Newgrange - Clannad

Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú) is a passage tomb of the Brú na Bóinne complex in County Louth. It was originally built between c. 5500 and 2900 BC. It is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, and indeed the most famous of all Irish prehistoric sites.

It is also the title of this Clannad song, released as the third single from their 1982 album 'Magical ring'. It reached number 65 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2682
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Newgrange' / 'Seachràn Charn tSiail'

Adolescent sex - Japan

Taken from their debut album of the same name, 'Adolescent sex' was the first hit for Japan, reaching number 27 in the Netherlands and number 20 in Japan. The single did not chart in the UK, where it was not played on the radio because of the title.

The song sounds very different from Japan's later material, and these days many people find it hard to believe that this is actually a track sung by David Sylvian.

My collection: 7" single no. 2942
Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Adolescent sex' / 'Sometimes I feel so low'

Fight fire with fire - Mai Tai

Released in October 1987, 'Fight fire with fire' was the last single by Mai Tai to reach the Dutch Top 40. It reached number 31 during a four week chart run. The single was taken from their 1987 album 'Cool is the rule'.

In 1988, a compilation album was released, after which the members of Mai Tai went their separate ways.

My collection: 7" single no. 4091
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fight fire with fire' / 'If it don't turn you on'

Celebration - Kylie Minogue

The new single by Madonna notwithstanding, the most famous song called 'Celebration' was originally released in 1980 by Kool & the Gang, a number 1 hit in America for the band. Kylie Minogue, who cited the song as one of her alltime favourite songs, recorded for her fourth studio album 'Let's get to it' in 1991, but it was not included.

The track appeared a year later as a new song on her Greatest Hits album. Released as a single, it reached number 20 in the UK singles chart. This song was the last single Kylie made with PWL and Stock Aitken Waterman.

My collection: 7" single no. 3331
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Celebration' / 'Let's get to it'

Sounds like a melody - Alphaville

'Sounds like a melody' was the second single taken from Alphaville's debut album 'Forever young'. Released in May 1984, the single reached the top 10 all over Europe, including a number 6 position in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in Germany and Austria.

Besides this 7" single I also own the 12" single, which fortunately contains an extended version of this great song.

My collection: 7" single no. 608
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 7, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sounds like a melody' / 'The Nelson highrise (Sector one: the elevator)'

Just a dream - Nena

Not content with having a European hit with 'Nur geträumt', the German band Nena recorded the track in an English version entitled 'Just a dream'. This English version was the follow-up to '99 red balloons', the English version of her hit '99 Luftballons' which reached number 1 in the UK.

'Just a dream' did much worse in May 1984, reaching number 70 during a two week chart run. It was also the last Nena single to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3074
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Just a dream' / 'Indianer'

Just a shadow - Big Country

'Just a shadow' was the third and last single released from Big Country's third album 'Steeltown'. Like the two before, the single was only a significant success in the UK. The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart in January 1985.

Back then, Big Country singles really didn't excite me much. I took in most of my music through television and all of their music videos were very boring. It's only a few years later that I started to appreciate this song. Eventually, I bought the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1305
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Just a shadow' / 'Winter sky'

One more try - Timmy T

Time for some dodgy Nineties music now. Timmy T was born as Timmy Torres in Fresno, California on September 21, 1967. He released his biggest hit 'One more try' in 1991. The song was written and performed by Timmy himself. The inspiration for the lyric was the breakup with a girlfriend.

Nothing really shocking there. But here is comes: when you listen to this, you will hear the cheap, tinny sounds and the low production standards of the track. You would think this would have been a minor hit, but instead this track topped the charts in America and the Netherlands. Only the people in the UK were sensible: there, the single did not chart. And why did I buy it? Dunno. Must have been a blackout.

My collection: 7" single no. 1436
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 26, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'One more try' / 'What will I do'

Neverending love - Roxette

Contrary to public belief, Roxette did not debut with the single 'The look', which gave them worldwide fame. Instead, this single, 'Neverending love' was the start of their career together. Per Gessle had been a member of Gyllene Tider, a Swedish pop group, and Marie Fredriksson had a successful solo career in Sweden.

This song was originally called 'Svarta glas' and was written for another Swedish artist, Pernilla Wahlgren. She turned it down and gave it to her brother, Niclas Wahlgren, who decided to record it. This release was cancelled when Roxette's record company found out that writer Per Gessle had recorded an English version of the song with Fredriksson. 'Neverending love' was released all over Europe, but only charted in Sweden, where it reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 2963
Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Neverending love' / 'Neverending love (Love mix)'

Don't drop bombs - Liza Minelli

'Don't drop bombs' was released as the second single from Liza Minelli's 1989 album 'Results'. Like the album, the single was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelssohn. The track was written by the Pet Shop Boys and featured background vocals by Tessa Niles.

The single was a club favourite, but stalled at number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1944
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 11, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Don't drop bombs' / 'Don't drop bombs (instrumental)'

The lovers are losing - Keane

'The lovers are losing' was the second single taken from Keane's 2008 album 'Perfect symmetry'. It was released in October 2008.

Despite being the first physical release taken from the album ('Spiralling' was released as a digital download only in the UK), the single only reached number 52 in the UK singles chart. It had a three week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 3517
Found: eBay.com, received December 30, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The lovers are losing' / 'Time to go'

Jack is back - Earth and Fire

The second single from Earth & Fire's 1982 album 'In a state of flux' was the radiofriendly 'Jack is back', an unpretentious pop song from the band that had slowly moved away from their progressive rock roots.

The single reached number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Although all three singles from 'In a state of flux' reached the Dutch Top 40, it was also the last album by the band - until a reunion album in 1989, that is.

My collection: 7" single no. 430
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Jack is back' / 'Hide away'

I just can't help it - The Korgis

Released in 1980, 'I just can't help it' was the Korgis' fourth single release. Their debut single 'Young 'n Russian' was released twice without chart success, whereas their second single 'If I had you' gave them their first chart success.

'I just can't help it' was remixed for the single release, but it didn't help matters much: the single didn't reach the UK singles chart. Their next single would be the biggest hit of their career: 'Everybody's gotta learn sometimes'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2899
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'I just can't help it' / 'O Maxine'

I want your (hands on me) - Sinéad O'Connor

'I want your (hands on me)' was already not the strongest track on Sinéad O'Connor's debut album 'The lion and the cobra', but the single version, released in the spring of 1988, had the added bonus of a rap by a certain MC Lyte. And as you well know, rapping is the worst kind of self-expression.

I wasn't going to buy this single at first, until I noticed the B-side contained a live version of 'Just call me Joe', recorded during a BBC Radio One session in 1987. Okay, so the B-side was better than the A-side this time around... The single reached number 77 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2546
Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I want your (hands on me) (feat. MC Lyte)' / 'Just call me Joe (live)'

Killer - Seal

Adamski and Seal recorded 'Killer' in 1990, providing Seal with a platform from which to launch his own solo career. On his debut album, he recorded a new version of the song - and this version was released as the fourth single from the album. This new version was produced by Trevor Horn and William Orbit.

Seal's version of 'Killer' reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. The B-side consisted of two tracks, both recorded live in an attempt to launch him as a 'serious' live artist too. Seal has since done several tours, proving that his great voice is not just a product of studio alterations.

My collection: 7" single no. 2165
Found: London, September 26, 1994
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Killer' / 'Hey Joe', 'Come see what love has done'

Drive - The Cars

'Drive' was the third single from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat City'. Written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and the Cars, the lead vocals were performed by the band's bassist Benjamin Orr.

The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. In the summer of 1985, the song was used for a video showing footage of hungry Ethiopian children during the Live Aid concert. Despite the fact that 'Who's gonna drive you home tonight' is a bit of a stupid question in a country where cars are nowhere to be seen and the question 'Who's gonna give you food tonight' might be more appropriate, the single found itself in the public eye once more. When it was re-released, it reached number 4 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 327
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Drive' / 'Stranger eyes'

Fame 90 - David Bowie

'Fame' was written by David Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon in 1975. The original version of the song was released as a single that same year and shot to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1990, a remixed version of the song was released by EMI to coincide with the Sound + Vision tour and the release of the ChangesBowie compilation cd. The B-side of the single featured a very regrettable version with random mumblings by a female rapper. In the UK, 'Fame 90' was released in a special pack featuring three photograph prints. The single reached number 28 in the UK singles chart and did not chart in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1229
Found: Free Record Shop, April 22, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Fame 90 (Gass mix)' / 'Fame 90 (Queen Latifah's rap version)'

I don't care anymore - Phil Collins

A track like 'I don't care anymore' is a far cry from the syrupy ballad material Phil Collins recorded later on in his solo career. Apparently, the lyric of this song is about the anger Collins felt after his first marriage dissolved.

Taken from his second solo album 'Hello, I must be going!', this single did not chart. The B-side was released as a single later on, and reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2416
Found: July 22, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't care anymore' / 'Don't let him steal your heart away'

Who will you run to - Heart

'Who will you run to' was the second single from Heart's 1987 album 'Bad animals'. The song was written by Diane Warren. The lyric contains a clear warning to a departing lover that there will be no one else who could care for and support him in the way that the singer of the song has.

The single reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 30 in the UK singles chart. The B-side is the most beautiful track from Heart's 1985 self-titled album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1751
Found: London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Who will you run to' / 'Nobody home'

Follow me - Demis Roussos

I don't think many chart singles are based on classical music these days. But in the Seventies and early Eighties, it happened every once in a while. This track by Demis Roussos is a good example: 'Follow me' was based on Rodrigo's Concerto d'Aranjuez, and was an impressive piece clocking in at six minutes.

Demis reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40 with this single, and had a Europe-wide hit with it as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 169
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Follow me' / 'Song without end'

April love - Ricky Wilde

After Ricky Wilde debuted in 1972 with 'I am an astronaut', his second single 'April love' was released in early 1973. The song was originally written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster and recorded in 1957 by Pat Boone. Young Ricky didn't reach the UK singles chart with this effort, and I have no further chart statistics for this single. (He reportedly did well in Scandinavia with some singles, but it's never been described which singles exactly).

I found this copy of the single, with a picture sleeve and made in the UK, on eBay, sold by a Danish person. The disc is in pretty fine condition, considering its age of 36 years. And yes, all of Ricky's singles have become a bit of a collector's item: they are rarely offered for sale and especially copies with a picture sleeve are very hard to find.

My collection: 7" single no. 4098
Found: eBay.com, received September 29, 2009
Cost: 9 euro
Tracks: 'April love' / 'Round and round'

Left to my own devices - Pet Shop Boys

Produced by Trevor Horn, it's no surprise that 'Left to my devices', taken from the Pet Shop Boys' 1987 album 'Introspective', is quite a bombastic tune. As for the lyrics, Neil Tennant explains: 'I liked the idea of writing a really up pop song about being left alone. This song is a day in the life of someone, so it starts off with getting out of bed and being on the phone and drinking tea and all the rest of it, and it ends up with coming home. By this time I was making the words very exaggerated and camp, though writing a book and going on stage were both things I had wanted to do when I was young.'

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. It did much worse in America, where it stalled at number 84. The Pet Shop Boys failed to regain their popularity there ever since.

My collection: 7" single no. 707
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 17, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Left to my own devices' / 'The sound of the atom splitting'

In my arms - Erasure

While in the UK their record company had stopped releasing 7" singles by Erasure after 'Run to the sun', their American record company apparently continued for some time, judging from this copy of 'In my arms', released in 1997.

'In my arms', released as the first single from Erasure's 1997 album 'Cowboy', became their first Billboard Hot 100 entry since 1994's 'Always', peaking at number 55. In the UK, the single reached number 13. The B-side features a cover of Blondie's 'Heart of glass'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4059
Found: eBay.com, received September 23, 2009
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'In my arms' / 'Heart of glass'

My first night without you - Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg wrote 'My first night without you', a song about coming home for the first time without a partner being there after a break up. The single was considered a failure in most of the world because it failed to make a big impact on most charts. However, in South America it was a big success, reaching number 1 in Brazil and Colombia.

The track is also a personal favourite of mine. I remember playing it lots of times after I bought it out of curiosity.

My collection: 7" single no. 1269
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'My first night without you' / 'Unabbreviated love'

Bet that's what you say - Mai Tai

Released in April 1987, 'Bet that's what you say' was Mai Tai's penultimate hit single in the Netherlands. The song was produced by Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, who also wrote the it. The single reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 during a three week chart run.

The sleeve photograph was taken by one of the Netherlands' most wellknown photographers, Govert de Roos.

My collection: 7" single no. 4090
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bet that's what you say' / 'Bet that's what you say (dub mix)'

Don't forget to dance - The Kinks

'Don't forget to dance' is a beautiful ballad from the Kinks' 1983 album 'State of confusion'. The single followed 'Come dancing', which was one of the band's most successful singles in the United States. By comparison, this single did not do well.

In the UK, this single reached number 58, while in the Netherlands it did not chart. It was the first Kinks single I ever bought. The band has of course been active since the early Sixties, but most of their material just doesn't interest me much.

My collection: 7" single no. 497
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't forget to dance' / 'Young conservatives'

Maid of Orleans - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

The intro of 'Maid of Orleans' is one of the strangest sounds I'd ever heard in 1982. It piqued my interest, and with the aid of the intriguing music video, this became one of my favourite tracks of the year. About the intro, Andy McCluskey explained: 'The idea came about because we actually had the song recorded but thought the track started oddly and needed something else to announce its arrival. It's not meant to "mean" anything specific, just set up a feeling to let the track grow out of the strange noises. I think that it worked well! Most of the noises are mellotron vocal sounds slowed down/sped up and greatly distorted simply by completely overdriving the old Helios desk in The Manor Studio. Pink noise and snare drum in lots of reverb.'

The song was a big success, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 308
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Maid of Orleans' / 'Navigation'

Love is stronger than pride - Sade

The first single from Sade's third album 'Stronger than pride' was the track 'Love is stronger than pride'. On the sleeve and in the accompanying music video, frontwoman Sade Adu was pictured on the beach in an attempt to 'sex up' the band. It didn't entirely work, as there was a certain distance exuding from her.

The single performed best, chart-wise, in the Netherlands, where it reached number 18. In the UK, where this limited edition single with a free colour poster was released, the single stalled at number 44.

My collection: 7" single no. 2631
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 16, 1996
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is stronger than pride' / 'Super bien total'

The lifeboat party - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

Kid Creole and the Coconuts released their fourth album 'Doppelganger' in 1983. The opening track of the album was 'The lifeboat party', which was subsequently released as the album's second single.

The single reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories. Still, it's a fine party song.

My collection: 7" single no. 4084
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The lifeboat party' / 'Gina Gina'

State of love - Imagination

Taken from their fourth album 'Scandalous', 'State of love' was another single by Imagination produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The single only charted in the UK, where it reached number 67 in the singles chart.

With 9 out of the 10 singles released before this one having reached the UK singles chart, it's interesting to note that from the 13 singles that followed, only 2 charted in the UK - and none of them anywhere else.

My collection: 7" single no. 4079
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'State of love' / 'Wrong in love'

Oh Carolina - Shaggy

'Oh Carolina' was originally written by John Folkes and performed by the Folkes Brothers in 1960. The original track incorporated African-influenced Niyabinghi-style drumming and chanting.

In 1993, Shaggy revived the song. His cover version spent two weeks at number 1 in the UK singles chart and reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. I finally bought the single six months after its release to irk a friend of mine who hated the song with a passion. He's since moved to China, although I'm not sure it's because I own this single now.

My collection: 7" single no. 2034
Found: HMV, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Oh Carolina' / 'Oh Carolina (Raas Bumba Claat version)'

Goodnight girl - Wet Wet Wet

Graeme Clark was inspired to write 'Goodnight girl' for his then girlfriend but has never publicly named her. It became the third single taken from Wet Wet Wet's fourth studio album 'High on the happy side'. It was released in December 1991 and became the second number 1 hit single for the band in the UK .

In he Netherlands, the single reached number 2 in March 1992. A 1994 version reached number 11 in the Netherlands, but did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1583
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Goodnight girl' / 'Ambrose Wykes'

Go for it! - Risqué

It's Puck's brother's lucky weekend, as here's another single by Risqué. As far as I know, it's their last single. The track 'Go for it' was produced by Sander Bos and Ben Liebrand. The latter is better known for his remixes of tracks, which were broadcast on Dutch radio weekly on Fridays around that time (1984).

However much the girls went for it, this single did not chart - not even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4096
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Go for it!' / 'Go for it! (dub version)'

Jack in the box - Clodagh Rodgers

Clodagh Rodgers was born on March 5, 1947 in Northern Ireland. In 1970 she was asked to represent the United Kingdom in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. Part of the reasoning behind the BBC's invitation was their concern over what reaction the UK entrant would get on the stage from the Irish public. She received death threats from the I.R.A. as a result of her appearing for the UK.

The singer expresses her strong feelings of love to a man who treats her like a toy. She feels that in exchange of his love, she would gladly 'bounce on a spring' like the aforementioned toy. After ending fourth in the Contest, the song coincidentally also peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4097
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jack in the box' / 'Some to love me'

Remedy - Little Boots

Not that 'New in town' was a bad song, but the second single by Little boots, 'Remedy' is a lot better. According to Little Boots, ''Remedy' is about dancing and music being a remedy to some kind of poison in your life. I wanted to write a dark dance pop song a bit like Britney Spears' 'Toxic'. The lyrics are not really very personal, I was more imagining a situation.'

The B-side of this single contains a beautiful cover version of Freddie Mercury's 'Love kills'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 4063
Found: eBay.co.uk, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Remedy' / 'Love kills'

Burn it up (Mr. DJ) - Risqué

Risqué were never excessively popular, even in their native Netherlands, because the formula just didn't fit: they never worked with the best producers, they were trying to be sexy but they couldn't (because they were ugly!) and there was little or no variation in their music. It's rather strange to notice that they perform all their tracks singing together - there are no solos and that makes the whole thing go flat. All this gives Risqué this naff Eighties quality that I'm a sucker for.

'Burn it up (Mr. DJ)' was the last chart hit for the quartet, released in September 1983. It peaked at number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. Two further singles did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4095
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Burn it up (Mr. DJ)' / 'Burn it up (instrumental)'

Money don't matter 2 night - Prince and the New Power Generation

Personally, I think Prince perfected his craft with this particular song. It sounds very Prince, but the lyric has more substance than any other Prince song. It deals directly with money, poverty and greed - both on a personal and a political level.

The song is notable for its promotional video, directed by Spike Lee. Featuring a poverty-stricken African-American family, with no shots of Prince at all, it was considered overly political and not 'MTV-friendly'. A second version was issued, which included footage of the song being performed by Prince and The New Power Generation. The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4094
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Money don't matter 2 night' / 'Call the law'

Toughen up - Olivia Newton-John

In 1985, Olivia Newton-John released the album 'Soul kiss'. The first single was the title track, and the second single was 'Toughen up'. While the first single was a hit in several countries, 'Toughen up' did not chart anywhere - the only exception being Australia, where the single stalled at number 93.

Olivia's pregnancy limited her ability to promote the album and singles properly. Her daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi was born in January 1986 - by then, the album 'Soul kiss' was already forgotten by most people.

My collection: 7" single no. 4093
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Toughen up' / 'Driving music'

Asia - Mo

The Dutch synthpop band Mo, it has been written on here many times before, was sadly underrated. It has become some sort of mission for me to hunt down their singles, and 'Asia' is the latest victory in that search.

'Asia' was released in April 1984 and it was, as far as I know, the band's last single. It was taken from their third and last album, 'Stop staring'. The beautiful sleeve of this single was designed by Ton Friesen.

My collection: 7" single no. 4092
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Asia' / 'He's so silly negative'

Turn your love around - Mai Tai

It took an international breakthrough for the Dutch group Mai Tai to become popular in the Netherlands. After 'History' reached the charts all over the world, the first single from their second album '1 touch 2 much' entitled 'Turn your love around' suddenly reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 - after their previous efforts barely reached the top 20.

Their music was produced by Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, one of the leading producer duos in the Netherlands at the time. Both the producers and the performers would later be involved in Eurovision music: Mai Tai failed to reach the international Contest, while the producers would - and repeatedly too.

My collection: 7" single no. 4089
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Turn your love around' / 'Turn your love around (dub mix)'

There's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis - Kirsty MacColl

I was already an avid follower of the Dutch Top 40 in 1981, and as such I was always impressed with the title of this single. The song itself, however, was a different matter. It took me two decades to start to like the track.

The single reached nmber 14 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. In America, a version was released called 'There's a guy works down the truck stop swears he's Elvis', since a 'chip shop' is a very British thing - but this alteration didn't help it reach the chart across the big pond. The country version on the B-side is a great alternate version, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 4088
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'There's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis' / 'Hard to believe', 'There's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis (Country version)'

My man - Luv'

Luv's debut single 'My man' was released in 1977. It was a far cry from the unpretentious, happy, bubbly pop songs that would become their trademark sound. Instead, this track was a tearjerker of sorts, about a woman whose man, a railroad worker, has been murdered when he tries to stop a fight between two men. The song shocked the Netherlands, because it was released at a time when a train was hijacked.

The single reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 10 in Belgium. It was the official start of a career that would take off for real with 'U.O. me' the next year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4087
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My man' / 'Don't let me down'

Excerpts from the forthcoming album 'Origami' - Fay Lovsky

This 7" single was released to promote the new album by Dutch artist Fay Lovsky, 'Origami', released in 1983. At the time, Lovsky was attracting some media attention with 'Don't feed the animals', which was the first single from the album. Getting a hold of these promotional items is always hard, but I'm glad to have found it: it's a nice collection of samples.

The promo contains one minute samples of all the tracks on the album: 'Ramon', 'Window across the street', 'Disney dust', 'Columbus Avenue', 'Sugar me Sam', 'Palmtree luxury', 'California daze', 'Don't feed the animals', 'Never seem able (to say goodbye)', 'Fuss and fight', 'Tiger and I' and 'One more time'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4086
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Excerpts from the forthcoming album 'Origami'' / 'Excerpts from the forthcoming album 'Origami''

Come away - Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurus with Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie joined the popular cult blues band Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts in 1969. It would give him an opportunity to record his first compositions on the album 'These Blues is meant to be barrel housed'. Jona stayed with the Bretts until 1973, their mainstream hit single being 'Seaside shuffle', another early Lewie composition.

'Seaside shuffle' was deemed by the band to be too commercial for the band, and so it was released under the nom de disque Terry Dactyl and The Dinosaurs. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart in 1972. The name stuck until 1978, when 'Come away' was released to little success in the UK, but it did reach number 20 in the Dutch Top 40, giving Jona Lewie his first hit in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4085
Found: Markplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'Come away' / 'Custer's last stand'

Endicott - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

Kid Creole and the Coconuts had a comeback of sorts in 1985 with the single 'Endicott'. The Endicott described in the song is the personification of virtue: he doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs, he's always on time, always considerate, never fights... In short, he's everything that the singer of the song is not. The Coconuts jeer 'Why can't you be more like Endicott?'.

While the single did not chart in the UK, it reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4083
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Endicott' / 'Doowopsalsoboprock'

Don't stop - K.i.D.

There isn't a lot of information available about the one hit wonder K.i.D. Apparently they come from the Antilles, but that's about all I could find.

'Don't stop' was released in 1982 and was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 8. In the UK singles chart, it only managed to reach number 58. The band may have recorded more singles, but none of them charted.

My collection: 7" single no. 4082
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop' / 'Do it again'

King Kong - Jimmy Castor Bunch

I'm pretty sure my friend Puck will be interested to hear this track, as it is related to a movie - and he is seriously into movie soundtracks. But I've been searching for this one for a long time too, even leading to buying the wrong 'King Kong' not so long ago.

Jimmy Castor was born on June 23, 1947 in New York. He formed the Jimmy Castor Bunch in 1972 and signed a recording contract not long after that. Their debut album 'It's just begun' was an immediate success in America, featuring two hit singles. In 1976, they hit it big worldwide with this single, 'King Kong', a rather bizarre track referring to the ape in the movie of the same name. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4081
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'King Kong part 1' / 'King Kong part 2'

Young love - Janet Jackson

Aged sixteen, when her brother Michael was just about to conquer the world with his album 'Thriller', Janet Jackson signed a record deal with A&M Records. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1982, the same year. It was produced by soul singers Angela Winbush, René Moore and Leon F. Sylvers III. Her father Joseph oversaw the entire production.

'Young love' was a single drawn from that debut album. Janet received a lot of criticism for her limited vocal range and being yet another sibling of the Jackson family to start a career in music despite that. Still, the single reached number 64 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, also charting in New Zealand and South Africa. In Europe, the audience remained uninterested until her third album 'Control' (1986).

My collection: 7" single no. 4080
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Young love' / 'The magic is working'