Hora - Avi Toledano

Avi Toledano was born in Morocco on April 4, 1948. His music career in Israel in the Eighties seemed to revolve around the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1981 he sang 'Carneval' in the national final, reaching third place. In 1982 he won the national selection and represented Israel with 'Hora'. He finished in second place, although a considerable distance behind the German winner, Nicole.

In 1983 Toledano composed the song that represented Israel in Munich, 'Hi', performed by Ofra Haza. He also wrote Israel's 1986 song 'Lechaim', performed by Chaim Moshe. In 1989 Toledano performed in the Israeli final himself and took second place with the song 'Dayenu'.

My collection: 7" single no. 202
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hora (English version)' / 'Hora (Hebrew version)'

Miami Vice theme - Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer was born on April 17, 1948 in Prague. After having been in several bands and returning to solo work every now and again, he finally hit the big time in 1985 after he composed the theme tune for the TV series 'Miami Vice'.

It was first heard by the public in September 1984 and released as a single in 1985, peaking at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40. In 1986, Hammer won Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 3315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Miami Vice theme' / 'Miami Vice theme (TV version)', 'Miami Vice theme'

Girls and Cadillacs - Albert West

Released in 1980, I always interpreted Albert West's song 'Girls and Cadillacs' as the story of a fallen popstar. 'Goodbye to girls and Cadillacs / I had my share and I had a ball'. The sleeve was rather appropriate with all the carwrecks, but I did wonder where the girls were in that picture.

The single was Albert West's first hit since 'Listen' (1977), peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 68
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Girls and Cadillacs' / 'Sunday rosas'

Weak in the presence of beauty - Floy Joy

'Floy Joy' is the name of a 1972 album by the Supremes. It's also the name of the band that debuted in 1986 with the single 'Weak in the presence of beauty'. This single did not chart, but when Alison Moyet recorded a version of that song, it shot to number 6 in the UK singles chart.

I bought two versions of the single: the regular German pressing pictured here and a limited edition UK single on which one side could be used as a mirror. Like the accompanying card says: 'You too can grow weak in the presence of beauty'!

My collection: 7" single no. 708
Found: December 22, 1988
Cost: 0,5 guilder
Tracks: 'Weak in the presence of beauty' / 'You and me'

Tell me your plans - The Shirts

Annie Golden, Ronald Ardito, Artie La Monica, Robert Racioppo, John Piccolo and John Criscione formed The Shirts in the mid-Seventies. Their debut album 'The Shirts' was recorded in London and released in early 1978. The album became very popular in Europe.

The first single, 'Tell me your plans' reached number 4 in the Netherlands after a chewing gum-gnawing Annie Golden appeared alongside her band in the popular weekly music show Toppop.

My collection: 7" single no. 631
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tell me your plans' / 'Cyrinda'

Dogs of lust - The The

In 1992, The The released the album 'Dusk'.The first single to be taken from the album was 'Dogs of lust'. The 7" vinyl was released in the UK only in a limited edition pressed on pink marbled vinyl. Whether this helped the sales is unknown, but the single peaked at number 25 in the UK.

The band would release two further singles from the album, but those were not released on vinyl anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 1850
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Dogs of lust' / 'The violence of truth (remix)'

Farewell mr. Sorrow - All about Eve

In 1990, guitarist Tim Bricheno left All about Eve to join the Sisters of Mercy. He was replaced by Marty Willson-Piper, who had worked with The Church. With this new guitarist, the band was pressured into becoming 'some sort of Fleetwood Mac', according to singer Julianne Regan. They resisted the pressure from the record company and instead made an album that was partly true to their own sound but also had definite influences from their new guitarist.

The clear-sounding, upbeat 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' was drawn as the first single from the album 'Touched by Jesus', and reached number 36 in the UK singles chart, which was a reasonable placing, considering their previous singles had peaked at number 34. Still, difficult times were ahead for the band...

My collection: 7" single no. 1454
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 22, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' / 'Elizabeth of glass'

Take me to the fire - This Island Earth

While I was searching for 'See that glow' by This Island Earth, I came across this follow-up single, 'Take me to the fire' repeatedly. At some point I got so tired of it, that I decided to buy this one. Sometimes the irony of buying records is that you get the ones you don't want quicker than the ones you do want.

'Take me to the fire' is not a bad song per se, but it's easy to see why it didn't reach the UK singles chart like the previous single did.

My collection: 7" single no. 932
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Take me to the fire' / 'Pearl of love'

Ooh, yes I do - Luv'

The girl trio Luv' was churning out hit after hit in 1979, at the height of their popularity. Not everything they did was highly inspired, but at least every single song they recorded was a happy, positive track.

'Ooh, yes I do' was released in October 1979 and reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 38
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ooh yes I do' / 'My guy'

Sowing the seeds of love - Tears for Fears

'Sowing the seeds of love' was released as the first single from Tears for Fears' third album 'The seeds of love'. The song was in essence a pastiche of the Beatles sound of the second half of the Sixties, a style the band would also stick to in their reunion cd 'Everybody loves a happy ending' released a couple of years ago.

The single was a wordwide success, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The B-side 'Tears roll down' was a demo version of a track the band would record as 'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' a few years later for the compilation album 'Tears roll down (Greatest hits 82-92)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 988
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sowing the seeds of love' / 'Tears roll down'

If you leave me now - Chicago

'If you leave me now' was released by the American band Chicago on their 1976 album 'Chicago X'. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.

The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976 and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit in America for the group. It also reached the number one spot in the UK and the Netherlands. The single went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

My collection: 7" single no. 1804
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 19, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'If you leave me now' / 'Make me smile'

My unknown love - Count Indigo

'My unknown love' by Count Indigo was produced by Mike Flowers and has that unmistakable retro sound that made the Mike Flowers Pops so popular circa 1995. Despite this, the single by the Count only reached the UK singles chart for only one week, at number 59.

I bought this 10" single during a holiday in London. I would obviously have preferred a 7" single, but since this was the only release on vinyl I thought I should have this.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'My unknown love' / 'My unknown love (Memory lapse mix)', 'My unknown love (Duelling Martini mix)'

What's a matter baby - Ellen Foley

Ellen Foley was born on June 5, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). She gained high public recognition singing the duet with Meat Loaf on the hit single 'Paradise by the dashboard light' from the 1977 album Bat out of Hell. Although Karla DeVito is featured on the music video, DeVito is lip synching to Foley's vocals.

Ellen Foley's debut album 'Nightout' was released in 1979. It featured the hit single 'What's a matter baby', a hit that peaked at number 7 in the Netherlands. The album was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson. Foley recorded a duet with Ian Hunter in 1980: 'We gotta get out of here'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1972
Found: October 16, 1993
Cost: 0,25 guilders
Tracks: 'What's a matter baby' / 'Hideaway'

Nothing has been proved - Dusty Springfield

'Nothing has been proved' (1989) was a single by Dusty Springfield, written and produced by the Pet Shop Boys. The song was their second collaboration, following their hit song 'What have I done to deserve this?' in 1987. It features an orchestral arrangement by Angelo Badalamenti and a tenor saxophone solo by Courtney Pine.

The song was composed for the 1989 movie 'Scandal', an account of the so called Profumo Affair, a British public scandal in 1963 which profoundly affected the ruling Conservative Party government. The lyrics of the song describe the actual course of the events and mention the main characters involved; Mandy Rice-Davies, Christine Keeler and Stephen Ward.

The single made number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, a limited edition single with a gatefold sleeve was released (pictured below). I didn't know about this release until I found it in a second hand shop seven years after its original release...

My collection: 7" single no. 774 / no. 2766
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 18, 1989 / House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders / 40p
Tracks: 'Nothing has been proved' / 'Nothing has been proved (instrumental)'

What I am - Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

Edie Brickell attended high school at the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, and then attended Southern Methodist University for a year and a half. In 1985 she made the decision one night in a bar to get up on stage with a local folk rock group, New Bohemians. She joined the band as lead singer and the group became Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Their 1988 debut album 'Shooting rubberbands at the stars' became a critical and commercial success.

The album's first single 'What I am' was written by Edie Brickell and Kenny Withrow. It peaked at number 31 in the United Kingdom, while reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This limited edition single box set contained the 7" single and an illustrated poster with all the song lyrics from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2394
Found: London, July 6, 1995
Cost: 6 pounds
Tracks: 'What I am' / 'I do'

Where the wild roses grow - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue

'Where the wild roses grow' was written by Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave. He was inspired to write it after listening to the traditional song 'Down in the willow garden', a tale of a man courting a woman and killing her while they are out together. The song featured guest vocals by Australian pop-singer Kylie Minogue and was released as the first single from the ninth album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, 'Murder ballads' (1996).

It became the band's most successful single worldwide, reaching number 1 in Israel and Croatia, number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. 'Where the wild roses grow' was also certified Gold in Australia where it sold 50,000 copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 2516
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 31, 1995
Cost: 2,3 pounds
Tracks: 'Where the wild roses grow' / 'The ballad of Robert Moore and Betty Coltrane'

I quit - Bros

I never understand the Bros-mania that took the UK by storm in 1987. They weren't so special, these two brothers Matt and Luke Goss and one friend, Craig Logan. Their debut album 'Push' was released in early 1988 and the record company milked it for all its worth, releasing single after single because the young people who were so wild about them would just about buy anything anyway.

I bought 'I quit' after it ended up in the discount bin after a relatively disappointing chart run in the Netherlands, reaching only number 33. The nice thing about this single was the extra inner sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 704
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 17, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I quit' / 'I quit (Acid drops)'

Een beetje geld voor een beetje liefde - Angelique

Angelique's 'Een beetje geld voor een beetje liefde' ('A little money for a little lovin'') was a parody of Nicole's winning song for the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Ein Bisschen Frieden'. I won't translate the entire lyric here for non-Dutch people reading this blog, but the bottom line is that the singer describes the day job of a hooker, indirectly implying that sweet innocent Nicole had a job on the side as well.

The song was a big success in the Netherlands, released in July 1982 - not long after the original - it reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 127
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Een beetje geld voor een beetje liefde' / 'Vader wat klotsen je ballen'

Candy - Cameo

'Candy' was a hit single for the band Cameo in 1987. It reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40. The band tried to capitalize off the song's success by re-using the melody on the song 'Honey' from their next album, 'Machismo'.

The song has been sampled by various artists, including 2Pac, Will Smith and Mariah Carey.

My collection: 7" single no. 2474
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Candy' / 'Don't be lonely'

Candy - The Meteors

Taken from the Meteors' 1980 album 'The hunger', 'Candy' was another unsuccessful single for the band, as it didn't chart.

I didn't know the song when I bought this single, but I was really passionate about the other single from the same album, 'Together too long'. Unfortunately, this single is a lot less engaging.

My collection: 7" single no. 3138
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Candy' / 'It sucks'

Sunshine reggae - Laid Back

Laid Back had an enormous European summer hit on their hands when they released 'Sunshine reggae' in September 1983. Despite the bad timing, the single still reached number 2 in the autumn of that year in the Neherlands.

The B-side featured 'White horse', a single that would become a worldwide hit for the band a few months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 3135
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Sunshine reggae' / 'White horse'

Le freak - Chic

Chic's Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers created 'Le freak' on New Year's Eve 1977. They were invited at the famous Studio 54 discotheque but they weren't let in by the doorman after their contact forgot to leave their name at the door. They went back to Rogers' apartment and started jamming. The song was originally entitled 'Fuck off', but during the night they decided to change that into 'Freak out', and subsequently named the song 'Le freak'.

The track with the now-famous Chic riff reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was the highest-selling single on Warner Bros. records until it was replaced in 1990 by Madonna's 'Vogue'. The single also reached number 7 in the UK and number 2 in the Netherlands.

I bought the single in 1992, years after its original release, because for a decade I didn't actually like the song. The second time I bought the single was in 1998 when I thought that I didn't have it - but of course I did. Fortunately I now have two different versions of the single, with the second one I bought having the most beautiful sleeve of the two (pictured below).

My collection: 7" single no. 1792 / no. 3043
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992 / Disco Market, Den Haag, December 11, 1998
Cost: 3,5 guilders / 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Le freak' / 'Savoir faire'

Live for loving you - Gloria Estefan

'Live for loving you' was the final single from Gloria Estefan's 1991 album 'Into the light'. Written as a collaboration with Diane Warren, Gloria expressed her love for her husband Emilio Estefan Jr. with this song.

The single was not a big success in Europe, but did peak at number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Personally I preferred the album version to the single remix, but since both were found on this single, I bought it anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 1557
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 14, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Live for loving you (single remix)' / 'Live for loving you'

Don't look any further - Dennis Edwards

Dennis Edwards was born February 3, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama (USA). He made a career in music in the early Sixties. He is most noted for being one of The Temptations' lead singers replacing David Ruffin after the band's heyday.

The 1984 hit single 'Don't look any further' featured Siedah Garrett, who would go on to duet with Michael Jackson three years later on the song 'I just can't stop loving you'. 'Don't look any further' reached number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 45 on the UK singles chart and number 12 on the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1385
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't look any further' / 'I thought I could handle it'

Crying in the rain - A-ha

'Crying in the rain' was written by Howard Greenfield and Carole King and originally recorded by The Everly Brothers. Their version peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Netherlands.

Almost three decades later, in 1990, A-ha recorded their version of the song, making this the only cover version in their career so far. The single reached number 13 in the UK but rose to number 11 in the Netherlands, outperforming the Everly Brothers. The single was their first release from the album 'East of the sun west of the moon', released in November 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1314
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Crying in the rain' / '(Seemingly) Non-stop July'

Promise me - Beverley Craven

'Promise me' was the debut single from Beverley Craven. It was released in the summer of 1990. While her debut album reached number 3 in the UK albums chart, this single did not reach the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, it was a big hit in Europe, reaching number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 for instance.

The song was recorded in a Chinese version performed by Sandy Lam a year later. The song was also covered by Bulgaria-born French singer, songwriter and harpist Rossitza Milevska on her debut cd 'Pop harp' in 2006.

My collection: 7" single no. 1332
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Promise me' / 'I listen to the rain'

Don't take away the music - Tavares

Five Cape Verdean-American brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts formed Tavares in 1973. They were Ralph, Arthur, Antone, Feliciano and Perry Lee Tavares. In 1976/1977 they had three memorable disco hits, 'Heaven must be missing an angel', 'Don't take away the music' and 'Whodunit'.

'Don't take away the music' peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In 1984, Ralph Tavares stepped down from the group, and Tiny left in the mid 1990s, but the other three brothers continue to tour.

My collection: 7" single no. 2859

Found: August 9, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't take away the music (part 1)' / 'Don't take away the music (part 2)'

7 teen - Regents

The Regents were a new wave band formed in London in the late 70's by Martin Sheller, Rupy Johnson, Fast Eddie, Damian Pew and Bic Brak. They had a brief UK chart career with just two singles.

Their debut single '7 teen' peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart. Their second single 'See you later' only made it to number 55. They also released on album, the self-titled 'Regents'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3304

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: '7 teen' / 'Hole in the heart'

Song instead of a kiss - Alannah Myles

'Song instead of a kiss' was released as the first single from Alannah Myles' second album 'Rockinghorse'. While the album did not make a lot of impact in Europe (although the fact that she posed nude with a horse on the cover of that album was a well-publicised fact), it did earn her a Grammy nomination in America.

This single reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40 and was the last of Alannah Myles' singles to chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 1803

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 19, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Song instead of a kiss' / 'Rockinghorse'

Can't stop these things - China Drum

It doesn't happen very often that I buy a single for the B-side, but in this instance, I did. China Drum recorded a cover of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering heights' and it was included on the B-side of the single 'Can't stop these things'. In 1996, which is when this single was released, 7" vinyl singles were becoming increasingly rare, but British indie bands still released singles on that format quite a lot.

The single had a one week run in the UK singles charts, at number 65.

My collection: 7" single no. 2655
Found: London, June 29, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Can't stop these things' / 'Wuthering heights'

Exile - Enya

'Exile' is a track on Enya's 1988 album 'Watermark'. Somehow the track managed to find its way onto the soundtrack of the movie 'L.A. Story' three years later. The record company didn't waste a minute in trying to cash in on this and released 'Exile' as a single.

It's a beautiful track, but anything but commercially viable. The single vanished without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 2222
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Exile' / 'On your shore'

Give give give - Dance Aid

Everyone remembers Live Aid, Band Aid and USA for Africa, but the stream of charity singles that followed was frankly quite embarrassing. Stock Aitken & Waterman were scraping the barrel in 1987 when they released 'Give give give' by Dance Aid. The proceeds of the single went to Disco Aid, but what that organisation was all about, I can't find out.

The interesting thing about this song is that you can't make out who's singing the lines. None of the voices are recognisable, they all blend together into one anonymous blob. Mel & Kim apparently contributed to this song as well - or so the sleeve claims - but I have yet to recognise them. Needless to say, the single flopped everywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 587
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Give give give' / 'Give give give (Senza voce)'

Hollywood - Freddie James

Freddie James was born in Chicago, Illinois (USA) in 1965. At a young age he started a music career. In fact, in 1979 his debut single 'Get up and boogie' became a worldwide hit. The follow-up single 'Hollywood' sounded a lot like that hit, and subsequently failed to make the same sort of impact.

I mainly remember that this song was played on the radio once, and just after Freddie sang 'I'm going to Hollywood to become a star' the presenter commented: 'He'll have to eat lots of porridge first'.

My collection: 7" single no. 40
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Hollywood' / 'Crazy disco music'

Joe le taxi - Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Chantal Paradis was born on December 22, 1972 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, a suburb of Paris, France. She appeared on television for the first time on the show 'L'école des fans' in 1980. Five years later, she recorded her debut single, 'La magie des surprises-parties'. Although this was not a hit, her next single, 'Joe le taxi', released in 1987, was.

At only 14 years, Vanessa Paradis topped the chart in France for a whopping 11 weeks with this single. It stormed the European charts as well, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Netherlands. A successful career would follow.

My collection: 7" single no. 1739
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1992
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Joe le taxi' / 'Varvara Pavlovna'

You're my world - Nick Heyward

Nick Heyward was a member of Haircut One Hundred between 1980 and 1983, then he pursued a solo career. His third solo album 'I love you avenue' was released in 1988 and contained this single, 'You're my world'. It peaked at number 67 in the UK singles chart.

I saw the music video for this song on television and decided right away that I would buy the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 658
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 29, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You're my world' / 'Pizza tears'

The look of love - Madonna

People who like good singers can largely ignore Madonna's output during the Eighties. She couldn't sing until she got some vocal coaching for her appearance in the movie 'Evita'. Despite her lack of vocal skills, she did manage to release two interesting singles during the Eighties. 'The look of love' was one of them.

'The look of love' was the third and final single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Who's that girl' (a movie in which Madonna tried to show off her non-existant acting skills). The single reached number 8 in the Netherlands and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2657
Found: House of Rhythm, London, June 29, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'The look of love' / 'Express yourself (7" remix)'

History - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson may be dead, but his music still lives on. Never more than now. I was already filling in the blanks in my collection over the last few months, but recently there has been a surge of supply of rare items. And sometimes I'm lucky enough to win the bidding war on eBay.

'History' was released as the second single from Jackson's remix album 'Blood on the dancefloor' (1997), although the version on this single was not a remixed version but rather an edited version from the previous album 'History' (1995). This single was never commercially released on 7" vinyl. This is either a test pressing or a promotional disc, I think...

My collection: 7" single no. 3849
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 11, 2009
Cost: 7 euro
Tracks: 'History' / 'Ghosts'

Tinsel town in the rain - The Blue Nile

So what is a mispressing of the Blue Nile's 'Tinsel town in the rain' worth? I never went out to research this and usually it's whatever someone wants to pay for it. And then I doubt that this mispressing is rare: the must be hundreds or thousands of singles like this, where the B-side is announced as an instrumental version of 'Heatwave', but it's an unidentifiable dance track.

'Tinsel town in the rain' was an unexpected hit for the Scottish band, peaking at number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 in October 1984. It was a remarkable hit, because in other countries the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 242
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tinsel town in the rain' / 'Heatwave (instrumental)' (sic)

Never my love - Patty Brard

'Never my love' was written by American siblings Donald and Richard Addrisi, who recorded under the name the Addrisi Brothers and had two Top 40 hits as singers. The first recording of the song that achieved chart success was by the Association, an American pop-rock band from California. Their version peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1967.

Dutch singer Patty Brard recorded the song in 1983 on her second solo album 'You're in the pocket'. Released as a single, the track did not chart but it still got some attention because of the music video, in which Brard was rolling around in the nude. Don't bother to look for it on YouTube: it can't be found.

My collection: 7" single no. 2726
Found: September 7, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Never my love' / 'Oh girl'

Everlasting love - Sandra

'Everlasting love' was written by Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden. It was first a hit for soul singer Robert Knight in 1967. The song was subsequently covered by various acts, the most famous of which were U2 in 1989 and Love Affair in 1968. The Love Affair version peaked at number 1 in the UK in January 1968.

Sandra recorded her cover version of the song as a new track for her compilation album 'Ten on one' in 1988. The European release featured the track 'Change your mind', from Sandra's debut album, while the UK single featured the other new track from 'Ten on one', 'Stop for a minute'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1860 (German pressing) / no. 2670 (UK pressing)
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 30, 1993 / Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders / 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Everlasting love' / 'Change your mind' (German pressing)
'Everlasting love' / 'Stop for a minute' (UK pressing)

Love's been a little bit hard on me - Juice Newton

'Love's been a little bit hard on me' was released in 1982. It reached number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 during the summer of that year. I bought the single because I liked the song, while it met with disapproval of my sister, with whom I had an almost shared record collection at the time. Suffice to say that she was rather shocked that I came home with this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 135
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love's been a little bit hard on me' / 'Ever true'

Candle in the wind (live) - Elton John

'Elton John live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra' was released in 1987. This single, a live version of 'Candle in the wind', the famous song dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, was taken from that album. The single reached number 5 in the UK and Canada.

While touring in Australia, the year before, Elton lost his voice. Shortly thereafter he underwent throat surgery. Several non-cancerous polyps were removed from his vocal cords, and John lost his famous falsetto, and he sang with a new voice.

My collection: 7" single no. 627
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Candle in the wind (live)' / 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word (live)'

Feel so high - Des'ree

As written before on this blog, 'Feel so high' was released twice in the UK, with the second release being the most successful one. The original single had a different B-side than this reissue. The sleeve was also different.

Enough reasons for me to warrant the purchase of this single. It was the last 7" single by Des'ree I bought. Not long after this, the vinyl format was abandoned by the record company and the artist started recording dull songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 2361
Found: July 3, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Feel so high' / 'Got to be strong'

When will I see you again - Three Degrees

'When will I see you again' was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The Three Degrees recorded and released the track in 1974. Sheila Ferguson from the group recalled that 'the song was played to me by Kenny Gamble at the piano in 1973 and I threw a tantrum. I screamed and yelled and said I would never sing it. I thought it was ridiculously insulting to be given such a simple song and that it took no talent to sing it. We did do it and several million copies later, I realized that he knew more than me.'

The single became one of the most successful recordings using the 'Philly Soul' sound, selling over 25 million copies worldwide. In the UK the single topped the chart, whereas in the Netherlands it reached number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 2958
Found: February 9, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When will I see you again' / 'I didn't know'

Feel the raindrops - The Adventures

Almost a decade before I bought the 12" single of 'Feel the raindrops', I bought the 7" single. It was one of the best tracks of 1985 in my opinion, and after the beautiful 'Send my heart', this was another track I instantly fell in love with.

The song still sounds as fresh as ever now in 2009. Music like this has become pretty rare in the mean time.

My collection: 7" single no. 440
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 26, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Feel the raindrops' / 'Nowhere near me'

I'm not a loser - Judie Tzuke

I didn't know this song when I bought it. I bought this single for one reason only: it was a picture disc. And a beautiful one, at that. Fortunately I did know Judie Tzuke and the type of music she made.

In 1982 Tzuke joined a new label, Chrysalis Records after having served with Rocket Records for three years. Her first album for Chrysalis was 'Shoot the moon', from which this single was taken. The single did not chart, but the album reached number 19 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2781
Found: London, November 1, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I'm not a loser' / 'Run on luck'