quaintance, Joe Holweger and Tom Hanna signed to Polydor records as Dimestars. They tried to forge a career for themselves, starting off with the single 'Solo so long'. It was released as a cd-single and cassette single, and this 12" single, the only vinyl release by Dimestars as far as I know.

'Solo so long' did not chart. The follow-up single 'My superstar', released in 2001, did. Their album 'Living for the weekend' was pressed and distributed as a promotional disc, but never got a commercial release in the end. Dimestars toured with Kylie Minogue in 2001, but split up after their career didn't take off. Right now, Roxanne Wilde is one of Kylie's backing singers during her current world tour.

My collection: 12" single no. 513
Found: HMV, London, 2000
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Solo so long (Cut la Roc remix)' / 'Solo so long (radio edit)'

A bad dream - Keane

Keane's song 'A bad dream' was partially based on the poem 'An Irish Airman foresees his death' by W.B. Yeats. Tim Rice-Oxley explains: 'We wanted to get a balance between a kinda dream sequence. It starts very quietly, and I love the idea of being in a plane, like a Spitfire or something, being so high up in the sky that you can't hear the guns below you and so on. And it's almost got a serene silence which is what this Yeats poem seemed to really express. The song starts very quietly, but it gets huge and angry as it goes on... The big distorted washy piano sound in the middle is a pretty vast sound and it's I guess an attempt to express all that anger bursting out.'

The track was released as the sixth and final single from Keane's album 'Under the iron sea' in January 2007. Although it became Keane's first single to fail to reach the UK Top 20, it peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3491
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'A bad dream' / 'She sells sanctuary'

Clocks - Coldplay

The theme of the lyric of 'Clocks' is contrast, contradictions and urgency. The song emerged during the late stages of the production of Coldplay's second album, 'A rush of blood to the head'. The song was recorded very quickly, because the band were running after the postponed scheduled release date of the album.

When released as the second single from the album, the response was immediate and positive. The chart success was pretty good, with top 10 placings in the Netherlands (number 2), Canada (number 7) and the UK (number 9). The song was also remixed numerous times, amongst others by Röyksopp.

My collection: 7" single no. 3374
Found: HMV mailorder, London, 2003
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Clocks' / 'Crests of waves'

The scientist - Coldplay

I still remember vividly how I entered an HMV store in Liverpool on the last day of a holiday in the UK in December 2002 and heard this song. I was immediately impressed and bought the cd-single right away. In those days, I'd almost given up on the 7" vinyl format. Luckily, I have reconsidered and that's why I ended up buying this 7" single late last year.

Chris Martin commented about 'The scientist': 'That's just about girls. It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone.' The inside cover of the band's accompanying album 'A rush of blood to the head' states: 'The scientist is Dan'. 'Dan' refers to Dan Keeling, the A&R man who signed the band to Parlophone.

My collection: 7" single no. 3500
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 23, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The scientist' / '1.36', 'I ran away'

Nothing in my way - Keane

When I listened to 'Under the iron sea', Keane's second album, for the first time, 'Nothing in my way' was one of the first songs to jump out of this new batch of songs. It was only right when this song was released as a single. Tim Rice-Oxley, who wrote the song, explains: 'The song's actually written about some people I know who are married, and their marriage was essentially just bringing a lot of misery to both of them, but for some reason they just refused to acknowledge it. I hate the idea of people being so much in denial that they're prepared to almost let their lives fall apart rather than acknowledge what's going on.'

The single became a modest hit, peaking at number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. This 7" single is a numbered limited edition; this is number 2278.

My collection: 7" single no. 3575
Found: eBay.co.uk, received February 2, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Nothing in my way' / 'Thin air'

Twenty four hours - Athlete

Released as the fourth and final single from Athlete's 2005 album 'Tourist', 'Twenty four hours' was a real treat for fans. The cd-single featured two new tracks, whereas the 7" single, released as a picture disc, featured one of those new tracks plus another new track exclusive to the 7" format.

The single peaked at number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3418
Found: HMV mail order, received November 2005
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Twenty four hours' / 'Stand in the sun', 'Before tomorrow'

Crystal ball - Keane

Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane commented about 'Crystal ball': 'That was a really scary for me, because I've always had lots to say, and lots of opinions whether right or wrong. We then ended up having a massive row about something a couple of days later and it came out of that that we were all feeling this sense of numbness, this feeling of kinda fading away as people. I struggled to find one last song to complete the album, and found I could not write. I was left looking around song directories written by the sheer desperates of London, thus explaining how I discovered Crystal Ball...'

The track was released as the second single of Keane's second album 'Under the iron sea'. It reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40 and the UK singles chart. This 7" single is a numbered limited edition; this is number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 3490
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Crystal ball' / 'Maybe I can change'

Crack the shutters - Snow Patrol

'Crack the shutters' was the second single from Snow Patrol's most recent album 'A hundred million suns'. Band leader Gary Lightbody has described the song as 'the purest love song I've ever written. Even more so than 'Chasing cars'. It's luxuriating in the beauty and wonder of someone you love with all your heart.'

The single reached number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. This 7" single is a numbered limited edition; I've got number 259. I've also got number 1513 so that one's for sale if you want it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3544
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received January 10, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Crack the shutters' / 'One day like this'

Bulletproof - La Roux

La Roux is a synthpop duo consisting of Eleanor Jackson and Ben Langmaid. 'Bulletproof' is their third single, released in June 2009. Jackson commented about the lyric of the song: 'Bulletproof is just about looking at a situation that's usually a reoccurring one. It could be to do with anything in your life - whatever you want it to be about.'

The 7" single release is a square picture disc with two playable sides, although the B-side basically consists of an empty groove. The single topped the UK singles chart, but so far it hasn't charted in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4009
Found: eBay.co.uk, received August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Track: 'Bulletproof'

Tourist - Athlete

'Tourist' was released as the third single from Athlete's album of the same name. Released in August 2005, it managed to reach number 43 in the UK singles chart.

This picture disc 7" single featured an exclusive track: 'Half light', the previous single, as performed during a radio programme on BBC6.

My collection: 7" single no. 3414
Found: HMV, London, 2005
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tourist' / 'Half light (BBC6 music session)'

Take back the city - Snow Patrol

This is the second 7" single of 'Take back the city', featuring a live version of 'Set the fire to the third bar', featuring Miriam Kaufmann on vocals. The live track was recorded at Union Chapel for Mencap Little Noise Sessions.

Although the track was met with mixed reviews, it still did reasonable in various charts. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. This 7" single was also a numbered limited edition; this is number 2261.

My collection: 7" single no. 3466
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received January 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Take back the city' / 'Set the fire to the third bar (live)'

Take back the city - Snow Patrol

Although the lyric of Snow Patrol's 'Take back the city' was inspired by Belfast and Northern Ireland in general, it applied to every other city and the relationship its habitants have with it. Band leader Gary Lightbody said that it's 'about the reasons why I grew up confused by my country and the reasons now why I love it so'.

The track was released as a single in 2008 on one cd-single and two different 7" singles. This is 7" single number 1, featuring a remix of 'Take back the city' on the B-side. It is a numbered limited edition; this is number 603.

My collection: 7" single no. 3467
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received January 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Take back the city' / 'Take back the city (Lillica Libertine remix)'