Almost seems (too late to turn) - Clannad

'Almost seems (too late to turn)' is a track on Clannad's 1985 album 'Macalla' and, to me, a standout track on their compilation album 'Pastpresent' released a few years later. The song was used as the official Children in Need charity single for 1985 in the UK.

However, the single only reached the number 80 position in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single was used for promotion and still has a sticker 'Not for resale' on the label.

My collection: 7" single no. 2705
Found: July 3, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Almost seems (too late to turn)' / 'Journey's end'

Can't stop running - Space Monkey

Not only do I have the 7" single of 'Can't stop running', I've also got the 12" single. This contains an extended remix of the song, entitled the 'Powerblast mix'. It's not the most stunning remix ever, but it's a longer version of this very energetic Eighties track, and that's good enough for me.

I have no further records of Space Monkey, but the career of this one man band (Paul Goodchild being the only member) was rather short anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 326
Found: London, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Can't stop running (Powerblast mix)' / 'Problem world (instrumental)'

Kiss and say goodbye - The Manhattans

This six track EP of the Manhattans was released in 1983 by Pickwick International, a UK label specialising in re-releasing old material. 'Kiss and say goodbye', track one on this EP, is their best known hit, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1976.

According to the blurb on the back sleeve of this EP, The Manhattans hail from the state of New Jersey and consist of Gerald Aiston, Ed Sonny, Bivins Jr., Kenny Kelly and Winfred Blue Lovett.

My collection: 7" single no. 646
Found: Free Record Shop, Leiden, August 12, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Kiss and say goodbye', 'La la la wish upon a star', 'Wonderful world of love' / 'There's no me without you', 'Don't take your love', 'We never danced to a love song'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

'I feel for you' was originally written and recorded by Prince in 1979 on his self-titled album. In 1984, Chaka Khan recorded a cover of this song for her album which was also called 'I feel for you'. The repetition of Khan's name by rapper Melle Mel at the beginning of the song was originally a mistake made by producer Arif Mardin, who then decided to keep it. Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder.

The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart, it reached number 1 and in the Dutch Top 40 the single peaked at number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 1047
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I feel for you' / 'Chinatown'

Red guitar - David Sylvian

'Red guitar' was David Sylvian's biggest solo hit, peaking at number 17 in the UK singles chart. It was a track on Sylvian's debut solo album 'Brilliant trees', which featured guest musicians Danny Thompson, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Holger Czukay.

The B-side is a new recording of the Sylvian & Sakamoto track 'Forbidden colours', which was originally featured on the soundtrack of the movie 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'.

My collection: 7" single no. 278
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Red guitar' / 'Forbidden colours'

Rooms on fire - Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks had a brief relationship with Rupert Hine, who produced her fourth solo album 'The other side of the mirror', released in 1989. According to Nicks, ''Rooms on fire' is about a girl who goes through a life like I have gone through, where she finally accepts the idea that there never will be those other things in her life. She will never be married, she will never have children, she will never do that part of life'.

The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 16 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 929
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rooms on fire' / 'Alice'

Rage hard - Frankie goes to Hollywood

Frankie goes to Hollywood were confronted with the 'difficult second album syndrome' after the phenomenal success of their debut album 'Welcome to the pleasuredome' and its accompanying singles. They recorded their second album 'Liverpool' in Amsterdam, and released 'Rage hard' as the first single from the album.

The single was released as a limited edition with a popup sleeve. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 1 in Germany and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2282
Found: London, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rage hard' / '(Don't lose what's left) Of your little mind'

Miss you - The Rolling Stones

'Miss you' is the only Rolling Stones single in my collection. That's not to say they didn't make any good music: I am certainly looking for one or two more - but that's about it.

The song was mostly written by singer Mick Jagger, although Keith Richards is also credited for the composition. Mick Jagger and Ron Wood insist that the song wasn't conceived as a disco song, while Keith Richards said just the opposite. In any case, it did turn out as a bit of a disco track. The single was released in the summer of 1978 and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 902
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 23, 1989
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Miss you' / 'Far away eyes'

The meaning of love - Depeche Mode

If a Depeche Mode single would be released these days, it's hard to imagine that the sleeve would look like this one here. 'The meaning of love' was released in 1982 as a single from their second album 'A broken frame'. It's obvious that their much was much more simple and upbeat back then.

'The meaning of love' reached number 12 in the UK singles chart, but was less successful in Germany, where it reached number 64. It did not chart in the Netherlands at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2708
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'The meaning of love' / 'Oberkorn (It's a small town)'

Stand by me - Ben E. King

Benjamin Earl Nelson was born on September 28, 1938. After a music career as a member of the Five Crowns and the Drifters, he went solo in 1960, taking on the stage name Ben E. King. That same year, he wrote 'Stand by me', originally intended for use by the Drifters, but they passed on the chance to record it.

King then recorded the song himself, and released it as a single in 1961. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This single is a UK re-release from 1987 on the occasion of the track featuring on the movie 'Stand by me'. On this occasion, it reached number 1 in the UK and number 7 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1016
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Stand by me' (Ben E. King) / 'Yakety yak' (The Coasters)

Moments in love - Art of Noise

'Moments in love' was a beautiful electronic track by Art of Noise, released in the spring of 1987. Although it wasn't their biggest hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 51, it did reach number 10 in the Dutch Top 40, making it their biggest hit up to that point - surpassed only when they released 'Kiss' with Tom Jones a few years later.

There are several versions of 'Moments in love', but this single version is by far the most concise.

My collection: 7" single no. 529
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Moments in love' / 'Beatbox diversion 10'

What love can be - Kingdom come

Kingdom Come formed in 1987 after frontman Lenny Wolf's band Stone Fury broke up. He recruited Pittsburgh-based lead guitarist Danny Stag, Louisvillians Rick Steier and James Kottak and Northern Californian Johnny B. Frank on bass. The band's debut album, 'Kingdom Come' was their only international hit. The musical style was very close to the early blues-rock style of Led Zeppelin.

Their second single was the power ballad 'What love can be'. It was a big hit in America, but sold less well in Europe. Still, I picked it up from the radio and played it a lot for a couple of weeks during the summer of 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 650
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 25, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'What love can be' / 'The shuffle'

DJ Culture - Pet Shop Boys

'DJ culture' was a new track on the Pet Shop Boys compilation album 'Discography', released in 1991. It was released as a single to promote that compilation. According to the singer Neil Tennant, the lyric of the song was about the insincerity of President George H. W. Bush's speeches at the time of the First Gulf War, utilising Winston Churchill's wartime rhetoric, in a manner similar to how artists sample music from other artists.

When the single was released, it peaked at number 13 on the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1556
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 14, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'DJ Culture' / 'Music for boys'

One more little kissy - Luv'

In 1980, just like previous years, Luv's career is going well. They are successful in various countries around the world, such as Mexico where a Spanish version of 'Ooh, yes I di' ('Si que si') reaches the top of the charts. In the Netherlands, meanwhile, the single 'One more little kissy' is released, reaching number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

It is to be their last single release with band member Patty Brard, who announces in the autumn of 1980 that she is leaving Luv'. She also demands half a million guilders from the Luv' company, a sum which she is awarded after a court case. It is not the end of Luv', however: in September 1980 Ria Thielsch takes Brard's place.

My collection: 7" single no. 54
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'One more little kissy' / 'I win it'

Bridge over troubled water - Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon wrote 'Bridge over troubled water' in the summer of 1969 while Art Garfunkel was filming 'Catch-22' in Europe. When the duo got together to record what was to be their last album together, Garfunkel liked Simon's falsetto voice on the demo and suggested that Simon sing. He and producer Roy Halee also thought the song needed three verses and a 'bigger' sound towards the end. Simon agreed and penned the final verse, though he felt it was less than fully cohesive with the earlier verses.

Paul Simon then insisted that Garfunkel should sing the song. He later expressed regret that he did this, as it focused attention on Garfunkel and relegated Simon to a backing position. When the song was released as a single, it became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy of the single was made in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 622
Found: Parkpop, June 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Bridge over troubled water' / 'Keep the customer satisfied'

It don't matter to me - Phil Collins

While in the UK 'Why can't it wait til morning' was released as a single, mainland Europe preferred the more uptempo 'It don't matter to me'. With this rather simplistic sleeve, it still didn't manage high chart placings.

As a result, this was the last single release from Phil Collins' 1982 album 'Hello, I must be going!'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2316
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It don't matter to me' / 'Why can't it wait til morning'

Teriazoume - Evridiki

Evridiki Theokleous was born on February 25, 1968 in Limassol, Cyprus. After studying music, theatre and dance at Le Studio des Variétés in Paris, France, she moved to Athens, Greece in 1989 to launch a career in music. Her debut album 'Gia proti fora' was released in 1991.

In 1992, she represented Cyprus during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Teriazoume'. This song ended in eleventh place. This 12" single features the original Greek version as well as English and French translations. Evridiki would return to the Contest in 1994 with 'Ime anthropos ki ego' (which finished in 11th place as well) and in 2007 with 'Comme ci, comme ça', which didn't end up in the final.

My collection: 12" single no. 329
Found: Trehantiri, London, 2000
Cost: 10 pounds
Tracks: 'Teriazoume' / 'In love I trust', 'Le feu c'est nous'

Let there be love - Simple Minds

The first single from the Simple Minds' 1991 album 'Real life' was 'Let there be love'. Although the song still had a very full sound, gone were the days of stadium rock and misplaced missionarism. Jim Kerr was becoming less of a Bono clone and started focusing on music again. What a nice change.

The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The single version was an edit of the album version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1404
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 30, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Let there be love' / 'Good night'

The taste of your tears - King

'The taste of your tears' was the second single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet', both released in 1985. The beautiful sleeve of this single and the equally beautiful music video helped it become a big hit in the UK, peaking at number 11 in the singles chart in the autumn of 1985.

In the Netherlands, the single did not chart. Since I was an avid follower of UK-based music video television stations, I picked up this track soon enough, but then had to wait for years to finally find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1029
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The taste of your tears' / 'Crazy party'

Lovin' Whiskey - Rory Block

Rory Block was born as Aurora Block on November 6, 1949. She grew up in Manhattan, New York City, and studied classical guitar during her teens. She came in contact with the folk and blues scene and soon enough started writing her own songs.

The album 'Best blues and originals', released in 1987, was Rory Block's tenth album. It featured the song 'Lovin' whiskey', which became a surprise hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1427
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Lovin' whiskey' / 'Ain't no way to do'

The look - Roxette

''Walking like a man, hitting like a hammer'... The first two verses are guide lyrics, words just scribbled down to have something to sing. Couldn't come up with anything better, so we kept them. Everybody gets lucky sometimes...', said Per Gessle, after the 1989 Roxette single 'The look' had become a worldwide hit.

When 'The look' was about to be released in Sweden as the third single from Roxette's second album 'Look sharp!', an American exchange named Dean Cushman returned from Sweden and urged radio station KDWB in Minneapolis to play the song. From there, 'The look' spread on cassette copies to other radio stations. With the song's radio success, EMI quickly released 'The look'. Suddenly, Roxette had a number 1 hit in the USA before the album was even released.

Personally, I didn't like the song at all, but eventually bought it because of the B-side: 'Silver blue' ended up on Roxette's 1992 album 'Tourism'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2602
Found: January 27, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The look' / 'Silver blue (demo)'

The tracks of my tears - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

'The tracks of my tears' is one of those classic Motown tunes. Recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1965, it is actually listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. But is it Rock and Roll? I'd like to consider it soul music.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart in 1969, whereas it only reached the Dutch Top 40 when it was re-released in 1987, although on that occasion it still only made number 37.

My collection: 7" single no. 1080
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The tracks of my tears' / 'I second that emotion'

Damn I wish I was your lover - Sophie B. Hawkins

Sophie B. Hawkins was born on November 1, 1967 in Manhattan, New York City. Her debut album 'Tongues and tails' was released in 1992. Her debut single was 'Damn I wish I was your lover', which became a number 5 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In Europe, the single's succes was more moderate. It reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1672
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Damn I wish I was your lover' / 'Don't stop swaying'

Stir it up - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Bob Marley composed 'Stir it up' in 1967. It was first made popular by Johnny Nash in 1972. It was finally released by Bob Marley himself in 1979. This live recording of 'Stir it up' reached the Dutch Top 40 in March1979 and peaked at number 2.

It was Marley's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands. It's interesting to note that his next two hits in the Netherlands also reached number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1625
Found: April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Stir it up' / 'Rat race'

Love to love you - Donna Summer

In the summer of 1975, Summer approached Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte with an idea for a song. She had come up with the lyric 'Love to love you, baby' as the possible title for the song. Moroder in particular was interested in developing the new disco sound, and used Summer's idea to develop the song into an overtly sexual disco track. Summer was initially hesitant to go along with this idea, but eventually agreed on recording a demo so someone else could record the song after that. Moroder was so astounded with Summer's orgasmic vocals and her imaginative moans and groans that he insisted she should release the single herself. Summer reluctantly agreed and the song, titled 'Love to love you', was released to modest success in Europe.

when the song reached American record company executive Neil Bogart, he was so impressed that he requested Moroder to produce a longer version of the track. Moroder, Bellotte and Summer recorded a 17 minute version, renamed it 'Love to love you baby', and had an American number 2 hit before they knew it. Sex sells.

My collection: 7" single no. 2231
Found: January 10, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love to love you' / 'Need-a-man blues'

Breathing - Kate Bush

I think it's fair to say that 'Breathing' is an early masterpiece by Kate Bush. The lyric is about a foetus, very much aware of what is going on outside the womb and frightened to be born into a world poisoned by nuclear fallout. The lyrics also refer to the foetus absorbing nicotine from the mother's smoking.

The single version is different from the album version, although only the most avid Kate Bush fans can tell the difference: it's a sound missing in the first verse, and an extra drumroll in the musical intermezzo later on in the song. (This single version was released on cd only once, on a compilation to benefit Greenpeace.)

Thanks to these avid fans we also know what is said by the scientist in this song: 'In point of fact it is possible to tell the difference between a small nuclear explosion and a large one by a very simple method. The calling card of a nuclear bomb is the blinding flash that is far more dazzling than any light on earth--brighter even than the sun itself--and it is by the duration of this flash that we are able to determine the size of the weapon. After the flash a fireball can be seen to rise, sucking up under it the debris, dust and living things around the area of the explosion, and as this ascends, it soon becomes recognisable as the familiar "mushroom cloud". As a demonstration of the flash duration test let's try and count the number of seconds for the flash emitted by a very small bomb; then a more substantial, medium-sized bomb; and finally, one of our very powerful,"high-yield" bombs.' It's rather scary.

The sleeve of the single was originally designed to be mostly black, but a white version was made as well, released in France and Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 273 (black) / no. 2050 (white)
Found: Den Haag, 1983 / November 13, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder / 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Breathing' / 'The empty bullring'

Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

'Tusk' was recorded by Fleetwood Mac on their 1979 double album of the same name. It was based in part on a rehearsal riff the band used for sound-checks. 'Tusk' was recorded live at Dodger Stadium (without an audience) in Los Angeles, California in collaboration with the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band. The performance was also filmed for the song's music video.

The single reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 718
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 13, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tusk' / 'Never make me cry'

Nasty - Janet Jackson

'Nasty' was written by Janet Jackson after she was confronted with abusive men. She later commented: 'They were emotionally abusive. Sexually threatening. Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That's how songs like 'Nasty' and 'What have you done for me lately' were born, out of a sense of self-defense. Control meant not only taking care of myself but living in a much less protected world. And doing that meant growing a tough skin. Getting attitude. '

The song became the second single taken from Janet Jackson's 1986 album 'Control'. It reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2470
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Nasty' / 'You'll never find (a love like mine)'

Sadeness - Enigma

The 1990 single 'Sadeness' was written by Michael Cretu, Frank Peterson and David Fairstein. The lyrics are in Latin and French; the Latin text includes a quotation from Psalm 24:7-8. The gregorian vocals were mostly taken from the 1976 album 'Paschale Mysterium' by Munich choir 'capella antiqua' with conductor Konrad Ruhland, specifically from their track 'Cum angelis + Psalm 24(23)'. Thie samples were first used without permission, and after a lawsuit in 1994 the matter was settled by compensation.

'Sadeness (part 1)' was the debut single of Cretu's music project Enigma, which would continue for two decades and (so far) seven albums. Each one gets more predictable. This first release still sounds fresh, with quite interesting vocals by Cretu's wife, Sandra.

My collection: 7" single no. 1373
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 21, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sadeness (part 1) (radio edit)' / 'Sadeness (part 1) (Meditation mix)'

Under pressure (Rah mix) - Queen and David Bowie

Freddie Mercury was dead and had been dead for eight years, when EMI Records decided they wanted to milk the Queen legacy a little more than they already had. And so the third Greatest Hits compilation came to be in 1999, collecting all the singles from Queen's last three albums, plus a few filler tracks.

One of those filler tracks was a remix of the Eighties hit 'Under pressure', which Queen had recorded with David Bowie. This track was also released as a single, released in time for the Christmas season, which reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. This picture disc 7" is beautiful enough, but it still reeks a bit of opportunism.

My collection: 7" single no. 3180
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 16, 2000
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Under pressure (Rah mix)' / 'Bohemian rhapsody'

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'