Mr. Solitaire - Animal Nightlife

It would be fair to say that the band Animal Nightlife made music very much like the band Sade: funky, jazzy, soulful music with good melodies and catchy choruses. The band formed in the early Eighties, its members were vocalist 'Flid', Leonardo Chignoli, Billy Chapman, Paul Waller and Andy Polaris.

The music video for 'Mr. Solitaire' was a regular on music channels in 1984. It caused me to get a bit sick of it in the end. That summer, it peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart. Years later, I realised I wanted to have this song - and then spent ages trying to find it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2579

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Mr. Solitaire' / 'Lazy afternoon'

Heaven give me words - Propaganda

In late 1985, Propaganda's management introduced the group to the London based music lawyer Brian Carr of Compton Carr, who studied both contracts Propaganda have been given to ZTT Records and Perfect Songs, contracts which had been signed by the band members without legal advice. He came to the conclusion that under these contracts, the members of the group could go on making records for the rest of their lives and never make any money from them.

This was the point where everything ended between Propaganda and ZTT Records/Perfect Songs Ltd. Claudia Brücken left Propaganda to pursue a solo career. In 1988, the band signed to Virgin Records, and began recording new material. Alongside Michael Mertens were the new line-up of vocalist Betsi Miller, Derek Forbes and Brian McGee. The result was a new album, released in 1990 called '1234'. The single 'Heaven give me words', co-written by Howard Jones, was not a huge success, perhaps in part due to MTV dropping the video for 'Heaven give me words' after only very few plays. The single peaked at number 36 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1254
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 26, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven give me words' / 'Count zero'

Kiss like ether - Claudia Brücken

In 1991 Claudia Brücken released her solo album 'Love: and a million other things'. In the United Kingdom two singles were released from this album: 'Absolut(e)' in 1990, and 'Kiss like ether' in 1991.

While 'Absolut(e)' was released in a limited edition box set, 'Kiss like ether' was released in a gatefold sleeve. I was lucky enough to find this one as well, so both Claudia Brücken singles I own are actually quite special items.

My collection: 7" single no. 3082

Found: London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Kiss like ether' / 'I, dream'

A forest - The Cure

I discovered 'A forest' a few years after its original release in the Top 100 of all times, the annual chart compiled by listeners of Veronica radio in the Netherlands. It was the only single taken from the Cure's album 'Seventeen seconds', and also their first charting single in both the UK and the Netherlands. In both countries it reached number 31.

The lyrics tell a vague story about a man looking for a girl in a forest. He hears her calling for him, and as he chases her, he suddenly stops and realizes that he is lost and that the girl is not there. The song is fairly upbeat compared to the other material on the album, and Lol Tolhurst's machine-like steady beat together with Simon Gallup's minimalistic bassline gives this nervous chase more depth and keeps the song on the edge of a frantic groove until the end.

My collection: 7" single no. 2811

Found: Den Haag, January 26, 1997

Cost: nothing (present)

Tracks: 'A forest' / 'Another journey by train'

Only the moment - Marc Almond

In 1988, the compact disc was still a relatively new medium so every disc my sister and I bought was shared. I heard Marc Almond's album 'The stars we are' because my sister had bought it and I liked almost every track from that album. Come to think of it, I wonder why I never bought it later.

I did buy all the singles that were taken from the album - and that was also down to the fact that there were such attractive limited editions of them. 'Only the moment' was released on clear vinyl. It was the last single drawn from the album, released in April 1989 and peaking at number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3103

Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Only the moment' / 'Real evil'

Flowers in our hair - All about Eve

My All about Eve collection was only just starting when I found this rarity in a shop in London: a DJ single, 'promotional only' of 'Flowers in our hair'. It featured an edited version of the song, plus the original version on the B-side. As far as I can remember, I didn't even pay that much for it.

'Flowers in our hair' was All about Eve's first single on a major label and their fourth single overall. They were going to breakthrough with their next single, but this one, like the three previous ones, didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1070
Found: London, October 19, 1989

Cost: 4 pounds

Tracks: 'Flowers in our hair (edited version)' / 'Flowers in our hair'

Train of thought - A-ha

The third single from A-ha's debut album 'Hunting high and low' came in the most beautiful sleeve they ever had. The image of the band members in the same drawing style of the accompanying music video was something very arty indeed. I was lucky enough to get the UK pressing of the single, with a stiff cardboard sleeve.

I was disappointed when the single did not chart in the Netherlands. In the UK, it was also the lowest charting single of the four that were released from the album, but it still peaked at number 8.

My collection: 7" single no. 395

Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Train of thought (remix)' / 'And you tell me (demo)'

I.M.U.R. - Luv'

This single is a present which I got from my parents when we were on holiday in Paris. Being only eight years old, my musical taste was still forming, but I did already have an ear for pretty melodies. Luv' had just hit the Dutch charts with 'Eeny meeny miny moe' (where it would reach number 11), a pretty but vacuous popsong, and I was very surprised to find that the French had put that song on the B-side in favour of 'I.M.U.R.'.

I knew that song too, and thought it was pretty modern-sounding. Indeed, in the Eighties this sound would become very popular. Girl group pop never sounded so nice.

My collection: 7" single no. 24

Found: Paris, 1979

Cost: nothing (it was a present)

Tracks: 'I.M.U.R.' / 'Eeny meeny miny moe'

Don't you write her off - McGuinn, Clark and Hillmann

After the break-up of the Byrds, Roger McGuinn released several solo albums throughout the Seventies. He also toured with Bob Dylan during his 1975 and 1976 'Rolling thunder revue'. In 1978, McGuinn joined fellow ex-Byrds Gene Clark and Chris Hillman to form McGuinn, Clark & Hillman'. The band released its debut album in 1979.

'Don't you write her off" reached number 33 in America and number 17 in the Netherlands. The single did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 962

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

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Don't you write her off' / 'Sad boy'

Big time - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel's song 'Big time' is often compared to his previous hit 'Sledgehammer', because both tracks are uptempo, both come from the same album 'So' (1987) and both were promoted by music videos that used several animation techniques. Still, 'Big time' was not the big hit 'Sledgehammer' was. In the Netherlands, 'Big time' peaked at number 24 and in the UK it reached number 13. It was the first Peter Gabriel single that was also released on the new cd-single format.

The song deals with a man's efforts to achieve success - but his vision of success is quite peculiar and naive.

My collection: 7" single no. 524
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Big time' / 'Curtains'

Fortune fairytales - Lois Lane

After being dumped by their record company, the band Lois Lane had to find a way to release their next album. They created the label LowLand records, signed a marketing and distribution deal with Polydor records, and off they went.

'Fortune fairytales' was the first single released this way. A limited edition of the single was signed by the entire band, and as you can see, I managed to buy a copy. The single became a good success in the Netherlands, peaking at number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1212

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 20, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Fortune fairytales' / 'Just can't help myself'

Knowing me, knowing you - Abba

Recorded in 1976 at the Metronome studio in Stockholm, 'Knowing me knowing you' was released as a single in February 1977. The B-side was 'Happy Hawaii', an early version of 'Why did it have to be me'. Group member Benny Andersson named 'Knowing me, knowing you' as one of Abba's best recordings in a 2004 interview, along with 'Dancing queen', 'The winner takes it all' and 'When I kissed the teacher'.

The single became a number 1 hit in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Mexico and South Africa. In the Netherlands and Switzerland it peaked at number 3. It was a top 10 hit in eight further countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 233
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Knowing me, knowing you' / 'Happy Hawaii'

China - Tori Amos

'China' was the first Tori Amos single I ever bought. I was actually searching for 'Silent all these years', but this was the only single my record dealer had at the time. Somehow I was confident that this would also be an interesting single, and so I bought it without even having heard it. When I played it at home, I was immediately convinced. 'China' is a beautiful ballad. Not long after that, I found out that the B-side was also a beautiful piece ofwork.

'China' peaked at number 51 in the UK singles chart, but it did not chart in any other territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1615

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 4, 1992

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'China' / 'Sugar'

An Englishman in New York - Godley and Creme

The title of this single has become associated with Sting, who released his song in 1988. Eight years before that, Godley & Creme released their own 'Englishman in New York', a totally different song with comparable success. At least, in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 3. In the UK, this single did not chart at all.

While the duo would become directors of music videos later on, this single was already accompanied by an innovate music video, directed by Godley and Creme themselves.

My collection: 7" single no. 2558

Found: November 19, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'An Englishman in New York' / 'Silent running'

Greenland - Pierre Moulin

When you search for 'Pierre Moulin' on the web, the only relevant link is a site where this very single is for sale. I guess you can say that Pierre is not a very renowned musician. And when you hear these tracks, you know why: it's muzak at best.

So why did I buy this single all those years ago? Well, the title of the B-side caught my eye. It's indeed a cover of the famous Kate Bush track. And since I am a fan of Kate Bush, I had to hear this track. (This was in the days when MP3's weren't freely available everywhere on the internet). I guess it is some sort of rarity, so another item I'm glad to own.

My collection: 7" single no. 2981

Found: Record fair, April 4, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Greenland' / 'Wuthering heights'

Only the ones we love - Tanita Tikaram

Released as the first single from Tanita Tikaram's third album 'Everybody's angel' (1991), 'Only the ones we love' was not a very big success. The single peaked at number 69 in the UK singles chart and did not chart in the Netherlands.

The song featured backing vocals by Jennifer Warnes, who also sang on a few other tracks on the album. Though critically acclaimed, commercial success seemed to elude Tikaram even more than with the previous album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1421

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 7, 1991

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Only the ones we love' / 'Me in mind'

Shades - Iggy Pop

Black, also known as Colin Vearncombe, recorded a cover version of 'Shades' in 1991 as the B-side of his single 'Here it comes again'. I loved the track, loved the melody and the sheer power of the song. When I found out it was a cover of an Iggy Pop song, I started getting curious about the original version as well. So when I stumbled across this single, I couldn't resist buying it.

The original version is a bit rawer, less polished than the Black version. The song, written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie, was not a hit. It was taken from Iggy's 1986 album 'Blah blah blah'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2545
Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Shades' / 'Baby it can't fall'

Madre dolcissima - Zucchero

'Madre dolcissima' (1989) was Zucchero's last single before his international breakthrough with 'Senza una donna', the duet with Paul Young in 1991. Clocking it at over 7 minutes, it was quite a lengthy single and a very interesting track.

It was taken from Zucchero's 1989 album 'Oro incenso e birra', which was recorded in Memphis. The album includes the Italian hit singles 'Diamante', 'Overdose (d'Amore)', 'Il mare' and 'Wonderful world'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1354
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 10, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Madre dolcissima' / 'Nice (Nietzsche) che dice'

Send me an angel - Real life

The Australian new wave band Real life formed in 1980. Original members were David Sterry, Richard Zatorski, Alan Johnson and Danny Simcic. Their debut single, 'Send me an angel', released in 1983 was the biggest hit of their career, peaking at number 2 in Australia and number 1 in Germany. Oddly enough, the single did not chart in the Netherlands.

The first time I heard the track was on a German compilation double album which I bought in 1984 during a holiday. I liked the song a lot, but it was only ten years later that I decided to buy the single as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 2295

Found: Music Machine Mailorder, Hoorn, May 18, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Send me an angel' / 'Like a gun'

(Keep feeling) Fascination - Human League

'(Keep Feeling) Fascination' was released in April 1983 as a non-album single. It went to number 2 in the UK singles chart and peaked at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Philip Oakey and backing singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall perform vocal duties on this track as usual, but the track also features a rare vocal by band member Jo Callis.

The song has recently been used in two movies: 'Fever pitch' (2005) and 'You don't mess with the Zohan' (2008). Just to prove that Eighties music is still relevant today.

My collection: 7" single no. 2828

Found: Record Exchange, London, February 1, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: '(Keep feeling) Fascination' / 'Total panic'

Living in another world - Talk Talk

'Living in another world' was released as the second single from Talk Talk's 1986 album 'The colour of spring'. The chart performance of the single was pretty much the same in every country: the extremes being number 23 in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and number 48 in the UK singles chart.

I came to a point where buying Talk Talk singles wasn't that exciting anymore. I was waiting for them to leave the chart so I could buy them on discount. I don't know why this happened, perhaps hearing the songs so much on the radio made me less eager to have them. At the same time, I knew I had to buy all those Talk Talk singles because they were so good. I'm glad I did.

My collection: 7" single no. 404

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Living in another world' / 'For what it's worth'

Slight return - The Bluetones

The Bluetones formed in 1994 in Hounslow, Greater London. The original members were Mark Morriss, Adam Devlin, Scott Morriss and Eds Chesters. Their biggest hit was 'Slight return', originally released as a double A-side single in 1995 with 'The fountainhead'. After this failed to chart, it was re-released a year later. This release was more successful: the single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart in March 1996.

This single was pressed in a limited edition of 10,000 copies. I've got number 7352.

My collection: 7" single no. 2636

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 1996

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Slight return' / 'Don't stand me down'

So long - Fischer Z

The original line-up of Fischer Z consisted of John Watts, David Graham, Steve Skolnik and Steve Liddle. They got together in 1979 and released three albums in three years. From these albums, a few classic singles were drawn, of which 'So long' is my personal favourite. A beautiful midtempo track with an interesting lyric and rather emotional vocals.

I lived with the single version of this for many years until I found out there was also a longer album version. I love them both.

My collection: 7" single no. 877
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'So long' / 'Hiding'

Beatnik - The Buggles

Apparently, only 50,000 copies of the Buggles' 1982 single 'Beatnik' exist. I don't know if that's true, but I do own one copy of it anyway. It was the last single to be released from the Buggles' second and last album 'Adventures in modern recording' (1981). As far as I know, the single did not chart in any territory.

It's the first Buggles single I ever bought, the start of what has by now become a pretty complete collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 230

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Beatnik' / 'Fade away'

Ticket to the moon / Here is the news - Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra released 'Ticket to the moon' and 'Here is the news', two tracks from their 1981 album 'Time', as a single with two A-sides. The former is a beautiful ballad packed with strings and a grand piano. The latter is an uptempo track with lots of synthesizers and a lively background of news reports. The single peaked at number 24 in the UK, but did not chart elsewhere in Europe.

'Here is the news' became somewhat controversial when an evil Dutch broadcaster hijacked the first few seconds of the track to announce their vulgar programmes. Since then, that sound strikes fear into me, but when the great track follows, I realise it's not the voice of evil calling for me, but the brilliant English band.

My collection: 7" single no. 2769
Found: London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Ticket to the moon' / 'Here is the news'

Als het om de liefde gaat - Sandra en Andres

Sandra Reemer (born October 17, 1950 in Bandung, Indonesia) teamed up with Dries Holten (born January 30, 1942 in Tjimahi, Indonesia) to form the duo Sandra & Andres. They performed together between 1966 and 1975. In 1972, they represented the Netherlands during that year's Eurovision Song Contest. 'Als het om de liefde gaat' ended up in fourth place. They recorded the song in a few other languages. But more about that soon...

My friend Puck bought this single for me elsewhere in the country while I ended up in a record shop myself. Since we both bought some Eurovision singles for me, it's a miracle we didn't end up with the same titles...

My collection: 7" single no. 3704

Found: May 5, 2009

Cost: -

Tracks: 'Als het om de liefde gaat' / 'Oude zigeuner'

Not fair - Lily Allen

The second single from her current album 'It's not me, it's you' is Lily Allen's 'Not fair'. In the song Allen describes the dilemma with an otherwise considerate boyfriend who is not pleasuring her sexually and she finds it 'Not fair' because she really likes him, but not in the bedroom.

The single was released as a limited edition 7" picture disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 3713

Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received May 19, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Not fair' / 'Why'

If there's a rocket tie me to it - Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol made the unusual choice to release their third single off their latest album 'A hundred million suns', 'If there's a rocket tie me to it', on 7" vinyl only. There was also a digital download of the track, but that was all. It may have explained the lack of chart success of this single: it did not chart in any territory.

The B-side 'In a dream I saw satellites' is an acoustic song solely written and performed by lead singer and frontman Gary Lightbody. It was recorded on the banks of Lough Corrib, Galway, Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 3712

Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received May 19, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'If there's a rocket tie me to it' / 'In a dream I saw satellites'

Innocent love - Sandra

After the success of her debut album and the first two singles, 'Maria Magdalena' and 'In the heat of the night', Sandra and her husband Michael Cretu had to come up with new material to entertain the fans. 'Innocent love' was released in the summer of 1986 as the first single from the second album 'Mirrors'. Sounding a lot like previous singles, Sandra had reasonable success with it. The single peaked at number 14 in Germany and Switzerland, but at number 4 in Israel and Norway.

The single version of 'Innocent love' fades out earlier than the album version and is shorter by a few seconds.

My collection: 7" single no. 1889

Found: Record fair, May 2, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Innocent love' / 'Innocent theme'

Somebody's watching me - Rockwell

Rockwell is the son of Motown CEO Berry Gordy, Jr., Kennedy Gordy. He had himself signed to Motown without his father's knowledge. Dad did not find out until 'Somebody's watching me' and the accompanying debut album were released on his own Motown label.

Backing vocals on 'Somebody's watching me' were provided by Michael Jackson, who was not credited on the single for this. It may have contributed to the big success of the single, which peaked at number 6 in the UK and number 2 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2428

Found: August 19, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Somebody's watching me' / 'Somebody's watching me (instrumental)'

Just like that - Gemini

'Just like that' was written and composed by Abba members Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson in 1982. The song was one of many to be recorded for Abba's new studio album. After several attempts at recording it, the band finally decided to put it aside (A part of it was finally released in 1994 when Abba released the 'Thank you for the music' box set).

In 1985, Ulvaeus and Andersson decided to rework both composition and lyrics, offering it to Karin and Anders Glenmark, who recorded an album as Gemini, produced by the two Abba members. The single reached number 21 in the Netherlands, making it their only hit single in this country to date.

My collection: 7" single no. 408

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Just like that' / 'Live on the love'

The story of me - Everly Brothers

Don and Phil Everly, better known as the Everly Brothers, had a very successful music career between 1957 and 1973, but split acrimoniously when Don Everly came onstage too drunk to perform live on July 14, 1973. They did not speak for ten years, and only met once in 1975 on their father's funeral.

The brothers reformed in 1983 with 'EB 84', an album produced by Dave Edmunds. The track 'On the wings of a nightingale', written by Paul McCartney, was a minor success and returned them to the charts. 'The story of me' was the second single taken from this album. While this didn't become a hit, it's my favourite Everly Brothers track and until now the only single of theirs that I have in my collection!

My collection: 7" single no. 269

Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'The story of me' / 'Following the sun'

I'll be your shelter - Taylor Dayne

'I'll be your shelter' was released as the second single from Taylor Dayne's 1989 album 'Can't fight fate'. Sounding more like a rock track than any of her previous singles, this was a bit of a departure from her dance-oriented repertoire. It didn't win over the audience: the single still only managed a number 43 placing in the UK, and did not chart in the Netherlands.

I thought it was a better single than 'With every beat of my heart', so I was really happy to buy this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 1176

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 17, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'I'll be your shelter' / 'Ain't no good'

Ouragan / Irresistible - Stephanie

Royalty are usually old and boring, even the young ones. But Princess Stephanie of Monaco is an exception to this rule: she was a swimwear designer, a fashion model and a singer. She released her debut album 'Besoin' in 1986, a collection of Europop songs, with 'Ouragan / Irresistible' as the first single taken from that album.

The song was written by Romano Musumarra, who had already written hits for French singers Jeanne Mas and Elsa. He actually offered 'Ouragan' to Jeanne Mas, but after she declined, he decided to offer it to the princess. The single was a number 1 hit in France, where it topped the chart for two months. In Germany it peaked at number 2, and in the Netherlands it reached number 31.

My friend Puck once made a nice remix of this track. Perhaps he will upload it here...

My collection: 7" single no. 3361

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ouragan' / 'Irresistible'

Crazy on you - Heart

Heart released their debut single in 1976. 'Crazy on you' would be featured on their debut album 'Dreamboat Annie'. It was a hardrock track, true to the sound of the early years of the band. The single peaked at number 35 in their native America, but reached number 2 in the Netherlands.

I vividly remember hearing this song as a child, thanks to my sister who'd bought the single while they were too expensive for me to buy. I've always held a soft spot for the band since then.

My collection: 7" single no. 535

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1987

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Crazy on you' / 'Soul of the sea'