Born to be alive - Patrick Hernandez

Patrick Hernandez will always be remembered for this one song. 'Born to be alive' was written by him in 1973, but it took six years to get it released. When it was finally released, it was a worldwide hit. It sold 25 million copies around the world and went gold in over fifty countries. Even thirty years later, Hernandez is still performing the show in television shows and concerts. His performances never last longer than the one song.

There is one more fact associated with this song: a certain Louise Ciccone (a.k.a. Madonna) was employed to dance behind Hernandez in 1979, while he was singing his song. She was discovered during auditions in New York and went with Patrick to France. She didn't stay in his company for too long. She was brought in contact with several producers, so she could go her own way. Says Hernandez: 'She didn't want to sing at the time. She was only interested in dancing and acting'.

My collection: 7" single no. 11

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Born to be alive' / 'I give you rendez-vous'

Download: here

Time after time - Beloved

Not to be confused with the Cyndi Lauper song of the same name, 'Time after time' was released in 1990 by the Beloved. It was the fourth and last single to be drawn from their debut album 'Happiness', and also the least successful, as it was the first to fall outside the UK singles chart. Even this limited edition flip pack with a picture disc inside didn't help matters.

Still, it is a cheerful mid-tempo song, and I was very happy to find this limited edition almost a year after its release, because it was such a beautiful package.

My collection: 7" single no. 1279

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1991

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Time after time' / 'Time after time (Through the round window)'

Download: here

All time high - Rita Coolidge

Written by John Barry and Tim Rice, 'All time high' is the theme song for the 1983 James Bond movie 'Octopussy'. Reaching number 75 in the UK singles chart, it is the least successful Bond theme song of all times. This may partly be explained by the lack of an obvious link between the song title and the movie title. Coolidge was reported to have disliked the song ever since its release. Because it was written so quickly, she felt it wasn't a finished work.

The single features an extended instrumental version on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3378

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'All time high' / 'All time high (extended instrumental version)'

Download: here

Automatic - Pointer Sisters

'Automatic' was released in 1984 and became a worldwide top 10 hit, peaking at number 5 in the USA, number 2 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.The song became one of the Pointers' signature tunes and was the first of four consecutive top ten singles from their album 'Break Out', which was award multi platinum discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 3381

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Automatic' / 'Nightline'

Download: Album 'Break Out', including both tracks

Cosy prisons - A-ha

Released as the third single from A-ha's most recent album 'Analogue', 'Cosy prisons' was only available in the UK. The single was released in two formats: a cd-single and a picture disc 7" single. Both formats carried a track from a Ken Bruce Session, previously broadcast on BBC Radio 2. Whereas the cd-single contained 'The sun always shines on TV', the 7" picture disc contained 'Stay on these roads'.

A cd-single was also due to be released in Germany, but at the last minute the release was cancelled. If released, it would have contained 'Cosy prisons' from the same Ken Bruce session, the demo of 'Cosy prisons' and the album track 'Birthright' as performed live on Radio Clyde.

My collection: 7" single no. 3445

Found: HMV, London, 2006

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Cosy prisons' / 'Stay on these roads (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce session)'

Download: here

Her town too - James Taylor

James Taylor was born on March 12, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). At the age of eighteen he became involved in the music business. Six years later, in 1972, he married Carly Simon. By that time, both were successful singer/songwriters. In 1981, James Taylor released his eleventh album, 'Dad loves his work'.

The album's title was, in part, drawn from the reasons for Taylor's divorce from Carly Simon. She gave him an ultimatum: cut back on his music and touring, and spend more time with her and their children, or the marriage was through. The album's title was his answer, and the divorce took place soon after. The emotional repercussions of the divorce likely served as at least part of the inspiration for 'Her Town Too'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Her town too' / 'Believe it or not'

Download: Album 'Dad loves his work', including both tracks

That certain smile - Midge Ure

'That certain smile' was the second single to be taken from Midge Ure's debut solo album 'The gift'. It was preceded by the number one hit 'If I was'. By comparison, the second single did worse, only peaking at number 28 in November of 1985.

I didn't know this song when I bought the single. Of course I was familiar with Midge Ure, so I had some confidence when I saw this release. Housed in a gatefold sleeve and pressed on clear vinyl, it was also a very attractive package. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to have this single. And I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the track: it's an uplifting, uptempo track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1762

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'That certain smile' / 'The gift (instrumental)'

Download: Album 'The gift', including both tracks

Don't push it don't force it - Leon Haywood

Leon Haywood was born on February 11, 1942 in Houston, Texas (USA). He launched his career in America as a conventional entertainer, scoring over 20 hit singles on the US R&B chart since 1965.

In the UK and the Netherlands, he is considered to be a one hit wonder, however, with only his 1980 single 'Don't push it don't force it' making the chart. In both countries, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 1821

Found: Record Palace, January 13, 1993

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't push it don't force it' / 'Who you been giving it up to'

Download: here

Sanctuary - New Musik

'Sanctuary' is, in my opinion, one of the best synthpop songs ever. Created by New Musik, it fitted perfectly in the sound they had created for themselves. It was the second single to be taken from their album 'From A to B', and the last single to reach the UK singles chart. Just like 'This world of water' a few months earlier, it reached number 31.

Notable also is the B-side of this single: it features a new track 'She's a magazine', as well as two short instrumentals. 'Chik Musik' is a wonderful pastiche of the signature sound of that famous disco/soul group Chic.

My collection: 7" single no. 1535

Found: Brussels, October 11, 1991

Cost: 30 Belgian Francs

Tracks: 'Sanctuary' / 'She's a magazine', 'Chik Musik', 'Magazine Musik'

Download: here

Immaculate fools - Immaculate fools

The Immaculate fools formed in 1984 in Kent, England by two sets of brothers: Kevin and Paul Weatherill and Andy and Peter Ross. Their self-titled debut single was released in January 1985 and reached number 51 in the UK singles chart. It would end up being their only chart success, as further singles failed to make any commercial impact in the UK.

I got to know this single while briefly working for a radio station in 1985. I only got to buy the single many years later, in the same gatefold sleeve that I saw the first time around.

My collection: 7" single no. 2144

Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, August 21, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Immaculate fools' / 'As the crow flies'

Download: here

Ooh aah... Just a little bit - Gina G

Gina G was born as Gina Mary Gardiner on August 3, 1970 in Brisbane, Australia. In 1996 she was chosen by producer Jonathan King to represent the UK in the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest. It was the UK's most successful Eurovision entry - at least in the UK singles chart: it went to number one in the week of the Contest. Unfortunately, the song only came eighth in the Contest itself, which was mainly down to her singing off-key during her performance.

A handful of remixes were released on two commercially available cd-singles. Four remixes by Soul Solution, however, were only available on this promotional 12" single. A rarity!

My collection: 12" single no. 346

Found: Esprit Mailorder, UK, 2000

Cost: 10 pounds

Tracks: 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Main Vocal)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Radio Version)' / 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Dub)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Instrumental)'

Download: here

Roof garden - Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau was born on March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA). In the late Sixties he made a name for himself in the jazz circuit. In 1975, Jarreau was working with pianist Tom Canning when he was spotted by a representative of Warner Bros. Records. His debut album was soon released. 'We got by' gave him international fame.

His commercially most successful album was 'Breakin' away' (1981), featuring this single, 'Roof garden'. It was released in the Netherlands i nFebruary 1982 and reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought this single while it was in the chart. The poster sleeve of this record is actually a promotional tool, with small adverts in Dutch and French about Christopher Cross, George Harrison, Randy Crawford and seven other artists, who at the time of the release recently had new albums out.

My collection: 7" single no. 112

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Roof garden' / 'Alonzo'

Download: here

Magnetic Fields part 2 - Jean Michel Jarre

I think everyone who grew up in or around the Seventies remembers their first cassettes. I got a tape recorder in 1980 and spent hours on end filling tapes with the music I heard on the radio. So in 1981 I recorded an instrumental track from a Belgian radio station, without actually hearing a title or artist. Instrumental tracks can be very hard to identify. And so it took me years to find out that this particular track was Jean Michel Jarre's 'Magnetic Fields part 2'. It was a minor hit in the Netherlands for Jarre, reaching number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Magnetic fields' was Jarre's first album recorded with digital synthesizers, having used analogue ones on his previous work.

My collection: 7" single no. 2455

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 2, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Magnetic Fields part 2' / 'Magnetic Fields part 1'

Download: here

Old friend - Mo

The first single by Mo I ever bought was this one, the ballad 'Old friend' taken from their second album 'Ha Ha! The sound of laughing'. Contrary to most of their singles, this one was a ballad. The single version lasted three minutes and was one minute shorter than the album version, in an attempt to make it radiofriendly. Despite this, 'Old friend' didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 711

Found: All that music, Leiden, December 30, 1988

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Old friend' / 'Madman'

Download: here

Nothing to lose - UK

UK released two singles from their 1979 album 'Danger Money': 'Rendezvous 6:02' and 'Nothing to lose'. Funnily enough, 'Rendezvous' was a only a hit in the Netherlands, whereas 'Nothing to lose' could only reach the UK singles chart. It peaked at number 67 in the Summer of 1979. A live album, 'Night after night', was recorded in Japan in 1979 and released in September. Following a final European tour in December 1979, and in spite of plans to record a new studio album in America in March 1980, UK disbanded.

I bought my copy of 'Nothing to lose' without actually knowing the song. I always liked 'Rendezvous 602' a lot, and so I presumed this single would be similar. It is a very different song, though, but in its own way it is a nice track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2133

Found: Record Palace, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Nothing to lose' / 'In the dead of night'

Download: here

Into the fire - Sarah McLachlan

I remember seeing the video for 'Into the fire' on MTV in 1992 and thinking that it was a rather boring video. It spoiled any chance of me buying the single. Then a couple of years later I got into the album 'Fumbling towards ecstacy' by Sarah McLachlan, and discovered that she was actually a really great singer/songwriter. I bought the vinyl single as soon as I got a chance after that. It completed my Sarah McLachlan-collection, because as far as I know there are no further 7" singles by her besides this one and 'Vox'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2378

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

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Into the fire (Album version)' / 'Into the fire (John Fryer mix)'

Download: here

Absolute - Scritti Politti

Scritti Politti's main member Green Gartside moved to New York in 1983 to begin working on what was to become his band's signature sound.

Collaborating with producer Arif Mardin, David Gamson and Fred Maher, the first recording to emerge from these sessions was the single 'Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)'. A series of hits in the style of this track followed, including 'Hypnotize', 'The word girl' and this single, 'Absolute'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1630

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

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Absolute' / 'Absolute (version)'

Download: here

Love blonde - Kim Wilde

In 1983, Kim Wilde reinvented herself as a 'Love blonde'. It was the title of her new single, the first to be taken from her third album 'Catch as catch can'. For the first time, I bought a Kim Wilde single while it was still in the charts. I was actually starting to collect her singles, although at that point I don't think I actually realised it.

Kim commented about the song: 'When my dad told me that he wanted to write a song called 'Love Blonde', I just looked at him and said, you know, give me a break, I don't think I could handle the sort of flack I'd get, making a record with a title like that. He just said, 'look, either you do it, or you don't', and that was it. I could see what he was getting at.'

My collection: 7" single no. 206

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Love blonde' / 'Can you hear it'

Download: here

I could be happy - Altered Images

Altered Images released their second album 'Pinky blue' after a successful headlining tour, in 1982. The album provided them with two top 20 hits in the UK: 'See those eyes' and 'I could be happy'. Since the band were going down a pop path, many critics who supported them before started to turn sour.

'I could be happy' is an infectious song, and for me it's one of Altered Images's standout tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3368

Found: Record Exchange, London, December 2002

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'I could be happy' / 'Insects'

Download: Album 'Pinky Blue... Plus', including both tracks

Ace of spades - Motörhead

'Ace of spades' is a loud, proud and obnoxious song by the metal band Motörhead. It is universally regarded as their main anthem. For the lyrics, lead singer Lemmy said he 'used gambling metaphors, mostly cards and dice - when it comes to that sort of thing, I'm more into the one-arm bandits actually, but you can't really sing about spinning fruit, and the wheels coming down'. In March 2005, Q Magazine placed it at number 27 in its list of the 100 greatest guitar tracks, stating 'This song has an intro which wouldn't be out of place ushering in the end of the world'.

'Ace of spades reached number 15 after its original release in November 1980. In 1993, the single was re-released, coupled with a rather ill-advised but comical remix version. Although the band were not too pleased with the remix version, the single peaked at number 23 in the UK charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 2884

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997

Cost: 1,5 pounds

Tracks: 'Ace of spades' / 'Dirty love'

Download: Album 'Ace of spades', including both tracks

Rendezvous 6:02 - UK

In September 1976, John Wetton, Bill Bruford, Eddie Jobson and Allan Holdsworth formed the band UK. They released a self-titled debut album in 1978 and went on a lengthy tour of America. Holdsworth and Bruford left the band, claiming musical differences as the reason. Terry Bozzio joined the band, and as a result the band became a trio, playing keyboards, bass and drums, supplemented by the violin played by Jobson. They recorded the album 'Danger Money', which was released in March 1979.

'Rendezvous 6:02' was the first single to be take nfrom that album. It peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40 in the Summer of 1979.

My collection: 7" single no. 1108

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

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Rendezvous 6:02' / 'In the dead of night'

Download: here

Red guitar - David Sylvian

After spending a decade in the band Japan, David Sylvian released his debut solo album 'Brilliant trees' in 1984. The album was split in two parts: the more accessible tracks were on side A of the album, whereas the more experimental work was grouped together on side B. The biggest hit from this album was 'Red guitar', which reached number 17 in the UK singles chart in the Summer of 1984.

Originally I dismissed this single as 'boring', but after a while I still became interesed and bought the 7" single. Years after that, I bought the 12" single because I had become curious what the 'full length version' would be like. As it turns out, it is actually the album version. But since I don't have the album, this will do nicely.

My collection: 12" single no. 321

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Red guitar (full length version)' / 'Forbidden colours'

Download: here

The whole of the moon - The Waterboys

The Waterboys released 'The whole of the moon' in November 1985. It reached number 28 on the UK singles chart. It only reached number three in the chart after it was re-released in 1990.

The song began as a 'scribble on the back of an envelope on a wintry New York street', after Mike Scott's girlfriend asked him if it was difficult to write a song, and was unfinished at the beginning of the recording sessions of the 1985 album 'This is the sea'. It was eventually completed in May 1985. In 1991, the song was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for songwriting and composing.

My copy of the single is housed in a black sleeve with a large hole in the middle, representing space, whereas the label of the A-side of the single itself contains a picture of the moon.

My collection: 7" single no. 1046

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'The whole of the moon' / 'Medicine Jack'

Download: here

Arms of Mary - Sutherland Brothers and Quiver

Gavin and Iain Sutherland formed originally in London in 1970, but they only found success when they fused together with another band, Quiver, that they started to enjoy chart success. Quiver consisted of Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas and Willie Wilson. When they released 'Arms of Mary' in the Summer of 1976, they enjoyed a number 5 hit in the UK and a number 1 hit in the Netherlands. They were just enjoying this success when the punk music explosion happened. They ended up being ousted from their residency at London's Marquee Club to make way for bands like the Damned and X-Ray Spex. By the end of the Seventies, the band split up.

My collection: 7" single no. 3372
Found: Disco Market, January 11, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Arms of Mary' / 'We get along'
Download: here

Give - Missing Persons

Missing Persons was founded by Warren Cuccurullo, Dale Bozzio and Terry Bozzio. They recruited Patrick O'Hearn and Chuck Wild. After releasing an EP and a debut album, the album 'Rhyme & Reason' came out in 1984. After the success of their debut album, this album sold less well.

'Give' was the second single drawn from the album, and the striking video for it helped it make number 67 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It didn't chart in Europe, although the video was shown there on a regular basis as well. That's how I noticed this song - and eventually got to buy it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1493

Found: Van der Horst, Den Haag, July 18, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Give' / 'Clandestine people'

Download: Album 'Rhyme & Reason', including both tracks

Sol - Nova

'Sol' was the second single released by the instrumental synthpop band Nova. Expectations were high, since 'Aurora' made number one in the Dutch Top 40. By comparison, 'Sol' did less well, but it still made a very respectable number 20 in the summer of 1982.

It was the only Nova single I bought that year, since 'Aurora' had been played to death on the radio and I really didn't need to hear it anymore. That said, I don't think I played 'Sol' very often...

My collection: 7" single no. 125

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Sol' / 'Ariane (The traveler)'

Download: Album 'Terranova', including both tracks

L'amour interdit - Gemini

Besides the Swedish group Gemini, there is also a Belgian one. A quite different one, too. It is obvious from this sleeve, but when you listen to the music, you notice another difference: this is not serious pop music, but a track styled after other novelty records like 'Je t'aime... moi non plus' by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. In other words: lots of groaning and moaning.

My collection: 7" single no. 3561

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'L'amour interdit' / 'I miss you so'

Download: here

Have mercy - Gemini

Gemini consists of Karin and Anders Glenmark. They debuted in 1985 with a self-titled album, which included their only international hit, 'Just like that'. 'Have mercy' was the follow-up single in Europe, but it flopped. Just like all the other songs on their debut album, 'Have mercy' was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, from Abba. Which just goes to show that even that didn't guarantee success in the eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 3560

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Have mercy' / 'Too much love is wasted'

Download: Album 'Gemini', including both tracks

La luna - Nova

After 'Aurora' and 'Sol' had become chart hits, CNR Records released a third single from Nova's debut album 'Terranova', 'La luna'. Despite the fact that it was another beautiful instrumental synthpop tune, the audience had had enough: the single didn't chart at all.

It didn't mean that Nova quit: another album, 'Qua vadis' would be released, and for Veronica television they would compose a soundtrack. But the commercial success was over for good.

My collection: 7" single no. 3555

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'La luna' / 'Terra'

Download: Album 'Terranova', including both tracks

Clean clean - The Buggles

'Clean clean' is the third single to be taken from the Buggles debut album 'The age of plastic'. Backed by the non-album track 'Technopop', the single reached number 38 in the UK singles chart, but fared less well in other territories.

Owning all the other Buggles singles by now, 'Clean clean' was the last one missing from my collection. It's always nice to complete a part of your collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3559

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Clean clean' / 'Technopop'

Download: here

Lady Lady - Bravo

The Spanish group Bravo consisted of Amaya Saizar, Luis Villar, Yolanda Hoyos and Esteban Santas. They represented Spain in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Luxemburg. Their song 'Lady Lady' finished third in the contest, behind the Swedish winners The Herrey's ('Diggi loo diggi ley') and Linda Martin from Ireland ('Terminal 3').

The track was released as a single in various European countries, including the Netherlands, where it hovered just outside the Dutch Top 40 for a couple of weeks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3558

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Lady Lady' / 'Dime por que'

Download: here

Shut up and boogie - Vulcano

Producer and composer Hans van Hemert brought together Anna Dekkers (a.k.a. Dee Dee), René van der Wel, Suzanne Venneker and Jos Groothuizen to form Vulcano. They debuted in 1981 with this single 'Shut up and boogie'. The B-side, an instrumental version, is aptly titled 'Shut up'. It was a nice disco track, but it didn't reach the Dutch Top 40.

When I bought this single, three copies were staring at me from the shelf. Two of them were pressed on black vinyl, and one was pressed on clear yellow vinyl. Since they were all the same price, obviously I chose the yellow-coloured one. I guess it's a kind of limited edition pressing. A nice little item.

My collection: 7" single no. 3557

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Shut up and boogie' / 'Shut up'

Download: here

Famous people - Sharpe and Niles

'Change your mind' by Bill Sharpe and Gary Numan was one of my favourite tracks of the year 1985. When I had the opportunity to buy Bill Sharpe's album 'Famous people' on cd at a discount price a few years later, I got to know many more great tracks. The instrumental track 'Peace' for instance, and the title track, which was apparently released as a single as well.

I never actually got round to buying that single, but it's exactly these two tracks that appear on it. Naturally, I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3556

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Famous people (US remix)' / 'Peace'

Download: here

Aurora - Nova

The Dutch instrumental synthpop band Nova was founded in 1982 by Rob Papen, Ruud van Es and Peter Kommers. They started out as Peru (The first two letters of the names of original band members Peter Kommers and Ruud van Es) but decided to also start Nova as the commercial side of their music projects.

'Aurora' was originally a music theme in the track 'Sons of dawn' by Peru. The song got discovered by Willem van Kooten, who was the boss of record company Red Bullet. The single was released in March 82 and shot to number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3554

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Aurora' / 'Reel'

Download: here

Shangri-la - Gerard Joling

Dutch singer Gerard Joling debuted in 1985 as a contestant of the Soundmix show on television, singing 'Crying' from Don McLean. A few number one hits in the Netherlands followed, and so it came to pass that he was asked to represent the country during the 1988 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. One of the factors that caused this was his distinctive high voice. The song included a high note at the end of the track, which many felt would stun the international juries and make them vote for the Netherlands.

It worked out differently: Joling decided to do a live performance in the Netherlands during rehearsal week, caught a cold during the flight back, and wasn't able to sing that high note. Opting to sing a lower note instead, he felt he'd done the right thing, but many were outraged at his 'wimping out'. Victory went to Celine Dion and the Netherlands ended ninth in the competition.

Joling would have come back to the 2009 edition of the Contest as part of a three man group overconfidently called 'the Toppers', but again he's wimped out, claiming that he can't work with the other members of that group after disagreements.

My collection: 7" single no. 3553

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Shangri-la (English version)' / 'Shangri-la (Nederlandse versie)'

Download: here

Rock 'n' Roll clown - Harpo

After his Europe-wide success with 'Moviestar', Swedish singer followed this single up with 'Motorcycle mama' in Decembe 1975. It didn't reach the Dutch Top 40, and for a year, Harpo went silent. He came back in January 1977 with 'Rock 'n' Roll clown', which showed signs of it being a novelty song, with its 'Hee haw haw' chorus.

Barely missing the Dutch Top 40 again, Harpo disappeared from view in the Netherlands. Apparently, he went on to have great success in his homeland Sweden. I remembered this single from my childhood, and so I didn't pass up the opportunity to buy this after all these years.

My collection: 7" single no. 3552

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Rock 'n' Roll clown' / 'Chelsea Lady'

Download: here

Window shopping - Peter Godwin

It should come as no surprise, that writing about my record collection makes me realise that there are still holes in that collection. Having written several articles about Peter Godwin, I knew that the single 'Window shopping' was still missing. So I was very glad to find that single yesterday.

Like most of his singles, 'Window shopping' is a synth-oriented affair, with nice melody lines and a catchy chorus. The single was taken from his 1983 album 'Correspondence', and, like most of his releases, commercially unsuccessful.

My collection: 7" single no. 3551

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Window shopping' / 'The art of love'

Download: Album 'Correspondence', including both tracks

Bend me shape me - Gilla

Gisela Wuchinger was born on February 7, 1950 in Austria. She was discovered by German producer Frank Farian in 1974. He signed her to Hansa Records and gave her the stage name Gilla. After an unsuccessful German cover version of an Italian song, Farian had her record a German disco version of 'Lady Marmalade'. Still singing in German, she caused some commotion for singing explicit lyrics: 'Willst du mit mir schlafen gehn?' was a direct translation of the song's famous line 'Voulez vous coucher avec moi'.

Gilla released her first international album, 'Help help', in 1977. On her second international album, this single appeared. It was a disco cover of The American Breed's 'Bend me, shape me'. My copy of the single comes from Spain, hence the translated title on the cover.

My collection: 7" single no. 3550

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

Cost: 1,6 euro

Tracks: 'Bend me shape me' / 'The river sings'

Download: Album 'Bend me shape me', including both tracks

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