Your song - Elton John

Released in January 1972, 'Your song' was Elton John's eighth single release, but his first hit. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song was part of a stockpile of songs John and Taupin wrote in 1969 while they were living together. John pinpoints his composition of the music to October 27. Supposedly, it took him only ten minutes. Taupin had penned the lyrics earlier that day over breakfast.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart, number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 686
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Your song' / 'Into the old man's shoes'

Do you feel my love - Eddy Grant

Eddy Grant was born on March 5, 1948 in Plaisance, Guyana. His parents moved to London when he was a little boy. He joined the Equals in the Sixties, and this band enjoyed their first number 1 hit in 1968 with 'Baby come back'. In 1972, he went solo and set up the first black-owned recording studio in Europe, Coach House, and began recording music on his own record label Ice Records. As a result, he is thought to be the only major recording artist who owns the rights to all his songs.

'Do you feel my love' is a track from his 1980 album 'Can't get enough'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2816
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Do you feel my love' / 'Symphony for Michael Opus 2'

It's the first time - Lois Lane

Things seemed to go well for Lois Lane in 1989. With 'It's the first time' they landed their first Dutch top 10 hit: it peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. A mini album was released, featuring all of their previous singles and some extra tracks, which actually reached the top of the album chart in the summer of 1989.

And then suddenly their record label Polydor decided to drop all Dutch acts. It was back to the drawing board for Lois Lane. They resurfaced a year later with their own record label and the single 'Fortune fairytales'.

My collection: 7" single no. 944
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'It's the first time' / 'She says: Oh no'

Crazy about her - Rod Stewart

'I'd treat her with respect / Not just a sex object / I ain't that kind of guy'. Many performers could sing this convincingly, but not Rod Stewart. Every time I hear this out of his mouth I have to smile. After all, this is the man who ran around in spandex in the Eighties, singing songs like 'Da ya think I'm sexy' and 'Hot legs'.

'Crazy about her' was taken from Stewart's 1988 album 'Out of order', which was produced by Andy Taylor from Duran Duran and Bernard Edwards of Chic. This single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It didn't chart in the UK. I guess they didn't believe him either.

My collection: 7" single no. 1131
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 9, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Crazy about her' / 'Dynamite'

I'm too sexy - Right said Fred

The recent single by the Sugababes, entitled 'Get sexy', prominently features bits of 'I'm too sexy', the 1991 hit single by Right said Fred. The three man group of former bodybuilders debuted with the song, which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

The lyric of the song is written from the point of view of a self-satisfied fashion model. The song's lyrics express confidence that his personal level of sexiness makes him too sexy for numerous things, most notably his shirt. The song's instrumental break is based on the guitar riff in the Jimi Hendrix song 'Third stone from the sun'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1683
Found: Graz, July 3, 1992
Cost: 10 Schilling
Tracks: 'I'm too sexy' / 'I'm too sexy (instrumental)'

Het slurvenlied - Rubberen Robbie

Although it was released in 1982, 'Het slurvenlied' was a parody of Father Abraham's 1978 single 'The Smurf song'. If the Smurfs were friendly little creatures, the Slurven ('Trunks') were annoying and evil. Until the end, that is, when the Slurvenvreter ('Trunks eater') comes along and devours them all. On the single version, the burp at the end of the track has been censored. Back in the early Eighties, that was apparently too rude.

The single did not reach the Dutch Top 40, but it is a cult favourite in some circles. The joke is of course funnier if you can understand Dutch...

My collection: 7" single no. 132
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Het slurvenlied' / 'Als een kroket in zijn kadet'

Women and I - Feargal Sharkey

Once I'd bought the cd 'After the mardi gras' by Feargal Sharkey I decided I wanted to have the 7" singles taken from that album as well. All this despite the fact that I didn't actually play that cd very often. I liked it enough, and so I went for it.

'Women & I' was one of these singles, released in the summer of 1991. The single did not chart, ringing in the end of Sharkey's musical career.

My collection: 7" single no. 2246
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Women & I' / 'I'll take it back (live)'

Sam - Olivia Newton-John

'Sam' was written by Don Blac kand Hank Marvin and appears on Olivia Newton-John's 1977 album 'Don't stop believin''. It was released as a single in the summer of 1977 and reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

I found this American promotional 7" single during a holiday in London in a slightly worndown shop in Berwick street. Having searched this single for years, I decided to buy it despite the fact that it didn't have a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 3237
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Sam' / 'I bet you a kangaroo'

Somewhere in my heart - Aztec Camera

After I'd bought the cd-single of 'Somewhere in my heart', I bought the 7" single. I didn't do this immediately: I think it took me eight years to get to that, but I did it anyway. And six years after that, I bought the 12" single too.

'Somewhere in my heart' was the biggest hit for Aztec Camera, reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart. It was the third single from their 1987 album 'Love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2986
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 23, 1998
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Somewhere in my heart' / 'Everybody is a number one (Boston '86 version)'

Thought I'd died and gone to heaven - Bryan Adams

'Thought I'd died and gone to heaven' was the fourth single taken from Bryan Adams' 1991 album 'Waking up the neighbours'. The song was written by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams and is a rock song of the type Adams has recorded several times during his career.

The single reached number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 1589
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 29, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Thought I'd died and gone to heaven' / 'Somebody (live)'

EDIT (April 5, 2010): I received a notice from Blogger that two posts about Bryan Adams got a complaint. I trust it's from the same people who posted a reaction on this post. They are obviously terrified that anyone should hear any Bryan Adams music, even if it's any good. The message these people are sending is: don't listen to music, you might get inspired to buy it yourself. And they wonder why the music industry is in such terrible shape...
Anyway, I'm taking down all of Bryan Adams' music. I don't need this. The divshare box is gone, all I can do now is write the following:

DON'T BUY BRYAN ADAMS MUSIC.

I hope they're satisfied now.

Star - Time Bandits

I can recall I was jealous as hell when I saw that my cousin had this single, whereas I'd been searching high and low for it for years and still didn't own it. 'Star' by the Time Bandits did not chart in the Dutch Top 40, but the single was unavailable in shops and even in the years that followed I couldn't locate a copy.

In the end, of course, it all turned out alright: I found the single during a record fair and as it was almost a decade later, I wasn't quite as passionate about it anymore. Still, it's a nice song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1817
Found: Record fair, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Star' / 'Star (instrumental version)

Put your love in me - Hot Chocolate

I first heard 'Put your love in me' on a compilation double LP which I got as a present in the summer of 1979. The double LP contained hits from the year 1978, and 'Put your love in me' was one of two Hot Chocolate tracks on that album. The track sounded very, er, erotic, which at the time I thought was rather funny. The tension of the track and the - at the time - futuristic synthesizer sounds always stuck in my mind. I finally bought the 7" single twenty years after its original release.

The single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 10 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3014
Found: All that music, Leiden, September 5, 1998
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Put your love in me' / 'Let them be the judge'

What have you done for me lately - Janet Jackson

Michael Jackson's little sister Janet made her worldwide breakthrough with this single, 'What have you done for me lately'. The song was written by her with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and produced by Jam & Lewis. The single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Rapper King MC recorded a track called 'What have I done for you lately' ('...Well what have you done for me baby') that same year in response to this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2010
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What have you done for me lately' / 'Young love'

The king of wishful thinking - Go West

It may not have made a big impression on you if you've seen the movie 'Pretty woman', but Go West's 'King of wishful thinking' was featured in it. The movie has become a bit of a classic amongst movie fanatics, but Go West has not profited too much from that legacy.

Still, they did get a reasonable hit out of it. The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 1337
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The king of wishful thinking' / 'Tears too late'

Leuchtturm - Nena

While Nena was becoming a household name in all of Europe with English versions of her earlier singles '99 Luftballons' and 'Nur geträumt' ('99 red balloons' and 'Just a dream' respectively), she also released a German single from her debut album 'Nena'.

In July 1983, she reached the Dutch Top 40 with 'Leuchtturm', a beautiful pop song, which reached number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 467
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 20, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Leuchtturm' / 'Kino'

Kiss of life - Sade

'Kiss of life' was the third single taken from Sade's fourth studio album 'Love deluxe' (1992). Released in May 1993, it was a minor hit in the USA, where it peaked at number 78. In the UK, the single reached number 44.

I've actually got two different copies of this single: one copy is the commercial 7" single as sold in the UK, the other is a Spanish promotional 7" single, with only one side actually containing music, i.e. the track 'Kiss of life'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1954 / no. 1999
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993 / Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 3 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Kiss of life' / 'Room 55' (not on no. 1954)

One two five - 10CC

'Look hear?' was the seventh studio album by 10CC, released in 1980. The album was recorded at the band's Strawberry Studios South in Dorking, Surrey.

Two singles were lifted from the album, of which 'One two five' was the first. It was not a big hit, reaching only number 85 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 889
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'One two five' / 'Only child'

My special child - Sinéad O'Connor

'My special child' was a single release by Sinéad O'Connor in 1991. The track was not included on any of the albums. Besides the rather bleak lyric, the song is made beautiful by the uillean pipes solo. The single raised money for 'the simple truth', a charity campaign for Kurdish refugees. The B-side is a live version of 'Nothing compares 2 u'.

The single reached number 12 in Ireland and number 60 in the UK singles chart. In other territories, it did not chart.

My collection: 7" singl eno. 1530
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 28, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'My special child' / 'Nothing compares 2 u (live video version)'

Long goodbye - Thompson Twins

Joe Leeway left the Thompson Twins in 1986, leaving Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie to continue as a duo. They carried on making music for another seven years. Their first release as a duo was 1987's 'Close to the bone'.

'Long goodbye' was the second single to be taken from the album, but it was even less successful than the first single, 'Get that love', which reached number 66 in the UK singles chart. This single stalled at number 89. Although one more single was released ('Bush baby'), that one did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2538
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Long goodbye' / 'Dancing in your shoes'

Don't dream it's over - Crowded house

Although many people think this is Crowded House's debut single, it is actually the fourth single taken from their self-titled debut album. 'Don't dream it's over' was released in February 1987 in Australia, but it would take months for it to become a worldwide hit.

After reaching number 8 in Australia, the single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart, number 5 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the USA and number 1 in Canada. The song has been covered by acts like Sixpence none the richer, Paul Young, Paul Carrack and Happy Rhodes.

My collection: 7" single no. 1097
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'That's what I call love'

You keep me hangin' on - Kim Wilde

Although I was always a Kim Wilde fan during my teens, this single caused a bit of a controversy back in 1986, when it was released. My brother swore it was the worst cover version of any song he'd ever heard, while I wrote in to the fanclub saying that any track from the album 'Another step' would have been a better choice than this track.

Of course, we were both wrong. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart - equalling the success of her debut single 'Kids in America' five years before - and reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1987. Kim commented about the song: 'I remembered the song from a long time back on the radio. It wasn't a song I had in my collection, it wasn't a song I would play a lot. So when I went into the studio to record it, it was really fresh in my mind. That's why I think it's such a fresh version of that song.'

My collection: 7" single no. 457
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, September 20, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' / 'Loving you'

If I had you - The Korgis

'If I had you' was the Korgis' second single, released in June 1979. It reached number 13 in the UK singles chart, giving them their first hit single. Their self-titled debut album was released a month later, in July 1979.

The song was later covered by various artists, amongst which Tracey Ullman and Rod Stewart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2960
Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'If I had you' / 'Chinese girl', 'Art school annexe'

Stranded - Heart

'Stranded' was released as the third single from Heart's tenth studio album 'Brigade'. The song was written by J. Harrington and Jamie Kylie and produced by Richie Zito. It features Nancy Wilson on lead vocals.

The track peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the autumn of 1990, but stalled at number 60 in the UK singles chart. The B-side is a highly melodic piece of work that could be considered a blueprint for many Heart tracks from around that time.

My collection: 7" single no. 2366
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Stranded' / 'Under the sky'

Heart of mine - Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs was born as William Royce Scaggs in Canton, Ohio. He recorded his debut solo album in 1965. The biggest hit of his career was 'What can I say' in 1977.

His 1986 album 'Other roads' spawned the single 'Heart of mine', his last top 40 hit in the USA, peaking at number 35. In Europe, this single did not chart. I heard this song on a cd-single my sister had bought in order to get 'What can I say' on cd. I preferred the B-side of this single - and I still do.

My collection: 7" single no. 693
Found: Rotterdam, December 1, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart of mine' / 'You'll never know'

My name is Prince - Prince

'My name is Prince / And I am funky' has to be one of the immortal lines from the Nineties. It's a quote from the indispensable Prince song, 'My name is Prince'. Some might say that this single was the turning point for Prince. He'd recorded so many albums that he apparently suffered from a lack of inspiration, writing a song about himself and his musical abilities. It reeks of selfgratification.

It's interesting to note that he changed his stage name to an unpronounceable symbol not long after the release of this single - taking his career into a nosedive in the process. This single, however, reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1745
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'My name is Prince' / '2 whom it may concern'

Wild is the wind - David Bowie

'Wild is the wind' was written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington and originally recorded by Johnny Mathis for the 1957 film of the same name. The song was covered by Nina Simone on her album 'Wild is the wind' (1966).

David Bowie recorded a version of 'Wild is the wind' in 1976 for his album 'Station to station'. Bowie was an admirer of Simone’s style, and after meeting her in Los Angeles was inspired to record the song for his album. The song was released as a single in 1981, to promoted the compilation album 'ChangesTwoBowie'. It reached number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 2012
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Wild is the wind' / 'Golden years'

Original sin - INXS

The Australian rock band INXS recorded 'Original sin' on their fourth album 'The swing' in 1984. The song was written by Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss, and produced by Nile Rodgers. Singer Daryl Hall sings the chorus along with Hutchence. Nile Rodgers called him up and asked him to sing on the song. Rodgers had produced 'Adult education' by Hall & Oates the previous year.

When the song was released as a single, it reached number 58 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2322
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Original sin' / 'Jan's song (live)', 'To look at you (live)'

Tears on my pillow - Kylie Minogue

'Tears on my pillow' was written by Sylvester Bradford and Al Lewis in 1958. The song was originally recorded by Little Anthony & The Imperials as their debut single.

Kylie Minogue recorded her version of this song on her second album 'Enjoy yourslef'. It was released as a sigle in November 1989 in Australia, and two months later in Europe. The song reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and peaked at number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side was released as a single in Sweden, reaching number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 3326
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tears on my pillow' / 'We know the meaning of love'

Desire - U2

I think this single is definite proof that I'm a sucker for special editions. The song 'Desire' was never really my cup of tea, but the gatefold sleeve was so nice, that in the end I still bought this single. I was very disappointed with U2 at this time, since they'd made such great singles before, and they were going down a very 'American-sounding' road with the album 'Rattle & Hum'. And everyone knows that British music always sounds better.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1167
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Desire' / 'Hallelujah here she comes'

Fly like an eagle - Seal

'Fly like an eagle' was originally a hit for the Steve Miller Band in 1976. Seal recorded a cover version of the song in 1997 for the soundtrack of the movie 'Space Jam', a live-action/animated film starring Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and many more Looney Tunes characters. His version was probably just as ill-advised as his current album 'Soul', but it's still a pretty listenable version. The single peaked at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and in the UK singles chart as well.

This single is a great find, as it's another one of those tracks I didn't believe existed on 7" vinyl. It's a jukebox edition, with an almost unreadable label.

My collection: 7" single no. 4128
Found: eBay.co.uk, received October 26, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Fly like an eagle (radio mix)' / 'Fly like an eagle (CJ Cosmack's edit)'

Election day - Arcadia

Duran Duran broke up in early 1985, in order to have a year for the members to pursue other musical interests. While John and Andy Taylor formed the Power Station, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor formed Arcadia. They recorded one album, entitled 'So red the rose', described by Le Bon as 'the most pretentious album ever made'.

The first single from the album was 'Election day', a weird and wonderful track featuring guest vocals by Grace Jones. The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy has a gatefold sleeve, which was released as a limited edition in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 609
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Election day' / 'She's moody and grey, she's mean and she's restless'

Stay with me - The Mission

When you see this sleeve, it's easy to conclude that this is the third single by the Mission. 'Stay with me' was the first single taken from the Mission's debut album 'God's own medicine', but two previous singles had already been released, reaching the lower regions of the UK singles chart.

This was the first single by the Mission to reach the UK top 40, peaking at number 30 in the summer of 1986. 'Stay with me' has got all the sounds the band would become renowned for.

My collection: 7" single no. 2878
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Stay with me' / 'Blood brother'

Tristana - Mylene Farmer

The lyric of 'Tristana' was inspired by the film 'Tristana' featuring Catherine Deneuve, which tells the story of a mutilated woman. Originally, the song 'Au bout de la nuit' was scheduled to be released as Mylene Farmer's fifth single, but when the song 'Tristana' was completed, this one was preferred.

The single reached number 7 in France and sold a quarter of a million copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 1921
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, June 5, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tristana' / 'Au bout de la nuit'

Holding back the years - Simply Red

Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall wrote 'Holding back the years' when he was 17, while living at his father's house. The chorus did not come to him until many years later. His mother left him when he was three; the upheaval caused by this event inspired him to write the song. He recorded a version of the song with his first group The Frantic Elevators in 1982, but when he recorded it with Simply Red in 1985 it became a hit.

In the UK, the single came no further than number 51, but in the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 3. In other territories, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 367
Found: Brussels, 1985
Cost: 120 Francs
Tracks: 'Holding back the years' / 'I won't feel bad'

Emotional jungle - David Roach

When you listen to this single, it's hard to believe that both tracks were composed and performed by the same man. The A-side is an exciting, upbeat affair, whereas the B-side is rather bland and middle of the road.

Longtime readers of the blog, however, are already familiar with these two tracks, as the 12" single of 'Emotional jungle' was featured here ten months ago. I had the 7" single four years before I found the 12" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1477
Found: July 1, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Emotional jungle' / 'Sleepwalkers'

When your heart is weak - Cock Robin

'When your heart is weak' was originally Cock Robin's debut single, taken from their self-titled debut album. It was re-released after their second single 'The promise you made' was a big success in Europe. This re-release proved fruitful, because the single got to number 9 in France, number 8 in Germany and number 35 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

I got this single from my parents, as a souvenir during a holiday in Paris.

My collection: 7" single no. 436
Found: Paris, July 1986
Cost: -
Tracks: 'When your heart is weak' / 'Because it keeps on working'

Tesla girls - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Tesla girls' was the third single to be taken from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1984 album 'Junk culture'. The accompanying music video was a parody on the style of American music videos who relied heavily on attractive young female models posing in them. Subsequently, the media slammed the music video as being 'sexist'.

The single reached number 22 in both the UK singles chart and the Irish singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2877
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Tesla girls' / 'Telegraph (live)'

New life - Depeche Mode

These are the humble beginnings of Depeche Mode. 'New life' was their second single, released in June 1981. The song was composed by Vince Clarke, who at the time was the band's chief songwriter.

The single became Depeche Mode's breakthrough hit in the UK, peaking at number 11. On June 25, 1981, the band had their first appearance in the UK chartshow 'Top of the pops'. The single was not released in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2914
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'New life' / 'Shout!'

Wonderwall - Oasis

'Wonderwall' takes its name from the 1968 album 'Wonderwall music' by George Harrison. It is often claimed that the song was written for Gallagher's then-girlfriend, Meg Mathews. Gallagher married Mathews in 1997, but the couple divorced four years later. Gallagher now claims that the song was not about Mathews at all, but he felt he had to go along with the rumour, saying 'The meaning of that song was taken away from me by the media who jumped on it. How do you tell your Mrs it's not about her once she's read it is? It's a song about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself.'

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart in November 1995. In the Netherlands, it reached the Dutch Top 40 in the last chart of the year, peaking at number 9 in early 1996.

My collection: 7" single no. 2637
Found: Record fair, April 13, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Wonderwall' / 'Round are way'

Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you) - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys stated that they wanted to turn 'a mythic rock song into a stomping disco record'. They recorded their version of U2's stadiumfiller 'Where the streets have no name' in combination with the disco anthem 'Can't take my eyes off you'. Singer Neil Tennant performs the lyrics with no vocal exertion or stresses, in contrast to Bono's performance. Tennant claims that when this record was released, Bono of U2 heard it for the first time, and issued the statement, 'What have we done to deserve this?'.

The B-side was 'How can you expect to be taken seriously?', a new version of a song from the album 'Behaviour'. The lyric of the song criticizes the insincere humanitarian messages of a number of pop stars during the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 1429
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 13, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you)' / 'How can you expect to be taken seriously?'

Go your own way - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac band member Lindsey Buckingham wrote 'Go your own way' with regard to his bandmate Stevie Nicks, with whom he had just ended a romantic relationship. It describes their breakup, with the most obvious line being, 'Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do.' Nicks insisted she never shacked up with anyone when they were together, and wanted Lindsey to take out the line, but he refused.

'Go your own way' was the first single taken from Fleetwood Mac's legendary album 'Rumours'. It reached number 38 in the UK singles chart, number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 331
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Go your own way' / 'Silver springs'

Roxanne - The Police

The Police's lead singer Sting wrote 'Roxanne', inspired by the prostitutes he saw near the band's seedy hotel while in Paris, France in October 1977 to perform at the Nashville Club. The title of the song comes from the name of the character in the play Cyrano de Bergerac, an old poster of which was hanging in the hotel foyer.

During recording of the song, Sting accidentally sat down on a piano keyboard in the studio, resulting in the atonal piano chord and laughter at the beginning of the track. The Police were initially diffident about the song, but eventually it got hem their first record deal. At its first release in April 1978 the single did not chart, but when it was re-released exactly a year later, in April 1979 it reached number 12 in the UK singles chart, number 32 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. This copy of the single was pressed on blue vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3260
Found: London, 2001
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Roxanne' / 'Peanuts'

Uri - Achinoam Nini

This is a very rare one-sided 12" promo from Israel, which I got to buy through eBay a few years ago. The disc contains an early version of the song 'Uri' as recorded by Achinoam Nini, or Noa as she is better known in the rest of the world. Although this version is very different from the 'Uri' that appeared on her subsequent cd's, when I reported this track to Noa's webmaster at the time, he replied that no earlier version of 'Uri' was ever recorded. Well, I think this is proof enough, don't you?

Noa went on to become a big name in the worldwide 'world music' circuit. She's recorded three studio albums in Hebrew and five in English, plus several live albums. More recently, she represented Israel together with Mira Awad during the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.

My collection: 12" single no. 517
Found: eBay.com, received 2001
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Uri'

Shadow of your heart - Risqué

While I was going through the 12" singles today at the Kringloop, I suddenly found this one. And the first thought that came to mind was: 'Jos is going to love this!'. As regular readers of this blog know all too well, Jos is Puck's brother and he really loves Risqué.

This is a 12" single of their 1984 single 'Shadow of your heart'. It contains two versions of the song that didn't appear on the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 516
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Shadow of your heart (extended)' / 'Shadow of your heart (instrumental)'

Why - Bronski Beat

'Why?' was the second single taken from Bronski Beat's debut album 'The age of consent'. I already own the 7" single since 1994, but it's been quite a search to get the 12" single as well.

The 12" single features a 7 minute remix of 'Why', plus the B-side of the single, 'Cadillac car'.

My collection: 12" single no. 515
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Why? (extended mix)' / 'Cadillac car'

Longer - Dan Fogelberg

I'm really shocked! I found this single of 'Longer' earlier today and while doing research for this blog I found out that Dan Fogelberg died on December 16, 2007. I didn't know this - and it's always a bit of a shock when someone you admire passes away.

Dan Fogelberg has made a couple of outstanding ballads, of which 'Longer' is probably one of his best known ones. It has become a standard on weddings for its highly romantic lyric. Fogelberg himself jokingly described 'Longer' in the liner notes to one of his retrospective albums as 'the song that put me on the elevators.' The single reached number 59 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4127
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Longer' / 'Along the road'

Volare - John Raver

'Volare' is probably one of the Eurovision Song Contest's best known songs ever. Amazingly, it did not win the Contest when Domenico Modugno performed it in 1958, representing Italy. But the song has been covered by an impressive array of artists, including Dalida, Frank Zappa, Richard Clayderman and David Bowie.

One of them was the Dutch artist John Raadtgever, who used the stage name John Raver. He recorded his 'Sinatra light' version of 'Volare' in 1981. The single did not chart. Raadtgever, who was born on July 7, 1943, died on August 31, 2002.

My collection: 7" single no. 4126
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Volare' / 'Blue moon'

Heaven must be missing an angel - Tavares

'Heaven must be missing an angel' was written by Freddie Perren and Keni St. Lewis. It was recorded by Tavares in 1976. The song was released as a single from their album 'Sky high!' and was split into two parts for the single.

The single reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart, it reached number 4. But it performed best in the Dutch Top 40, where it got to number 1. In 1985, Ben Liebrand made a remix of the track, which was also released as a single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4125
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven must be missing an angel (part 1)' / 'Heaven must be missing an angel (part 2)'