Save the best for last - Vanessa Williams

'Save the best for last' was written by Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman and Jon Lind. It was recorded by Vanessa Williams on her 1992 album 'The comfort zone'. The song is about a person who stands by and watches as the object of her desires dates all of these different women, and then he finally decides to consummate a relationship with the singer.

This single became the biggest hit of Williams' career, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart as well as the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1618
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 4, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Save the best for last' / '2 of a kind'

Train - Red Box

I was very familiar with Red Box's debut album 'The circle and the square' and its singles by the time I saw this single in a shop somewhere in London. I didn't now about this single, I'd never heard of it, so my curiosity kicked in and I bought it.

I was so glad I did - this track was in many ways quirkier and more original than the earlier singles - and those were pretty inventive anyway. 'Train' was the only single from Red Box's second album 'Motive'. It took me another 13 years to find that one on cd.

My collection: 7" single no. 2026
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Train' / 'Hello, he lied'

Don't tell me lies - Breathe

'Don't tell me lies' was originally Breathe's debut single, released in 1986. Although it reached number 77 in the UK singles chart, the band took some time to come up with better material, finally returning in 1988 with the top 5 hit 'Hands to heaven'.

After 'How can I fall' was also a chart hit, 'Don't tell me lies' was re-released. The single reached number 45 this time around.

My collection: 7" single no. 784
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 25, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't tell me lies' / 'Monday morning blues'

Dark is the night - Shakatak

Shakatak are famous for their lightweight, coffee table music. 'Dark is the night' is a perfect example of this: there is a chorus, sung by a female singer, but there are no verses. Instead, instrumental passages should do it for the listener.

Released in May 1983, this single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2689
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Dark is the night' / 'I lose myself'

The scientist - Coldplay

I still remember vividly how I entered an HMV store in Liverpool on the last day of a holiday in the UK in December 2002 and heard this song. I was immediately impressed and bought the cd-single right away. In those days, I'd almost given up on the 7" vinyl format. Luckily, I have reconsidered and that's why I ended up buying this 7" single late last year.

Chris Martin commented about 'The scientist': 'That's just about girls. It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone.' The inside cover of the band's accompanying album 'A rush of blood to the head' states: 'The scientist is Dan'. 'Dan' refers to Dan Keeling, the A&R man who signed the band to Parlophone.

My collection: 7" single no. 3500
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 23, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The scientist' / '1.36', 'I ran away'

September - Earth Wind and Fire

Groups like Earth, Wind & Fire don't really exist anymore, I think. Looking at this sleeve, it's hard to imagine how these nine people resolved issues like wages, dinner and successful group photos. Look closely at this one: at least two of them have their eyes closed.

'September' (Yes, I had to put it up this month) was recorded during the sessions for the album 'I am', but released ahead of the album. It reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 3 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3209
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 30, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'September' / 'Can't hide love'

Sweet little mystery - Wet Wet Wet

Wet Wet Wet had their second top 10 hit in the UK in July 1987 with 'Sweet little mystery', peaking at number 5. I'm not sure whether this double pack was actually released in the UK, since it was made in 1988.

The second disc features two tracks that were recorded in Memphis, with Willie Mitchell producing. Mitchell worked with artists such as Al Green, Syl Johnsson and Ann Peebles.

My collection: 7" single no. 697
Found: Present, December 5, 1988
Cost: -
Tracks: 'Sweet little mystery' / 'I can give you everything' // Memphis sessions: 'Sweet little mystery' / 'Heaven help us all'

If only I could - Sydney Youngblood

Sydney Youngblood was born as Sydney Ford in San Antonio, Texas on December 2, 1960. In 1988 he debuted with his single 'If only I could', which became an immediate smash hit all over Europe. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

The lyric of the song speaks about a world of brotherhood and love which Youngblood would like to create - 'If only I could'. It was a positive message that doesn't come across very often in dance songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 1074
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'If only I could' / 'Spooky (instrumental)'

Make me smile (Come up and see me) - Cockney Rebel

Steve Harley from Cockney Rebel explained in a 2002 interview that the lyric of 'Make me smile (Come up and see me)' was vindictively directed at former band members, whom he felt had abandoned him. The acoustic guitar solo was originally a sound-check warm-up by Jim Cregan that was captured on tape and later used when it was realised it added to the song. It was included on the band's 1975 album 'The best years of our lives' and released as a single that same year.

It became the band's biggest hits, selling over one million copies worldwide, topping the UK and Irish singles chart and reaching number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was covered by, amongst others, Duran Duran and Erasure.

My collection: 7" single no. 1041
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Make me smile (Come up and see me)' / 'Another journey'

From a river to a sea - Private Lives

It's a mystery to me why this single didn't do better in the Eighties. Released in 1984, Private Lives' 'From a river to a sea' is a beautiful track, driven by a catchy guitar hook and fiery backing vocals. John Adams' voice shines like a diamond and the whole thing is just delicious.

Private Lives only managed one hit, 'Living in a world (turned upside down)', and even that one didn't reach the higher regions of the UK singles chart. Something really went wrong back then...

My collection: 7" single no. 1833
Found: Record palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'From a river to a sea' / 'Because you're young'

This wheel's on fire - Siouxie and the Banshees

'This wheel's on fire' was originally written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko. Dylan and The Band recorded it in 1967, a recording that finally surfaced in 1975 on the album 'The basement tapes'. In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity became a top 5 hit in the UK.

In 1987, Siouxie and the Banshees recorded another cover version of the song for their album 'Through the looking glass', which consisted entirely of covers. Released as the first single from that album, it climbed to number 14 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2690
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'This wheel's on fire' / 'Shooting sun'

NRG - Adamski

This single ended up in my collection because I found it in the sleeve of an LP I bought. I don't remember which LP. A free single, oh well, that's always good, I must have thought. Except maybe it isn't.

'NRG' was actually Adamski's debut single, released in 1990. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart. As you can see, the cover of the single features a mocked up Lucozade bottle with the 'lucozade' words replaced with 'N-R-G'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2184
Found: London, September 28, 1994
Cost: 0,00
Tracks: 'NRG' / 'I love teknology'

Abba-esque EP - Erasure

Vince Clarke and Andy Bell have always been big fans of Abba, and so they decided in 1992 to record the 'Abba-esque' EP. It was originally intended to become a full album, but that plan was finally aborted. The EP features four covers of Abba songs, of which 'Lay all your love on me' and 'Take a chance on me' received the most airplay.

The EP became Erasure's first UK number 1, while it also reached number 2 in Germany and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1670
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me', 'SOS' / 'Take a chance on me', 'Voulez-vous'

Hold me in your arms - Rick Astley

Rick Astley himself wrote 'Hold me in your arms' as well as the B-side of ths single. Although he made a name for himself with dance songs, this single was a ballad. It was released as the second single from Astley's second album of the same name. Contrary to previous singles, which were all produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, this one was produced by SAW-associates Phil Harding and Ian Curnow.

The single managed to reach number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 754
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold me in your arms' / 'I don't want to be your lover'

Reach out I'll be there - Four Tops

The 88 remix of 'Reach out I'll be there' was on this blog earlier, but I almost forgot that I have the original version of the song as well. I bought it somewhere in London, although it didn't come in any original sleeve.

The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966, when it was originally released. It was equally successful in the UK singles chart, but only reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. It has since become one of those indestructible Motown classics.

My collection: 7" single no. 1066
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Reach out, I'll be there' / 'Standing in the shadows of love'

Love pains - Yvonne Elliman

The disco song 'Love pains' was written by Michael Price, Dan Walsh and Steve Barri and was recorded by Yvonne Elliman in 1979. It gave her a hit in the USA, peaking at number 34 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 19.

The single featured both a 4'15 edit and an extended version, clocking in at 5'45. The song was covered by Liza Minelli in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 1982
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love pains' / 'Love pains [extended]'

No myth - Michael Penn

Michael Penn was born on August 1, 1958. His brother is the actor Sean Penn, who was married to Madonna for some time. 'No myth' was his debut single, released in late 1989. It became his first and only top 40 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 13. The single did not chart in Europe.

After only a few solo albums, Penn moved into movie scores, recording music for movies like 'Boogie nights' (1997) and 'The last kiss' (2006).

My collection: 7" single no. 1453
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 18, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'No myth' / 'Big house'

The living years - Mike and the Mechanics

Mike & the Mechanics released 'The living years' as the second single from their album of the same name. According to Mike Rutherford, 'The lyrics were written by B.A. Robertson and the song is about something he went through. He lost his Dad and it's about the lack of communication between him and his father before he died. There's also the irony of him having a baby just after losing his father. I had exactly the same thing happen to me at the same time, so it meant a lot to me too.'

The single reached number 1 in Canada and the USA and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, it reached number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 725
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 28, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The living years' / 'Too many friends'

More than I can say - Leo Sayer

'More than I can say' was written by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison, who recorded it with their bad The Crickets in 1959 soon after Buddy Holly, whose backing band they were originally, died. The single was released in 1960 and became a hit for them.

Leo Sayer recorded his cover version of the song in 1980. Sayer commented later that while he was looking for an 'oldie' to record for his album 'Living in a fantasy', he saw a TV commercial for a greatest hits collection by Bobby Vee (who recorded a cover version of the song in 1961) and chose the song on the spot: 'We went into a record store that afternoon, bought the record and had the song recorded that night'. It turned out to be a good choice: the single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, and also peaked at number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1151
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'More than I can say' / 'Only fooling'

Hiroshima - Sandra

'Hiroshima' was originally recorded by the band Wishful Thinking. Sandra recorded her cover version as a track on her fourth album 'Paintings in yellow'. It was released as its first single in 1989.

Sandra's version reached number 4 in three different countries: Germany, Israel and Switzerland. Additionally, it peaked at number 16 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2095
Found: Record fair, April 16, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hiroshima' / 'La vista de luna'

Lords of the new church - Tasmin Archer

The lyrics of 'Lords of the new church' are not primarily religious. Tasmin Archer commented about the song: 'It's about the modern breed of politicians and it was written in the very early Nineties even before things became has bad as they are now.'

The song was released as the third single from Archer's debut album 'Great expectations'. Released in May 1993, it did not perform as well as previous releases from Archer. Although it debuted inside the UK top 40 unlike previous releases, it stalled at number 26 and completely dropped off of the charts three weeks later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2388
Found: Newcastle, July 5, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Lords of the new church' / 'Hero'

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do - Abba

Personally I was never too fond of this Abba track. The most amusing thing about it was the title. The song was written by band members Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and their manager Stig Anderson.

The song's release came shortly after their previous single, 'So long', performed disappointingly in terms of charts and sales. (Although the B-side of 'I do, I do, I do, I do, I do' was 'Rock me' in most cases, this Dutch pressing has 'So long' as the B-side.) After the success of 'Waterloo', Abba were having difficulty establishing themselves as an act with longevity. 'I do, I do, I do, I do, I do' became a significant improvement on the international charts. It peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 1862
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 30, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I do, I do, I do, I do, I do' / 'So long'

België - Het Goede Doel

Most people in the Netherlands remember the song 'België' ('Belgium') by het Goede Doel. The song asks that eternal question: 'Where can I go? / I can't go to Germany / They are so stern / Where can I go? / I can't go to China / They act so scary there'. An English version actually exists, it was released as 'Luxembourg' in 1984. However, that one lost a lot of its edge in translation.

'België' was the band's biggest hit, peaking at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The track was also quite lengthy, clocking in at 6'20.

My collection: 7" single no. 3766
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'België' / 'Vechten'

Is it a crime - Sade

I think 'Is it a crime' is Sade's 'Bohemian rhapsody', in that it features a few different pieces of music, once loud, then more intimate. The dynamic range of this song is quite unbelievable, although the style is unmistakably Sade.

'Is it a crime' was the second single from Sade's 1985 album 'Promise'. It wasn't a big hit, peaking at number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. The highest placing was in Ireland, where it reached number 21.

My collection: 7" single no. 364
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Is it a crime' / 'Punch drunk'

Money love - Neneh Cherry

'Money love' was the first single from Neneh Cherry's second album 'Homebrew'. Both the single and the album disappointed in commercial terms: after the multimillonselling 'Raw like Sushi', everyone involved expected more of the chart performance of both.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought the single at discount price after it left the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1788
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, Nvoember 14, 1992
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Money love' / 'Twisted'

A hard rain's a gonna fall - Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

'A hard rain's a gonna fall' was originally written by Bob Dylan in the summer of 1962. He recorded it in December of that year for his second album 'The freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. Some people have suggested that the refrain of the song refers to nuclear fallout, however Dylan disputes that this was a specific reference. Dylan responded to this in 1963: 'No, it's not [about] atomic rain, it's just a hard rain. It isn't the fallout rain. I mean some sort of end that's just gotta happen... In the last verse, when I say, 'the pellets of poison are flooding the waters', that means all the lies that people get told on their radios and in their newspapers.'

Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians recorded a cover version of the song in 1989 for the soundtrack of the Oliver Stone movie 'Born on the fourth of July'. Their version was released as a single, which did not chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 1194
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 14, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'A hard rain's a gonna fall' / 'The early days, Massapequa, 1957' (John Williams)

Too late for goodbyes - Julian Lennon

Purists will probably hate me for writing this, but I think this is what John Lennon might have sounded like if he'd still lived in the Eighties. I remember being thrown when I first heard this song. Julian Lennon, the son of John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, debuted in 1984 with the album 'Valotte', with 'Too late for goodbyes' being his debut single. The harmonica in this song was played by Jean 'Toots' Thielemans.

The single peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart, reaching number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1679
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Too late for goodbyes' / 'Well I don't know'

Freeze frame - J. Geils Band

The J. Geils Band found commercial success in 1981 when they released the album 'Freeze frame'. The biggest hit from that album was the single 'Centerfold', but the title track, released as the next single, was also a success.

'Freeze frame' reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2757
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Freeze Frame' / 'Rage in the cage'

Skin deep - The Stranglers

The Stranglers released the album 'Aural sculpture' in 1984. It was recorded in Brussels with Laurie Latham and the band producing. The biggest hit from the album was 'Skin deep', released as its first single.

'Skin deep' reached number 11 in Australia and Ireland, number 15 in the UK and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1809
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 9, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Skin deep' / 'Here & there'

Ain't my beating heart - Ten Sharp

After Ten Sharp had a big hit with 'You', they released a mini-album in the Netherlands entitled 'Under the water-line'. From this mini-album, which featured 7 tracks, they released a second single, 'Ain't my beating heart'. It sounded like 'You' in a number of ways, in the sense that it was keyboard-driven and it featured the same sound overall. It was a minor success in the Netherlands, peaking at number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

This single surprised me a couple of times. First when I went to London in 1992, a year after the release of the single, and found the UK version of this single. It was actually made in Holland, but the sleeve was very different from the European one: much simpler and without a photograph of the band. (The sleeve is pictured above.)

Then, in 1997, I found the European version of 'Ain't my beating heart' - but with a bonus single containing an acoustic version of 'You'. I am sure I never saw this limited edition in Dutch shops, so I guess it was released in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1742
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Ain't my beating heart' / 'Who needs women'

My collection: 7" single no. 2804
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 4, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Ain't my beating heart' / 'Who needs women' // 'You (acoustic version)'

Solsbury hill / Games without frontiers - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel released his debut solo single in 1977, after leaving the band Genesis, of which he had been the lead singer since its inception. Gabriel actually wrote the song to explain his reasons for leaving the band. The single reached number number 13 in the UK and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

On the other side of this 'Old gold' re-release single is the 1980 single 'Games without frontiers'. This track features Kate Bush on backing vocals: she sings 'Jeux sans frontières' (It took me some years to find that out...). The lyric of the song is a critique of nationalism and war, which the song portrays as essentially childish. This single was Gabriel's second hit, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1022
Found: London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Solsbury hill' / 'Games without frontiers'

With a little love - Sam Brown

In 1990, Sam Brown released her second album 'April moon'. The album was introduced with the single 'With a little love', a nice pop song that achieved some chart success in the UK (number 23), Germany (number 52) and Australia (number 89).

The single was released in a limited edition box set, featuring a badge and four postcards. When I saw this box set in my favourite record shop at the time, I immediately claimed it. They didn't know the price yet, so I had to come back a week later to have it. It was a long week...

My collection: 7" single no. 1177
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 17, 1990
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'With a little love' / 'Window people'

Sunday Mondays - Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis released the second single from her third album in January 1993. Like its predecessor 'Be my baby', 'Sunday Mondays' was a track with a very retro feel. No wonder, since the entire album was produced by Lenny Kravitz, the king of retro. The single was a minor success, reaching number 41 in France, number 49 in the UK and number 28 in the Netherlands.

As far as I know, there were no further releases by Paradis on the 7" vinyl format.

My collection: 7" single no. 2356
Found: HMV, London, June 28, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Sunday Mondays' / 'I'm waiting for the man'

Lovely day (Sunshine mix) - Bill Withers

'Lovely day' was already a wellknown song in the Eighties in its original version, recorded by Bill Withers in 1977. For a long time, Withers held the record for the longest held note in the history of pop, for he sings one note towards the end of the song for 18 seconds. The record was only broken in 2000, when A-ha recorded 'Summer moved on', in which lead singer Morten Harkets holds a note for 20 seconds.

Anyway - when Dutch DJ and remixer Ben Liebrand made his 'Sunshine mix' of 'Lovely day', it became an even bigger hit than the original in the Netherlands. Where the song reached number 24 in 1977, in 1988 it reached number 4. In the UK, this remix reached the same position, although in 1977 the original made number 7 there.

My collection: 7" single no. 669
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 22, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lovely day (Sunshine mix)' / 'Lovely day'

Every heartbeat - Amy Grant

I can't help it, but I am still suspicious when I listen to any song by Amy Grant. Since she started out as a Christian music performer, I'm always afraid she is secretly trying to brainwash the listener (in this case, me) and getting them to convert to the Christian faith. Take the lyric of 'Every heartbeat' for instance: 'No exception to this rule / I’m simple but I’m no fool / I’ve got a witness happy to say / Every hour, every day'. A witness? What witness? You don't mean God, do you? 'Every heartbeat bears your name / Loud and clear they stake my claim / My red blood runs true blue / And every heartbeat belongs to you'. There she goes again... She's talking about God, isn't she?

Well, maybe I'm paranoid and it's really just a nice little lovesong. That's what I prefer to believe anyway. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2179
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Every heartbeat (7" Heart and soul mix)' / 'Every heartbeat (7" Body and soul mix)'

Sentinel (Single restructure) - Mike Oldfield

With 'Sentinel', Mike Oldfield introduced his album 'Tubular bells II' to the world. The single was a remixed version of a track on the album, produced by Trevor Horn, Mike Oldfield and Tom Newman. It was the most successful single from the album, peaking at number 10 in the UK singles chart.

A remix cd-single appeared at the same time as this vinyl single, featuring three spacey versions of 'Sentinel' by the Orb. I didn't know this cd-single existed until very recently - so I bought it on eBay. That's how it goes these days - for this 7" single I had to fly to London. (Well, not only for this single, but you know what I mean.)

My collection: 7" single no. 1775
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 21, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sentinel (Single restructure)' / 'Early stages'

Most of all - Jody Watley

I think this song is my favourite Jody Watley track. The sad lyrics are not at all reflected in the bouncy, poppy song and the uplifting melody. It's great fun to sing along to this one, whether you're up or down.

Not many people agreed with me, it seems: the single was the least successful from Jody Watley's debut album. The single stalled at number 60 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and did not chart in Europe. This German edition of the single comes in a poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2154
Found: Leiden, September 3, 1994
Cost: 1,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Most of all' / 'Some kind of lover (instrumental)'

Thuis ben - Hans de Booy

The English equivalent for the title 'Thuis ben', a song in Dutch by Hans de Booy, is 'Am home'. Not a very pretty title, but according to the singer at the time, it was the only good choice for the song, as these two words kept recurring in the lyric.

The single gave De Booy his second and last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 7 in January 1984. He kept writing and recording material, but subsequent records failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 223
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Thuis ben' / 'St. Mère Église'

Could it be I'm falling in love - David Grant and Jaki Graham

'Could it be I'm falling in love' was originally recorded in 1972 by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners (known as 'Detroit Spinners' in the UK).

David Grant & Jaki Graham recorded the song in 1985 and reached number 5 on the UK singles chart. This was such a big success for the two, that they decided to record another duet later that year, entitled 'Mated'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2875
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Could it be I'm falling in love' / 'Turn around'

These dreams - Heart

My photographic memory does not really help when a song is released in two different sleeves. But in this case, I ended up buying two different singles from two different countries with two different B-sides. The European edition (pictured above) features 'All eyes', whereas the UK edition (pictured below) features 'Shell shock'. Both tracks are taken, like the A-side, from Heart's 1985 self-titled album.

'These dreams' was dedicated (on the album) to Nancy Wilson's good friend Sharon Hess, who died of leukemia shortly before the song was made. The lyrics of the song describe the fantasy world a person enters when faced with a difficult situation in real life. The final verse seemingly suggests that, moments before awakening, what one desires the most is exactly that which is out of reach in a dream: 'In a wood full of princes, freedom is a kiss / But the prince hides his face from dreams in the mist'.

The song was written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin. It was first offered to Stevie Nicks, but she had no interest in recording the track. Heart were more impressed, and decided to record it. When it came time for Nancy Wilson to record her vocal, she was suffering from a cold and her voice sounded somewhat raspy and gravelly. After the song reached its peak of success, producers reportedly wanted Nancy to recreate the gravelly sound on future recordings, asking her, 'Can't you just get sick again?'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2302
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'These dreams' / 'All eyes'

My collection: 7" single no. 2696
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1,6 pounds
Tracks: 'These dreams' / 'Shell shock'

For you only - Alison Moyet

'For you only' was re-recorded for a single release that only took place in some European countries. It was the fourth single from Alison Moyet's debut album 'Alf', released after the non-album single 'That ole devil called love'.

It's hard to find any more information about this single, all I know is that it didn't chart in the UK and the Netherlands. Perhaps it did in some other countries, but it wasn't the biggest hit in Moyet's career at any rate.

My collection: 7" single no. 3482
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For you only (new version)' / 'Twisting the knife'

Kissing a fool - George Michael

'Kissing a fool' was written by George Michael about his insecurities as a soulmate and partner because of the baggage and reputation with which he came. The song was released as the sixth and final single from his debut album 'Faith'.

It was also the least successful, reaching number 18 in the UK singles chart and becoming the first single in five not to make number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but number 5. In the Netherlands, the single went to number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 728
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 28, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Kissing a fool' / 'Kissing a fool (instrumental)'

Tired of sleeping - Suzanne Vega

Although I was not impressed with Suzanne Vega's initial material ('Marlene on the wall' bored me to tears) her later work was quite great. Her third album 'Days of open hand' (1990) contained the first single by her I ever bought: 'Tired of sleeping'. With slow, slightly seductive vocals and a beautiful melody, this song landed right in my list of favourites of the year.

My opinion went in against the general opinion at the time: the single did not chart in most territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1351
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 28, 1990
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Tired of sleeping' / 'These whole girls (Run in grace)'

Rent - Pet Shop Boys

The lyric of 'Rent' concerns a financialy one-sided relationship, i.e. that of a kept man. It was the third single from the Pet Shop Boys' album 'Actually'. The B-side 'I want a dog' was inspired by their friend Peter Andreas who said one day 'I want a dog, a chihuahua. I've only got a small flat'. This inspired Neil Tennant, who wrote the lyric for the song.

The single peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" snigle no. 1042
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rent' / 'I want a dog'

Don't you (forget about me) - Simple Minds

'Don't you (forget about me)' was released in April 1985 and made a big impression on me right away. I loved the song, and the fact that my record shop was selling it cheaply for one week only meant that I had it even before it charted. It's a purchase I regretted for a long time, because the song was played so often and became such a big hit that I didn't play the single for years on end.

The song was written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff for the soundtrack of the movie 'The breakfast club'. Forsey asked both Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol to record the song, but both declined, although Idol would later perform a cover of it on his 2001 greatest hits compilation. Schiff then suggested the Simple Minds, who initially refused as well, but then were persuaded by their record company to do it. The band reportedly rearranged and recorded 'Don’t you (forget about me)' in three hours in a north London studio and promptly forgot about it'.

The single reached number 1 in the USA, Canada and the Netherlands, while in the UK it reached number 7. Despite its success, the band continued to dismiss the song; the most obvious slight being its absence from their subsequent album 'Once upon a time'. It finally appeared on their 1992 compilation album 'Glittering prize 81/92'.

My collection: 7" single no. 282
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, April 1985
Cost: 4,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't you (forget about me)' / 'A brass band in Africa'