Johnny come home (Mark Moore remix) - Fine Young Cannibals

Released as a single from their remix album 'The raw and the remix' (1990), this Mark Moore remix of Fine Young Cannibals' debut single 'Johnny come home' did not impress anyone. The single was released and disappeared from the racks as quickly as it had come.

My friend Puck once bought the LP 'The raw and the remix'. He probably liked the singles that the band had released from the album 'The raw and the cooked' (1989), but was very disppointed with this album. He tried forever to sell it, but I think he still has it now....

My collection: 7" single no. 3210
Found: Record fair, September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Johnny come home (Mark Moore remix)' / 'Johnny takes a trip'

It's really you - Barbara Dickson

Barbara Dickson was born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland on September 27, 1947. She started singing in folk clubs around her native Fife in 1964. Her first solo album was 'Do right woman' in 1970. Ten years later she reached her commercial peak when she released 'The Barbara Dickson Album', produced by Alan Tarney. The album yielded two singles, of which 'January February' was the successful one and 'It's really you' flopped.

Personally I think 'It's really you' is the better one of the two, being a rather bouncy poppy piece of work.

My collection: 7" single no. 3137
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It's really you' / 'Plane song'
Download: Album 'The Barbara Dickson Album', including both tracks

Everytime I think of you - The Babys

'Everytime I think of you' was recorded by the Babys in 1978 for their third album 'Head first' (the title track appears on the B-side of the single). It peaked at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 7 in the Netherlands. Amazingly, it didn't chart in the UK at all.

In 2006, an appalling cover version was recorded by Lucie Silvas and Dutch singing sweater Marco Borsato. It was bought by brainless people who can't tell the difference between shit and music. Nothing beats the original, certainly in this case.

My collection: 7" single no. 819

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Everytime I think of you' / 'Head first'

Download: Album 'Anthology', including both tracks

No more lies - Sharpe and Numan

After recording 'Change your mind' for Bill Sharpe's solo album, he and Gary Numan decided to record a whole album together. The album, titled 'Automatic', saw the light in 1989, but before that, a couple of singles were released.

'No more lies', released in January 1988, was one of them. At the time of its release I came across the cd-single several times, but I never bought it. Something I lived to regret. When I saw the vinyl single a decade later, I snapped it up. It's great synthpop, which was rewarded in the UK with a chart placing, peaking at number 34 in the singles chart. Outside of the UK, it was largely ignored.

My collection: 7" single no. 2907
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 31, 1997
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'No more lies' / 'Voices'

Ça plane pour moi - Plastic Bertrand

Originally released in December 1977, Plastic Bertrand had a hit in May 1978 with 'Ça plane pour moi'. It peaked at number 18 in the UK and at number 2 in the Netherlands. The lyric of this song is open to interpretation, since it is full of French slang that was used in the Seventies. The title means 'It is gliding for me', which could imply that the singer is with his head in the clouds, or possibly high on drugs. Other suggestions are 'It's all working out for me', 'This works for me', 'Everything's cool/groovy for me' or, more loosely, 'Things are going great' or even 'I'm on cloud nine'.

I wasn't impressed with this song when it came out, but twenty years later I still bought it. In time, punk songs get a certain nostalgia value.

My collection: 7" single no. 3126

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

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Ça plane pour moi' / 'Pogo pogo'

Bright eyes - Art Garfunkel

I once knew a girl who had such amazing eyes, they looked like the deepest lakes with mysteries so dark and beautiful I got so fascinated it stifled any chance of me talking to her. (I have to admit, sometimes they looked hollow and uninviting too.) And so it came to pass she got the nickname 'Bright eyes'.

This, of course, came from the famous Art Garfunkel song from 1979. It was composed by Mike Batt for the soundtrack of the movie 'Watership down', an animated movie about rabbits. The song relates to the transition into death highlighted by Hazel's close shave when he is shot by a farmer, and then years later when Hazel finally departs his body and enters the world of spirit. It may also be viewed in reference to the disease the rabbits refer to as 'white blindness' - actually Myxomatosis. I've always had a soft spot for animated videos, so when I saw this one in 1979, it stuck in my mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 818

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Bright eyes' / 'Kazaar's theme'

Light my fire / Please release me - Mike Flowers Pops

Mike Flowers Pops followed up their hit 'Wonderwall' with a double A-side 7" single, featuring covers of 'Light my fire' (originally by the Doors) and 'Please release me' (originally by Engelbert Humperdinck). The success of this single was limited: during a two week run it peaked at number 39 in the UK singles chart. This despite 'Please release me' being used for an advertising campaign by Bodington Bitter in the UK. It seemed the momentum for Mike Flowers Pops had gone as fast as it came.

My collection: 7" single no. 2649

Found: HMV, York, June 28, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Light my fire' / 'Please release me'

Once in a lifetime - Talking Heads

'Once in a Lifetime' was taken from the fourth album by Talking Heads, 'Remain in Light'. It was written by David Byrne and Brian Eno. The lyric has a rather existential vibe to it, although it is usually interpreted to be a song dealing with midlife crisis and the inevitable sacrifice of youthful ideals and dreams for conventional success.

In 1981, the single peaked at number 28 in the Netherlands and number 14 in the UK. In 1985, the single was re-released as part of the promotion of the concert film Stop Making Sense. It didn't chart in the UK, but made number 29 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2946

Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Once in a lifetime' / 'Seen and not seen'

Download: Album 'Remain in light', including both tracks

Marionette - Maribelle

Before representing the Netherlands at the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, Maribelle had already competed in the National finals in 1981. She sang two songs: 'Marionette' and 'Fantasie'. She didn't win the competition (which was won by Linda Williams with 'Het is een wonder'), but the two songs were released as a single.

It became a small success for Maribelle: the single reached the Dutch Top 40, where it peaked at number 36 during a four week run.

My collection: 7" single no. 3296
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Marionette' / 'Fantasie'

She - Vegas

The second single from Vegas' debut (and only) album was 'She', a cover of the 1974 song by Charles Aznavour. It was written by Aznavour and Herbert Kretzmer and reached number one in the UK. Terry Hall and David Stewart must have hoped to repeat that success, but alas they weren't able to: the single peaked at number 43 and stayed in the chart for only four weeks.

The single was notable for the B-side, which was a 'disco mix' of the track. As far as I know, it's the only remix of a Vegas track ever released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2181

Found: Record Exchange, London, September 27, 1994

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'She' / 'She (disco mix)'

Download: cd-single 'She', including both tracks

Lay your hands on me - Thompson Twins

The Thompson Twins enjoyed a lot of success with their 1984 album 'Into the gap'. They had to come up with a new album soon, so the writing and recording of the next album 'Here's to future days' began in late 1984. The band recorded the single 'Lay your hands on me' with producer Alex Sadkin. The new single climbed to number 13 on the UK singles chart.

My copy of the single came in a limited edition poster bag. I might never have bought it otherwise: I thought the track was a lot weaker than previous singles. Nowadays I feel differently: it still sounds rather fresh.

My collection: 7" single no. 1905

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

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Lay your hands on me' / 'The Lewis Carol'

Download: here

Lover come back to me - Dead or Alive

After their considerable success with 'You spin me 'round', Dead or Alive came up with another energetic popsong in the guise of 'Lover come back to me'. Personally I always thought this was an even more powerful song, but the masses disagreed: this single fared less well. It peaked at number 11 in the UK and number 30 in the Netherlands.

By the time of the next single, the momentum of Dead or Alive seemed to have disappeared, each single scoring less well than its predecessor. And producers Stock Aitken & Waterman moved on to greener pastures with singing soapstars and fair-haired boys.

My collection: 7" single no. 292

Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Track: 'Lover come back to me' / 'Far too hard'

Download: here

Alles heeft ritme - Frizzle Sizzle

Sisters Karin and Laura Vlasblom and their friends Mandy Huydts and Marjon Keller debuted in 1981 on 'Kinderen voor kinderen', a Dutch television programme and LP featuring songs by a children's choir. In 1984 the girls appeared on the fifth annual show to tell that they formed a girl group. Naming themselves Frizzle Sizzle they were selected to represent the Netherlands in the 1986 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Alles heeft ritme'. They ended up 13th in the contest in a field of 20 contestants. In the Dutch Top 40, the song peaked at number 21.

I found this single, amazingly, in a Record Exchange in London, in the basement of the Goldhawk Road shop. I think it's the only time I bought a Dutch language record abroad.

My collection: 7" single no. 3090

Found: Record Exchange, London, May 12, 1999

Cost: 20p

Tracks: 'Alles heeft ritme' / 'Eenmaal jong'

Download: here

Invisible - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet's third solo single was specially written for her by Motown legend Lamont Dozier, from the famous Holland/Dozier/Holland writing team. The song was released in 1984 and peaked at number 21 in the UK singles chart. A year later, it reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - making it the only US top 40 hit of her career.

By the time I bought this single, it was ancient. I already had all the other singles taken from her debut album 'Alf', so this was a nice completion.

My collection: 7" single no. 3263

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, October 21, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Invisible' / 'Hitch hike'

Download: here

She sells - Banderas

The second single from Sally Herbert and Caroline Buckley, a.k.a. Banderas, was 'She sells', a song about women being exploited for advertisements. It followed up their successful debut single 'This is your life' (which appeared previously on this blog but was deleted for some strange reason).

I bought this single some time after its release. Before that, I'd gotten hold of Banderas' debut album 'Ripe', which caused my interest in their single releases. It's one of the best pop albums I have.

My collection: 7" single no. 1958

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'She sells' / 'She sells (Alternative 7" mix)'

Download: cd-single 'She sells', including both tracks

Martyr - Depeche Mode

Until the imminent release of 'Wrong' in April this year, 'Martyr' is still Depeche Mode's last single release. It came out on November 13, 2006 in support of a new compilation album, 'The best of Depeche Mode volume 1'. Originally titled 'Martyr for love', the song was recorded during sessions for Depeche Mode's previous album 'Playing the angel'. It was considered as the first single from that album, but was subsequently dropped from the album because it was considered to be 'too poppy'.

Released as their 45th single, it was their 35th top 20 hit in the UK. The single was released as a numbered limited edition on a picture disc 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3592
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, March 5, 2009
Cost: 4,5 euro
Tracks: 'Martyr' / 'Never let me down (Digitalism remix)'

Helden - David Bowie

Besides the French version of 'Heroes', I also found the German one a few days ago. It doesn't often happen that you find several versions of one track in a shop - and (relatively) cheap too. Obviously I bought this one as well.

'Helden' is a slightly better version than the French one, because this one sounds German. Bowie's pronunciation is a bit strange here and there, but it sounds a lot more credible than his French.

My collection: 7" single no. 3591

Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, March 5, 2009

Cost: 3,5 euro

Tracks: 'Helden' / 'V2 Schneider'

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Walking after you - Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl formed the Foo Fighters in 1995 after the demise of grunge-rock band Nirvana. He recruited Nate Mendel, William Goldsmith and Pat Smear shortly before the release of the debut album 'Foo Fighters'. Their second album 'The colour and the shape' was released two years later. It included the original version of 'Walking after you'.

The band re-recorded this track for the soundtrack of the first X-files movie, 'Fight the future'. The original album version was created in between recording sessions for 'The colour and the shape. It was performed by Grohl on vocals (in one take) and all instrument parts except bass, which was performed by the band's bassist Nate Mendel. The soundtrack/single version was performed by the full band, including then-recent additions Taylor Hawkins and Franz Stahl, with guest backing vocals from Craig Wedren from the band Shudder to Think.

I bought this single during a time when 7" vinyl singles were becoming increasingly rare. I'd just bought the soundtrack cd a few weeks earlier, and although I didn't remember this track, I still thought it would be a nice addition to my collection. It's a nice song but I don't really play it much.

My collection: 7" single no. 3051
Found: Record fair, 1998
Cost: 9,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking after you' (Foo Fighters) / 'Beacon light' (Ween)

It's different for girls - Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson released his second album 'I'm the man' in 1979. While the title track, released as the first single from the album, didn't chart, Jackson had more success with the second single, 'It's different for girls'. It peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and reached number 85 in Australia.

I distinctly remember going to Disco Market in May 1989 and buying a stack of second hand singles from a newly received batch. The sleeves were slightly tattered on the edges, but that didn't spoil my fun: this shop was always able to make me very happy in the knowledge that I'd found some rare old singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 826

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It's different for girls' / 'Friday'

Download: Album 'I'm the man', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Heart and soul - T'pau

T'pau released their debut single 'Heart and soul' in early 1987. The single initially flopped in the UK, but then reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Subsequently, the single still entered the chart in the UK and climbed to the same position in the UK. After this, 'Heart and soul' was released in Europe, where it was also a success. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Heart and soul' was re-released in 1997, when it was remixed. This remix version was only released as a cd-single, and didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 617
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart and soul' / 'On the wing'

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

Talk Talk was formed in 1981 by Mark Hollis, Simon Brenner, Lee Harris and Paul Webb. This first line-up enjoyed their first chart success in the UK with the single 'Talk Talk', a synth-oriented pop song, written by Mark Hollis and his brother Ed Hollis, who managed the band Eddie and the Hot Rods, and had started out in a punk band called The Reaction.

'Talk Talk' peaked at number 52 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories. Still, it was the first sign of commercial success for one of the most influential bands of the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2698

Found: Record Exchange, London, July 3, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Talk Talk' / '?'

Tentations - Jo Lemaire

After her debut solo album 'Concorde' (1983) did fairly well in Belgium and France, Jo Lemaire released a self-titled album in 1984. From this album, the single 'Tentations' was taken, a swinging piece of pop pleasure. Unfortunately, this single and album signalled a few difficult years for Lemaire, as it yielded no commercial success.

I heard the single back in 1984 because my sister had bought it and played it a few times. A decade later, I bought my own copy. I didn't play it much, but recently I rediscovered it and I have to admit: it's a very good single. Even the B-side is pretty wonderful.

My collection: 7" single no. 1857

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, January 30, 1993

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Tentations' / 'L'enfer à deux'

With a little luck - Wings

Paul McCartney and his band Wings recorded 'With a Little Luck' on board the boat 'Fair Carol' in the Virgin Islands. The song was written by Paul McCartney in Scotland. The single hit number 1 in the USA, number 5 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 843

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'With a little luck' / 'Backwards traveller', 'Cuff link'

Download: Album 'London town', including these tracks

Ha Ha the sound of laughing - Mo

Mo released the title track of their second album 'Ha Ha the sound of laughing as the second single from that album. It met with muted response from audiences and critics alike. While the previous single 'Cheese' managed a low position in the Dutch Top 40, this single flopped entirely. 'Cheese' would prove to be their last chart success by the way: all the singles that followed didn't chart either.

You would almost think that Mo didn't make interesting music, but they did. Just listen to this track and the energetic B-side 'Stress' and you will hear that the band made glorious synthpop before the term had become popular.

My collection: 7" single no. 3004

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Ha Ha the sound of laughing' / 'Stress'

Under the milky way - The Church

The Church formed in Canberra, Australia in 1980. Eight years and six albums later, the band released 'Starfish', which spawned their most successful single, 'Under the milky way'. It was written by the band's bassist Steve Kilbey and his then-girlfriend Karin Jansson. The single peaked at number 22 in Australia, and stayed in the US top 40 for several weeks.

According to a press release issued with 'Starfish', the song was written about the Amsterdam music and cultural venue called De Melkweg (Dutch for 'Milky Way'), which Kilbey used to frequent. In the Dutch radio programme '2 meter sessies' the band performed an acoustic version which equalled this studio version, despite being totally different in instrumentation.

My collection: 7" single no. 905

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Under the milky way' / 'Musk'

Disenchanted - The Communards

'Disenchanted' is one of the forgotten singles by the Communards. Known for their high energy dance tracks like 'Never can say goodbye' and 'Don't leave me this way', 'Disenchanted was a bit too intricate for most audiences. In the Netherlands, it didn't chart and in the UK it peaked at number 30 in the singles chart.

To be honest, I'd forgotten about this track when I bought it too. But I had most of the other Communards singles, so this one shouldn't be left out. I'm glad I have it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 2683

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

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Disenchanted' / 'Johnny Verso'

I'll always love you - Taylor Dayne

After scoring two big hits with the dance anthems 'Tell it to my heart' and 'Prove your love', Taylor Dayne tried her luck with a ballad. Titled 'I'll always love you', it showed a softer side of the American singer, something that was appreciated a lot in America (it peaked at number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart), but not so much in Europe, where it stalled outside the top 40 in the Netherlands and only managed a lowly position at number 41 in the UK singles chart.

Personally, I thought this was one of Dayne's better tracks, and it was the first single of her which I bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 638

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'I'll always love you' / 'Where does that boy hang out'

Download: Album 'Tell it to my heart', including both tracks

Lonely symphony (We will be free) - Frances Ruffelle

Frances Ruffelle was born on August 29, 1965. She is the daughter of Sylvia Young OBE, founder of the famous theatre school where Frances trained and started to perform at the age of seven. She worked in various West End musicals in London, before entering in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, performing 'Lonely symphony'. When asked about her motivations for joining the competition, she jokingly replied that since none of the four constituent nations of the UK (Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland) had qualified for that year's football World Cup finals, it was her responsibility to try to restore some national pride.

She finished tenth in that year's contest, and went on to record a few solo cd's. 'Lonely symphony' peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2894

Found:Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 24, 1997

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Lonely symphony (We will be free)' / 'Is this a broken heart?'

Substitute - Clout

Clout formed in 1977 in South Africa. Original members were Glenda Hyam, Lee Tomlinson, Ingrid Herbst, Cindy Alter and Jenni Garson. Their first hit was 'Substitute', a cover version of a song originally recorded by the Righteous Brothers in 1975.

When Clout made number 2 with this single in the Netherlands in 1978, my knowledge of English was only rudimentary. I understood a few lines of the songs, but the conclusion I made was - in hindsight - quite funny: I thought the chorus meant 'I'll be your prostitute'. These days there are websites about misheard lyrics, but misinterpreted lyrics, now that's a whole different ballgame...

My collection: 7" single no. 3479

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

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Substitute' / 'When will you be mine'

Shut up - Madness

'Shut up' was another single drawn from Madness' 1981 album '7'. The lyric of the song tells a story of a criminal who, despite obvious evidence, tries to convince people he is not guilty. Even though the song is called 'Shut up', the two words do not appear in the lyric. However, they were the final words of an additional verse which was part of an early version of the song.

In the UK, 'Shut up' peaked at number 7 in the singles chart. The single was only a minor hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 31 in the Dutch Top 40. I remembered it vividly from the tense atmosphere and the great piano backing in the last few seconds of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 429
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Shut up' / 'A town with no name'

You rock my world - Michael jackson

Now that Michael Jackson has announced his final concerts in London for July this year, I thought it would be appropriate to look back on the most recent single I have from him. It's a vinyl single of 'You rock my world', the first single from his last studio album 'Invincible'. And if that album proved anything, it's that the man wasn't invincible at all. The album sold worse than all the previous ones, and the record company only released two singles from the album. While the next one, 'Cry', didn't perform too well in the charts, this one made the top 10 in almost every country imaginable.

Michael Jackson and Rodney Jerkins played all the instruments in the song, which was recorded at Record One studios in Los Angeles. Recorded between July and September 2000, the track sounds a bit like a less exciting reprise of Jackson's previous hits 'The way you make me feel' and 'Remember the time'. This vinyl single features the same track on both sides, and is made in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 3350
Found: HMV, London, 2001
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'You rock my world' / 'You rock my world'

Only love - Susanna Hoffs

The third and last single from Susanna Hoffs' solo album 'When you're a boy' was so unsuccessful that I didn't even know it existed until I saw it two years after it was released. It didn't chart anywhere. The B-side of the single features a non-album track, 'You were on my mind', which is slightly different from the very polished material on the album.

There was no picture disc edition of this single, unlike the two previous ones. If it existed, I would have bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2048
Found: Record fair, November 13, 1993
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Only love' / 'You were on my mind'

Digging in the dirt - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel released his sixth studio album 'Us' in 1992, six years after his previous album 'So' . The first single was 'Digging in the dirt', an intricate song but a slightly understated affair after all the bombast of 'Sledgehammer' and 'Big time'. The song was an exploration of the issues in his personal life at the time - the end of his relationship with Rosanna Arquette, his desire to reconnect with his daughter and even the self healing he was looking for in therapy. On the B-side there was a beautiful silent version of the album's next single, 'Steam'.

'Digging in the dirt' peaked at number 24 in the UK and number 30 in the Netherlands. I bought this single on discount and found a nice boxed edition of the cd-single years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1787
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 14, 1992
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Digging in the dirt' / 'Quiet steam'

All you need is love - New Musik

Taken from New Musik's third and last album 'Warp', 'All you need is love' is a daring cover of a Beatles classic. On the album, it appeared as track six, just after track five which was also named 'All you need is love', but in that case was a new composition by New Musik.

Their version of the Beatles song was a very mechanic synthesized track, which removed a lot of the spirit and soul of the original track and replaced it with a kindof technological efficiency which would appeal, well, basically to New Musik fans alone. It's no wonder that this single failed to make any chart impact. Personally I think it's one of 'Warp's more interesting tracks, and what's more... the single includes a new track not on the album!

My collection: 7" single no. 2918

Found: Record fair, November 9, 1997

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'All you need is love' / 'Twelfth house'

Everybody's laughing - Phil Fearon and Galaxy

Phil Fearon was born in London on July 30, 1956. He was lead singer, songwriter, keyboardist and producer of the band Galaxy. Galaxy was not a 'band' in the true sense: Fearon made all the music himself and hired backing singers to supplement the sound.

Galaxy's singles were all upbeat commercial pop songs, some of which made it into the UK top 10. Outside of the UK, some of those singles also scored well. 'Everybody's laughing' peaked at number 10 in the UK and at number 21 in the Netherlands. It's one of those singles which I must have played no more than three times since I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1388

Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Everybody's laughing' / 'Everybody's laughing (instrumental)'

Musique non stop - Kraftwerk

In 1986, Kraftwerk released the album 'Electric cafe', an album that took the band almost half a decade to produce. Work is said to have begun on the album as early as 1982. 'Musique non stop' was one of three tracks that took up the 'A' side of the album. 'Boing Boom Tschak', 'Techno pop' and 'Musique Non Stop' were all similar in atmosphere and instrumentation. 'Musique non stop' was remixed and edited for the single version, and two different edits appear on the single.

Although the single didn't chart in any country, a version of 'Musique Non Stop' – slower and more melodic – was used extensively as a jingle on the MTV Europe channel. 'Musique Non Stop' has been the closing track of Kraftwerk's concerts since its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2790

Found: November 9, 1996

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Musique non stop' / 'Musique non stop'

Download: here

It's my party - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'It's my party' was originally recorded in 1963 by Lesley Gore. She recorded the song at the age of sixteen. It peaked at number 9 in the UK Singles chart.

After the success of 'What becomes of the broken hearted', which Dave Stewart recorded with Colin Blunstone, he recruited Barbara Gaskin to sing in his cover version of 'It's my party'. The single became a number one hit in the UK and Germany. Stewart and Gaskin continued to work together, but they never equalled this level of success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1137

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

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'It's my party' / 'Waiting in the wings'

Download: here

Heroes (French version) - David Bowie

David Bowie recorded 'Heroes' in 1977. It appeared on the album of the same name, and as a single. Although it wasn't a very big hit at the time for Bowie, it has become one of his better known tracks. It was also included on the soundtrack to the movie 'Christiane F. - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo', which portrayed the drug scene in Berlin in the Seventies.

I knew that Bowie recorded a German version of the song, but I was a bit surprised when I saw a French version of the song as well. This happened today, actually, and the single was so (relatively) cheap that I decided to buy it on the spot. It's funny to hear this track: it's not the best French I've ever heard...

My collection: 7" single no. 3590

Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, March 5, 2009

Cost: 3,5 euro

Tracks: 'Heroes (French version)' / 'V2 Schneider'

Secret garden - Bruce Springsteen

In 1995, Bruce Springsteen released a 'Greatest hits' album. I was never much of a fan of Bruce Springsteen, but this album contained one new track, 'Secret garden', which was quite intriguing. So I was happy when that song was released as a single. And just like previous single 'Streets of Philadelphia' before it, I went searching for a vinyl release of this track.

I was quite stunned when I actually found one. Some time had passed and I had bought the cd-single in the mean time, but there it was: an American 7" single. I bought it, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 2300

Found: Record fair, May 27, 1995

Cost: 8 guilders

Tracks: 'Secret garden' / 'Thunder road (live)'

Isn't it time - The Babys

'Isn't it time' was taken from the Babys 1977 album 'Broken heart'. The lyrics are motivated by band member Ray Kennedy's love for a French woman that he knew during the writing of the song.

The song enjoyed a peak position number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was the only single of the band to make it into the UK singles chart, peaking at number 45. And in the Netherlands it peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 536
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Isn't it time' / 'Give me your love'

Rock me Amadeus - Falco

Falco released 'Rock me Amadeus' in 1985. The song was produced by the Dutch brothers Bolland, who co-wrote the song with Falco. The lyric was inspired by the movie 'Amadeus' (1984) and talks about Mozart's poverty and his debts.

For the U.S. release, the song was remixed with an English background overlay by L.A. DJ Chris Modig. This is also the version included on this single, which is a Dutch pressing. Interestingly enough, the song only became a hit in the Netherlands when this version was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2286
Found: Record fair, May 6, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rock me Amadeus' / 'Tango the night'