Mike Anthony entered the Dutch Top 40 on April 3, 1982 with his version of Timmy Thomas' 'Why can't we live together'. The chart run of this single was only two weeks, while in the second week it climbed to number 15.
The Jamaican DJ ran into some legal problems with this single, as it used samples of the original recording by Timmy Thomas without consent. Within two weeks, the single was withdrawn and replaced with a new version.
My collection: 7" single no. 2418 Found: Plaatboef, Leiden, July 22, 1995 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Why can't we live together (part 1)' / 'Why can't we live together (part 2)'
'Alive and kicking' was released as a single from the Simple Minds' 1985 album 'Once upon a time'. The single featured a single version that was 40 seconds shorter than the album version. However, the instrumental version on the B-side was 35 seconds longer, clocking in at 6 minutes.
The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart, number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1470 Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Alive and kicking' / 'Alive and kicking (instrumental)'
The Pet Shop Boys recorded a duet with Dusty Springfield in 1987. It was released as the second single from their 1987 album 'Actually'. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Dutch Top 40. (What a coincidence!)
The song's success helped revive Springfield's career and led to a resurgence of interest in her music. Following this duet, the Pet Shop Boys wrote and produced the singles 'Nothing has been proved' and 'In private' for Springfield.
My collection: 7" single no. 1641 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 3, 1992 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'What have I done to deserve this?' / 'A new life'
'Famous last words' was the last track on the Tears for Fears album 'The seeds of love' (1989) and released as the fourth and final sigle from that album. It was released by the record company without the band's involvement.
The single peaked at number 83 in the UK singles chart. Around this time, Curt Smith left Tears for Fears and Roland Orzabal continued the band alone.
My collection: 7" single no. 1348 Found: Melody Maker, October 27, 1990 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Famous last words' / 'Mothers talk (US remix)'
With its swirling synthesizers and lush production, 'Hang on now' was the third top 20 hit for Kajagoogoo in 1981, taken from their debut album 'White feathers'. It was also their last single before lead singer Limahl left Kajagoogoo.
From the second album on, Kajagoogoo continued as a quartet, with bassist Nick Beggs taking over vocal duties.
My collection: 7" single no. 1308 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Hang on now' / 'Hang on now (instrumental)'
Banana republic is a derogatory term for a country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique. The Boomtown Rats had a hit in the UK with a song with the title 'Banana republic', reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart in November 1980.
The track was taken from their 1980 album 'Mondo Bongo'. The album was was produced by Tony Visconti, who is best known for his work with David Bowie.
My collection: 7" single no. 958 Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Banana republic' / 'Man at the top'
Both 'Never' and 'These dreams' were released as singles in 1985, but this double A-side was released in the UK in a limited edition gatefold sleeve edition in 1988. This is after their biggest success 'Alone', taken from 'Bad animals' (1987). These two tracks come from Heart's previous self-titled album (1985).
This double A-side release was another success for the band, peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3104 Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Never' / 'These dreams'
After UB40 had a big success with their cover version of 'Red red wine' (originally recorded by Neil Diamond), they released 'Please don't make me cry'. Both singles were taken from the group's 1983 album 'Labour of love', a collection of covers. The B-side of this single is a cover of Bob Marley's 'Keep on moving'.
This single peaked at number 10 on the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 817 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Please don't make me cry' / 'Keep on moving'
Frankie Valli was born as Francesco Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1934 in First Ward, Newark, New Jersey. He became famous as the frontman of the Four Seasons, who reached their peak of fame in the Sixties.
In 1978, Valli was asked to sing the theme song for the movie Grease. Along with the movie, this song became famous and when it was released as a single, it reached number one all over the world.
My collection: 7" single no. 2543 Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Grease' / 'Grease (instrumental)'
I happen to have both the cd-single and this 7" single of Amy Grant's 'Good for me'. The B-side of this 7" single is not included on the cd-single, which makes it a nice item. 'Good for me' was released as the sixth single from Grant's 1991 album 'Heart in motion'. It reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 60 in the UK singles chart.
There exist two music videos for this single. In the original music video, Amy Grant frolicks and dances with another female, who was meant to be portrayed as a childhood friend of Grant's. However, once the video was completed, Grant felt that her intended message was lost and that the video looked as though she and her friend were lovers. And so a new version was shot with a male model. Good old Christian values... (!)
My collection: 7" single no. 2787 Found: November 2, 1996 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Good for me (7" Good for you mix)' / 'Good for me (7" You like to dance mix)'
'Passing strangers' was released in October 1980 as the second single from Ultravox's milestone album 'Vienna'. The song is a fast-paced affair, with all the signature sounds of the band around that time. The single wasn't a big hit, stalling at number 57 in the UK singles chart.
The B-side 'Face to face' was recorded live in St. Albans on August 16, 1980 and was never recorded in studio by the band.
My collection: 7" single no. 2542 Found: Record Exchange, November 1, 1995 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Passing strangers' / 'Face to face (recorded live)'
Released as the fourth and final single from Athlete's 2005 album 'Tourist', 'Twenty four hours' was a real treat for fans. The cd-single featured two new tracks, whereas the 7" single, released as a picture disc, featured one of those new tracks plus another new track exclusive to the 7" format.
The single peaked at number 42 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3418 Found: HMV mail order, received November 2005 Cost: 3 pounds Tracks: 'Twenty four hours' / 'Stand in the sun', 'Before tomorrow'
Although the Blue Nile released their second album 'Hats' in the autumn of 1989, the sticker on the back of this single states that 'Saturday night', the third single from that album, was released on January 7, 1991. But then, the Blue Niles were always a bit slower than the average pop band.
Two weeks later, the single entered the UK singles chart and reached number 50 during a 2 week chart run. It was the last anyone heard from the band, until they returned with 'Peace at last', their third album. When? Well, in 1996.
My collection: 7" single no. 2191 Found: Record Exchange, London, September 29, 1994 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Saturday night (edit)' / 'Saturday night (album version)'
'The river' was written by Bruce Springsteen right after he'd completed an album that was to be titled 'The ties that bind'. The imagery of the chorus and the end of the song were inspired by lines from Hank Williams' 1950 hit, 'Long gone lonesome blues'. When this song came up, Springsteen decided to write several others with a similarly darker feel, and eventually released a double album entitled 'The river' in 1980.
Released as a single, it reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 35 in the UK singles chart. It remains one of Springsteen's signature songs.
My collection: 7" single no. 2691 Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'The river' / 'Independence day'
Het Goede Doel released a live version of their song 'Nooduitgang' ('Emergency exit') in 1987. Their album 'Mooi en onverslijtbaar' and its associated singles sold rather well, but the release of a live album was imminent, and so this single was released to promote it. Band member Sander van Herk wrote a piece on the history of the band in 2001 in a booklet for a 4cd box set and confessed that the track on the single was played live, but the audience participation was mixed in.
The record buying public was unaware of this, and the single reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 3769 Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Nooduitgang (live)' / 'The sonic ranger rides again'
Released in November 1988, 'We'll be together' was the third single taken from Sandra's third album 'Into a secret land'. For the first time ever, this song was co-written by Sandra herself. The single reached number 9 in the German singles chart.
When I bought this single, it came with a Spanish promotional sheet. Printed in colour, the front of the A4 paper features the album cover and the back features a biography, written in Spanish.
My collection: 7" single no. 1777 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, October 25, 1992 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'We'll be together' / 'It means forever'
Although I hated the first few singles by Terence Trent d'Arby, I had to admit that 'Sign your name' was actually a very good ballad. It was taken from his debut album 'Introducing the hardline according to Terence Trent d'Arby', released in 1987.
It was a big hit in countries around the world, peaking at number 2 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
My collection: 7" single no. 1331 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Sign your name' / 'Greasy chicken'
'To turn the stone' was the second single taken from Frida's 1982 album 'Something's going on'. It was considerably less successful than the previous one, 'I know there's something going on', which reached the charts all over Europe.
'To turn the stone' only managed to reach number 39 in the German singles chart and flopped everywhere else. As a result, no further singles were taken from the album.
My collection: 7" single no. 160 Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 5,5 guilders Tracks: 'To turn the stone' / 'I got something'
Tori Amos' debut album 'Y Kant Tori Read', released before she hit the big time with 'Little earthquakes', contained an instrumental excerpt of 'The Skye Boat song', a Scottish traditional from the 19th century. Since I liked the melody, I was quite curious when I found this single, on which the traditional is performed by Willy Finlayson. Remember him? He also recorded 'On the air tonight' in 1985.
Finlayson's solo career has been short: none of his singles reached the UK singles chart and no other singles of his are known.
My collection: 7" single no. 2173 Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'The Skye Boat Song' / 'Cash'
When you hear this song you will probably recognise the production values of Jim Steinman immediately: with its backing vocals and high speed music, it's an almost hysteric piece of music. 'Holding out for a hero' was originally released in 1984 and included on the soundtrack of the movie 'Footloose'. It later appeared on Tyler's 'Secret dreams and forbidden fire' album.
The single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Netherlands, the single flopped mercilessly.
My collection: 7" single no. 3291 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Holding out for a hero' / 'Faster than the speed of night'
Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane commented about 'Crystal ball': 'That was a really scary for me, because I've always had lots to say, and lots of opinions whether right or wrong. We then ended up having a massive row about something a couple of days later and it came out of that that we were all feeling this sense of numbness, this feeling of kinda fading away as people. I struggled to find one last song to complete the album, and found I could not write. I was left looking around song directories written by the sheer desperates of London, thus explaining how I discovered Crystal Ball...'
The track was released as the second single of Keane's second album 'Under the iron sea'. It reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40 and the UK singles chart. This 7" single is a numbered limited edition; this is number 30.
My collection: 7" single no. 3490 Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008 Cost: 3 pounds Tracks: 'Crystal ball' / 'Maybe I can change'
Honestly, I have no idea why I bought this single. It's a long time ago when I did. Even then, I was not impressed with the output of Page 3 girl Samantha Fox and house music in general. This track was produced by the Dutch brothers Bolland, but that in itself is no reason for me to buy a single - quite the contrary.
Mysteries have a right to survive, and so I won't guess any more. The only thing I do know that this single reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 32 on the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2410 Found: Leiden, 1995 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Love house' / 'Don't cheat on me'
Without Roger Hodgson, but with a reputation that was very good, Supertramp soldiered on after 1983. Rick Davies took over lead vocals, and the 1985 album 'Brother where you bound' was promoted with the first single 'Cannonball'.
On the album and on thie 12" single, the track lasted for well over 7 minutes, whereas the 7" single contained an edit. Impressive also is the 10 minute instrumental version on the B-side of this 12" single.
My collection: 12" single no. 285 Found: Record Exchange, London, 1996 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Cannonball (Direct to disc version)' / 'Cannonball (instrumental)'
When Barry Gibb is producing, or even co-producing, any song takes on a decidedly 'Bee Gees sound'. So when Dionne Warwick had her 1982 album 'Heartbreaker' co-produced by Gibb, it was almost as if she was doing backing vocals to Bee Gees tracks. Warwick later commented that she didn't like the album's title track, but recorded it because she trusted the judgement of the three Gibb brothers, who wrote the song, that it would be a hit.
And it was: Warwick reached the charts all over the world when 'Heartbreaker' was released as a single. It reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 2 in the UK singles chart. Warwick commented: 'I cried all the way to the bank'.
My collection: 7" single no. 3088 Found: Record Exchange, London, May 12, 1999 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Heartbreaker' / 'I can't see anything but you'
To be honest, I'd completely forgotten that I owned this 12" single of 'Ever so lonely'. The single has been on this blog in an earlier entry. So when I was going through my 12 inch singles, I was pleasantly surprised.
This extended version of 'Ever so lonely' is made in the best of the Eighties traditions: it's just longer, it features a few extra instrumental and vocal passages, and no irritating beats and out of key synth loops. How refreshing!
My collection: 12" single no. 338 Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1998 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Ever so lonely (extended version)' / 'Sunset over the Ganges'
In 1990, the Italian singer Zucchero attempted to reach the charts outside of continental Europe, where he'd made a name for himself. In July 1990 he released 'Mama' in the UK, an English version of his 1989 European hit 'Madre dolcissima'. The single did not chart.
In 1991, he had more success, when he recorded a duet with Paul Young. Their track 'Senza una donna' became a top 10 hit in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 3060 Found: Record Exchange, London, May 9, 1999 Cost: 20p Tracks: 'Mama' / 'Madre dolcissima'
Tata Vega was born as Carmen Rosa Vega in New York on October 7, 1951. She began her singing career in 1963. She was cast in the Broadway production of the musical 'Hair', after which she joined the band Pollution and then the group Earthquire. Between 1976 and 1981, she released four solo albums on the Motown label.
In 1980, she released her version of the Supremes hit 'You keep me hangin' on'. It was a typical late Seventies disco version, which did not manage to chart outside of America. I bought this single because I am interested in every cover version of 'You keep me hangin' on'. I have to admit that I still like Kim Wilde's version best.
My collection: 7" single no. 3045 Found: La La Land, Den Haag, December 19, 1998 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' / 'You better watch out'
'The sun ain't gonna shine anymore' was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. It was originally released as a single by Frankie Valli in 1965. Although it was recorded with his group the Four Seasons, it was released as his first solo single in over a decade.
In 1966, the Walker Brothers released their cover version of the song. This version had a lot more success than Valli's original, reaching the singles charts all over the world. The single peaked at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1071 Found: London, October 19, 1989 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'The sun ain't gonna shine anymore' / 'My ship is coming in'
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' 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 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)'
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?' 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'
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'
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)'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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'
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)'
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'
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'
Mike Anthony entered the Dutch Top 40 on April 3, 1982 with his version of Timmy Thomas' 'Why can't we live together'. The chart run of this single was only two weeks, while in the second week it climbed to number 15.
