Love scenes - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven released her second album 'Love scenes' in 1993, after giving birth to her first daugher, Mollie. This experience ended up being part of the subject matter on that album, unfortunately, with the track 'Mollie's song' as the most unfortunate result.

The title track was released as the album's first single, and it was also the last single to be released on the 7" vinyl format. Subsequent singles 'Mollie's song' (yes, I couldn't believe it either) and 'The winner takes it all' (a cover of the Abba track) were only released on cd-single. 'Love scenes' reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1996
Found: London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love scenes' / 'Blind faith'

This feeling - Sam Brown

'This feeling' was the third single taken from Sam Brown's debut album 'Stop!'. The track features a beautiful guitar solo by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. 'This feeling' was remixed for the single, which in fact didn't really make it much better, but it was shorter and that was probably the most important thing for the record company.

It didn't help matters much: the single stalled at number 91 in the UK singles chart, although it did manage to reach number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 691
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'This feeling' / 'Soldiers'

I should be so lucky - Kylie Minogue

I never shy away from a good debate, especially when it takes place on this blog. So when Jos asked me why in God's name I bought singles by Risqué, I can't help but reply (while of course respecting the fact that there is no accounting for tastes, indeed). Within my collection there are certainly some artistic highs and lows. I love the good, the bad and the ugly. But most of all, I like pop. And it's true, a lot of pop music is not sung by the ones on the sleeve (and when it is, it is usually 'polished' in the studio), the music comes from session musicians - but it is always produced well. Does it matter that the guys from Milli Vanilli or Boney M didn't sing their stuff themselves? I think not; 'Daddy cool' and 'Ma Baker' are still pop classics.

All this to conceal that I bought a lot of Kylie Minogue singles - after she became 'cool' when she started working with Manic Street Preachers in 1995. So did she sing this debut single herself? I think so - it sounds irritating enough. But look here: two decades on, she's a star. And she's already performed this very song in about ten different arrangements - including a ballad and a variety showband version. Creativity knows no boundaries.

My collection: 7" single no. 3316
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I should be so lucky' / 'I should be so lucky (instrumental)'

Motorcycle emptiness - Manic Street Preachers

The Manic Street Preachers formed in 1986. Members were James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Sean Moore and Richey Edwards. Edwards mysteriously vanished on February 1, 1995. Nothing was ever heard from him again. To this day, it is still one of the big mysteries of rock.

Before all that, the band released their debut album 'Generation terrorists' in 1992. 'Motorcycle emptiness' was the fifth single taken from that album and it became the biggest hit, reaching number 17 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40 - their first and only hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1696
Found: Melody Maker, August 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Motorcycle emptiness' / 'Bored out of my mind'

Is there something I should know - Duran Duran

'Is there something I should know?' was recorded in December 1982 in London. It was released as a non-album single, although in the USA the track was added to the 1983 reissue of the band's debut album 'Duran Duran'.

In the UK, the single became the band's first number one hit. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in August 1983. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 14, their first hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1806
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 9, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Is there something I should know?' / 'Faith in this colour'

Sylvia's mother - Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

The lyric of the song 'Sylvia's mother' tells the story of a man trying to say one last goodbye to his ex-girlfriend but unable to get past her mother, who tries to interfere. It was released in 1972 by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, a band that would become one of the coolest bands of the Seventies - although in later decades they would come to represent everything that was reprehensable about that era.

'Sylvia's mother' was their first hit, reaching number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 304
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Sylvia's mother' / 'Makin' it natural'

Monkey - George Michael

Released in the summer of 1988, 'Monkey' was the fifth single taken from George Michael's debut solo album 'Faith'. The single version was remixed by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who at the time were very successful with Janet Jackson's 'Control' album and its singles. Compared to the album version, the track sounded a lot livelier and 'fuller'.

In the US, this single was George Michael's fourth consecutive number 1 hit, joining the likes of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston as three artists that all had four or more number one hits from one album. In the UK, the single was less successful, peaking at number 13, whereas in the Netherlands it reached number 6. At the time of release, I only bought the cd-single, but in 1995 I corrected this painful mistake and still got the 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2488
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Monkey' / 'Monkey (Acapella)'

Golden brown - The Stranglers

According to Hugh Cornwell from the Stranglers, ''Golden Brown' works on two levels. It's about heroin and also about a girl'. Essentially the lyrics describe how 'both provided me with pleasurable times'. In an other interview drummer Jet Black quipped it was a song about Marmite. Even if harddrugs aren't your thing, this song is still worth listening to.

Released in December 1981, the single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2586
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Golden brown' / 'Love 30'

Be my baby - Vanessa Paradis

In 1992 Vanessa Paradis moved to the United States, aged just 20. For some time, she was romantically linked with Lenny Kravitz, who also produced her first English language album, also released in 1992.

The album topped the French album chart and even reached number 45 in the UK albums chart. The first single taken from the album was the retro-sounding 'Be my baby', which made number 5 in France, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 - her only top 10 hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1746
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Be my baby' / 'The future song'

Wild horses - Gino Vannelli

Gino Vannelli sounds a lot like a crooner on this song, although 'Wild horses' is very much an eighties production. The single was taken from his 1987 album 'Big dreamers never sleep'. It was his last hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 7 in May 1987.

I'd all but forgotten this single when I suddenly heard it again sometime in 1991. I thought it was really very good and started hunting. Within a couple of weeks, I'd found my copy.

My collection: 7" single no. 1409
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Wild horses' / 'Shape me like a man'

Is dit nou later - Stef Bos

Stef Bos was born in Veenendaal, the Netherlands on July 12, 1961. He moved to Antwerp, Belgium in 1984 and has been living there ever since. After working with Ingeborg on her 1989 Eurovision Song Contest entry 'Door de wind', he released his debut solo album 'Is dit nu later' ('So is this later') in 1990. The title track was his debut single.

The lyric of the song is based on the idea that children are promised that the world is at their feet later, when they're all grown up. The singer states that his diploma is full of lies, stating that he's an adult who knows the truth, when in reality he doesn't understand life at all. There's an anger in this song that I've always been able to relate to very well.

My collection: 7" single no. 1908
Found: Groningen, May 15, 1993
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Is dit nou later' / 'M'n hart gevolgd'

While you see a chance - Steve Winwood

If Steve Winwood has a signature song, this is probably it. One of the song's most iconic features, its keyboard introduction, was not originally intended to be part of the song. The track was thrown together fairly quickly after Winwood discovered that he had accidentally deleted his intended drum track introduction while preparing for vocals. He wrote a new introduction on the spot as a replacement.

The single was taken from Winwood's album 'Arc of a diver' (1980) and peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 45 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2728
Found: September 7, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'While you see a chance' / 'Vacant chair'

The boy in the bubble - Paul Simon

In 1985, Paul Simon heard a recording of the Boyoyo Boys, which inspired him to make the album 'Graceland', an unusual sounding record incorporating pop, acapella, rock and African music. In fact it might be the first so-called 'World music' mainstream album. In 1986, the album was released to critical and commercial acclaim.

The most successful single from the album was 'You can call me Al', a top 10 hit in several countries. This single, 'The boy in the bubble' was lesser known. Personally I like the odd sound of this track, and the video for it was also interesting eye candy.

My collection: 7" single no. 2798
Found: December 14, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The boy in the bubble' / 'Hearts and bones'

Soul passing through soul - Toyah

Released in June 1985, 'Soul passing through soul' was the second solo single by Toyah Willcox. Although Toyah was originally the name of her band (1979-1983), she continued with that name even when she went solo. Well, it was her own first name after all.

While 'Don't fall in love', her first solo single, had been a success, peaking at number 27 in the UK singles chart, this one only reached number 57. Personally I think this is the stronger of the two - even the B-side is very good.

My collection: 7" single no. 3108
Found: Big Company Records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Soul passing through soul' / 'All in a rage'

Waterfalls - Paul McCartney

I don't know why, but I've always thought that this sleeve is a very beautiful one. It's one of those illustrations that keep impressing me, even after all these years. The song itself is equally beautiful. It was taken from McCartney's first solo album after Wings disbanded, 'McCartney II'.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart in 1980. But when he was asked which of his single he wished were more successful, McCartney answered, 'There's quite a few, actually... 'Waterfalls', I think is nice.'

My collection: 7" single no. 624
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waterfalls' / 'Check my machine'

Young heroes - Kim Wilde

I don't buy many Kim Wilde singles anymore, since my collection is fairly complete. But sometimes a rare item pops up, and I have to have it. I was lucky to find this one for a fairly reasonable price - and that's including the price I had to pay for flying it over from the country where it was made!

'Young heroes' is a track from Kim Wilde's 1981 debut album. That album was released in America in 1982, so I guess it's logical that this single, made in Peru, came out in 1983. 'Young heroes' was not a single in any other country, although a flexi disc from Russia also exists. But that one is without a B-side, and this one is.

My collection: 7" single no. 4010
Found: eBay.com, received August 25, 2009
Cost: 13 euro
Tracks: 'Young heroes' / 'Our town'

Always something there to remind me - Naked Eyes

I had the 12" single of 'Always something there to remind me' by Naked Eyes years before I found the 7" single. The track was produced by Tony Mansfield, of New Musik fame.

Released in July 1983, this single became the only (minor) hit for Naked Eyes in the UK. It peaked at number 59 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3075
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Always something there to remind me' / 'Pit stop'

I will follow (live) - U2

In 1982, a relatively new band called U2 performed live in the Netherlands. The performance was recorded by Veronica, a Dutch broadcaster. When their recording of 'I will follow' was played a few times on the radio, the demand was so big that it was released as a single.

This live recording became U2's first hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 in September 1982. And all the rest is history...

My collection: 7" single no. 2973
Found: March 1, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'I will follow (live)' / 'Gloria (live)'

Knolraap en lof, schorseneren en prei - Drs. P

Today is the 90th birthday of Heinz Polzer, better known as drs. P. in the Netherlands. (Foreign readers are probably looking away now.) He became best known for his songs 'Veerpont' and 'Dodenrit'. Released more recently, in 1987, 'Knolraap en lof, schorseneren en prei' ('Turnips and chicory, salsify and leeks') narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40, but it also rather wellknown these days.

Drs. P. has always sought his challenge in writing poetic lyrics about unpoetic subjects. The 'Tuindersliedboek' ('Songbook for gardeners') contains loads more poems about fruit and vegetables. See the dossier about drs. P. from the National library of the Netherlands for more information about drs. P.

My collection: 7" single no. 1153
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Knolraap en lof, schorseneren en prei' / 'Olijf', 'Het land is moe'

Martika's kitchen - Martika

Although this song sounds innocent and playful, rumour has it that Prince wrote this song for Martika with something else than cooking on his mind. When you see 'kitchen' and 'oven' as a metaphor for something, this track takes on an entirely different meaning.

In America this suggestive song failed to become a hit. In the UK, it reached number 17 whereas in the Netherlands it only managed a number 38 placing in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2503
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Martika's kitchen' / 'Broken heart'

Three little pigs - Green Jelly

Green Jelly band members Marc Levinthal and Bill Manspeaker wrote 'Three little pigs' after a 'late-night drinkfest' at Zatar's in Hollywood. It is a re-telling of the classic fairy tale Three Little Pigs, with modern twists such as pot-smoking pigs, an appearance by Rambo and a Harley-Davidson-riding wolf.

The song's claymation music video received regular rotation on MTV. As a result, it became a hit in various countries, reaching number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40. This single, released in the UK, was pressed on pink vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2891
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 2,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Three little pigs' / 'Obey the cowgod'

Hungry like the wolf - Duran Duran

Duran Duran worte and recorded 'Hungry like the wolf' on a Saturday in the spring of 1982 at the basement studios of EMI's London headquarters. Rhodes started the song's demo in the morning with a sequencer; the song was built throughout the day as each band member arrived, and by the evening it was essentially complete. The laugh at the beginning of the song and the screams during the song's fade-out were performed by Nick Rhodes’ girlfriend at the time.

The single was another top 10 hit for the band, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart. It also reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3246
Found: London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Hungry like the wolf' / 'Careless memories (live)'

Mat's Prozac - Mice

After All about Eve disbanded, Julianne Regan went on to work with Tim McTighe (ex-Powder) to work on new songs. Levitation guitarist Christian Hayes and ex-All about Eve drummer Mark Price were also involved in the band, which was to be called The Innocent. Just before the release of their first single, the name changed to Mice.

'Mat's Prozac' was the first single taken from their album. Since I was such a big fan of All about Eve's music, I bought it right away - but I did have some doubts whether this was the kind of music I really liked. The single did not chart in the UK, let alone anywhere else. This single was pressed on yellow vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2850
Found: Record fair, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Mat's Prozac' / 'Bang bang'

Cities in dust - Siouxie and the Banshees

'Cities in dust' was released as the first single from the seventh studio album by Siouxie and the Banshees: 'Tinderbox' (1985). The lyric of the song obliquely describes the city of Pompeii, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in the year 79. Imagery describing the volcano and its magma chamber, the condition of the victims of the eruption, and the subsequent discovery and excavation of the city comprises the bulk of the lyrics.

Although the subject matter was still dark, the band seemed to be headed in a more poppy area of music, leaving their goth roots. The single made number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2017
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Cities in dust' / 'An execution'

You - Ten Sharp

After being away from the music business for five years, Ten Sharp returned in the form of a duo. Michiel Hoogenboezem and Niels Hermes picked up where their three band members had thrown in the towel - and their reward was big. Where chart success eluded Ten Sharp in the Eighties, they had a European hit on their hands with 'You', released in 1991.

Not only did the band reach number 3 in the Netherlands (a position they'd never achieved in the Eighties), it also went number 1 in France, Norway and Sweden. In the UK, the single peaked at number 10. All of a sudden, Ten Sharp had become popular.

My collection: 7" single no. 1430
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 13, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You' / 'You (instrumental)'

Thank you world - World Party

The 1991 single 'Thank you world' by World Party was released in between albums. 1990's 'Goodbye Jumbo' had been relatively successful, but the next album would only appear in 1993.

The chart performance of this single was disappointing, reaching number 68 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run. Even the cover of the Beatles' 'Happiness is a warm gun' on the cd-single didn't help matters. This 7" single features two versions of 'Thank you world'. To be honest: I don't play it much myself.

My collection: 7" single no. 1488
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 4, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Thank you world' / 'Thank you world (Peter Lorimer remix)'

Get up! (Before the night is over) - Technotronic

Time for some intellectual music again. Back in 1990, I simply couldn't resist a track that had the great lyric 'Get up, get up, get busy do it / I wanna see you party'. It was the second single by Technotronic from their debut album 'Pump up the jam'. Somehow this single managed to hit the top 10 all over the world. It has to be because of the fact that people simply cannot resist a song with such beauty and depth.

The sheer vacuousness of it all is what drove me to buy this - and to use it as an example of what I simply cannot understand about other people's taste in music of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 1172
Found: Melody Maker, February 17, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Get up! (Before the night is over)' / 'Get up (Before the night is over) (instrumental)'

Hang on to your love - Sade

The most interesting singles are those you can't find in the shops. And then there's the singles released in other countries. Combine the two, and there you have it: the foreign promo. This particular one is a promo 7" single for Sade's 'Hang on to your love', released in Spain.

Not only did it have a different sleeve, it's also a one-sided single, which means that the B-side is missing here. A lovely item, which I picked up a long time ago!

My collection: 7" single no. 1955
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Track: 'Hang on to your love'

She's strange - Cameo

After I found the 12" single of 'She's strange', the 7" single followed rather quickly. You know how it is: you search for something for years, then you decide to buy another version and suddenly what you're looking for appears.

Taken from the album of the same name, the single version is edited from the 7'12 album version. It reached number 37 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2475
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'She's strange' / 'Cameo megamix'

Memories - Beverley Craven

'Memories' was the last single to be released from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. The song already foreshadowed the sappy ballads that would appear on her later work. It also showed that the audiences weren't impressed: the single stalled at number 68 in the UK singles chart.

The single was mainly released to promote the live video that was released. Beverley Craven in concert: not the most exciting show, but (mostly) good songs nonetheless. This 7" single featured one live track on the B-side, the two cd-singles would feature three more.

My collection: 7" single no. 2745
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Memories' / 'Holding on (live)'

Dark is the night - A-ha

A-ha was going through troubled times when they released their 1993 album 'Memorial beach'. There were internal conflicts and conflicts with their record company. And on top of it all, the chart performance of the album was disappointing. The album was entirely recorded at Prince's Paisley Park studios and lacked a lot of what made previous A-ha albums so special.

'Dark is the night' was the first single taken from the album, and the only single from the album to reach the top 20 outside of Norway: it reached number 19 in the UK. It was also the last A-ha single to be released in the United States.

My collection: 7" single no. 1948
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Dark is the night' / 'Angel in the snow (instrumental)'

Looking for clues - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer's sixth solo album 'Clues' was released in 1980 and 'Looking for clues' was released as the second single from that album.

The single peaked at number 33 in the UK, number 7 in Canada and number 15 in the Netherlands. It was more successful than the previous single, 'Johnny and Mary', which peaked at number 44, 32 and 21 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 1045
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Looking for clues' / 'Good care of you'

Crack the shutters - Snow Patrol

'Crack the shutters' was the second single from Snow Patrol's most recent album 'A hundred million suns'. Band leader Gary Lightbody has described the song as 'the purest love song I've ever written. Even more so than 'Chasing cars'. It's luxuriating in the beauty and wonder of someone you love with all your heart.'

The single reached number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. This 7" single is a numbered limited edition; I've got number 259. I've also got number 1513 so that one's for sale if you want it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3544
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received January 10, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Crack the shutters' / 'One day like this'

The woman in me - Donna Summer

'The woman in me' was the third and final single from Donna Summer's self-titled 1982 album. It was a ballad produced by Quincy Jones, following after the worldwide hit 'State of independence'. While on that song Michael Jackson sang backing vocals, here the background vocals are performed by James Ingram. The single stalled at number 62 in the UK singles chart but reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

I've got two copies of the single: one Belgian pressing (pictured above) and one German pressing. When I bought the German one, I didn't recognise the sleeve so I thought I didn't have the song. I've no idea when I bought the German single, because when I already have a single it doesn't get into my administration...

My collection: 7" single no. 2594
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The woman in me' / 'Livin' in America'

Loverboy - Billy Ocean

'Loverboy' was the second single taken from Billy Ocean's 1984 album 'Suddenly'. It was produced by Robert John 'Mutt' Lange. The single peaked at number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the UK singles chart.

This 12" single features an extended version of the track, adding a lot of instrumental passages and synth riffs that makes the song so delicious in the first place. After buying this 12" single I found out that a limited edition was pressed on coloured vinyl. Oh well, you can't win them all...

My collection: 12" single no. 335
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Loverboy (extended)' / 'Loverboy (dub mix)'

No tengo dinero - Righeira

While Righeira became famous with two summer hits with Spanish titles, 'Vamos a la playa' and 'No tengo dinero', Stefano Rota and Stefano Righi were actually from Italy. Indeed, the sound of their singles is very 'Italo disco'.

'No tengo dinero' was released in 1984 and reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40. It was also a hit in the rest of Europe, although it didn't chart in the UK (where 'Vamos a la playa' had reached number 53).

My collection: 7" single no. 2951
Found: Record fair, Leiden, February 7, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Track: 'No tengo dinero' / 'Dinero scratch'

It's a sin - Pet Shop Boys

In the summer of 1987, MTV Europe started broadcasting. I was there when it happened and I think I saw about 70% of everything they broadcasted during the first few weeks. I quickly concluded that MTV wasn't going to make me happy: they had a very limited stock of music videos and they kept playing the same titles over and over again. I think I saw the video for 'It's a sin' eight times every single day.

Which is why to this day I'm a bit bored by this song. It is a good track, I simply heard it too damn much. The single was a massive hit, topping the charts in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. In the UK, the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 551
Found: Tower Records, London, 1987
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'It's a sin' / 'You know where you went wrong'

Shocked - Kylie Minogue

'Shocked' was written and produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman for Kylie Minogue’s third album 'Rhythm of love' (1990). The song was never intended for single release but when remixed by DNA and featured a rap penned and performed by Pauline Bennett a.k.a Jazzi P the commercial potential was big enough to warrant a release. (Obviously I prefer the B-side version which isn't tainted by the inane rantings of a madwoman.)

The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and at number 2 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 3323
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Shocked (DNA mix)' / 'Shocked (Harding/Curnow mix)'

In Liverpool - Suzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega had a few hits under her belt when she released '99.9F°' in 1992. Personally, I think it's her best work, because it mixes the sometimes rather dull folk influences she was working with up to that point with industrial music and dance beats.

'In Liverpool', the first single taken from the album, was a beautiful ballad with a strong melody. The single only charted in the UK, but stalled at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 2693
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'In Liverpool' / 'Some journey (live)'

Hold me now - Thompson Twins

'Hold me now' can be considered the Thompson Twins biggest hit. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and was a top 10 hit in Europe and America. Alannah Currie from the band later commented: 'The biggest trouble that we've had basically is that the song was a huge hit, it was really bigall over the world. Which is great, but it was just an accidental thing. It was just a song that we wrote. But after that then, we got everybody—managers, the record company—on our back to write 'Hold me now, part 2' and harrassing you to try and find a formula. But we can't really. We'll never find a formula for what we did. And that upsets some of them.'

I was quite shocked to find that I had to pay 5 guilders for this picture disc six years after its release, while the song was never a hit in the Netherlands. But oh well, it was still worth it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1105
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold me now' / 'Let loving start'

Bulletproof - La Roux

La Roux is a synthpop duo consisting of Eleanor Jackson and Ben Langmaid. 'Bulletproof' is their third single, released in June 2009. Jackson commented about the lyric of the song: 'Bulletproof is just about looking at a situation that's usually a reoccurring one. It could be to do with anything in your life - whatever you want it to be about.'

The 7" single release is a square picture disc with two playable sides, although the B-side basically consists of an empty groove. The single topped the UK singles chart, but so far it hasn't charted in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4009
Found: eBay.co.uk, received August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Track: 'Bulletproof'

Theme from 'Tubular bells' - Mike Oldfield

Recently a luxury box set of Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular bells' was released. The so-called 'Ultimate edition' features a new stereo mix of the original album, demos, a surround sound mix, a book and a vinyl LP. When I was listening to all this, I also heard 'Mike Oldfield's single', a single released in 1974 to promote the album. It was a beautiful outtake from part 2 of 'Tubular bells'. (Part 1 is universally acclaimed for its 'Exorcist' theme, but part 2 is actually lesser known by most people).

I decided to try and get my hands on a copy - which is a lot harder than it sounds. I found a copy but unfortunately it does not have a picture sleeve. Well, anyway, it contains the music and that's the most important thing. The single reached number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4008
Found: 45rpm.co.uk, received August 22, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Theme from 'Tubular bells'' / 'Froggy went a-courting'

Terminal 3 - Linda Martin

Before Linda Martin won the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Ireland with 'Why me', she participated once before in 1984. Her song, 'Terminal 3' was written by Johnny Logan, who won the 1980 edition of the Contest for Ireland. She almost won the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, but received 8 points less than the winning song ('Diggi loo diggy ley'), and thus came second.

While I was not impressed with the winning song, I was glad that Ireland didn't win. The song sounded quite boring at the time. It's not so bad now, when you hear it.

My collection: 7" single no. 4007
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Terminal 3' / 'Feels like I'm walking in my sleep'

Honey honey - Sweet dreams

'Honey honey' was originally written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson and released as a single by Abba in April 1974. The single was not released in the UK.

British disco singer Polly Brown, formerly fronting the band Pickettywitch, recorded a cover of the song together with singer Tony Jackson. They called themselves Sweet Dreams. This cover version reached number 10 on the UK singles chart. In the USA, Abba's original song had to compete with Sweet Dreams' cover version. Although the Sweet Dreams single only reached number 68 in the US Billboard Hot 100, while Abba's version reached number 27, it may have somewhat hindered its success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4006
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Honey honey' / 'I surrender'

Waterloo - Dr. and the Medics

The song 'Waterloo' really needs no introduction. It was a massive hit for Abba after they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with it. Since then, numerous cover versions have been recorded and released. Some of them were very imaginative and original, other were carbon copies of the original. This one is more like the latter, but in a rock arrangement.

Dr. and the Medics previously had a big hit in the UK with their cover version of 'Spirit in the sky'. This song was less successful: released in November 1986, it reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4005
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Waterloo' / 'Damaged brains'

Starlight - Risqué

I've only recently started to collect singles by Risqué. It's not necessarily because I'm so impressed by their music, because it's all very lightweight pop. But lightweight pop can be entertaining as well - and that's why I collect it.

'Starlight' was the second hit single for the four Dutch ladies. It wasn't a big hit though: it only reached number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4004
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starlight' / 'Starlight (instrumental)'

I'm not afraid of the future - Future World Orchestra

If my collection would be all about chart hits, I would be very satisfied with the fact that I completed the list of chart hits by Future World Orchestra today. They were in the Dutch Top 40 four times, and since I already had two hit singles by them, the two hit singles I bought today complete the set.

'I'm not afraid of the future' was released in April 1982 and reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. As good as the A-side is, the B-side sounds very much like a Dutchman trying to sing in English.

My collection: 7" single no. 4003
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid of the future' / 'Just for you'