Fred Astaire - Mo

'Fred Astaire' was the Mo's biggest hit in the Netherlands. It was released in January 1981 and reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. It was taken from the self-titled album 'Mo', which reached number 10 in the albums chart.

Ironically, out of all the Mo singles I have, it took me the longest time to buy this single. I couldn't remember how this song went, and when I finally did, the single didn't pop up in record stores and record fairs anymore. But in 2000 I succeeded in adding this one to my collection. It's a good thing, too: the B-side 'Band with bassoon' is just as good as the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3220

Found: October 12, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Fred Astaire' / 'Band with bassoon'

Download: here

The foolish thing to do - Heaven 17 featuring Jimmy Ruffin

Heaven 17 teamed up with Jimmy Ruffin to record this single, 'The foolish thing to do', in 1986. Ruffin was famous for the hit single 'What becomes of the broken hearted' and further hit singles recorded on the Motown label in the late Sixties and early Seventies, whereas Heaven 17 had had several hit singles in the first half of the eighties. Working together, they made a modern sounding soul song. Unfortunately, their effort wasn't rewarded by the audience: the single didn't chart anywhere.

For me, it was the first Heaven 17 single I ever bought. I quite resisted buying Heaven 17 singles because my sister was so into them. She was putting down my favourites, so it was only fair that I did the same with hers. But in the end, I couldn't resist this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1408
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, April 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The foolish thing to do (version 1)' / 'My sensitivity (gets in the way)'
Download: here

Haunt me - Sade

In 1988, Sade released her third album, 'Stronger than pride'. As far as I knew, three singles were drawn from it: 'Love is stronger than pride', 'Paradise', 'Nothing can come between us' and 'Turn my back on you'. I was greatly surprised when I found this single, 'Haunt me', in 1996. It was the first and only time I saw it.

According to the information I got when I bought this single, it was released in Spain. However, the single was made in Holland, as the label says. A 12" single also exists, with the extended version of 'Make some room' on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2628

Found: Record fair, March 16, 1996

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Haunt me' / 'Make some room'

Download: here

Luxemburg - The Good Cause

The Dutch group Het Goede Doel decided to try and forge an international career with this single, 'Luxemburg'. It was an English translation of 'België' ('Belgium'), their biggest hit in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, in the translation a lot of the humour of the original version had been lost. If only for the cultural fact that the Dutch tend to look down on their southerly neighbours, whereas no-one really has an opinion about Luxemburg.

After an appearance in a European broadcast (with this video), the single sunk without a trace. Still, it is kindof a collectors item in the Netherlands, because it wasn't released there.

My collection: 7" single no. 3018

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 5, 1998

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Luxemburg' / 'Bread and circuses (instrumental)'

Download: here

Dynamite - Mud

Mud was founded in 1968 by Rob Davis, Les Gray, Dave Mount and Ray Stiles. They were one of Britain's most successful glam rock bands, with three number one singles and eight further top 10 hits.

Even though 'Dynamite' only reached number 4 in the UK, it was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands in 1974. This is also how I found out about the band. Even though I was only four years old, I was watching the Dutch chart show Toppop every week, and my family still remembers how I kept requesting whether bands like the Sparks or Mud would return in that week's edition. I bought this single mostly for sentimental reasons. I didn't play it very often. I'd grown up, after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1902

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Dynamite' / 'Do it all over again'

Download: here

Alane - Wes

One of the most irritating songs of 1998 was 'Alane' by Wes - at least, that's my opinion. Not that a lot of people agreed: it was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Still, when I found out that there was a remix of this track by the Trouser Enthusiasts, it piqued my interest. I went hunting for this remix - but for some time I wasn't successful. Until I finally found a 12" single with the remix and a dub version. It makes a great dance track out of a stupid, boring song. Well, that's quite an achievement!

My collection: 12" single no. 415

Found: London, 2000

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Alane (Trouser Enthusiasts Orgasmic Apparition Mix)' / 'Alane (Trouser Enthusiasts Spectrophiliac Dub)'

Download: here

Bandido - Azucar Moreno

The sisters Antonia and Encarnación Salazar formed Azucar Moreno (meaning 'brown sugar') in 1982. They signed with EMI Spain and recorded two albums, to moderate success in their home country. In 1988 they signed with CBS-Epic and relaunched their music with a bolder production style and matching sexier image.

In 1990 they represented Spain in that year's Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Zagreb with this song, 'Bandido'. The start of their performance was marred by sound problems. Due to a tape technician not starting the pre-recorded backing track in time both the singers, their band and the live orchestra missed their cues. The song then started all over. Despite all this, 'Bandido' finished fifth. I bought the single as soon as I could. In those days, Eurovision songs - even the non-winning ones - still appeared in record shops around the corner...

My collection: 7" single no. 1234

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 19, 1990

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Bandido' / 'Bandido (Instrumental)'
Download: here

Waterfall - Triumvirat

Triumvirat formed in 1969 in Cologne (Germany). The founding members were Hans-Jürgen Fritz, Hans Bathelt and Werner Frangenberg. They started out by performing covers of chart hits, but then got influenced by progressive rock bands like the Nice and Emerson Lake and Palmer. So much so, that they were eventually called 'The German Emerson Lake and Palmer' in their home country.

Their 1979 album 'A la carte' signalled a change in direction, containing more pop-oriented songs. This single, 'Waterfall', was their first and only hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 372

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Waterfall' / 'Jo Ann Walker'

Download: Album 'A la carte', including both tracks

Incredibly red - Esther Tuely

Esther Teule was born on October 30, 1963 in Vancouver, Canada. In the eighties she became a singer in the Dutch disco band the Novo Band. In 1991 she recorded her first (and only) solo album, the self-titled 'Esther Tuely'. 'Incredibly red' was the first single drawn from this album. It became a modest hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1558

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Incredibly red' / 'Walk on'

Download: here

This man is mine - Heart

'This man is mine' was the first single to be released from Heart's sixth studio album, 'Private audition' (1982). The song is an ode to The Supremes. The single peaked at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but didn't chart in the UK and the Netherlands.

I knew Heart mostly for their earlier singles 'Magic man' and 'Crazy on you', so this song was very different from that material. I liked it instantly, though, and when I got a little older I was very happy to be able to buy this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1100

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'This man is mine' / 'America'

Download: Album 'Private audition', including both tracks

Silly games - Lindy Layton

Lindy Layton was born on December 7, 1970. She was a founding member of the band Beats International, who scored a major hit with 'Dub be good to me' in 1990. While in Beats International, Lindy also launched a solo career. Her debut single was 'Silly games', a cover of a song originally recorded by Janet Kay in 1979. While Kay reached number 2 in the UK singles chart in 1979, Layton only managed number 22 in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1721

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 3, 1992

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Silly games' / 'Silly games (Classical groove)'

Download: here

Each and every one - Everything but the girl

Everything but the girl are a two person band, formed in Hull in 1982 by Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. They released their debut album 'Eden' in 1984. It featured their first hit single, 'Each and every one', which reached number 28 in the UK and number 9 in the Netherlands.

I thought the song was intensely dull when it came out. Of course, there were a lot more interesting pop acts around at that time to grab my interest. So I only grew to like this song later, and it was at the end of the eighties that I finally bought this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 847

Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Each and every one' / 'Laugh you out the house'

Download: here

Drowning in Berlin - Mobiles

The Mobiles were founded in 1981 and featured band members Anna Marie, Jhon Smithson, Chris Downton, David Blundell, Russ Madge and Eddie Smithson. Their debut single 'You're not alone' didn't chart, but their second single 'Drowning in Berlin' became a massive hit single. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart. They were invited to play in the television programme Top of the Pops as a result. The band members then claimed they were sacked from their day jobs because they took a day off in order to be able to appear in this programme. They only released one album, 'Drowning in Berlin', which was released on cd in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 2130

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Drowning in Berlin' / 'Tiptoe in paradise'

Download: here

Gentleman who fell - Milla

Milla Jovovich is best known for her modelling and acting work, but in 1994 she released her only music album to date, 'The Divine Comedy'. 'Gentleman who fell' was the first and only single drawn from this album. I bought all the cd-singles I could find (there are quite a few different promo's around) so I also had to have the 7" vinyl single, of course.

While the album was not a commercial success, it was highly praised and well-received by critics. And rightfully so: the left-of-center sound, influenced by folk and played on mainly acoustic instruments is a treat for the ears.

My collection: 7" single no. 2170

Found: Virgin at Marble Arch, London, September 26, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Gentleman who fell' / 'You did it all before (acoustic)'

Download: cd-single 'Gentleman who fell', including both tracks

No regrets - Midge Ure

As a big fan of Ultravox, even at an early age of 11, I got very worried when Midge Ure released this solo single. Sure, 'No regrets' was a beautiful song, as skillfully performed as any Ultravox track, but did it mean that my favourite group was falling apart? Fortunately, it didn't: Ultravox were going to release a few albums yet.

I found out later that 'No regrets' was a cover of a song originally performed by the Walker Brothers. And even though I really like that version a lot, I have to say I'll always prefer Midge's synth-driven cover. The B-side delivers exactly what the title promises.

My collection: 7" single no. 329

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'No regrets' / 'Mood music'

Download: here

Together too long - The Meteors

The Dutch band Meteors was founded in 1977 Ferdinand Bakker, Job Tarenskeen and Hugo Sinzheimer. They enlist three more musicians: Åke Danielson, John Vee and Erik de Zwaan. In 1979 they record their debut album 'Teenage heart', which contains the minor hit 'It's you only you'. 'Together too long' is the lead single from their second album 'Hunger' (1980), which is recorded after Tarenskeen, Vee and De Zwaan quit the band. They are replaced by Kim Haworth and Gerrit Veen. 'Together too long' is by far the most intense song the group ever recorded, but like the other singles it doesn't reach the higher regions of the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 613

Found: All that music, Leiden, 1987

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Together too long' / 'Out of the race'

Download: here

Vox - Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan released her debut single 'Vox' in 1988. It was apparently a hit in Canada, but failed to reach the charts in other territories. I would have to assume that the 7" single that I have, which was made in Germany in 1989, is quite a rarity. It will have been pressed in a reasonable quantity in Germany, but there's no reference to it on discogs.com and Wikipedia.

The single features a radio version which is slightly shorter than the album version on 'Touch', Sarah McLachlan's debut album (1989).

My collection: 7" single no. 2235

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, January 21, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Vox (radio version)' / 'Touch'

Download: here

King without a crown - ABC

The third single from ABC's successful comeback album 'Alphabet street' was 'King without a crown'. Besides the single, 12" single and cd-single there were also some promo 12" singles doing the rounds. This one-sided disc was one of them. I scooped it up in a record shop in London, some time after its release. It's one of those moments when you know that you've bought something exclusive. The remix on this disc wasn't released commercially, and that makes it very worthwhile.

My collection: 12" single no. 131

Found: London, 1992

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'King without a crown (The Mendelsohn mix)'

Download: here

Terry - Kirsty MacColl

Amazingly, the wonderful video for Kirsty MacColl's 'Terry' cannot be found on YouTube. It was this video that made me interested in the song after a long time. At first I couldn't stand the video, then I began to think it was pretty funny and in the end, I had to admit that the song was pretty amazing too.

Still, it would be 1990 before I bought the single, because when I finally liked the song the single had disappeared from all the record shops.

My collection: 7" single no. 1366

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 28, 1990

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Terry' / 'Quietly alone'

Download: here

Midnight blue - Louise Tucker

Louise Tucker was born in Bristol. She set out to train as an opera singer and studied singing at the famous Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She achieved success in the early eighties by recording two albums with producers Charlie Skarbek and Tim Smit. The albums are notable for combining Tucker's classically-trained opera voice with synthpop music.

Her 1982 album 'Midnight blue' is regarded as one of the first combinations of classical melody in a popular idiom to have enjoyed world-wide success. I bought this single when it reached the Dutch Top 40, where it peaked at number 13 near the end of 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 162

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Midnight blue' / 'Voices in the wind'

Download: Album 'Midnight blue', including both tracks (password: louise)

It must be love - Labi Siffre

Made famous in 1981 by Madness, 'It must be love' was originally written and recorded by Labi Siffre. He was born on June 25, 1945 and recorded his debut album in 1970. 'It must be love' was released a year later as a track from his album 'Crying Laughing Loving Lying'. The original version is notable for its simplicity, whereas the Madness version was more heavily produced.

My collection: 7" single no. 3537

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'It must be love' / 'To find love'

Download: here

Dancing in the dark - Tony Sherman

I found out about Tony Sherman's cover of 'Dancing in the dark' more than a decade after it was released. It was released in the same year as Kim Wilde's version, in 1983. Kim's version wasn't a hit, and neither was Tony Sherman's version. But a 12" single was released, and that was an item worth searching for.

Well, the search went on and on... but the disc never surfaced. Imagine my surprise when I finally found it, just two weeks ago, in my hometown! A very rare item, even if the music isn't very exciting.

My collection: 12" single no. 476

Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 3, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Dancing in the dark [extended]' / 'Another fool, another love'

Download: here

Cars - Gary Numan

One more time on this blog: Gary Numan's track 'Cars'. After the releases in 1979 and 1987, 'Cars' was released once again in remixed form in 1993. The cd-single featured all seven versions that had appeared since then, whereas the 7" single only contained the '93 remix and an instrumental 'Top Gear' version. The single also included a poster bag, featuring a drawing of 1976 Formula 1 champion James Hunt by Brian Reaney.

My collection: 7" single no. 2432

Found: Fame, Amsterdam, August 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Cars ('93 sprint)' / 'Cars (Top Gear)'

Download: here

What's your name - Zinno

The Belgian act Zinno earned the status of one hit wonders with their single 'What's your name?'. The track was made with samples from James Bond movies, coupled with a dance beat. Zinno consisted of Fréderic Jannin and Jean-Paul Hautier. The refrain in this track was sung by Eleonore.

The single was released on the Magic label, which was started by Dan Lacksman and Marc Moulin from the group Telex.

My collection: 7" single no. 325

Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'What's your name?' / 'What's your name? (instrumental)'

Download: here

Un fait divers et rien de plus - Le Club

This 12" single was released in a limited edition. It features two mixes of Le Club's song 'Un fait divers et rien de plus', a track heavily influenced by American hiphop and dance club music. Le Club was a very anonymous group, which according to the credits of the song consisted of André Monet, Jacky Dieme and Olaf Zalcman.

I bought this 12" single because I liked the original version of the track. I have to say that it hasn't aged very well.

My collection: 12" single no. 317

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 2004

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (remix)' / 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (re-remix)'

Download: here

I'm born again / Bahama Mama - Boney M

Released as a double A-side in December 1979, 'I'm born again' / 'Bahama mama' was another single in the successful run of singles Boney M had had since 1976. However, it was the first single since then that didn't reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. Perhaps the Christmas-tinted 'I'm born again' was a bit too sappy for the Dutch audience. The more uptempo 'Bahama mama' was a bit unsurprising. Aged nine and an avid Boney M fan, I had no problem buying this single as soon as I could.

My collection: 7" single no. 37

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'I'm born again' / 'Bahama mama'

Download: Album 'Oceans of fantasy', including both tracks

There ain't no age for rock 'n roll - The Veterans

The Veterans was a Belgian duo consisting of Gus Roan and Marc Malyster. They debuted in 1980 with the single 'I'm jogging'. Roan produced and composed the song that played on the jogging hype that took place that year. The video featured a jogging old man, surrounded by beautiful ladies.

'There ain't no age for rock 'n roll' was their second single, a slightly more sophisticated, synth-driven song that even made the lower regions of Dutch singles chart. Having known this song since my childhood, I bought this single recently and quite enjoyed hearing it again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3459

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'There ain't no age for rock'n roll' / 'Nigel Gold grows old'

Download: here

Saskatchewan - Red Box

'Chenko' is not the only single released before Red Box's debut album 'The circle and the square'. 'Saskatchewan' also appeared in a more rudimentary form as a 7" and 12" single. By then, the band had signed to Sire Records. The single was recorded in the summer of 1984 and released soon thereafter. Like 'Chenko', the single wasn't a hit. Fortunately, they were able to record their album after this, otherwise the world might never have heard the wonderful songs that followed...

My collection: 7" single no. 2381

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Saskatchewan' / 'Speeches'

Download: here

Don't box me in - Stewart Copeland and Stanard Ridgway

While the world was waiting for a new album by The Police, the members of the group went their own way to do solo projects. Sting recorded a solo single, and drummer Stewart Copeland recorded the soundtrack for the movie 'Rumblefish', which was directed, produced and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola.

As Coppola started to work on the soundtrack of the movie, he envisioned a mainly percussive soundtrack to symbolize the idea of time running out. He asked Copeland to improvise a rhythm track. Coppola soon realized that Copeland was a far superior composer and let him take over. The song 'Don't Box Me In' was a collaboration between Copeland and singer/songwriter Stan Ridgway, leader and frontman of the band Wall of Voodoo.

My collection: 7" single no. 3115

Found: London, May 14, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Don't box me in' / 'Drama at home'

Download: here

Visioni - Alice

Alice is an Italian singer, who rose to prominence in Europe in 1984 when she represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest together with Franco Battiato, singing 'I treni di Tozeur'. She has had a very successful solo career in her native Italy.

I bought this single, 'Visioni', at a time when I was always trying out new music. Sometimes it was based on nothing more than the sleeve, like in this instance. The style of music is obvious from the sleeve layout: I was expecting pop and that's what I got. It's a nice little song, although the B-side is actually stronger and more intriguing than the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2437

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, August 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Visioni' / 'Il sole nella pioggia'

Download: here

Oh Sheila - Ready for the world

Ready for the world was founded by Melvin Riley and Gordon Strozier in Flint, Michigan. They were joined by Gregory Potts, Willie Triplett, John Eaton and Gerald Valentine to form a pop/soul/dance band. Their best known hit is 'Oh Sheila', which sounds a lot like a Prince song and could be interpreted as an ode to Sheila E.

The double single which I bought in 1999 features not only the original version of this song but also an 'Extraterrestrial mix' made by John Morales.

My collection: 7" single no. 3071

Found: May 10, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Oh Sheila (Extraterrestrial mix)' / 'Slide over' // 'Oh Sheila (original mix)' / 'I'm the one who loves you'

Download: 'Oh Sheila (Extraterrestrial mix)', Album 'Ready for the world', including the three other tracks

Real wild child (Wild one) - Iggy Pop

In 1994, one of pop's most underrated artists included a cover of one of rock's most overrated artists in her live set. Kim Wilde went on a Hits Tour, performing most of her own biggest hits, but she also played Iggy Pop's 'Real wild child'. Personally I never understood what the big deal was about Iggy Pop: formerly with The Stooges, a punkrock band, he continued to make the same kind of songs throughout his career. Compare 'Lust for life' (1977) with this track (1987) and you will hardly notice any difference.

Still, as part of my Kim Wilde collection I also had to have this original song, and so I bought this single in 1995 after some months of searching.

My collection: 7" single no. 2551

Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Real wild child (Wild one)' / 'Fire girl'
Download: Album 'Blah Blah Blah', including both tracks

She's strange - Cameo

Cameo started out as a 13-member group in the seventies, called the New York City Players. In March 1984, they had their first hit outside of America, reaching number 37 in the UK singles chart with this single, 'She's strange'. It is a far cry from later hits like 'Word Up' and 'Candy', with its understated, subtle music and close harmony vocals. The video was a regular on music television during that year, but in the Netherlands, the single couldn't be found.

I finally bought this 12" single as a good alternative. With a long version and a club mix of the track, it is a treat.

My collection: 12" single no. 404

Found: Beanos, East Croydon (UK), May 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'She's strange (long version)', 'Love you anyway' / 'She's strange (club mix)', 'Groove with you'

Download: here

Allergies - Paul Simon

While I was never a big Paul Simon fan, 'Allergies' is an interesting song. The single never charted in the UK, but it did reach number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1983. It was taken from Simon's album 'Hearts and bones'. The songs on this album were apparently planned to be part of a Simon & Garfunkel reunion album after their famous concert in Central Park on September 19, 1981. Simon finally recorded and released the songs solo.

My collection: 7" single no. 3395

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Allergies' / 'Think too much'

Download: Album 'Hearts and bones', including both tracks

Limited Edition Hits E.P. Number Two - A-ha

The record company repeated the trick of the Limited Edition Hits E.P. with an E.P. Number Two. It was the second single from A-ha's 1990 album 'East of the sun west of the moon' that got the Hits E.P. treatment. 'I call your name' was coupled with 'The sun always shines on T.V.', 'Hunting high and low' and 'The blood that moves the body'.

'I call your name' peaked at number 44, and while further singles were drawn from A-ha's album, no further Hits E.P.'s were compiled.

My collection: 7" single no. 2386

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I call your name', 'The sun always shines on T.V.' / 'Hunting high and low', 'The blood that moves the body'

Download: Album 'Headlines and deadlines', including these tracks

Limited Edition Hits E.P. - A-ha

When A-ha released 'Crying in the rain' in 1990, the record company decided that in order to sell more copies, they would make a limited edition hits e.p. Besides 'Crying in the rain', this e.p. also contains previous hits 'Take on me', 'Cry wolf' and 'Stay on these roads'. While these singles peaked at number 2, 5 and 5 in the UK respectively, 'Crying in the rain' didn't get any higher than number 13. It's interesting to know that this Hits e.p. was only released on vinyl and not as a cd-single, even if that format was getting increasingly popular in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 2742

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Crying in the rain', 'Take on me' / 'Cry wolf', 'Stay on these roads'

Download: Album 'Headlines and deadlines', including these tracks

You did cut me - China Crisis

The double single for China Crisis's 1985 single 'You did cut me' is a real treat. It features three live tracks, of which the recording of 'Christian' has to be the most charming version of that song ever put to disc. The tracks were recorded at the Liverpool Empire on May 19, 1985.

My sister was very into China Crisis in the eighties, so it's no wonder I found out about this double single thanks to her. I bought my own copy almost five years after it came out via an English mail order company. It was a great way to get hold of old singles - and they were almost always English pressings, too!

My collection: 7" single no. 1179

Found: Oldies Unlimited, England, received February 26, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'You did cut me' / 'You did cut me (live)' // 'Christian (live)' / 'Seven sports for all (live)'

Download: 'You did cut me' / 'You did cut me (live)' // 'Christian (live)' / 'Seven sports for all (live)'

Mexican girl - Smokie

Smokie was formed in 1965 by Chris Norman, Terry Uttley, Alan Silson and Ron Kelly. After releasing their debut album 'Pass it around' in 1975, they developed a softer signature sound, comprising string arrangement, acoustic guitars and close harmony vocals. Their biggest hit, 'Living next door to Alice' has become a classic, but in the second half of the Seventies they released several singles, sounding a lot like that one.

I bought 'Mexican girl' in London as part of a set of 10 singles for a pound, and - as you can see - afterwards I pulled out the center of the disc. This kind of vandalism is unthinkable these days, but at the time the small hole in the middle was incompatible with my other - mostly European - singles. Children can be silly.

My collection: 7" single no. 9

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Mexican girl' / 'You took me by surprise'

Download: Album 'The Montreux album', including both tracks

Glad it's all over - Captain Sensible

'Glad it's all over' was produced by Tony Mansfield. No wonder then, that this track sounds suspiciously like a New Musik song. After having been out of sight for more than a year, Captain Sensible had a top 10 hit with this in the UK in May 1984. The double A-side single also featured 'Damned on 45', a 'Stars on 45'-inspired medley of tracks by The Damned, the band in which Captain Sensible found his fame in the Seventies.

My collection: 7" single no. 2702

Found: 7" single no. 2702

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Glad it's all over' / 'Damned on 45'

Download: here

Good thing - Fine Young Cannibals

'Good thing' was the second single taken from the Fine Young Cannibals's second album 'The raw and the cooked'. It peaked at number 7 in the UK.

Like its predecessor, a limited edition of the single was released housed in a tin can. My copy of the single is pressed on black vinyl, but I suspect that it originally contained a coloured vinyl single. However, I haven't found any reference to this on the web.

My collection: 7" single no. 3154

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 27, 1999

Cost: 12 guilders

Tracks: 'Good thing' / 'Social security'

Download: cd-single 'Good thing', including both tracks

Tænker altid på dig - Bamses Venner

In 2005, the Dutch NOS broadcast a repeat of the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, owing to the fact that it was the last contest to be held in the Netherlands -25 years earlier. It was very interesting to see this old contest a day before the new one (the 2005 edition) was held. Of course everyone remembers the winner (Johnny Logan with 'What's another year'), but many songs were long forgotten. Among them, this Danish entry by Bamses Venner. It finished 14th out of 19 contestants - and a lot of it has to be down to the presentation of this group. They seemed to have been pulled from the street.

The song itself was nice enough, so when I was in Denmark and I spotted this single, I jumped at the opportunity to own it. And it was cheap, too.

My collection: 7" single no. 3432

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'Taenker altid på dig' / 'Venner kom og se'

Download: here

Everything counts - Depeche Mode

While the original version of 'Everything counts' was released as a single in 1983, this 10" single and associated releases appeared in 1989 in support of Depeche Mode's live double album 101, a recording of their live appearance at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1988 in America. This 10" single was the only release at the time that didn't feature the live version, but rather three remixes of 'Everything counts' plus an American 7" edit of the album track 'Nothing'.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Everything counts (Absolut mix)' / 'Everything counts (original 1983 remix)', 'Nothing (US 7" mix)', 'Everything counts (Reprise)'
Download: here

Is it a crime? - Sade

In 1985 and 1986, Sade's 'Is it a crime?' was one of my favourite songs of all time. Its intensity, the beauty of the melody, the subtle tones in the music and the dynamics of the song (from soft to loud and back) were a true revelation. A few years later, I would buy the cd of 'Promise' for this song alone - although the rest of the album was pretty beautiful too.

The 12" single didn't come into my collection after years of doubting. Sure, I loved the song, but Sade B-sides are not always that interesting - and this 12" featured two B-sides. Both tracks are instrumentals, performed by Sade's band. But without Sade Adu's voice, it's a lot less interesting. Even if the lyric is a bit bland, like on 'Is it a crime?'.

My collection: 12" single no. 293

Found: Record fair, Netherlands, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Is it a crime?', 'Wired' / 'Punch drunk'

Download: here

One more chance - Pet Shop Boys

In August 1983, music journalist Neil Tennant is sent to New York to interview The Police for his employer, Smash Hits magazine. While he is there, he decides to also have lunch with producer Bobby Orlando. Flattered by Neil's compliments about his hi energy music productions, Bobby O agrees to make a record with the Pet Shop Boys, the duo Neil has formed two years earlier with Chris Lowe. The first single they release together is an early version of 'West end girls'. This single is the follow-up: an early version of 'One more chance'. This version sounds a lot more mechanic and tinny than the version that would appear on their 1987 album 'Actually'.

I found this single, which is made in Sweden, in Denmark. It was very cheap for an item that can be considered a collector's item among Pet Shop Boys fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 3429

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'One more chance (remix)'

Download: here

Il veliero - The Chaplin Band

The Chaplin Band was founded in 1976 by the brothers Bartels in Maastricht, the Netherlands. They want to make disco music, and their first attempt is a success: the debut single 'Let's have a party', released in January 1977, reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Their second hit comes only five years later: 'Il veliero', a cover from a song originally performed by Italian singer Luigi Battisti.

The 12" single features a seven minute dance version. A twelve minute extended remix also seems to exist.

My collection: 12" single no. 36

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 7,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Il veliero (long dance version)' / 'Il veliero (radio version)', 'Gimme just a minute of your time'

Download: here

Let her go - Strawberry Switchblade

After Strawberry Switchblade had a hit with 'Since yesterday', the follow-up single 'Let her go' was released quickly. It couldn't compare to its success: it only reached number 59 in the UK singles chart, and didn't even chart in the Netherlands. And this despite the video being directed by Tim Pope and production duties performed by Phil Thornalley.


The B-side, 'Beautiful end', was recorded for a session on BBC Radio 1 in Janice Long's programme.

My collection: 7" single no. 2774
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 31, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Let her go' / 'Beautiful end'
Download: here

Family man - Fleetwood Mac

As much as I love 7" single box sets, some of them are pretty lame. Take for instance this one: it includes, besides the 7" single, two 'special prints'. The two illustrations on the prints by Susan Young and Christine Tongue are nice, but do they really warrant the manufacturing of a special box? Couldn't they just have put these two bits of paper into the sleeve of the single? These are just the questions that popped up in my head while I was doubting whether I would buy this item.

'Family man' was the fourth out of six singles drawn from the 1987 Fleetwood Mac album 'Tango in the night'. It was a very modest hit for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 3463

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Family man' / 'You and I, part II'

Download: here

I can buy you - A Camp

The Cardigans were at the height of their popularity after singles like 'My favourite game' and 'Erase/rewind', when singer Nina Persson went off and started to work with Niclas Frisk to found A Camp. Their first single 'I can buy you' was released in the UK with a little success: peaking at number 46 in the singles chart.

Contrary to the aforementioned Cardigans singles, this single was released on vinyl and so I bought it when I was in London. I didn't play it very often, though...

My collection: 7" single no.

Found: HMV London, 2001

Cost: 2,5 pounds

Tracks: 'I can buy you' / 'Charlie Charlie'

Download: here

Wired for sound - Cliff Richard

I don't think 'Wired for sound' is regarded as one of Cliff Richard's best singles ever. The lyrics are a bit naff ('I like small speakers / I like tall speakers / If they've music / they're wired for sound') and the music is not revolutionary. After all, it must have been the umpteenth single produced by Alan Tarney. Still, it's a nice little song, and that's why I have it.

Cliff Richard is of course one of Britain's living pop legends. These days he's mainly recording Christmas singles - although he quit doing that as well recently I think - and he's still the tall, dark bachelor - although at 68 he isn't really attracting screaming young girls anymore I think.

My collection: 7" single no. 3479

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Wired for sound' / 'Hold on'

Download: here

The second time - Elaine Page

A fully orchestrated song, a beautiful ballad, that's what Elaine Page's 'The second time' is. On the sleeve of the single, it is also described as the 'theme from Bilitis'. 'Bilitis' was a French movie from 1977, which portrays the sexual adventures of a young girl during summer vacation. The theme of the movie was instrumental, Elaine Page's version adds a lyric written by Tim Rice. The result is a beautiful, dreamy song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1634

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The second time' / 'The last one to leave'

Download: here