You're the one that I want - Hylda Baker and Arthur Mullard

When Grease was all the rage in 1978, everyone was trying to profit from that success. It led to some unlikely products, such as this one. Ex-boxer and comedy actor Arthur Mullard (born September 19, 1910) teamed up with comedy actress Hylda Baker (born February 4, 1905) to record this substandard cover of 'You're the one that I want'. It sounds a bit like the Dutch antisocial Tokkie family doing karaoke.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart, but failed to climb further due to a disastrous appearance on the chart show Top of the Pops. The couple fluffed the lyrics and seemed utterly confused as to what was happening. (You can see the performance here). The B-side is a Eurovision cover: Brotherhood of Man's 'Save your kisses for me' as performed by this bizarre couple.

My collection: 7" single no. 3912
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'You're the one that I want' / 'Save your kisses for me'

Everything has rhythm - Frizzle Sizzle

I've had the single of Frizzle Sizzle's 1986 Eurovision entry 'Alles heeft ritme' for more than 10 years now. Since I bought this Dutch version in London, it's only fair that I should find the English version of the single in the Netherlands. Well, guess what: I did.

I wasn't even sure an English-language single existed, even though I was aware of an English version being recorded. 'Everything has rhythm' went the same way a lot of Eurovision singles abroad did: right to the discount bin, never into the charts in other countries. It is a nice version, with all the naivity that only young girls can put into their vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 3906
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Everything has rhythm' / 'Alles heeft ritme'

Circle - Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

I was happily surprised when the two most favourite tracks of Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians' debut album ended up on this single. 'Circle' is a beautiful melodic song, whereas 'Now' is full of atmospherics and tension.

I was even happier when I bumped into this limited edition box set, containing the single and a large poster, showing members of the band in various video stills. For some reason, no matter what the contents, these single box sets always remind me of Christmas.

My collection: 7" single no. 2346
Found: Record fair, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle' / 'Now'

West end girls - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys released a version of 'West end girls' produced by Bobby Orlando in 1984, but after signing a deal with Parlophone records, they released a new recording of that song in 1985. This time around, it was produced by Stephen Hague and it became their breakthrough single. It was a number 1 hit in the UK, peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and it was often incorrectly referred to as the duo's debut single.

Neil Tennant started to write the song when he was staying at his cousin's house in Nottingham while watching a gangster film. Just when he was going to sleep, he came up with the lines: 'Sometimes you're better off dead, there's a gun in your hand and it's pointing at your head'.

My collection: 7" single no. 363
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'West end girls' / 'A man could get arrested'

Making your mind up - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz may have been the most memorable act to have won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK. Their song 'Making your mind up' won in 1981, mostly thanks to the choreography which involved ripping off the skirts of the two female members (Jay Aston and Cheryl Baker) by the two male members of the group (Bobby G and Mike Nolan), revealing shorter skirts. Receiving a less favourable response was the group's vocal abilities, since they sang most of the song off-key during the night.

The single was a number 1 hit in the UK and the Netherlands. The lyrics of the song are largely meaningless, although it can be argued that they are about making the decision to commit to a serious relationship.

My collection: 7" single no. 2089
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 30, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Making your mind up' / 'Don't stop'

Looking for a new love - Jody Watley

Jody Watley went solo after being part of the band Shalamar for several years. Her debut solo single was 'Looking for a new love', relased in 1987. The single hit number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

While listening to a tape of instrumental tracks given to her by producer André Cymone, Watley reflected on a recent sour romantic breakup. Fusing her own feelings of 'I'll show you' with the feel of the track, Watley came up with the basic idea of the song. The released version is the eight-track demo of the song; that way the emotional urgency of Watley's vocal was still intact. Watley's phrase 'Hasta la vista, baby' was later used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1991 film 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1035
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Looking for a new love' / 'Looking for a new love (acapella)'

Seagull - Kayak

Kayak were extremely popular in the Netherlands during the Seventies, but they entered the Eighties with a lot of problems. Personnel changes and a lack of single hits caused the band to eventually break up.

Their last hit was 'Seagull', released in the spring of 1981. It reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. It sounded a lot like earlier songs by the band, and that may have contributed to their demise: the audience simply had enough.

My collection: 7" single no. 885
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seagull' / 'The sword in the stone'

Your love is king - Sade

In the UK and Europe, 'Your love is king' was Sade's debut single. It was a track from their debut album 'Diamond life', which only became a multimillionselling album after this song became a hit. Hard to believe, but it's still the band's only top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 6.

In the USA, 'Your love is king' was released as the third single from the album, with a different sleeve. I'm still looking for that one...

My collection: 7" single no. 1010
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Your love is king' / 'Love affair with life (recorded live)'

What difference does it make - Earth and Fire

Although Earth & Fire started out as a symphonic rock band, in the second half of the Eighties they started to lean more and more towards disco-oriented singles. 'What difference does it make' is one of those songs that showed early signs of this change in direction.

The audience seemed unsure whether they liked this, as the single was only the second one to miss the top 10 in the Dutch Top 40, reaching number 12. Personally, it's still one of my favourite Earth & Fire tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 595
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'What difference does it make' / 'What difference does it make (instrumental)'

Three times a lady - Commodores

Lionel Richie from the Commodores reportedly wrote 'Three times a lady' about his love for his wife, his mother and his grandmother; hence the title. Released in 1978, it became the Commodores's first Billboard Hot 100 number 1 hit. It was also the band's only number 1 hit in the UK and it peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

Lionel Richie went solo at the beginning of the Eighties. The original Commodores version of the song was included as the final track on Lionel Richie's greatest hits compilation album Back To Front, released in 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 1186
Found: Disco Market, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Three times a lady' / 'Look what you've done to me'

Love - John Lennon

John Lennon is probably one of the most prolific artists after dying. After his tragic death in December 1980, he's released an album or two with previously unreleased work and more than a dozen compilation albums. One of these was 'The John Lennon collection' (1982), from which this single, 'Love', was taken.

'Love' was originally released as a track on Lennon's 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band' album (1970). This single is a remix of the track, adding a piano intro and outro, played by Phil Spector, mixed at the same volume as the rest of the song. On the album version, the intro fades in and the outro fades out. The single peaked at number 41 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2892
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love' / 'Give me some truth'

Oblivious - Aztec Camera

Track 1 from Aztec Camera's debut album 'High land, hard rain' (1983) is 'Oblivious', which was also released as a single. The band consisted of Roddy Frame, Bernie Clark, Campbell Owens and Dave Ruffy.

The single was the band's first to reach the singles chart, peaking at number 47.

My collection: 7" single no. 3255
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Oblivious' / 'Orchid girl'

Such a shame - Talk Talk

It doesn't happen often that a record company decides to release several singles from a compilation album, especially when those singles have already been released originally a few years before. But this is what happened with 'Talk Talk' after the release of the compilation album 'Natural history'. The greedy bastards from EMI wanted to earn some extra cash with these releases.

The setup didn't work. On its original release in 1984, 'Such a shame' reached number 49 in the UK singles chart. This re-release from 1990 did not chart. Justice - although I have to admit this sleeve is very nice. And the bonus live track from Montreux 1986 is a nice teaser.

My collection: 7" single no. 2733
Found: September 9, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Such a shame' / 'Dum dum girl (live)'

Holding on - Beverley Craven

'Holding on' was the third single taken from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. Released in July 1991, it reached number 32 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands, where it was released a few months previous.

The B-side was a new track that Beverley would re-record a year later for her next album. This original version wins out, because it sounds a lot more energetic and less contrived.

My collection: 7" single no. 1403
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 16, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Holding on' / 'Look no further'

Lady - Spargo

After Lilian Day Jackson left the Dutch band Spargo, the band continued with the four male members of the group. Success didn't elude them right away, as proven with this single, 'Lady', which reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40 in April 1984.

It was, however, the last hit single for the band. The group broke up in 1985 and briefly reformed in 1997.

My collection: 7" single no. 1161
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 27, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Lady' / 'Lady (instrumental version)'

My arms keep missing you - Rick Astley

Sometimes singles with a double A-side appear, but it doesn't happen so often that there are actually two different releases, switching the two A-side along the way. Sounds confusing? Well, here it is: during the chart run of 'When I fall in love', the record company decided that the song might have been appropriate for the Christmas season, but come January the other A-side, 'My arms keep missing you' would be more commercially viable.

And so, 'My arms keep missing you' was remixed and made the most important track of the double A-side release. It may have extended the chart life of this single, and at the very least it was an interesting new release for Rick Astley fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 2340
Found: Big Company Records, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 35p
Tracks: 'My arms keep missing you (The 'Where's Harry?' remix)' / 'When I fall in love'

When I fall in love - Rick Astley

Due to his deep bass-baritone voice, Rick Astley was confronted often with the assumption that he was an African-American singer. Perhaps he and his producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman were pushing this point a bit when they released 'When I fall in love' in late 1987, a cover of Nat King Cole's 1956 hit.

It didn't matter much to the record-buying public: the single became a hit, peaking at number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was in fact a double A-side with 'My arms keep missing you', but more about that in the following entry...

My collection: 7" single no. 1426
Found: Record fair, April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'When I fall in love' / 'My arms keep missing you'

Cat people (Putting out fire) - David Bowie

David Bowie recorded 'Cat people (Putting out fire)' for the soundtrack of the 1982 movie 'Cat people'. The track was produced by Giorgio Moroder. Director Paul Schrader contacted Bowie for a theme song in 1981, while Moroder had already recorded most of the music. Bowie put lyrics to the main theme composed by Moroder. The words only had a basic relation to the film.

The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 67 in the USA. This 12" single features the full length version of the track, which also appears on the soundtrack album, whereas it was edited for the 7" single. Bowie re-recorded the song in 1983 for his album 'Let's dance'.

My collection: 12" single no. 504
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cat people (Putting out fire)' / 'Paul's theme' (Giorgio Moroder)

Don't speak - No doubt

No doubt was founded in 1986 by siblings Eric and Gwen Stefani. They recruited other members and started playing live. After some years and several line-up changes they finally signed a record deal, which led to their debut album 'No doubt', released in 1992. Three years later, they released 'Tragic kingdom', which spawned their first worldwide hit, 'Don't speak'.

'Don't speak' reached number 1 in several countries around the world, including the UK and the Netherlands. This limited edition picture disc (which you can hear is not of the best quality sound-wise) was released in the UK only.

My collection: 7" single no. 2838
Found: Record fair, April 5, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't speak' / 'Greener pastures'

I won't let the sun go down - Nik Kershaw

'I won't let the sun go down on me' is a track from Nik Kershaw's debut album 'Human racing', and released as the fourth single from that album. Written during the last few years of the cold war period, when a nuclear threat was imminent, Kershaw wrote a lyric like 'forefinger on the button, is he blue or is he red?'.

Upon its first release, the single reached number 47 in the UK singles chart. After 'Wouldn't it be good' reached the top 5, the single was re-released and reached number 2 on this occasion. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 6 after that.

I have two versions of the single: one in a 'blue' sleeve, which according to a fan is a rare item, because he never saw this sleeve before, and another one in a limited edition postersleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1062 ('blue' sleeve)
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
My collection: 7" single no. 2496 (postersleeve)
Found: London, October 30, 199
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I won't let the sun go down' / 'Dark glasses'

More than a feeling - Boston

The American rock band Boston released their self-titled debut album in 1976. It was an instant success. The album's biggest hit was 'More than a feeling', a song that has since become a rock classic. The song took writer Tom Scholz five years to complete. He cited 'Walk away Renee' by the Left Banke as the song's main inspiration.

'More than a feeling' reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. This single is a re-release, also featuring the later hit 'Don't look back'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1369
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'More than a feeling' / 'Don't look back'

Sign of the times - Belle Stars

Only this year I bought the 12" single of 'Sign of the times' by the Belle Stars, but I've had the 7" single for years. I bought my copy during a holiday in London 16 years ago - and then again a few years later as I'd forgotten I already had it.

The song borrows loosely from Sixties Motown tracks, but sounds very Eighties production-wise. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2025
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Sign of the times' / 'Madness'

Atlantic - Keane

'Atlantic' is a track from Keane's second album 'Under the iron sea', released in 2006. This one-sided vinyl 7" single was released in a numbered limited edition of 1000 copies (this is number 34) in a boxed set together with the first single taken from that album, 'Is it any wonder'. 'Atlantic' was promoted with a music video before the album was released, but it wasn't released as a single commercially.

My collection: 7" single no. 3489
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Atlantic'

Malaika - Boney M

Malaika means 'Angel' in Swahili. The song was first recorded by Kenyan musician Fadhili William and his band Jambo Boys in 1960. In 1981, the song was covered by Boney M for their album 'Boonoonoonoos'. The single reached number 13 in the German charts and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

These lower placings were a first sign of Boney M's popularity decreasing. In the Netherlands, they would never reach the top 20 again (except for a Megamix released in 1993, which reached number 13).

My collection: 7" single no. 86
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Malaika' / 'Consuela Biaz'

Tainted love 91 - Soft Cell

In 1991, the compilation album 'Memorabilia' was released, featuring the biggest hits by Soft Cell and Marc Almond. There was one problem: some of the tracks were remixes and re-recordings. Soft Cell's 'Tainted love', for instance, was slightly remixed - a version that would later reappear on less well documented Eighties compilation albums.

This 91 version of 'Tainted love' still became a hit in the UK, peaking at number 5, whereas the original version had been a charttopper.

My collection: 7" single no. 3312
Found: Record fair, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tainted love 91' / 'Where the heart is'

Find a way - Amy Grant

Amy Grant had just earned the title 'Queen of Christian Pop' in her native USA when she changed direction and started recording secular albums. She wanted to become as successful in the mainstream as she had been in Christian circles. Her 1985 album 'Unguarded' was an album not very different from other artists production-wise, but the fact that her lyrics were no longer riddled with references to Jesus, God and the Bible shocked her fanbase.

'Find a way' was a single from this album and it became a hit in America. She didn't cross over to Europe yet (it would take her a few more years to do that), but this single is a promotional copy made in England. Proof that A&M Records were already trying hard to try and make her a star in the UK too.

My collection: 7" single no. 2396
Found: London, July 6, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Find a way' / 'It's not a song'

Hello - The Beloved

Taken from their 1990 album 'Happiness', 'Hello' was the second hit single for the Beloved, peaking at number 19 in the UK singles chart. It was released in a limited edition 7" single box set, including three square postcards.

As well as the names of some the band members' friends, the song mentions a number of famous people, chosen to loosely fit a "saints and sinners" theme. In alphabetical order, the people listed in the song are: Jeffrey Archer (politician and novelist), Fred Astaire, Bobby Ball (comedian), Charlie Brown, Tommy Cannon (comedian), Billy Corkhill (soap opera character), Leslie Crowther (TV presenter), "Freddie" Flintstone, Paris Grey (singer), Brian Hayes (broadcaster), Vince Hilaire (footballer), Barry Humphries, The LSO, Kym Mazelle (singer), Mork and Mindy, Little Nell, Charlie Parker, Andre Previn, Little Richard, Salman Rushdie, Jean Paul Sartre, The Supremes ("Mary Wilson, Di and Flo"), William Tell, Sir Bufton Tufton, Desmond Tutu, Willy Wonka, Zippy and Bungle (TV characters). There are also references to "Peter" and "Paul", presumably the Christian apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Kym Mazelle, who's mentioned in the song, actually sings backing vocals on it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2771
Found: London, October 30, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hello' / 'Hello (Dolly)'

Crackers International EP - Erasure

In November 1988, Erasure released 'Crackers International', an EP with four self-produced tracks. 'Stop' was the lead track of the EP, with 'She won't be home' pushing the Christmas theme for the end of the year.

In the UK singles chart, the EP equalled the success of their biggest hit to date, 'Sometimes', reaching number 2. In the rest of Europe, the EP did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2559
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop', 'The hardest part' / 'Knocking on your door', 'She won't be home'

Pictures of you - The Cure

'Pictures of you' was released in two versions, and this version was pressed on purple vinyl. The B-side was a live track on both singles, recorded live at Wembley in London in July 1989. Further live tracks from this gig appeared on the cd-single of the track.

The single peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1201
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 30, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Pictures of you (remix)' / 'Prayers for rain (live)'

Pictures of you - The Cure

'Pictures of you' was a track on the Cure's 1989 album 'Disintegration'. Clocking in at 7'24 minutes, the track was remixed and edited for the single release in 1990, lasting just 4'48 minutes.

According to interviews, the inspiration of the song came when a fire broke loose in Robert Smith's home. After that day, Robert was going through the remains and came across his wallet which had pictures of his wife, Mary. The cover of the single is one of the pictures. The single was released in two versions. This one is pressed on green vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 1209
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 14, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Pictures of you (remix)' / 'Last dance (live)'

This is the day - The The

Early 12" singles by The The were selling for anything upwards of 20 pounds circa 1990. Although I was an avid collector of the band's work, I never shelled out that much money for their records. And now it turns out I was right. Somewhere in a dark corner of a Dutch record shop, this disc suddenly popped up in front of me. I knew instinctively I had to have this - even if my 12" collection is not growing so fast anymore.

The The released a collector's edition of their greatest hits album '45 rpm: volume 1' (By the way, where is volume 2?) in 2002, with disc 2 containing some extended versions. This extended version is missing from that disc. And so I'm very happy to have finally caught this one. And cheaply, too!

My collection: 12" single no. 503
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'This is the day (extended version)' / 'I've been waiting for tomorrow (all of my life) (Special mix)'

In private - Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield released 'In private' in late 1989. Just like her previous two hits, the track was produced by the Pet Shop Boys, who had a big hand in her glorious comeback in 1987. 'In private' appeared on Springfield's 1990 album 'Reputation'.

The single reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 14 in the UK singles chart. Although she released a handful of further singles, Dusty Springfield would never break the top 20 in the UK again.

My collection: 7" single no. 1155
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 30, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'In private' / 'In private (instrumental)'

Help me make it through the night - Gladys Knight and the Pips

During live performances artists have a tendency to speak with their audiences, introducing songs and such. It is a rare thing when this happens on a record, but that's exactly what happens here: Gladys Knight speaks about 'hearing a beautiful song that expresses that feeling of loneliness'.

'Help me make it through the night' was written by Kris Kristofferson for his 1970 album 'Kristofferson'. Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded their cover version in 1972. It peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart that summer. My copy of the single is an original UK pressing, although the center has been punched out and it comes in a mutilated custom white paper sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1061
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Help me make it through the night' / 'If you gonna leave (just leave)'

Stay the night - Ghosts

I've had one single of 'Stay the night' for some time now, but since there were two different versions, I was still looking for the other one. Last week, I managed to find it in an online shop, and I ordered it along with a few other recent singles. When I received the package, it contained the single in the version I already had! But one e-mail sufficed to correct this error. So many thanks to the online shop.

This version of the single was pressed on light blue vinyl and contains two nice tracks. The B-side is an interesting instrumental track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3905
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 27, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Stay the night' / 'Dark at 4'

Love... thy will be done - Martika

Martika was contacted by Prince after her debut album 'Martika' was a success. She agreed to become one of his protégées, and they wrote the song 'Love... thy will be done' together. It was another hit for the American singer.

The single became her last top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9, and also reached the lower regions of the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 1516
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 20, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love... thy will be done' / 'Mi Tierra'

Hold on to love - Patty Brard

Patty Brard's career in music started promising with this debut single, 'Hold on to love', the first single drawn from her debut solo album 'All this way'. Released in January 1981, the single peaked at number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

After this, things went quickly downhill. Despite releasing a handful of singles from three different solo albums, she never reached the chart anymore. Her career led her towards producing magazines, television programmes and reforming with her old band, Luv'.

My collection: 7" single no. 94
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold on to love' / 'Love keeps knockin''

Cokane in my brain - Dillinger

Dillinger was born as Lester Bullock on June 25, 1953 in Kingston, Jamaica. In the Seventies he started working with producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry, who suggested his stage name, after gangster John Dillinger.

In 1977, he recorded 'Cokane in my brain', a track that relied heavily on the main tune from 'Do it anyway you wanna' by The People's Choice. It became a number 1 hit in the Netherlands, where Dillinger was hyped somewhat by the weekly Hitkrant publication. They published stories like 'Does Dillinger even exist?' when he didn't turn up for a TV performance. Dutch artist Dingetje recorded a parody of this song, entitled 'Ik ga weg Leen'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2141
Found: White noise, Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Cokane in my brain' / 'Power bank'

The look of love 1990 mix - ABC

Here's another ill-advised remix version of a classic. When ABC released their compilation album 'Absolutely' in 1990, the record company decided to promote it with a so-called '1990 mix' of 'The look of love', one of the band's biggest and most cherished hits from 1982. The track sounded very 1990, but it also sounded very crap, unfortunately.

This single was rewarded appropriately with a one week chart run at number 68 in the UK singles chart. Some would say this was even too much, but you know... a fan has to have everything. Even crap singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 2748
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The look of love 1990 mix' / 'Ocean blue'

Marilyn et John - Vanessa Paradis

'Marilyn & John' was the title track from Vanessa Paradis's 1987 debut album 'M&J', and one of the strongest tracks on the album. Sounding very unlike the debut single 'Joe le taxi', it was a hit in France but didn't reach the charts outside of France like the debut single had.

I got to know the track because I'd bought the album some time before. And as usual, when I like an album I have to have the accompanying singles as well... It's a strange habit but someone's got to do it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2224
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Marilyn & John' / 'Soldat'

Love is all that matters - Human League

After the failure of 'I need your loving' in the UK, the record company decided to release no further singles from the Human League's 1986 album 'Crash', but to release a compilation album instead, in the hopes of reviving interest for the band (and earn some more money, of course).

The single 'Love is all that matters' was taken from 'Crash', oddly enough, and released to promote the greatest hits compilation that was released in 1988. The single peaked at number 41 in the UK singles chart. It comes in a foldout sleeve showing all three members of the group. The B-side is taken from the Human League's 1985 album 'Hysteria'.

My collection: 7" single no. 866
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 7,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is all that matters (edit)' / 'I love you too much'

What about love - Heart

'What about love' was originally released in 1985, but in the UK the song did not chart. After the success of their 1987 album 'Bad animal' and its single 'Alone', the track was re-released in 1988.

At the time of recording, the song's sound marked a considerable change in the musical direction for Heart, moving from the hard rock and folk rock of their earlier work to a more polished, power-ballad sound. On its re-release, the single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2367
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What about love?' / 'Never (remix)'

I'll keep on loving you - Princess

I already wrote an earlier entry about the 12" picture disc of 'I'll keep on loving you'. As written there, the single was a hit in the UK, peaking at number 16 in the singles chart.

The sleeve of this single is in black and white, which is different from the 12" picture disc. Like the 12" single, there are two versions on this single: the regular album version and an instrumental version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2464
Found: Record fair, September 9, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'll keep on loving you' / 'I'll keep on loving you (instrumental)'

Wild world - Maxi Priest

Originally written and recorded by Cat Stevens, Jimmy Cliff had a hit with 'Wild world' in 1970. Some of the subsequent covers have also been in the reggae style, indicating that they are actually covers of Cliff's version, as opposed to direct covers of Cat Stevens' original track.

Maxi Priest (born as Max Alfred Elliott in Lewisham, London on June 10, 1951) made a version of 'Wild world' that could be seen as an example of this. Recorded and released in 1988, his version also did well on the charts, reaching number 5 on the UK singles chart and number 7 on the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 651
Found: Leiden, August 31, 1988
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Wild world' / 'On and on'

Wild world - Jimmy Cliff

'Wild world' was originally written by Cat Stevens (as advertised on the sleeve of this single). He recorded it on his fourth album 'Tea for the Tillerman' in 1970.

Jimmy Cliff's version, released a few months before Stevens released the original version, reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Surprisingly, Stevens' version was not released as a single in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1845
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 23, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wild world' / 'Be aware'

Pictures of matchstick men - Status Quo

The Spectres, the Scorpions and Traffic: these three band names all preceded the name Status Quo between 1962 and 1967. The core of the band was eventually formed by Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, who continued to work together after meeting in 1964. When they decided to call themselves Status Quo and signed a record deal with PYE records, their debut album 'Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo' was released in 1968.

'Pictures of matchstick men' became the band's first hit, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch top 40. The B-side on this re-release 7" single is their next hit, 'Ice in the sun', which was written by Marty Wilde (Kim's father). That one reached number 8 in the UK and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2932
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 17, 1998
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Pictures of matchstick men' / 'Ice in the sun'

Davy's on the road again - Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Manfred Mann founded his Earth Band in 1971. Members of the band were Mick Rogers, Noel McCalla, Geoff Dunn and Steve Kinch. Mann wanted to move away from the strict three minute pop song format that was the rule in his previous band, simply called Manfred Mann.

Their 1978 album 'Watch' featured the hit single 'Davy's on the road again'. It was the band's last top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 6, whereas in the Netherlands it was the band's second and last hit overall, peaking at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1843
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Davy's on the road again' / 'Bouillabaisse'

Misfit - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat first came to public attention when they had Andy Warhol in the video for their 1986 single 'Misfit'. Warhol referenced Bob Dylan's 'Subterranean homesick blues' music video by dropping piece of white card in time to the music.

While not a hit at first, it was re-released in 1987 and reached number 7 in the UK singles chart on that occasion. This limited edition release with a 44 inch foldout sleeve may have helped in reaching that position; it's quite a great item.

My collection: 7" single no. 2615
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Misfit' / 'Man'