Waiting for a train '89 - Flash and the Pan

Flash and the Pan was an Australian new wave band, formed in the late Seventies by Harry Vanda and George Young. They had several hits in Europe, although in the UK they only had a minor hit with 'And the band played on (Down among the dead men)' in 1978 and a top 10 hit with 'Waiting for a train' in 1983.

When Flash and the Pan released a compilation album of their singles in 1989, this remix of 'Waiting for a train' was released as a single to promote it. It was very different when compared to the single released in 1983, but still it didn't achieve any commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 3549

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Waiting for a train '89' / 'Hey St. Peter'

Download: here

Popcorn - Fresh Cream

There's always a tingle of excitement when I spot a version of Gershon Kingsley's 'Popcorn' that I don't have yet. My most recent tingle came about when I saw this single by Fresh Cream. Apparently, it's a French group, which released one album of classical melodies played on the Moog synthesizer, and this single, released in various countries in 1972, when a lot of other versions of this instrumental favourite came out. The Japanese version portrays a topless woman throwing popcorn in the air. By comparison, this is a rather dull sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 3548

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Cap horn'

Download: here

Love on the telephone - Foreigner

For the last few years, I have wanted to buy a complete compilation album by Foreigner. And by complete, I mean that it should contain all their hit singles. One of those hits - at least, in the Netherlands - was 'Love on the telephone'. It reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40 in March 1980. Yet it's absent from every Foreigner compilation I have seen so far.

It came to a point where I started to doubt the existence of the single. But, lo and behold, I finally found a copy of the vinyl single this weekend. Still looking for a compilation cd though...

My collection: 7" single no. 3547

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 24, 2009

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Love on the telephone' / 'Women'

Download: Album 'Head games', including both tracks (password: Abe?79F+ )

Miss Otis regrets - Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues

The album 'Red hot and blue' was released in 1990 by the Red Hot Organization. Twenty artists contributed twenty songs for an album that would raise funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. The album was named after a 1936 musical by Cole Porter, and contained versions of songs written by him.

'Miss Otis regrets/Just one of those things' was a song released from that album as a single. Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues had worked together before, and they renewed their working relationship with this dynamic version of the Cole Porter track. The B-side was Aztec Camera's beautiful cover of 'Do I love you', which at the time of buying was one of my favourite tracks from the album, which I'd bought a few weeks earlier.

My collection: 7" single no. 1375

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 27, 1991

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Miss Otis regrets' / 'Just one of those things'

Download: here

Tomorrow started (live) - Talk Talk

There is no way of knowing, but I always imagine that Talk Talk fans in other countries were quite envious of this single release. Dutch broadcaster Veronica organised an annual Rock Night, which in 1984 took place in Ahoy, Rotterdam on September 21. One of the acts performing was Talk Talk. Their live version of 'Tomorrow started' got so much attention that record company EMI released the track as a single in the Netherlands. Only to find that it didn't reach the Dutch Top 40 after all.

The version released on this single was an edit of the actual performance during the night. You can see the whole performance on this video.

My collection: 7" single no. 283

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Tomorrow started (live)' / 'My foolish friend (live)'

Download: here

When love breaks down - Prefab Sprout

As written earlier, 'When love breaks down' was released four times by CBS Records before it finally reached the UK Singles chart in November 1985. This is one of those attempts, with a different sleeve than the other releases. The B-side featured the track 'The yearning loins', whereas other releases feature the track 'Diana' on the B-side.

I bought this single because the sleeve reminded me of the video for this single, which I'd seen so many times back in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2491

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'When love breaks down' / 'The yearning loins'

Download: here

Vacanze Romane - Matia Bazar

When Matia Bazar released their eighth album 'Tango' in 1983, the group consisted of Antonella Ruggiero, Aldo Stellita, Carlo Marrale and Mauro Sabbione. 'Vacanze Romane' was a very melodic song, synthbased and elegant. It barely missed the Dutch Top 40. I noticed the song immediately, but it would take me six years to finally buy the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1133

Found: All that music, Leiden, December 28, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Vacanze Romane' / 'Palestina'

Download: Album 'Tango', including both tracks

Someday (I'm coming back) - Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield recorded 'Someday (I'm coming back)' for the soundtrack of 'The Bodyguard', the 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Stansfield had just had a very successful year with her album 'Real love' reaching number 3 in the UK albums chart and top 10 in several other countries. The album spawned four hit singles, and when this one was released as a single, it went to number 10 in the UK singles chart.

The 12" single featured a remix not found on the cd-single. (Another piece of evidence that the vinyl format was still the most interesting of all.) I bought the 12" single in London, which in the Nineties was just about the only place where they were still to be found.

My collection: 12" single no. 215

Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Someday (I'm coming back)', 'Live together/Young hearts run free (live)' / 'Someday (I'm coming back) (Absolute remix)', 'Tenderly (live)'

Download: here

Popcorn - Hot Butter

Hot Butter was an instrumental cover band consisting of Stan Free, Dave Mullaney, John Abbott, Bill Jerome, Steve Jerome and Danny Jordan. Their version of Gershon Kingsley's composition 'Popcorn' is one of the best known versions of the wave of versions that were released in 1972. Sales in the UK exceeded a quarter of a million, and worldwide Hot Butter sold two million copies of this single.

I bought my copy in London, after having searched for this version for years. Unfortunately it didn't have a picture sleeve. But sometimes you just take what you can get.

My collection: 7" single no. 2526

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'At the movies'
Download: here

To the unknown man - Vangelis

Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou was born near Volos, Greece on March 29, 1943. He became a composer of electronic music under the artist name Vangelis in the Sixties. In 1968, he founded Aphrodite's Child with that other famous Greek, Demis Roussos. Their first single became their biggest hit: 'Rain and tears'.

In the Seventies Vangelis moved to London, set up his own studio and signed with RCA Records. Between 1975 and 1980 he released five albums with electronic music. One of them was 'Spiral' (1977), from which this single, 'To the unknown man' was drawn. It gave him a minor hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2940

Found: Record fair, January 31, 1998

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'To the unknown man' / 'To the unknown man (part 2)'

Download: here

Dream kitchen - Frazier Chorus

Frazier Chorus were an unconventional band, as they didn't have a drummer, guitarist and bassist. Tim Freeman, who wrote most of the songs, semi-whispered the vocals, Kate Holmes played the flute, Chris Taplin played clarinet and keyboards and Michele Allardyce played the bongos. Still, they made very danceable music, as evidenced in this single, 'Dream kitchen', released in the first week of 1989.

I don't remember it, but I must have seen the video of this song. I wouldn't know why I bought this single in October of 1989. It's a purchase I never regretted, because I bought lots of Frazier Chorus records since then.

My collection: 7" single no. 1081

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1989

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Dream kitchen' / 'Down'

Download: here

I wanna rock - Twisted Sister

'Hello students'... So begins one of the most hilarious videos of 1984 (see it here). Actor Mark Metcalf, best known as the sadistic Neidermeyer from the movie 'Animal house', portrays a teacher who attacks a student for drawing the Twisted Sister logo on his textbook. A version of this song appeared in the Spongebob Squarepants Movie in 2006. It was actually one of the less amusing part of that movie, but it was nice to recognise a familiar song nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 3422

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'I wanna rock' / 'Burn in hell (live at Hammersmith Odeon)'

Download: here

I can't stand the rain - Eruption

Silent Eruption was formed in 1974 in Britain. The members were lead singer Leslie Johnson, Greg Perrineau, Morgan Perrineau, Gerry Williams and Eric Kingsley. In 1975 they won the RCA Soul Search contest. A year later, their debut single 'Let me take you back in time' was released. The lack of success disappointed Johnson, so she left the band and backing singer Precious Wilson stepped in to replace her. During a tour in Germany they got noticed by producer Frank Farian, who signed them to Hansa Records, and gave them a support slot during Boney M's tour. After a minor hit single with 'Party party', they released 'I can't stand the rain' in December 1977. It became a big hit, reaching number 5 in the UK and the Netherlands and even making number 18 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3470

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I can't stand the rain' / 'Be yourself'

Download: Album 'Eruption', including both tracks

Amsterdamned - Lois Lane

'Amsterdamned' is the name of a thriller movie produced in the Netherlands in 1988. Two bands were asked to deliver a song for the soundtrack of the movie: the famous rock group Golden Earring and the relatively unknown group Lois Lane. Surprisingly, the latter were asked to sing the title song. 'Amsterdamned' was released in April 1988 and peaked at number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. It was the first success for Lois Lane. From then on, they would have more hit singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 3468

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Amsterdamned' / 'Amsterdamned (B-side mix)'

Download: here

Tenement steps - The Motors

The Motors were formed in London in 1977 by Nick Garvey, Andy McMaster, Rob Hendry (quickly replaced by Bram Tchaikovsky) and Ricky Slaughter. Their third album, 'Tenement steps' was released in 1980. The title track was released as a single, and was often played on Dutch radio at the time. It didn't become a hit.

It stuck in my mind, nevertheless, and so when the opportunity came up to buy this single cheaply, I grabbed it.

My collection: 7" single no. 267

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Tenement steps' / 'Here comes the hustler'

Download: Album 'Airport (Greatest Hits)', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Troy - Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor's debut single 'Troy' was an intense affair. It was an unusual choice, but a successful one, in the Netherlands at least: it reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was written by Sinéad as a deeply angry message towards her mother, whom she accused of abuse. The song uses the story of the ancient city of Troy as a metaphor. O'Connor has only sung 'Troy' live shortly after it was released. It was only performed live again in 2008 during the Night of the Proms concerts in Belgium and the Netherlands, where she was one of the starring performers.

The B-side 'Still listening' is an equally beautiful track, released only as the B-side of this single. It later appeared on the cd-single of Sinéad's next single, 'Mandinka'.

My collection: 7" single no. 576

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Troy' / 'Still listening'

Download: here

Fernando en Filippo - Milly Scott

Representing the Netherlands in 1966, Milly Scott was the first black singer to ever enter the Eurovision Song Contest. By today's standards that is remarkable, since the contest was already experiencing its eleventh edition.

'Fernando en Filippo' was composed by Kees de Bruyn and Gerrit den Braber. The lyric tells the strange tale of Fernando, a guitarist from Santiago, who is in love with a girl in San Antonio. He drives down there to see her every evening. Filippo's occupation is never made clear, however he also makes a similar trip despite the handicap of apparently not having a car. Eventually, Fernando's lover leaves him for Filippo.

Milly Scott finished 15th out of 18 contestants, receiving only one point each from Ireland and the UK. There is a suspicion that Milly's skin colour did have something to do with this, although that will never be confirmed of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 3546

Found: Private seller, January 22, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Fernando en Filippo' / 'Graag of niet'

Download: here

Just when I needed you most - Randy Vanwarmer

'You left me just when I needed you most'. It's one of those songs you need to play when you already feel a bit down. It will send you right to the brink. This song brought Randy Vanwarmer international fame at the end of the Seventies. Randy Vanwarmer was born on March 30, 1955. He grew up in Colorado in the USA. After his father died in a car accident, he moved to Cornwall, England in 1970. Randy remembered it as a depressing place, economically downtrodden, with long, dark and rainy winters. When he was still a teenager, a girlfriend from the USA came to England, spent several months with him, then returned home. Vanwarmer had been writing songs and playing in South England clubs for a while, and the experience with the American girl ultimately became 'Just when I needed you most'. In Vanwarmer's mind the song is really about the weather: 'It's not hard to write a really sad song in the winter in Cornwall'. The single became his one and only big hit: it reached number 4 in the USA, number 8 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.

Vanwarmer continued to write music for others and for his own recordings, but further commercial success eluded him. On January 14, 2004 he died of leukemia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2831

Found: February 1, 1997

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Just when I needed you most' / 'Your light'

Download: Album 'Warmer', including both tracks (password: 88R+?)Lx )

Don't want to wait anymore - The Tubes

In 1989, I bought a compilation cd of rock-oriented tracks called 'Empty Rooms'. It was full of tracks I knew well and wanted to have on cd. One of these tracks was the lesser known 'Don't want to wait anymore' by the Tubes. I think I loved the track straight away.

The Tubes were based in San Francisco and primarily made rock music. In the UK, it reached the lower regions of the single schart in 1981. It was their third and final chart single in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 2537

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Don't want to wait anymore' / 'Think about me'

Download: here

Day in day out - David Bowie

'Day in day out' was the first single taken from David Bowie's 1987 album 'Never let me down'. The song lyic dealt with urban decay and deprivation in American cities at the time, concerned largely with the depths a young mother has to sink to in order to feed her child, including attempting to shoplift and become a prostitute. Many critics have accused the song of burying its message in over-produced, glossy surroundings. Others claim that this doesn't overpower the message.

The single was released in special limited edition box set, which included the single pressed on red vinyl, a 'David Bowie' logo sticker sheet and a foldout booklet with new photographs and David's biography.

My collection: 7" single no. 1345

Found: Sister Ray, London, October 18, 1990

Cost: 4 pounds

Tracks: 'Day in day out' / 'Julie'

Download: Album 'Never let me down', including both tracks

'n Beetje - Teddy Scholten

Teddy Scholten represented the Netherlands in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, ''n Beetje' ('A little bit'). The song won the contest, and the Netherlands became the first country to win the contest, which had started in 1956, twice. The song was written by Willy van Hemert, just like 'Net als toen', the song performed by Corry Brokken, who won the 1957 contest.

''n Beetje' is sung from the perspective of a young woman being asked by her lover if she is 'true' and 'faithful', to which she answers 'A little bit'. This unusual admission is then justified by the comment that 'everyone is in love at least once', hence nobody can be said to be entirely faithful to anyone.

My collection: 7" single no. 3545

Found: Private seller, January 22, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: ''n Beetje' / 'Li per li'

Download: here

Say hello wave goodbye - Soft Cell

Soft Cell released 'Say hello wave goodbye' as their fifth single in early 1982. It was the last track on their 1981 album 'Non-stop erotic cabaret'. The 12" single included a nine minute version with an extended clarinet solo and instrumental parts.

The song is famous for Marc Almond's vocals, which are at times off-key. Still, in my opinion this is their best track. Emotional stuff...

My collection: 12" single
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say hello wave goodbye (extended version)' / 'Fun city'
Download: here

Der Kommissar - After the fire

'Der Kommissar' was originally a hit for Austrian singer Falco. Written by producer Robert Ponger for Reinhold Bilgeri, Bilgeri turned down the song, and Falco reworked the track and recorded it. The single reached number 1 in German-speaking countries in January 1982.

This version by After the fire was recorded in English in the Summer of 1982. The single didn't do well in the charts, and the band split up at the end of the year. Then, in 1983, Laura Branigan recorded another cover version, called 'Deep in the dark', which was prepared for release, when the After The Fire version finally hit the U.S. charts on February 22, 1983, and started rising. It ultimately rose to number 5. After The Fire's record company, CBS, pleaded with the band to regroup, but to no avail.

At the time of buying, I only knew the original version by Falco, and I was curious about this one. It's weird to hear an English version when the German lyrics are so ingrained in one's memory. But it's a nice version nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 3424
Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006
Cost: 10 Danish crowns
Tracks: 'Der Kommissar' / 'Nobody else but you'
Download: here

Good thing - Fine Young Cannibals

The Fine Young Cannibals released their single 'Good thing' on various formats. There was a 7" single, a 12" single, a cd-single, a limited edition 7" single in a tin can and this double groove 10" single. The A-side played two different versions of 'Good thing': the regular version and a rare different version which replaces the piano solo midway through the song with a saxophone solo.

As far as I know, this alternative version wasn't released anywhere else, so the 10" single is really a rare item. And of course, records with double grooves are always funny items to have.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Good thing', 'Good thing [alternative version]' / 'Social security'

Download: 'Good thing [alternative version]', cd-single 'Good thing', including the two other tracks

1, 2, 3 - Catherine Ferry

Catherine Ferry was born on July 1, 1953. She represented France at the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with '1, 2, 3' and finished second, behind Brotherhood of Man with 'Save your kisses for me'. The song received a total of 147 points, which is still the highest number France has ever achieved in the contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 3003

Found: June 20, 1998

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: '1, 2, 3' / 'Petit Jean'
Download: here

Come back - The Mighty Wah

Back in 1984, this video was on television on a daily basis. At first it looked rather interesting, but soon after that it started to irritate me a lot. There's something about seeing the same shots every day that gets on ones nerves. Nevertheless, the song stuck in my head, and so four years later I decided to buy the single after all.

'Come back' flopped in the Netherlands, but it reached number 20 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 632

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Come back' / 'The devil in Miss Jones'

Download: here

Severina - The Mission

When I became a fan of All about Eve in the late eighties, I quickly found out that Julianne Regan, lead singer of the band, had done some backing vocals on some tracks by The Mission. Most notably the single 'Severina', which is one of the best tracks in the Mission's catalogue. Naturally I wanted to have it, but I wasn't consciously searching for it all the time.

Then, of course, I stumbled into a special edition of that very single. It included a 21" x 14" colour poster of the band. Being a sucker for special editions, I bought this copy straight away. It was a great find during a sunny day during a holiday in the South of England. It didn't matter that in fact this item was slightly overpriced...

My collection: 7" single no. 2387

Found: Grammar School Records, Rye, July 3, 1995

Cost: 6 pounds

Tracks: 'Severina' / 'Tomorrow never knows'

Download: here

Don't try to tell me - Wendy and Lisa

By the end of the eighties, I'd started buying cd's. I was never much of an lp buyer, so this was actually a big change. Suddenly, I started discovering albums by artists instead of just the single releases. It affected the way I bought my singles as well: more often than not, when I liked an album, I would buy the singles drawn from these albums whenever I could.

'Don't try to tell me' was one of the strongest tracks of Wendy & Lisa's 1990 album 'Eroica', so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that it was also released as a single in the UK. The way I found out about this was pleasant as well: I saw the single in a shop where I was browsing the stock. It was a quick purchase.

My collection: 7" single no. 1750.

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Don't try to tell me (edit)' / 'Balance'

Download: here

Promises (as the years go by) - IQ

IQ was one of a few British bands formed during the early eighties that continued with the progressive rock style that had been abandoned by seventies bands like Genesis and Yes. Although - or perhaps because - the music they made required complex musicianship and included intricate arrangements, commercial success always eluded the band.

When they released their 1987 album 'Nomzamo', the single 'Promises (as the years go by)' actually got some airplay in the Netherlands. This is how I found out about the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 680

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, November 12, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Promises (as the years go by)' / 'Nomzamo'

Download: Album 'Nomzamo', including both tracks

Love really hurts without you - Billy Ocean

'State alternatives wherever possible'. This line was famous in the eighties, when I was ordering records in the UK via mail order. Back then, you just sent your order form with some money and hoped you would receive the singles you ordered two weeks later. I was usually lucky, and so my alternative was never used. I always wrote down 'Love really hurts without you' by Billy Ocean, because I knew the song and in time I knew I wanted to have it, but I wasn't that hot for it. Well, that's a fact: I finally bought the single in a shop in 2003 and only played it this year for the first time.

Leslie Sebastian Charles was born in Trinidad on January 21, 1950 (exactly 59 years ago today) and moved to England with his parents at the age of eight. In 1975 he took on the stage name Billy Ocean, taking the surname from the 'Ocean Estate' where he lived in East London. His debut single, 'Love really hurts without you', reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 11 in the Netherlands and number 22 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3390

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Love really hurts without you' / 'You're running outa fools'

Download: here

Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams - Tears for Fears

Not actually credited to Tears for Fears, this 12" single is simply called 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams'. However, since the track is produced by 'Tears for Fears and Dave Bascombe', I decide to present this as a Tears for Fears track nonetheless.

The track, which is an alternative version of Tears for Fears's 1989 hit single 'Sowing the seeds of love', originally appeared as the B-side to their 1990 single 'Advice for the young at heart'. The song was later remixed by producer/DJ Fluke and released as a single in 1991. The title of the song is taken from a short story by the American writer Sylvia Plath, which was the title story in a collection of her short stories posthumously published in 1977.

My collection: 12" single no. 484

Found: London, 2002

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 1)' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 2)'

Download: here

For your eyes only - Sheena Easton

'For your eyes only' was the theme tune of the twelfth James Bond movie, released in 1981. Easton, who had only had one previous hit with 'Morning Train' (or '9 to 5' as it was alternatively known), had a big hit with this track, peaking at number 8 in the UK and number 1 in the Netherlands. Easton was also the only artist to be seen singing the theme song of a Bond movie during its opening titles.

Originally, the producers wanted Blondie to perform this song, but she declined. Blondie's version of the song 'For your eyes only', which is actually a different composition, appears on their 1982 album, 'The Hunter'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3402

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'For your eyes only' / 'For your eyes only (instrumental)'

Download: here

Will you? - Hazel O'Connor

One of the ugliest sleeves ever is the one for Hazel O'Connor's 'Will you?' and the accompanying album 'Breaking glass'. It's such an unflattering photograph! And it's a shame, because 'Will you?' has to be one of the most beautiful songs of the year 1981. Hazel O'Connor started her career as an actress in the soft porn film 'Girls come first' (1975), but her big breakthrough followed five years later with 'Breaking glass', a movie in which she acted and also provided the music for. When this single and 'Eighth day' both became top 10 hits in the UK, she went on tour. Her opening act was an unknown local group from Birmingham called Duran Duran. It was the band's first opportunity to play to large audiences throughout the UK and gave them the exposure they needed to secure a recording contract...

My collection: 7" single no. 494

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Will you?' / 'Big brother'

Download: here

Met open ogen - Het Goede Doel

The Dutch band Het Goede Doel released 'Met open ogen' ('With eyes opened') in 1989. Much was made of the length of the track: it lasted for almost 15 minutes. At least, on the cd-single. The 7" vinyl version, which was made after the cd-single started selling well, only contained the 'mini-mix', which was only two and a half minutes long. This edited version didn't contain the fascinating solos and experimental segments of the full version. The track was taken from the album 'Souvenir'. Both this track and the album got criticised because they were deemed 'too pretentious'.

The song became the last hit for Het Goede Doel, reaching number 27 in the Dutch Top 40. Further singles didn't reach the chart anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 3477

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Met open ogen (mini-mix)' / 'Met open ogen (mini-mix - instrumental)'

Download: cd-single 'Met open ogen', including both tracks

Dr. Sex - Pleasure and the Beast

Robert Pereno and Lowri-Ann Richards formed Pleasure and the Beast. They only recorded two singles during their short career. Their debut single was released in 1983. It was 'Dr. Sex', an upbeat new wave track with sinister edges. The video for this song appeared on music television regularly, and that's how I found about it circa 1984.

It took me fifteen years to see a copy of the single - and of course I bought it when I did. It turned up during a record fair. I never saw the single before or after. It can be considered quite a rarity, then.

My collection: 7" single no. 3158

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 27, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Dr. Sex' / 'Snake'

Download: here

Summertime - Fun Boy Three

Terry Hall, Neville Staple and Lynval Golding formed Fun Boy Three in 1981 after they left the Specials. They decided to make happier music than the often gloomy sound of their old band. 'Summertime' was released in the summer of 1982 and was a cover of an aria composed by George Gerschwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The song became a popular jazz standard, and in the version of Fun Boy Three it even became a pop song, which reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

I bought the picture disc single during a holiday in London. The disc is partly clear vinyl, which makes the design very attractive.

My collection: 7" single no. 2784

Found: London, November 1, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Summertime' / 'Summer of '82'

Download: here

Say it say it - E.G. Daily

When this video appeared on television, lots of heads turned. E.G. Daily, born as Elisabeth Ann Guttman on September 11, 1961, performed music a lot like Madonna's, her voice was childlike and in the video she re-enacted the movie 'Lolita'. It was a lot to take in.

When faced with the choice to buy the 7" single or the 12" single, I chose the latter, because it featured three versions of 'Say it say it'. Besides, it was at discount price!

My collection: 7" single no. 30

Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 8 guilders

Tracks: 'Say it say it (extended version)' / 'Say it say it (single version)', 'Say it say it (dub version)'

Download: here

Suddenly last summer - The Motels

'Suddenly last summer' was a number one hit for the Motels in the US. In the Netherlands, it reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 in the winter (!) of 1983/84.

Lead singer Martha Davis has said in various radio interviews that the song was written while reflecting on her life and how you know summer is ending when you hear the ice cream truck go by for the last time and you know he won't be back for a while. She also has stated the song is about losing one's virginity.

My collection: 7" single no. 630

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Suddenly last summer' / 'Some things never change'

Download: here

Stay the night - Chicago

I suppose I wasn't the only one who was amused by this video back in 1984. But I do wonder if everyone who saw this bought the single. It didn't chart in the UK, and only reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40. It did reach number 16 in the US Billboard Hot 100, so I guess the video did enough for the group.

According to the information on Wikipedia, singer Peter Cetera supposedly performed most of his stunts in the video himself. Hard to believe when you hear the sappy ballads he recorded in the years after this.

My collection: 7" single no. 884

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Stay the night' / 'Only you'

Download: Album 'The Chicago Story, Greatest hits' (CD2), including both tracks

Last words - Ten Sharp

In the first half of the eighties, Marcel Kapteijn, Niels Hermes, Ton Groen, Wil Bouwes and Martin Boers founded Ten Sharp. After competing in a band contest, they were able to sign a contract with CBS Records. They released four singles on the label, of which this one was the third. Since none of these singles charted in the Netherlands, the record company gave up and the band fell apart. That is, until 1991, but that's a different story entirely...

'Last words' was released in 1986 on 7" and 12" single. The 12" single featured a great extended remix. Since I didn't buy the 12" immediately after it came out, I had to hunt for it years later. Fortunately, I found it after some years.

My collection: 12" single no. 151
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, 1992
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Last words (extended re-mix)' / 'White gold'
Download: here

Take a bow - Madonna

Madonna's 1994 album 'Bedtime stories' is the first one where she shows signs of actually wanting to make music. The follow-up 'Ray of light' would be her first serious album, but this single, 'Take a bow' is actually a beautiful piece of work too. Her limited vocal range is supported by beautiful string backing, a simple arrangement and effective backing vocals. And this is remarkable, because Babyface, who produced this track, is not known for his craftmanship: he's usually making hip hop and R'n'B drivel.

I bought this single despite my desire not to ever own any Madonna record, but I could never resist owning tracks I liked. Even if they come from her.

My collection: 7" single no. 2301

Found: Record fair, May 27, 1995

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Take a bow (edit)' / 'Take a bow (instrumental)'

Download: cd-single 'Take a bow', including both tracks

Excerpt from 'A Teenage Opera' - Keith West

Mark Wirtz had been working on the idea for a rock opera since early 1967. The basic concept of 'A Teenage Opera' was of sketches of different characters who lived in a fantasy village. These stories were to be told by a young man to a young girl. Wirtz intended for the final project to be animated, and later compared it to the 'Yellow Submarine' by the Beatles.

The first song created was the story of Grocer Jack, the local grocer who was taken for granted until he died. Wirtz had the character of Jack in his imagination, but asked Keith West to write the lyrics for it. After West heard the music, he wrote the lyrics straightaway. Soon after, the single was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. The engineer, Geoff Emerick, was working with the Beatles, who were recording 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' at the time. The song was recorded in 'true stereo', a rarity at the time, with the latest technology available. The song itself featured a children's chorus, with singers from Corona Stage School.

The single was released on July 28, 1967, and it was one of the biggest hits of that summer. Rumours began circulating about the rest of the project. A further single, 'Sam', was released in October, but performed significantly worse in the charts. Wirtz meanwhile completed '(He's Our Dear Old) Weatherman', which had started out as 'The Paranoiac Woodcutter'. It was the most complex recording so far, containing more than 100 different sounds. However, like 'Sam', it received very little airplay. The project 'A Teenage Opera' was then shelved. However, in 1996 a cd was released by Wirtz with every track recorded over the years, intended for use in 'A Teenage Opera'.

My copy of the single 'Excerpt from A Teenage Opera' is housed in a Phonogram sleeve, whereas the single was released on the EMI label. Presumably the seller didn't have the original sleeve anymore. It didn't matter to me: I wanted to have this historic piece of music.

My collection: 7" single no. 3310
Found: Record fair, February 24, 2001
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Excerpt from 'A Teenage Opera'' (Keith West) / 'Theme from 'A Teenage Opera'' (Mark Wirtz Orchestra)
Download: here

Hey Manhattan! - Prefab Sprout

After 'When love breaks down' I thought I would follow every move of Prefab Sprout, but that didn't last for very long. They released 'Hey Manhattan!' in 1988, but I didn't find out about this song and many others until they released 'A life of surprises', a compilation album featuring all their greatest hits - and then some - in 1992.

So I bought quite a lot of their singles after this compilation album, and 'Hey Manhattan!' was one of them. I actually bought this limited edition with a full colour poster in England. I am always a sucker for special editions. And then there are few songs as beautifully produced as this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 2680

Found: Record Exchange, London, July 2, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Hey Manhattan!' / 'Tornado'

Download: here

Analogue (All I want) - A-ha

'Analogue (All I want)' was the second single taken from A-ha's most recent album 'Analogue' (2005). It was A-ha's first top 10 hit in the UK since 1988. The track was re-recorded and rewritten after an earlier version, 'Minor key sonata' had already been made for the album. Like the rest of the album, this early version was produced by Martin Terefe and mixed by Flood. Max Martin was brought in to turn 'Minor Key Sonata' into a more commercially viable track, with a catchier chorus and a less surreal lyric.

The picture disc 7" was produced as a very limited edition.

My collection: 7" single no. 3419

Found: HMV, London, 2005

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Analogue (All I want)' / 'Case closed on silver shore'

Download: here

Let her down easy - Terence Trent d'Arby

Like many artists before him, Terence Trent d'Arby started making beautiful music when commercial success eluded him. Or is that the other way around? Whatever... 'Let her down easy' is a beautiful introspective ballad that should have been the biggest hit of his career. It still became a respectable top 20 hit in the UK, but in other countries, it failed to reach the charts.

My copy of the 7" single was pressed as a limited edition on white vinyl. I was happy to find a vinyl single at all, because in 1993 they became increasingly rare, with only the UK still producing them.

My collection: 7" single no. 2066

Found: January 29, 1994

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Let her down easy' / 'Turn the page'

Download: here

Don't you love me anymore - Joe Cocker

Highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Joe Cocker has used his ruined voice to build quite a career for himself. Starting out in 1968, he's had numerous worldwide hits including the Beatles cover 'With a little help from my friends', 'Up where we belong' (with Jennifer Warnes) and 'Unchain my heart'.

I've never been much of a Joe Cocker fan, for his voice is mostly irritating. On the melodramatic 'Don't you love me anymore', however, it is used quite effectively. Written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, you can't help but wonder why this poor man with almost no voice left was left out in the rain by a woman who, according to the lyric, 'used to hold [him] so close'. The extended version further drags out the misery, with the most terrible screams you will ever have heard. It's quite humorous, actually.

My collection: 12" single

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag

Cost: 2,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Don't you love me anymore (extended version)' / 'Tell me there's a way', 'Don't you love me anymore (single version)'

Download: here

Oxygene - Jean Michel Jarre

French composer Jean Michel Jarre composed, produced and performed 'Oxygene' in 1976 after he got inspired by a painting given to him by his future wife Charlotte Rampling. The painting was made by Michel Granger and showed the earth peeling to reveal a skull (This image also appears on the cover of the album).

'Oxygene' consists of six tracks, simply numbered I to VI. Part IV was released in edited form as a single. As is evident from the sleeve of the (French) single which I bought, the music was also used as a theme song for broadcasts of basketball games on the French channel Europe 1.


My collection: 7" single no. 1893
Found: May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Oxygene IV' / 'Oxygene VI'
Download: here

Move away - Culture club

'Move away' was the first single drawn from Culture Club's 1986 album 'From luxury to heartache'. The recording sessions for this album dragged on for a long time because of singer Boy George's addiction to cocaine. Nevertheless, this single became a hit for the band, because it reached number 7 in the UK and number 12 in the USA.

Besides the regular 7" single, the record company released a collectable cd-sized picture disc in a cardboard cd-single-esque sleeve. The picture disc featured a photograph of band member Jon Moss. Both singles are pictured here: you will notice that the regular sleeve has purple blocks, where the cd-sized sleeve has green blocks.

My collection: 7" single no. 2248 / 5" single no. 2504

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4, 1995 / House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder / 1 pound

Tracks: 'Move away' / 'Sexuality'

Download: Album 'From luxury to heartache', including both tracks

The coldest days of my life - The Chi-lites

The intro of this song was used in the sappy Dutch radio programme 'Candlelight', in which a presenter with a deep, dark voice read out corny poems from listeners. The atmospheric, soft-focus track was recorded in 1972 by the Chi-lites, a group consisting of Eugene Record, Robert Lester, Creadel Jones and Marshall Thompson. Their most famous song is probably 'Have you seen her', a number three hit in the UK.

This single flopped in most territories, but reached number 47 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The single split the eight minute track in two parts.

My collection: 7" single no. 1847

Found: January 28, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'The coldest days of my life (part 1)' / 'The coldest days of my life (part 2)'

Download: here