Ik dans dus ik besta - Het Goede Doel

After disappearing from the pop scene for a year, the Dutch band Het Goede Doel returned with a new single in early 1986. Entitled 'Ik dans dus ik besta' ('I dance, therefore I am') it was a bouncy pop tune. The lyric was less ironic than earlier tracks, and this resulted in a lower placing in the Dutch Top 40: it peaked at number 29.

Five singles were released from the album 'Mooi en onverslijtbaar', of which this was the one I liked the least. I recently bought it, and was pleased to find out that the 'instrumental' B-side is actually a remix of the track. It even includes vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 3484

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

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Ik dans dus ik besta' / 'Ik dans dus ik besta (instrumental)'
Download: here

Sad - Immaculate fools

'Sad' by the Immaculate fools was a complete flop in Europe, with the exception of Spain, where the British band had been able to get quite a following. I found out about this track because it appeared on a promotional cd-single together with a remix of Azucar Moreno's 'Bandido'. When I came across this single I bought it right away.

'Sad' was taken from the band's album of the same name, both released in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1568

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Sad' / 'When we rise'

Download: here

Way of the west - Ten Sharp

After the failure of their first three singles, Ten Sharp reinvented themselves as a rock band. With screaming guitars, the band sounded louder and more aggressive than ever before - or after. 'Way of the west' (1987) was a very different single for the band.

When this single flopped the band fell apart and the musicians went their own way. Until 1990, that is, when two members Marcel Kapteijn and Niels Hermes got together again and started Ten Sharp II in 1991. Their new single 'You' would become a pan-European hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 1158

Found: All that music, Leiden, January 27, 1990

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Way of the west' / 'Way of the west (club version)'

Download: here

Daydream - Wallace Collection

Wallace Collection was founded in 1968 by Sylvain Vanholme, Freddy Nieuland, Marc Hérouet, Christian Janssens, Raymond Vincent and Jacques Namotte. The Belgian band moved to England and named themselves after the museum in Central London. Their debut album was recorded at Abbey Road studios and was released in 1969. The single 'Daydream' became a hit all over Europe, including a number one hit in Belgium and reaching number 14 in the Netherlands. They could never equal the success of this one single and subsequently they split up in 1971.

'Daydream' is an extraordinary song, reminiscent of the Beatles' 'Hey Jude' (1976). I bought this single, with a picture of the band posing before the museum, a decade after I first heard the song. It's one of those songs you will always remember after hearing it once.

My collection: 7" single no. 1711
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 14, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Daydream' / 'Baby I don't mind'
Download: here

Glad to know you - Chas Jankel

Chas Jankel's career has not been a very successful. Despite releasing various albums and singles, he never made the charts in the UK. His single 'Glad to know you' (1981) was another flop - but at least he still found some success when Kitty Grant released a cover version of this song in 1983: it reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

I knew about the original when it came out, and when I heard the cover I knew immediately that the original was better. It's a mystery to me why it wasn't a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 957

Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Glad to know you' / '3,000,000 synths'

Download: Album 'Chasanova', including both tracks

Roulette - Future World Orchestra

Robert Pot (Born in Nijverdal, Netherlands, March 15, 1957) developed an interest in symphonic rock groups like Genesis and Yes at an early age. He saved up for synthesizers and a recording studio, until he met Gerto Heupink, with whom he formed Future World Orchestra. They recorded several demos and finally signed with Dureco Records in 1981.

Their debut single, 'Desire', reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. The follow-up, 'I'm not afraid of the future', did almost equally well, peaking at number 26. After recording a cover version of the 'Theme from E.T.' (Yes, THAT Spielberg movie), they released 'Roulette', an instrumental track reminiscent of the work by contemporaries Nova. It reached number 29, and it was in fact their only single I liked. And so I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 205

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Roulette' / 'Dawn'

Download: here

Si - Gigliola Cinquetti

After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 with 'Non ho l'eta per amarti', Gigliola Cinquetti competed again in 1974. The live broadcast of the song was banned in her home country by the Italian national broadcaster RAI as the event partially coincided with the campaigning for the 1974 Italian referendum on divorce which was held a month later in May.
RAI censored the song due to concerns that the name and lyrics of the song (which constantly repeated the word 'Si') could be seen as being a subliminal message and a form of propaganda to influence the Italian voting public to vote 'yes' in the referendum. The song remained censored on most Italian state TV and radio stations for over a month.

Cinquetti ended as number two in the Contest, just behind the legendary 'Waterloo' by Abba.

My collection: 7" single no. 3127

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Si' / 'Il pappagallo verde'

Download: here

Blue flame (Melt the ice) - Rupert Hine

Rupert Hine released 'Blue flame (Melt the ice)' as a single in 1985. It was in the year that he was also involved in the soundtrack of the movie 'Better off dead'. This single was never included on any album, although the 2001 cd release of his 1983 album 'The wildest wish to fly' includes this single as a bonus track.

I found this single in my local record shop and got curious. I'd become interested in Rupert Hine's production work for Howard Jones and his solo single 'Eleven faces'. When I played this single for the first time, I knew I'd found a great song.

My collection: 7" single no. 770

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Blue flame (Melt the ice)' / 'Yellow flame'

Download: here

Voetbalknieën - Ton Lebbink

Dutch poet and former nightporter Ton Lebbink released his debut album 'Luchtkastelen' in 1982. His debut single 'Voetbalknieën' was lifted from this album. Although it never made the charts, the album and single are a bit of a cult favourite these days. With nonsensical lyrics and quite danceable music, 'Voetbalknieën' is an astonishing piece of work.

I bought the single in 1989, seven years after I first heard it thanks to my sister, who'd bought the single - and later even the album - because she thought it was a funny track. It stuck in my mind, somehow. I'm still glad it did.

My collection: 7" single no. 891

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

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Voetbalknieën' / 'Donker is de Kalverstraat'

Download: here

Good life - Inner city

'Good Life' is a 1988 single by the US techno group Inner City, featuring vocals by Paris Grey. It was their second single and biggest hit, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In 1999, the song was rerecorded and remixed by producer Tommy Onyx and a Spanish language version was also released. The 1999 version hit number 10.

The track stuck in my mind for its utter simplicity. Lyrically the song doesn't have much more to say than 'Good life good life good life good life in the good life / Good life'. And ridicule is sometimes a reason to want to have something.

My collection: 7" single no. 2825
Found: House of rhythm, London, February 1, 1997
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Good life' / 'Good life (instrumental)'
Download: here

Parfum de rêve - Jo Lemaire

Jo Lemaire successfully continued her career after breaking up with her band Flouze. In 1983 she released her debut solo album 'Concorde'. One side of the record consisted of songs in French, whereas the other side contained songs in English.

'Parfum de rêve' was released as a single and did reasonably well in Belgium, although it failed to reach the charts in other territories. I bought this single because I knew of Jo Lemaire and because I liked the colourful sleeve. I was happily surprised when I heard the song: it's a cheerful popsong.

My collection: 7" single no. 1826

Found: Record palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Parfum de rêve' / 'Ceremonial spring'

Download: here

In a manner of speaking - Martin L. Gore

After having worked in Depeche Mode for almost a decade, the group went on hiatus and Martin L. Gore used his free time to record the 'Counterfeit e.p.': a disc with six covers of old songs. Among them was 'In a manner of speaking', originally performed by Tuxedomoon, a new wave group from San Francisco.

I'd bought the e.p. soon after it was released, then came across this promotional 7" single a year later. Since no songs from the e.p. were released as a single, I was very happy to get my hands on this promotional disc: a collector's item.

My collection: 7" single no. 1481

Found: Breda, July 3, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'In a manner of speaking' / 'In a manner of speaking'

Download: Album 'Counterfeit e.p.', including this track (password: stanley01 )

Love's not for me - Graham Gouldman

'Love's not for me' was taken from the soundtrack of the movie 'Animalypics'. The music was written and performed by Graham Gouldman, without the aid of his counterpart in 10CC, Eric Stewart. The backing musicians on the record were involved with the band 10CC at that time.

The song was promoted with a beautiful animated video, taken from the movie. The song itself became a personal anthem for many years.

My collection: 7" single no. 522

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Love's not for me' / 'Bionic boar'

Download: here

Blood of Eden - Peter Gabriel

'Blood of Eden' was originally written for the Wim Wenders movie 'Until the end of the world' (1991). Peter Gabriel performed the track solo. This version was not included on the soundtrack cd. (You can hear the solo version of Blood of Eden here.)

A year later, 'Blood of Eden' reappeared as a track on Peter Gabriel's album 'Us'. This time, it was performed as a duet with Sinéad O'Connor. It was this version that got a single release. It reached number 43 in the UK singles chart in 1993.

My collection: 7" single no. 1881

Found: April 10, 1993

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Blood of Eden' / 'Mercy street (William Orbit remix)'

Download: here

For a friend - Communards

Jimmy Somerville left his band Bronski Beat in 1985 and teamed up with classically trained musician Richard Coles. They will probably always be remembered for their versions of 'Don't leave me this way' and 'Never can say goodbye', but 'For a friend' remains, to me, their most beautiful song. They wrote the song for a close friend of theirs, whose life was taken by AIDS. And as the B-side track 'Victims' stated: 'No-one to blame there's only victims'. A good statement in a country where gays were continually blamed for the spreading of the disease at the time. Released in 1988, it reached number 28 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 628

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'For a friend' / 'Victims (live)'

Download: here

Mack the knife - King Kurt

Purists would probably hate King Kurt's version of 'Mack the knife', because it is slightly over the top. Originally entitled 'Die Moritat von Mackie Messer' ('The ballad of Mack the knife'), the track was composed by Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht for their music drama 'Die Dreigroschenoper', which premiered in Berlin in 1928.

The 'psychobilly' band King Kurt had a minor hit with the track in 1984, reaching number 55 in the UK singles chart. The video was a regular on the music television channel Music Box. In the early Eighties, King Kurt were known for their stage performances in which eggs and bags of flour were thrown around and buckets of wallpaper paste dumped into the audience. Sometimes they also had a large wheel on stage called 'The Wheel of Misfortune' which fans were strapped to and force fed Snakebite through a tube pushed down into the throat, then spun round until they threw up. Nice...

My collection: 7" single no. 2279

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, May 6, 1995

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Mack the knife' / 'Wreckaparty rock'

Download: here

Indulgence no. 2 - The Divine Comedy

In 1994, the Divine Comedy supported Tori Amos during her European tour. They played a few dozen dates all over Europe, including three in the Netherlands. I went to see Tori Amos on May 8 and in Scheveningen on May 9, and was pleasantly surprised by the support act. (That in itself was a remarkable feat!) The beautiful melodies and humorous lyrics appealed to me greatly.

It didn't take long to get 'Promenade', their then-current album, but soon I started to look for other things as well. I found this ep in London, while I was on holiday there. It contains three live recordings from that 1994 tour. Later it turned out to be a collector's item - I still haven't found 'Indulgence no. 1'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2183

Found: Sister Ray, London, September 28, 1994

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'A drinking song (live)' / 'When the lights go out all over Europe (live)', 'Tonight we fly (live)'
Download: here

Happy Birthday - Altered Images

'Happy Birthday' was Altered Images' biggest hit, reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart in the autumn of 1981. It was the third single taken from the album of the same name. 'Happy Birthday' was later included in the soundtrack to the John Hughes movie 'Sixteen Candles' (1984).

I bought this single as one of three Altered Images singles in December 2002, while I was following the Here and Now Tour in the UK. This was one of the tracks performed live by Clare Grogan, and one of those instantly hummable tunes you either love or loathe. In my case, I loved it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3370

Found: Record Exchange, December 2002

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Happy Birthday' / 'So we go whispering'

Download: here

Oops upside your head - The Gap Band

'Oops upside your head' is a 1979 funk track recorded by the Gap Band. It was the lead single from their third album, 'Gap Band'. This single became an international hit for the group upon its late 1979 release, though it failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100. The song mainly features humorous spoken monologues by Gap Band lead singer Charlie Wilson, who was inspired by his cousin Bootsy Collins' own humorous slant in his songs. The song is said to be one of the first songs to use hiphop-styled monologues in a song.

When it came out, I hated this song, preferring the Gap Band's next single, 'Burn rubber'. Somewhere in the Nineties, I actually started to like it, preferring it to even worse hiphop tracks that were so prominent at that time. But I've come full circle: I hate it again. But the B-side is a nice song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2116

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, June 11, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Oops upside your head' / 'The boys are back in town'

Download: here

Peaches - The presidents of the United States of America

The alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America formed in 1993 in Seattle, USA. The band consisted of Chris Ballew, Jason Finn, Andrew McKeag and Dave Dederer. In 1995 they released their self-titled debut album. Party thanks to the success of the singles, the album became a big hit in the USA, but it also did well in the UK.

Their biggest hit was the song 'Peaches'. It reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. Although the meaning has been argued, the band has stated that the song is just about peaches. Chris Ballew said that he wrote it about a girl he once had a crush on. He allegedly wrote this song after sitting under a peach tree she had in her yard while waiting for her.

My collection: 7" single no. 2652

Found: HMV, London, June 29, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Peaches' / 'Confusion'

Download: here

The eve of the war - Ben Liebrand

Ben Liebrand found fame in the Netherlands because of his remixes of hits during the Eighties. A weekly show during nighttime and a 'minimix', broadcast every Friday night on the popular Veronica radio station guaranteed a following that was quite big. By the end of the Eighties, Liebrand started to record cd's of his own. This resulted in the 1990 release of the album 'Styles'.

A year earlier, Liebrand created a remix of Jeff Wayne's 'Eve of the war', from his millionselling 1978 album 'The war of the worlds'. The single didn't chart, but it did become a collector's item for fans of the musical version of the H.G. Wells book.

My collection: 7" single no. 2694

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'The eve of the war (radio edit)' / 'Mankind strikes back'

Download: here

Rock around the clock - Telex

Marc Moulin, Dan Lacksman and Michel Moers formed the Belgian synthpop group in 1978. Their debut single was a stripped-down synthesized cover of 'Twist à St. Tropez' by Les Chats Sauvages. They followed this up with 'Rock around the clock', which would become their only hit in the UK. It reached number 34 in that country in the Summer of 1979.

Like Kraftwerk, Telex built their music entirely from electronic instruments, and the sounds of the two groups have a certain similarity. However, unlike Kraftwerk's studied irony, Telex favour a more joyously irreverent humour.

My collection: 7" single no. 3112

Found: Big Company records, London, May 13, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Rock around the clock' / 'Moskow Diskow'

Download: here

Happy ever after - Julia Fordham

I heard 'Happy ever after' for the first time on a compilation cd. At first I figured I owned the track, but a true vinyl collector is never happy until he owns the original single too. And so when I found the single, I bought it.

Julia Fordham was born in Portsmouth, England on August 10, 1962. In 1988, she released her debut album, simply titled 'Julia Fordham'. The single 'Happy ever after' introduced her as a singer with considerable vocal range. It reached number 27 in the UK singles chart. 'Happy ever after' was re-recorded and re-released in 1998, but that version didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2073

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Happy ever after' / 'My lover's keeper'

Download: cd-single 'Happy ever after', including both tracks

The nameless one - Wendy James

After Transvision Vamp disbanded, Wendy James set out to start a solo career. She wrote a letter to Elvis Costello asking for his guidance. In response Costello wrote a full album's worth of material for her. These songs became the tracks on her 1993 solo album 'Now ain't the time for your tears'. The album entered at number 43 in the UK Albums chart - and then disappeared again. The single did slightly better, peaking at number 34 in the Singles chart.

It's great to hear this single even now. The vocals are slightly over the top, but they sizzle with venom and a touch of hysteria that is always apparent in miss James's vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1869

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, March 27, 1993

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'The nameless one' / 'I just don't want it anymore'

Download: cd-single 'The nameless one', including both tracks (password: pwemb.blogspot.com )

Fantasy Island - Tight Fit

In 1981, record producer Ken Gold came up with the idea to record a single made up of a medley of 60s songs, following in the footsteps of Starsound and their Stars on 45 singles. He put together a group of session singers and released 'Back to the 60s' under the title Tight Fit. The song reached number 4 in the UK Singles chart. 'Back to the 60s Part 2' was released soon after and also hit the UK top 40.

Later in the year record producer Tim Friese-Greene recorded the song 'The lion sleeps tonight' with another group of session singers. The song was released in early 1982, again by Tight Fit. It caught a lot of attention and so a group was formed to front it. Dancer, singer and male model Steve Grant was teamed up with female singers Denise Gyngell and Julie Harris. The song reached number 1 in the UK for three weeks and the line-up were catapulted into sudden and unexpected stardom. Satisfied that this line-up could actually sing in their own right, Friese-Greene produced their next single, 'Fantasy Island', a cover of the song which had been a hit for the Millionaires earlier that year. While not charting in the Netherlands, it did become a hit in the UK and reached number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 3359

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Fantasy Island' / 'Saturday heartbreak'

Download: here

Free - Deniece Williams

Born as June Deniece Chandler, Deniece Williams debuted in the Seventies when she performed backing vocals for Stevie Wonder, together with Minnie Riperton and Syreeta Wright. In 1976, she signed to Columbia Records and recorded her debut album 'This is Niecy'.

The first single from this album was 'Free'. It reached number 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and in the UK it topped the chart for two weeks. I got to know the song because of a compilation cd and eventually when I came across the single, I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3343

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Free' / 'Cause you love me baby'

Download: Album 'This is Niecy', including both tracks

A girl called Johnny - The Waterboys

'A girl called Johnny' was released in March 1983, as the first single from the album 'The Waterboys'. The song was a tribute to Patti Smith. It reached number 80 in the UK singles chart.

I bought the single during an outdoor music festival. It turned out to be an Italian pressing. Always nice to buy foreign pressings, because they seem more worthwhile to me.

My collection: 7" single no. 1458

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 27, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'A girl called Johnny' / 'The late train to heaven'

Download: here

Underwater - Harry Thumann

Harry Thumann was a German electronic music composer and sound engineer. He was quick to adapt to new technologies and started working with synthesizers early on in the Seventies. His single 'Underwater', released originally in 1979, was embraced in several European countries. Released in the Netherlands in the summer of 1980, it shot to number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

Harry Thumann died in 2001.

My collection: 7" single no. 1946

Found: Leiden, August 20, 1993

Cost: 0,25 guilder

Tracks: 'Underwater part I' / 'Underwater part II'

Download: here

Je suis venue te dire que je m'en vais - Jo Lemaire + Flouze

Jo Lemaire was born on January 5, 1956 in Gembloux, Namur (Belgium). She debuted in the late Seventies with her musical group, Jo Lemaire + Flouze. When they released the synthpop track 'Je suis venue te dire que je m'en vais', a moody uptempo track, they became instantly wellknown in Europe and Canada. A year later, in 1982, the group separated, and Lemaire divorced Philippe Depireux, a fellow former bandmember. She moved to Bilzen with her new partler, Fa Vanham, and started a solo career.

'Je suis venue te dire que je m'en vais' is still one of the great synthpop classics and personally it's one of my all-time favourites.

My collection: 7" single no. 667

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Je suis venue te dire que je m'en vais' / 'Escape'

Download: Album 'Pigmy world', including both tracks

Dreiklangs dimensionen - Rheingold

In 1980 Rheingold was formed by Bodo Staiger, Lothar Manteuffel and Birgitte Kunze. They released their self-titled debut album that same year. Although this album contained 'Dreiklangs dimensionen' and the single reached number 17 in the German singles chart, it took two years for the single to break through in the Netherlands and reach number 20 there.

Rheingold was part of the 'Neue Deutsche Welle' movement, and they were the first band to get into the German top 20 with a single. It's still a modern synthpop classic.

My collection: 7" single no. 2051

Found: Record fair, November 20, 1993

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Dreiklangs dimensionen' / 'Rendezvous'

Download: here

On the border - Al Stewart

Everyone remembers Al Stewart's hit 'Year of the cat', and rightfully so, because it's a classic track. It was also his only hit in the UK. But in the Netherlands it's a different story: 'Year of the cat' reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40, but the next single, 'On the border', did even better, reaching number 5.

I bought this single, with a slightly tattered sleeve, in 1995. When I saw the man live on February 16, 1996, I took the sleeve with me. And I was lucky: I actually met the man after the concert and got this sleeve signed, as well as the cd I bought there. I consider this quite a collector's item, although I don't know how much people would give for an Al Stewart signature these days...

My collection: 7" single no. 2566

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'On the border' / 'Flying sorcery'

Download: Album 'Year of the cat', including both tracks

Fantasy Island - The Millionaires

In 1982, the Dutch national final for the Eurovision Song Contest was pretty exciting. It took place in Scheveningen and was presented by Lenny Kuhr (who had won the contest in 1969). The three songs 'Fantasy Island', 'Pierement' and 'Jij en ik' were all sung by three contestants: Bill van Dijk, Bonnie St. Claire and the Millionaires.

'Fantasy island' was the big favourite of the audience. A jury of experts preferred 'Jij en ik'. When this was announced, the audience reacted with a lot of booing and whistling. Bill van Dijk was chosen as the best performer of this song, and he went on to represent the Netherlands at the Contest. His single flopped, whereas the Millionaires recorded 'Fantasy island' and had a minor hit with it, reaching number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3139

Found: Den Haag, July 24, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Fantasy Island (Dutch version)' / 'Fantasy island (English version)'

Download: here

Catch - The Cure

The Cure's then-current single 'Catch' was not at the top of my list of singles I wanted to buy when I went to London in the summer of 1987. But when I saw this limited edition, I quickly changed my mind. I knew about clear vinyl discs, but with the sleeve also transparent, this truly was an eyecatcher!

'Catch' was the second single taken from the Cure's album 'Kiss me kiss me kiss me'. It reached number 27 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 549

Found: Tower Records, London, 1987

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Catch' / 'Breathe'

Download: here

Radio Heart - featuring Gary Numan

Gary Numan's career is well described in sources like Wikipedia, but there is no information about the project Radio Heart in which he participated in 1987. It was a top 30 hit in the UK, and although I can't remember how I first heard it, I knew I liked it right away. 'Radio heart' is a very radiofriendly track (no pun intended!) and it stays in your mind once you've heard it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2175

Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Radio heart' / 'Radio heart (instrumental)'

Download: here

I caught you out - Rebecca de Ruvo

Rebecca de Ruvo was born in Stockholm in 1969. She debuted on Swedish television in 1988, presenting the youth programme 'Druvan'. Soon after that, she started presenting programmes like 'Awake on the wild side' and 'Dial MTV' on MTV Europe (back when they were still broadcasting music programmes). Personally I always had a soft spot for her, because of her bubbly presentation and extremely beautiful appearance.

In 1994, she tried her hand at music. The single 'I caught you out' was released in the autumn, but unfortunately it wasn't a commercial success. A solo album may have been recorded, but it was never released. De Ruvo joined the band Breaker a few years later, but they were equally unsuccessful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2161

Found: HMV, London, September 26, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I caught you out (Ben Liebrand's Station Edit)' / 'I caught you out (Nellee Hooper's Album Mix)'
Download: here

Communication - Spandau Ballet

You could say that 'Communication' was the last credible single by Spandau Ballet before they sold out to smooth middle-of-the-road pop blandness. Although it was the second single from the album 'True', it wasn't until the title track was released as the third single that the band was put down by critics.

'Communication' was Spandau Ballet's first hit in America, reaching number 59 in the Billboard Hot 100. In Europe it didn't do much, although it reached number 12 in the UK. I bought the single after I'd seen the video on TV, and I was pleasantly surprised by the short but sweet remix on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 374

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Communication' / 'Communication (edited club)'

Download: here

Amoureux solitaires - Lio

Lio was born as Wanda Ribeiro de Vasconcelos in 1962 in Mangualde, Portugal. In 1968, she and her family moved to Belgium. She debuted in 1980 with the single 'Le banana split', a hit in Belgium and France. Her second single, 'Amoureux solitaires' also made it to the singles chart in the Netherlands, reaching number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. While her career continued in Belgium and France, she never made the Dutch chart again.

I didn't like 'Amoureux solitaires' when it came out, it was only a decade later, when I started discovering music by other French artists like Laurent Voulzy and Mylene Farmer, that I started to rediscover it. The first time I bought the single the sleeve contained a wrong disc. I should have paid more attention! About six months later, I was more successful.

My collection: 7" single no. 1928

Found: Parkpop, June 27, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Amoureux solitaires' / 'Petite Amazone'

Download: here

In love with you - Maribelle

If it wasn't obvious already, I have a built-in loathing of Dutch music. Most Dutch productions are cheesy and substandard, while most Dutch artists think the world of themselves. So I approach Dutch contributions to the Eurovision Song Contest with caution - and more often than not, I find them downright appalling.

More than a decade after Maribelle represented the Netherlands at the Contest in 1984 and finished 13th, my friend played me his copy of the single. It was quite a shock to find that 'Ik hou van jou' was actually a true classic. Not because of the cheesy lyrics or the slightly overemotional rendition by the singer, but for the sheer beauty of the melody the orchestra plays. After I got the Dutch single I went looking for the English version. This single is actually quite rare, since it wasn't a hit anywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 2982
Found: Bea Records, April 4, 1998
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'In love with you' / 'I want you back again'
Download: here

Tomorrow's just another day - Madness

'Tomorrow's just another day' is was taken from Madness's fourth album 'The rise and fall'. It peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart in February 1983. It was released as a double A-side with the track 'Madness (Is All in the Mind)'.

The single version is a slight remix of the album track. A slower, blues-style version of the song, with Elvis Costello on vocals, was included as a bonus track on the 12" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 886

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

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Tomorrow's just another day' / 'Madness (is all in the mind)'

Download: Album 'Madness presents the rise & fall', including both tracks

See you tonight - Tower

Tower consisted of Marian Pijnaker, Ton Hoogeboom, Cor van der Hoogt, Henk van Loon and Ben Peterzen. They released their debut album 'Titan' in 1981. The single 'See you tonight' reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. Their next single, 'Goin' home' peaked at number 15. Shortly afterwards, the group disbanded. Pijnaker and Van Hoogt formed a new band, Split Decision, and released one single. They then decided to go on as Tower again, but without any commercial success.

'See you tonight' is their one and only monumental piece of work. Impressive synths and powerful singing make this song a rare feat: a Dutch quality production!

My collection: 7" single no. 610

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 7, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'See you tonight' / 'Higher faster'

Download: here

Europe after the rain - John Foxx

John Foxx is the stage name of Dennis Leigh, born in Chorley, Lancashire (England) around 1947. After recording three albums with the band Ultravox (in their pre-Midge Ure periode) in the Seventies and touring America, John announced he would pursue a solo career upon returning to England. His debut solo single 'Underpass' was a modest hit in the UK.

'Europe after the rain', taken from his second solo album 'The garden' was the last single to reach the UK top 40, peaking exactly at number 40. The song was played a lot on local radio in the Netherlands, which is how I found out about it. I'd all but forgotten the song when I bought it in 1998. And it was a big pleasure to rediscover it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2954

Found: Record fair, Leiden, February 7, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Europe after the rain' / 'This jungle'

Download: Album 'The garden', including both tracks

Hang on to your love - Sade

'US remix', proclaims the sleeve of this 12" single proudly. But what you get is actually the album track of 'Hang on to your love'. Was it a mistake by Epic Records? Who knows, all I know is that I was pretty miffed when I heard the A-side of this record. Fortunately it also included 'Should I love you', an excellent non-album track by Sade.

'Hang on to your love' was released as the fourth and last single from Sade's classic 1984 album 'Diamond life'. It reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 295

Found: Record fair, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (US remix)' / 'Should I love you', 'Why can't we live together'

Download: here

Let me take you there - Betty Boo

Betty Boo was born as Alison Moira Clarkson on March 6, 1970. Originally nicknamed 'Betty Boop' for her similarity with the well-known cartoon character, she dropped the 'p' to avoid trademark disputes. In 1989 she rose to the scene with the Beatmasters, singing on their single 'Hey DJ - I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)'. She followed this up with a solo single, 'Doin' the do', which reached number 7 in the UK singles chart. Her debut album sold pretty well too, reaching number 4 in the UK Albums chart.

In 1992 she released her second album 'Grrr! It's Betty Boo', with 'Let me take you there' as the first single. It reached number 12 in the UK, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands. Personally I thought this single was her first decent one, an upbeat summery tune whereas earlier work was annoying house-related trash. I bought the poster sleeved single while on holiday in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 1757

Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Let me take you there' / 'Jet sex'

Download: here

Baby, do you wanna bump - Boney M

Frank Farian (Franz Reuther), a German schlager singer, wasn't happy with the choice of material his record company wanted him to sing. He went into the studio in December 1974 and recorded the single 'Baby, do you wanna bump', singing the title in a deep voice (entirely studio created) as well as performing the high female chorus vocals in his falsetto voice. The music was based on Prince Buster's 'Al Capone' (1967).

When the single was released, it was credited to 'Boney M'. Farian had been watching an Australian detective show, in which the lead character was called Boney, and Farian decided that this would make a good name for a group, and added the M. After a slow start it became a hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1976. Because of this success, Farian decided to hire a team to 'front' the group for TV performances. Thus the group was born!

My collection: 7" single no. 3178

Found: Record fair, February 19, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 1)' / 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 2)'

Download: here

Inside - Stiltskin

This commercial made the band Stiltskin an overnight sensation. Peter Lawlor recruiter original members Ray Wilson, James Finnigan and Ross McFarlane to form the band, after writing music he had written for this commercial. The single 'Inside' was released to coincide with the ad campaign and became a number one hit for the band almost immediately.

Unfortunately, the band wasn't able to build on the success; a follow-up single 'Footsteps' only made number 34, and further singles didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2913

Found: London, November 1, 1997

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Inside' / 'America'

Download: here

Twilight cafe - Susan Fassbender

Susan Fassbender was born as Susan Wincup in Wibsey, Bradford, England in 1959. At age 13 she started studying classical piano. A few years later she met guitarist Kay Russell, who would become her songwriting partner throughout her caree. Soon signed to independent record label Criminal Records after impressing her future manager at an instrument shop, Fassbender and Russell wrote 'Twilight Café' which was released in early 1981. The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart in 1981.

Two other singles followed soon after - 'Stay' and 'Merry-Go-Round', but these didn't chart. Fassbender then retired from the music industry to get married. She raised three daughters. In 1991 she died, aged just 32.

My collection: 7" single no. 131
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Twilight café' / 'Get around it'
Download: here

Street cafe - John Lodge

John Lodge was born on July 20, 1943 and started playing bass guitar with the Moody Blues in 1965. Since then, he has also written and co-written songs in the band, including 'Ride my see-saw' and 'I'm just a singer in a Rock 'n' Roll band'.

In 1977, he released a solo album called 'Natural Avenue'. The track 'Street cafe' from this album ended up being a single in 1980. I recently mentioned this single in this entry. So who inspired whom? You do the math...

My collection: 7" single no. 318

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Street cafe' / 'Threw it all away'

Download: Album 'Natural Avenue', including both tracks

Radioactivity - Kraftwerk

'Radioactivity is in the air for you and me'. The seemingly soulless, mechanic music by Kraftwerk has always had intriguing lyrics. I don't mean 'Mensch / Natur / Technik' of their infamous track 'Expo 2000', of course, but their earlier work. It's hard to believe when you hear 'Radioactivity' that it was released in 1976.

'Radioactivity' was released as a single, and became a hit in France after it was used as the theme to a popular music show. Coincidentally, my copy of this single is a French one.

My collection: 7" single no. 3037

Found: Record fair, Leiden, November 1, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Radioactivity' / 'Antenna'

Download: Album 'Radioactivity', including both tracks

You make the whole world cry - Tanita Tikaram

Everybody knows Tanita Tikaram's 'Twist in my sobriety', but her later work has been sadly overlooked. And it's such a shame, because she became better as years went by. 'You make the whole world cry' is a great example of this: a monumentally produced 'wall of sound' type track, with an intelligent lyric, although the title seems a tad hyperbolic.

In the UK, neither this single nor the album 'Eleven kinds of loneliness' (1992) charted. Sometimes there is no justice.

My collection: 7" single no. 2539

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

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'You make the whole world cry' / 'Rock me 'til I stop', 'Me you & Lucifer'

Download: here

Keep us together - Sad Cafe

More than a decade after its release, I heard Sad Cafe's 'Keep us together' by chance. I knew about this band because of 'Every day hurts' and 'Follow you anywhere', and this was another ballad in that style: powerful, slightly sentimental and most of all, melodic. It took me some time to find this single, but when I did, I grabbed it immediately. For me, this is one of the great lost classics of the Eighties: it didn't chart anywhere as far as I know.

My collection: 7" single no. 3087

Found: London, May 12, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Keep us together' / 'Hold out'

Download: here