Because you're young - Private lives

This single from 1982 features an early version of the track 'Because you're young' by the then-unknown group Private Lives. The sleeve only added to the mystery: there was no photograph of its members anywhere. A listing of names on the back of the sleeve reveals that Private Lives consisted of John Adams, Steve Harvey, Brother James, Rick Lane, John Reid and Bobby Valentino. Session musicians Paul Harvey and Gary Barnacle appeared on this track as well.

The single did not reach the charts, but the track would resurface in 1984 as a re-recorded B-side of the single 'From a river to a sea'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2953
Found: Record fair, February 7, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Because you're young' / 'Because you're young (instrumental)'

Future love paradise - Seal

Entitled the Future Love EP, this 7" single actually is not an EP, as EP's usually feature more than two tracks. Apparently the UK version of this single did feature three tracks, but as always, European buyers were ripped off.

It was the second single from Seal's 1991 self-titled debut album. It reached the top 10 in Ireland, Norway and Switzerland, whereas it peaked at number 6 in the Netherlands and number 12 in the UK singles chart. 'Violet' is a beautiful acoustic version of the track that appears on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1432
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Future love paradise' / 'Violet'

Alone - Heart

'Alone' was composed by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was first recorded in 1983 by Steinberg and Kelly's pet project, I-Ten, on the album 'Taking a cold look'. Heart recorded it in 1987 on their album 'Bad animals'. It was released as the first single from that album. It became their biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart.

In 2007, disaster struck. Canadian shrieking witch Celine Dion recorded a cover version of this great song, shattering eardrums wherever her version was played. Her cold, metallic voice cut right through any sense of beauty. Thankfully, we still have Heart's version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1715
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Alone' / 'Barracuda (live)'

Freedom - George Michael

George Michael wrote the song 'Freedom '90' almost as a small autobiography. It described his fame and fortune in the early days with Wham!. The song was initially perceived to be describing Michael's effort to break free from his publishing contract with Sony Music. However, as Michael's sexuality came to light a few years later, the song became equally recognized as a one that describes the struggles of being a homosexual in the closet. The ''90' added to the end of the title is to prevent confusion with a Wham! song also titled 'Freedom'.

While still refusing to appear in music videos, a music video was directed by David Fincher, featuring a number of supermodels, including Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford, who mouthed the words. It also featured the destruction of various symbols of Michael's past, including the famous guitar, jukebox, and leather jacket of the 'Faith' era. The single was rewarded with a number 1 in Japan, peaking at number 28 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3257
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Freedom '90' / 'Freedom '90 (Back to reality mix)'

Rockit - Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock's 'Rockit' is one of many instrumental tracks released as a single in the Eighties. It stood out because of the groundbreaking music video directed by Godley & Creme, featuring robot-like sculptures by Jim Whiting moving in time to the music in a seemingly perpetuum mobile.

Featuring scratch sounds and synthesizers, it was very much of its time, but also a track that has stood the test of time. It was a big hit in Europe, peaking at number 7 in the Netherlands and Austria, number 10 in Sweden and number 4 in Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 1603
Found: March 28, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Rockit' / 'Rockit (album version)'

Straight lines - New Musik

In 1980, CBS Records released the 'NU Disk' series of records on the Epic label. While they were similar to EP's, since both formats contained more than two tracks. EPs were usually on 7″ vinyl, and played at 45rpm. NU Disks were on 10″ vinyl, and they played at 33 1/3 rpm! For the most part, NU Disks were by New Wave synth-pop bands.

'Straight lines' by New Musik is a good example of that. Their NU Disk contained three album tracks (from their album 'From A to B', also released in 1980) plus the 'B-side' track 'Sad films'.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Straight lines', 'On islands' / 'Living by numbers', 'Sad films'

Give up your guns - The Buoys

Bill Kelly, Fran Brozena, Jerry Hludzik, Carl Siracuse, Chris Hanlon and Sally Rosoff formed the Buoys in the early Seventies. The band was based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Songwriter Rupert Holmes wrote their first hit 'Timothy' in 1971 and selected the Buoys to record this song himself.

The follow-up single 'Give up your guns', a narrative featuring an escaped bank robber. The single has the distinction of becoming a top 10 hit twice: it reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1972, then reached number 8 in the summer of 1979.

My collection: 7" single no. 376
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Give up your guns' / 'The prince of thieves'

I drove all night - Cyndi Lauper

'I drove all night' was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison. He first recorded the song in 1987, but it was only released in 1992, after it was a top 10 hit for Cyndi Lauper in 1989.

Lauper recorded the track for her third solo album 'A night to remember'. The single reached number 6 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 876
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 10, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I drove all night' / 'Maybe he'll know'

Never as good as the first time - Sade

I'm glad to say that my collection of Sade singles also contains some rarities. Some of them have already been featured on this blog - and here's another one. 'Never as good as the first time' was the third single from Sade's second album 'Promise' and while it was re-recorded for the single release, this Spanish promo contains the album version of the track.

What's more, it is a one-sided disc. Although the B-side does have a label, there is no groove pressed on it. The sleeve features the Spanish tour dates and a photograph that is not used on the regular sleeve of the single. Quite the collector's item!

My collection: 7" single no. 3268
Found: October 22, 2000
Cost: ?
Tracks: 'Never as good as the first time'

I want that man - Deborah Harry

After having been in the band Blondie for years, Debbie Harry recorded her first solo album 'Kookoo' in 1981. The band then regrouped briefly, before disbanding in 1983. Six years later, Harry released her second solo album 'Def dumb and blonde'.

'I want that man' was the first single taken from that album. Produced by Tom Bailey (ex-Thompson Twins) and Eric "E.T." Thorngren, the single sounded more poppy than any of her previous work, either with or without the band Blondie. She was rewarded with a number 13 peak position in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1057
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I want that man' / 'Bike boy'

Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann - Nena

Nena released the original version of 'Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann' in 1984. It was the first single from their 1985 album 'Feuer und Flamme', released a year later. After two previous singles failed to reach the German top 10, this one shot up to number 3, shuffling the band right back into the limelight again.

This 12" single features an extended mix of the track. It would be translated into English by Lisa Dalbello as 'Anyplace, anywhere, anytime' that same year, recorded on the band's 1985 English album 'It's all in the game'. In 2003, Nena had a hit with that track when she re-recorded it with Kim Wilde.

My collection: 12" single no. 330
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann' / 'Ganz oben (live)', 'Der bus is' schon weg (live)'

Drag me down - The Boomtown Rats

'Drag me down' was a single by the Boomtown rats, released in 1984, shortly before lead singer Bob Geldof became a charity celebrity, writing 'Do they know it's Christmas' for Band Aid and organising Live Aid a year later.

It was a good career move for Geldof, as 'Drag me down' was the last chart hit for the Boomtown Rats, stalling at number 50 in May 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 4052
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Drag me down' / 'An icicle in the sun'

Dreamers - David Soul

'Dreamers' is a David Soul single from 1981. The track was taken from his album 'The best days of my life', although, it has to be said, those days were already a few years behind him. He performed one of the title roles of the television series 'Starsky & Hutch' between 1975 and 1979, and his biggest hits 'Don't give up on us' and 'Going in with my eyes open' charted in 1976 and 1977 respectively.

'Dreamers' is a bit of a middle of the road affair, which didn't give him the chart success he must have been hoping for.

My collection: 7" single no. 4051
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dreamers' / 'That's enough for me'

Without you - Chaz Jankel

'Without you' was a single by Chaz Jankel released in 1982. I never heard the track back then, which is not surprising since it didn't chart. Still, it is quite a great song, in the mould of other Chaz Jankel tracks. As an added bonus, the B-side is a dub version of his earlier single 'Questionnaire'.

What's funny about this single (and two others I bought the same day) is that it comes from the stock of Disco Market, the shop where I bought loads of singles between 1975 and 2002. I recognized it from the '1' written on the right hand corner on the back of the sleeve - indicating that this single once cost 1 guilder.

My collection: 7" single no. 4050
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Without you' / 'Rêve de chèvre'

Secret love - Bee Gees

I thought I couldn't go wrong with a Bee Gees single when I bought this despite the fact that I didn't know the song. But I was wrong. The Gibb brothers don't sound particularly inspired on this single, 'Secret love'. It is taken from their 1991 album 'High civilization', which is not usually recognised as an artistic high in their career.

'Secret love' reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. I don't know why. Maybe it's the B-side...

My collection: 7" single no. 4049
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Secret love' / 'True confessions'

Why don't you do it? - Gilla

After two German-language singles, Gilla recorded the singles 'Do you want to sleep with me' and 'Tu es' in 1975. The third and last single of that year by Gilla was this one, 'Why don't you do it?', a track that sounded not unlike Boney M's 'Do you wanna bump?'. And that is not surprising, since both Gilla and Boney M were produced by Frank Farian.

Another great track is the B-side, in which Gilla declares to an unnamed gentleman that she wants to have a 'Baby of love' with him. I'm not even sure if that is good English...

My collection: 7" single no. 4048
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Why don't you do it?' / 'A baby of love'

Target practice - Belouis Some

'Target practice' was the debut single of Belouis Some, released in 1984. The B-side of this single, 'Some people' became a club hit and also the title track of his debut album, released in 1985. Meanwhile, 'Target practice' did not chart in any territory.

Belouis Some would go on to have two hits in 1985 and 1986, then disappear from the music business in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4047
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Target practice' / 'Some people'

Friends - Jody Watley

'Friends' was the second single from Jody Watley's second album, 'Larger Than Life'. Unfortunately, she decided to collaborate on this track with rappers Eric B & Rakim, who detracted from what could have been an excellent pop track. Their vague mumblings are thrown into the middle of the song, like a garbage truck in a flowerbed.

Still, in the USA, the single peaked at number 9 in the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single reached number 21 and in the Dutch Top 40, it stalled at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 4046
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Friends' / 'Private life'

Peter Gunn - Art of Noise

The theme from 'Peter Gunn' (an American television series from the late Fifties) was originally played by Henry Mancini and his orchestra. Several cover versions of the track exist, including ones by Elvis Presley, Quincy Jones and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

This 1986 version by Art of Noise featuring Duane Eddy on guitar was awarded with a Grammy in 1987. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4045
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Peter Gunn' / 'Something always happens'

Ti-na-na - Huang Chung

Huang Chung consisted of Jeremy Ryder, Nick Feldman, Darren Costin and Dave Burnand in 1982, when their debut album 'Huang Chung' was released. The second single from the album was 'Ti-na-na', a lightweight poppy track. Like their earlier efforts, the single didn't chart in any territory.

I didn't know this track when I bought the single, but it was still a good buy: both the A-side and the B-side are very good tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 4044
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ti-na-na' / 'I can't sleep'

You're gonna like it - The President

After the Dutch rock band Diesel folded, band member Pim Koopmans formed The President in 1984 together with Okkie Huysdens. Their debut single 'You're gonna like it' was released in April 1984, and was taken from the album 'By appointment of'. It narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40.

When I bought my new record player last Monday, a vintage Technics, it was demonstrated in the shop with an old compilation LP. 'You're gonna like it' was playing and I liked the sound of it - although I never did back in 1984. Seeing this single in a shop yesterday was such a strange coincidence that I bought it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 4043
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, September 19, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You're gonna like it' / 'Don't put me on hold'

Messages - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Messages' is the third single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The single provided OMD with their first top 40 hit in the UK, reaching number 13. In the Netherlands, the single narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40.

A rerecorded version of 'Messages' appears on OMD's debut album. The B-side 'Taking sides again' is an instrumental dub version of 'Messages'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2761
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Messages' / 'Taking sides again'

Diary - Bread

Bread became famous with their guitar-based romantic ballads, of which 'Diary' was one. Released in 1972, the single went top 20 in the USA, but did not chart in Europe. Only a few singles by Bread made the charts in Europe.

Despite the band's success, tensions existed between band members David Gates and Jimmy Griffin. All eleven of Bread's charting singles between 1970 and 1973 had been written and sung by Gates. Elektra Records had invariably selected Gates' songs for the A-sides of the singles, while Griffin felt that the singles should have been split between the two of them. It eventually led to the disbanding of Bread in 1974.

My collection: 7" single no. 1562
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Diary' / 'Down on my knees'

Matador - Garland Jeffreys

Garland Jeffreys was born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York. In 1980 he had the biggest hit of his career in the Netherlands with 'Matador', a track featuring a mariachi band and quite funky music. The track was taken from his 1979 album 'American boy & girl'. Both the single and the album had been rejected by his American record company.

The single reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. After this, the American record company was suddenly interested in Jeffreys' work again...

My collection: 7" single no. 1815
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 4, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Matador' / 'American boy & girl'

Domino dancing - Pet Shop Boys

'Domino dancing' was written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, and influenced by Latin pop. The song was recorded in Miami with a considerably large number of studio musicians for a Pet Shop Boys song. Public reception to the duo's new Latin sound proved disappointing. Tennant remembers: 'It entered the charts at number nine and I thought, 'that's that, then - it's all over'. I knew then that our imperial phase of number one hits was over.'

The single reached number 18 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 7 in both the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1981
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Domino dancing' / 'Don Juan'

Sunday bloody Sunday - U2

'Sunday bloody Sunday' is a track from U2's 1983 album 'War'. It was originally released as the album's third single in March 1983. However, this copy comes from 1985, when it was re-released after the success of 'The unforgettable fire' in the Netherlands.

It is one of U2's most overtly political songs, its lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, mainly focusing on the Bloody Sunday incident in Derry where British troops shot and killed civil rights marchers. This re-released reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 in October 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 332
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sunday bloody Sunday' / 'Endless deep'

Mandinka - Sinéad O'Connor

'Mandinka' was the second single taken from Sinéad O'Connor's debut album 'The lion and the cobra'. This single, released in early 1988, featured another album track, 'Drink before the war' on the B-side.

It was the only single from the album to chart in the UK, peaking at number 17. In the Netherlands, it performed worse in the charts than its predecessor, 'Troy', peaking at number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 2533
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Mandinka' / 'Drink before the war'

I love your smile - Shanice

'I love your smile' was released as the first single from Shanice Wilson's 1992 album 'Inner child'. The song features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis. Shanice actually says 'Blow, Branford, Blow' during the solo. Janet Jackson and René Elizondo can be heard laughing at the end of the song.

The single reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, whereas in the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 1. It is the most successful hit of Shanice's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 1555
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I love your smile (radio version)' / 'I love your smile (instrumental)'

Love the life - Bass Culture featuring Gina G

This promotional double 12" single was a steal at 1 pound. I found it during a holiday in London. I was already familiar with Gina G, so I was a bit intrigued what this track would be like. According to the promo sheet enclosed in this set, 'Bass Culture exploded onto the international music scene in the early Nineties with their debut single 'Love the life' establishing them as Australia's leading dance outfit. The track featuring Gina G of 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit' fame, was the first in a string of successful singles for the band.'

Well, in Australia maybe, but in Europe no-one had heard of Bass Culture. And they never would, because they wouldn't reach the UK singles chart with this release either.

My collection: 12" single no. 310
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love the life (Club mix)', 'Love the life (radio edit)' / 'Love the life (Hard life mix)' // 'Love the life (Pee Wee's mix)' / 'Love the life (Ivan Gough's mix)'

Outer space girl - The Beloved

On my way to Haaksbergen last Monday I had the album 'Conscience' by the Beloved on my iPod. It surprised me that this album from 1993 still sounded so great. It's uplifting music, that will work whether your mood is good or bad.

'Outer space girl' was the third single lifted from the album. For a long time I thought it was also the last single, but it seems that the track 'Rock to the rhythm of love' was released as a fourth single - although I'm not sure if a 7" single exists. So far, all I've seen are promotional 12" singles on eBay. 'Outer space girl' reached number 38 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1992
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Outer space girl' / 'Outer space girl (Space Hopper mix)'

What's the colour of money? - Hollywood Beyond

Hollywood Beyond was basically a one-man band, consisting of Birmingham-based singer-songwriter Mark Rogers. The first single issed under the Hollywood Beyond name was 'What's the colour of money', an instant hit in Europe, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1986.

The song also hit number 21 in Germany, number 14 in Switzerland and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was featured on Hollywood Beyond's debut album 'If', released in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2880
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What's the colour of money?' / 'Hollywood Beyond'

If it's alright with you baby - The Korgis

The Korgis released 'If it's alright with you baby' in 1980 as the second single from their second album 'Dumb waiters'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, omitting a few synthesizer sounds in the musical break in the middle of the song.

The single reached number 56 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a slightly disappointing chart performance after the top 10 hit 'Everybody's got to learn sometimes'.

My collection: 7" single no. 808
Found: All that music, Leiden, May 5, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it's alright with you baby' / 'Love ain't too far away'

Schoolgirl - Kim Wilde

'Schoolgirl' was released in the summer of 1986 as the first single from Kim Wilde's fifth studio album 'Another step'. The song was written shortly after the Chernobyl disaster by Kim Wilde herself, marking the first time that a song co-written by her was released as a single. Produced by her brother Ricki Wilde and German producer Reinhold Heil (who'd previously worked with Nena, amongst others), the single was released in Europe and Australia only.

The single reached number 7 in the Danish chart and number 38 in Germany. In other territories, the single didn't chart, prompting the UK record company to skip this single altogether and choose another track as the first single from the album: 'You keep me hangin' on'.

My collection: 7" single no. 415
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, June 19, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Schoolgirl' / 'Songs about love'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Simon Climie and Rob Fisher formed Climie Fisher in 1986. They recorded 'Rise to the occasion' a year later. The original version, featured here on this single, is a glossy pop ballad. This version did not reach the charts.

Sensing a commercial opportunity, they had the track remixed, making it sound more like a hiphop record. Artistically this was reprehensible, but they did score a number 1 hit with it in the Netherlands and South Africa. Obviously, I still prefer this 'angry niggaz'-free version.

My collection: 7" single no. 616
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion' / 'Mental block'

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track of Alphaville's 1984 debut album. It became the group's highest charting hit in Europe. It reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

Since its release, it has been covered by numerous other acts, such as Laura Branigan, Bushido, Karel Gott, Interactive, Paul Michiels and the Australian rock band Youth Group.

My collection: 7" single no. 2562
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young' / 'Welcome to the sun'

Love bites - Def Leppard

It's easy to discard Def Leppard for their cliched Eighties rock songs, their hairstyle and their lyrics. There's nothing innovative in there, it's all been done numerous times by other rock bands. And yet, they've been at it since 1977 and they're still touring. There must be something to it then.

'Love bites' is the only Def Leppard single I own, and that will probably not change. I didn't play it much, although the song itself is reasonably nice. A popular rumor about the song concerns the final seconds. After the line 'If you got love in your sights / Watch out, love bites', what is seemingly heard is 'Jesus of Nazareth, go to hell'. This rumor has been refuted by the band. The line is in fact producer Mutt Lange rambling in a Yorkshire accent, to the effect of 'Yes it does, it will be hell', with the aid of a vocoder.

My collection: 7" single no. 706
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love bites' / 'Billy's got a gun (live)'

Rhythm of life - Hugh Harris

I don't think I would have had this single if I hadn't gotten it for free. I was a regular customer at Melody Maker, buying all my singles there, and one day I got this as an extra. Hugh Harris? I'd never heard of him.

Hugh Harris was born in 1964 and his song 'Rhythm of life' was featured in the movie 'Uncle Buck'. It was taken from his 1989 album 'Words for our years'. Both the single and the album did not chart. Due to serious illness Hugh withdrew from the music business. In 2002 he re-emerged with the album 'Flowers', which he'd recorded in 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 1272
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 28, 1990
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'Rhythm of life' / 'Juice (edit)'

Rhythm of life - Oleta Adams

Oleta Adams was born on May 4, 1953 in Seattle, Washington as a daughter of a preacher. She was raised with gospel music. She tried to pursue a career in music in the Seventies but her work was often rejected. In 1986, her fortunes changed when she was performing live in a bar in Kansas City. She met Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith from the band Tears for Fears. They were so impressed with her singing that they wanted her to collaborate on their 1989 album 'The seeds of love'. After this was a success, Adams signed her own record deal and released her debut album 'Circle of one'.

'Rhythm of life' was released as the album's first single, reaching number 52 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1321
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Rhythm of life' / 'Don't look too closely'

Love the one you're with - Bucks Fizz

'Love the one you're with' was originally written and performed by Stephen Stills in 1970. It was the first single from his debut solo album 'Stephen Stills'.

Since then, the track was covered numerous times by acts such as the Isley Brothers, Tight Fit, Will Young and Dennis Rollins. This 1986 cover version by Bucks Fizz was taken from their 1986 album 'Writing on the wall'. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3253
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Love the one you're with' / 'Too hard'

Real cool world - David Bowie

'Cool world' is a 1992 live action/animation movie, starring Gabriel Byrne, Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger. The story of the movie is about a cartoonist who finds himself in the animated world he created, and is seduced by one of his characters, a vamp who wants to be real. The movie got negative reviews, but I actually still want to see it. It's hard to find nowadays.

None other than David Bowie provided the title song for the movie. The track marked a reunion with Nile Rodgers, with whom Bowie recorded his 1983 album 'Let's dance'. The single is one of Bowie's hidden classics. It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart (during its one week in the chart!) and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1701
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 29, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Real cool world' / 'Real cool world (instrumental version)'

High energy - Evelyn Thomas

Evelyn Thomas was born as Ellen Lucille Thomas. She is an American singer from Chicago, Illinois, best known for her dance hit 'High energy'. It became one of the earliest hit songs within the genre of music that has become known as Hi-NRG. The song was produced and written by Ian Levine and Fiachra Trench. For some reason, it was Levine who received all the royalties for the song, and neither Trench nor Thomas ever got paid for their work.

The single reached the charts worldwide, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. Amusingly, the sleeve of this Belgian pressing is based on the sleeve of the 12" single, listing both tracks with a duration of over 7 minutes. Of course, both sides of this 7" single feature the edit of these two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3120
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'High energy' / 'High energy (Instrumental dub)'

Nightporter - Japan

So this is the 12" single of Japan's 'Nightporter', on which the track appears in its full glory. While on the 7" single the track was edited, this is the full album version which is longer and slightly more intense.

The B-side is 'Methods of dance', also taken from Japan's 1980 album 'Gentlemen take Polaroids'. Although not a huge chart hit upon its initial release in the UK (where it peaked at number 51), the album was later certified gold by the BPI in 1986 for 100,000 copies sold.

My collection: 12" single no. 238
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Nightporter' / 'Methods of dance'

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

So here's another version of Talk Talk's 1982 single 'Talk Talk'. I wrote about the single once before, but that version was a re-release. This is the original version, featuring a version of the track 'Mirror man' on the B-side.

I found this single during my very first shopping spree in London, back in 1989. I'd discovered the Music & Video Exchange shops in Notting Hill Gate: at the time, there were three different addresses all stacked with 7" vinyl records. I spent hours there, finding a lot of singles I'd been searching for years. I'd love to have those times back again sometimes: these days there aren't such big record shops anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 1006
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Talk Talk' / 'Mirror man'

If I was - Midge Ure

'If I was' was written by Midge Ure and Danny Mitchell. The track features Mark King from Level 42 on bass guitar. Ure commented about the track: 'This song is pure Danny Mitchell. I found a demo of it on a cassette Danny had sent me for his band The Messengers. I grabbed it with both hands, messed around with it, sprinkled it with fairy dust and the rest is history.'

Indeed: the single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a hit all over Europe, launching Midge Ure's solo career with a bang.

My collection: 7" single no. 736
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 9, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If I was' / 'Piano'

Nobody's diary - Yazoo

Well, at least they went out on a high. 'Nobody's diary' was Yazoo's last single release back in 1983, and it was a piece of synthpop perfected. The single became one of their biggest hits, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart.

After this, Yazoo broke up. Vince Clarke ended up, after a few short-lived projects, forming Erasure with Andy Bell, while Alison Moyet enjoyed a successful solo career. Last year they reformed for a reunion tour, and on that occasion, 'Nobody's diary' was remixed and releases as a download single.

My collection: 7" single no. 204
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Nobody's diary' / 'State farm'

Turn your back on me - Kajagoogoo

Released in the summer of 1984, 'Turn your back on me' was Kajagoogoo's last significant hit. Although it only reached number 47 in the UK singles chart, it reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 and also made number 2 in the American dance chart.

This single contains the original version of the song. It was subsequently remixed, and that version appears on most cd's nowadays.

My collection: 7" single no. 1390
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn your back on me' / 'The pump rooms of Bath'

Chance - Big Country

Big Country was formed in 1981 by Stuart Adamson, Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki in Fife, Scotland.

'Chance' was released as the fourth single from Big Country's debut album 'The crossing' in 1983. It became the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart, but also charting in the Netherlands, reaching number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 904
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Chance' / 'Tracks of my tears'

Step back in time - Kylie Minogue

'Step back in time' was released in October 1990 as the second single from Kylie Minogue's third album 'Rhythm of love'. The lyric is about how modern music can never beat the swinging disco music from the Seventies ('Remembering the old days / Remember the O'Jays').

Kylie prolongued her success in Australia and the UK with this single, reaching number 5 and 4 in the charts respectively. Although her music, still produced by UK producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman, was not radically removed from her previous output, Kylie did change her image from 'girl next door' to a more raunchy look. It did not only have positive effects: for the first time she was nominated for 'worst dressed popstar' in the teen magazines of the day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3311
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Step back in time' / 'Step back in time (instrumental)'