Manic Monday - The Bangles

With 'Manic Monday' the Bangles finally had a worldwide hit single on their hands. The song was written by Prince in 1984 and originally recorded as a duet for the Apollonia 6 album, but the song was eventually pulled. Two years later, as he was attempting to 'court' singer Susanna Hoffs of the band, Prince, using the pseudonym Christopher, offered the song to them to record their version.

The single reached number 2 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as reaching number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2019
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Manic Monday' / 'In a different light'

Everything's coming up roses - Black

After years of struggling, Black finally signed with a major label in 1987. A&M records took on the task of lifting the band from its indie status and towards the higher regions of the charts. The first single on A&M was 'Everything's coming up roses', a rather rough track when compared to the rest of their later repertoire.

It has to be said: A&M did their best, even releasing the single as a limited edition pressed on white vinyl and with a four page booklet included in the gatefold sleeve. Nevertheless, the single did not chart. But fortunately, good things were just around the corner for Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 1770
Found: London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Everything's coming up roses' / 'Ravel in the rain'

I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing - Pet Shop Boys

'I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing' is a track on the Pet Shop Boys' fifth studio album 'Very'. The track was remixed and released as the third single from the album in November 1993. It reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. The single was remixed for the 12" and cd-single formats by six different remixers.

In 1998, Robbie Williams recorded a cover version of this track as a bonus track on his single 'Let me entertain you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2063
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing' / 'Too many people'

Familiar ground - Lori Spee

When I was young, I had a weekly allowance of three guilders. The record shop around the corner sold chart singles for six guilders, so I had to save up for two weeks to buy a singles. But fortunately, the shop also sold off singles that left the charts for three guilders. So usually I opted for these discount discs. Sometimes this resulted in a bad buy: a single I bought and then rarely ever played again.

These bad buys usually happened in weeks when there weren't that many good singles available at discount price. Lori Spee's 'Familiar ground' is a good example of this: throughout my life I think I played this single five times, at most. Lori was an American immigrant, based in the Netherlands, singing these kind of middle of the road songs and having moderate success with it. This particular single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 120
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Familiar ground' / 'Problem child'

By your side - Sade

'By your side' was the first single from Sade's fifth studio album 'Lovers Rock', released in 2000. The track was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, losing out to Nelly Furtado's 'I'm like a bird' (unbelievably). The single reached number 17 in the UK singles chart.

As far as I know, this is the only release of the single on 7": an American pressing featuring the same track on both sides. It's also, as far as I know, the last 7" single release by Sade.

My collection: 7" single no. 3270
Found: HMV, London, October 23, 2000
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'By your side' / 'By your side'

Dangerous - Roxette

'Dangerous', written by Per Gessle, is the fourth single released from Roxette's album 'Look Sharp!'. Gessle penned it just before Roxette's first tour in 1987.

Released at the end of 1989, it was the group's third top 10 showing on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 2 in February 1990. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 1195
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 14, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Dangerous' / 'Surrender (live)'

Every 1's a winner (Groove mix) - Hot Chocolate

Ben Liebrand has remixed many tracks since the early Eighties, and some of them were even released as singles. Some examples already made their way onto this blog, and here's another one: his 1987 remix of Hot Chocolate's 'Every 1's a winner'. It was released after his remix of 'You sexy thing', released in January 1987, reached number 10 in the UK singles chart.

This remix was less successful by comparison: it only made number 69 in the UK singles chart in April 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2321
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Every 1's a winner (Groove mix)' / 'So you win again'

Secret - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Secret' is a single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released as a single from their 1985 album 'Crush'. It was their second hit in the US, peaking at number 63 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also made the top 40 in the UK at number 34. The song was also featured in the movie 'Arthur 2: On the rocks' and on its soundtrack album.

This single was released as a limited edition in a poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2374
Found: Record fair, February 1, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Secret' / 'Drift'

The promise you made - Cock Robin

'The promise you made' was written by Peter Kingsbery for the debut album of his band Cock Robin. It was released as the album's second single in 1986. It became a major hit in the Netherlands, topping the Dutch Top 40 March 1986 for several weeks. It also went top 10 in France, Germany and Switzerland.

I own two different versions of the single: one was released in Europe with a beautiful coloured sleeve (pictured above). In the UK, an alternate sleeve was used, with a monochromo photograph and an alternate design (pictured below).

In 2005, Belgian singer Kate Ryan recorded and released a cover version of this song, in French and English.

My collection: 7" single no. 785 / no. 2021
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 30, 1989 / House of Rhythm, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The promise you made' / 'Have you any sympathy'

Even aan mijn moeder vragen - Bloem

The Dutch band Bloem was formed in 1980 by Joost Timp, Cor Claessen, Juus Piek and Tom Sijmons. Their debut single 'Even aan mijn moeder vragen' ('Have to ask my mum') was an immediate hit, selling 45.000 copies in the Netherlands and reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

I didn't like that song, but I got to hear the B-side, which was fantastic. The lyric of 'Kassa's overdag' ('Tills at daytime') was written from the point of view of a shoplifter. I liked the track so much I even mutilated the sleeve of this single not so long after I bought it, making it seem like the B-side was the A-side. Defacing sleeves is a capital offence, of course. In my defense: I was very young.

My collection: 7" single no. 99
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Even aan mijn moeder vragen' / 'Kassa's overdag'

Electric avenue - Eddy Grant

'Electric avenue' is one of Eddy Grant's most popular tracks. It was taken from his 1983 album 'Killer on the rampage'. The song is named after Electric Avenue, a market street in the Brixton area of London, England.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2826
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Electric avenue' / 'Walking on sunshine'

One day I'll fly away - Randy Crawford

Randy Crawford left the Crusaders in 1979 and started a solo career. It took off right away with this single, the beautiful ballad 'One day I'll fly away'. I remember it became a chart tip on the Dutch broadcaster TROS, played every hour on the radio. At the end of the day I wished she would really fly away.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn on 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 822
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'One day I'll fly away' / 'Last night at danceland'

Relax - Frankie goes to Hollywood

I don't have many Frankie goes to Hollywood singles (though that may still change when I get a chance), but this is one of them: the 1993 re-release of 'Relax', originally the band's debut single in 1983. It was re-released to promote the compilation album 'Bang! The Greatest hits of Frankie goes to Hollywood'.

The single featured a new 1993 version of 'Relax' on the B-side, although that one is basically just a slightly sped up version of the track. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. Both peak positions were lower than ten years before.

My collection: 7" single no. 2059
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 3, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Relax' / 'Relax MCMXCIII'

One step ahead - Nik Kershaw

'The works' was Nik Kershaw's fourth album, released in 1989. Although it was intended to be his big comeback after two years away from the music scene, the album did not have the amount of success which was hoped for.

The first single from the album was 'One step ahead', a decent pop song with a slight retro sound when compared to its contemporaries. The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2143
Found: Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'One step ahead' / 'When I grow up'

See you - Depeche Mode

After Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode, the remaining members were left to their own devices. Martin Gore stepped up and wrote the first post-Clarke single, 'See you'. It was still a rather innocent love song, showing once again how much has changed since then. If he would have written this song now, it would have been the point of view of a stalker, or something.

'See you' became the band's biggest hit up to that point, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, which was higher than all three previously released singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 746
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'See you' / 'Now this is fun'

Control - Janet Jackson

'Control' was the fourth single taken from Janet Jackson's third album of the same name. The song was written by Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The lyric is about Jackson who wants to finally take control of her life. Its arrangement, built upon complex rhythmic tracks, showcased a state-of-the-art production.

Jackson has performed the song on almost all of her tours. The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2323
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Control' / 'Fast girls'

Love like a river - Climie Fisher

'Love like a river / It's flowing' is not one of the biggest poetic accomplishments of all time, but at least Climie Fisher managed to make a nice popsong with these words. They released 'Love like a river' in the autumn of 1988 and had a hit with it in various European countries. The single peaked at number 22 in the UK singles chart and hit number 18 in Austria.

This single was released in a limited edition with a free poster. I managed to score a copy years after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2887
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love like a river' / 'Love changes everything'

Waves - Blancmange

When I heard Blancmange's 'Waves' for the first time, I thought it was a fascinating track. With an intro lasting for 40 seconds and an instrumental backing that was nothing short of overwhelming, it was one of those singles I simply had to own.

'Waves' was released in February 1983 and reached number 19 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 214
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Waves' / 'The game above my head'

Kid - Pretenders

I got to know the song 'Kid' by the Pretenders when they released an acoustic ballad version of the song in 1994. After I bought that cd-single I got curious about the original version, and it's that curiosity that made me buy this 7" single.

'Kid' was originally released as the second single from the Pretenders, taken from their self-titled 1979 debut album. The single reached number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 90 in Australia. It was their last single release before 'Brass in pocket', the song that would take them all the way to number 1 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2704
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Kid' / 'Tattooed love boys'

You don't love me - Marilyn

Well, I've got the 12" single of 'You don't love me', but I've got the 7" single as well. It was Marilyn's third single, reaching number 40 in the UK singles chart, which was lower than his previous two efforts - but it was his first single to score in European charts. In the Dutch Top 40, 'You don't love me' reached number 14.

His debut album 'Despite straight lines' was released one year later, in 1985. The album failed to chart and subsequent singles were also unsuccessful. The momentum of Marilyn had gone as fast as it came.

My collection: 7" single no. 781
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 24, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'You don't love me' / 'Raining again'

Don't answer me - Alan Parsons Project

In 1984, Alan Parsons Project released their seventh and commercially most successful album 'Ammonia Avenue'. The first single from the album was 'Don't answer me', a track that had a 'wall of sound' production style made famous by Phil Spector.With lead vocals by Eric Woolfson and an animated music video, the track became a big hit all over Europe.

'Don't answer me' reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3314
Found: March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Don't answer me' / 'You don't believe'

Don't cry for me Argentina - Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor released her version of the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice song 'Don't cry for me Argentina' as the second single from her album 'Am I not your girl', an album of covers of mostly jazz standard. This particular track came from the musical Evita.

Sinéad O'Connor's version managed to reach number 53 in the UK singles chart, although it failed to chart in most other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1802
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 19, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't cry for me Argentina' / 'Scarlet ribbons (live)'

Allan (live) - Mylene Farmer

The live version of 'Allan' was the first single taken from Mylene Farmer's first live album, 'En concert' (1989). The song, which originally appeared on Mylene's second album 'Ainsi soit je..', is a tribute to the American poet Edgar Allan Poe. One verse of the song contains the word 'Ligeia' which refers to the name of Poe's fairy tale published in 1837.

'Allan' was only performed during Mylene's 1989 live tour, and has not appeared on subsequent live concerts since then. This single reached number 32 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2111
Found: Record fair, June 4, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Allan (live)' / 'Psychiatric'

I ran - A flock of seagulls

'I ran' was the third single of A flock of seagulls, taken from their self-titled debut album. The single peaked at number 1 in Australia, number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In an interview, band member Mike Score said that he resents the song, but plays it live because people enjoy it.

My collection: 7" single no. 863
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I ran' / 'Pick me up'

And the world turns on - Bolland and Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland had become completely independent by the mid-Eighties. Originally performing artists, they started producing in the early eighties and even owned their own recording studio as well.

When they released one of their last singles in 1988, it had also become clear that they might have been in need of some outside advise. 'And the world turns on' is a nice enough song, but the production is so cluttered and the track is so full of sound effects, that there's hardly any song left. No wonder it didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 702
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 17, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'And the world turns on (European mix)' / 'And the world turns on (USA mix)'

What you're proposing - Status Quo

Status Quo released their album 'Just supposin'' in October 1980. It was produced by the band and John Eden. The album was recorded at Windmill Lane Studio in Dublin. The recording sessions yielded enough tracks for this album and the follow-up, 'Never too late', released just five months later.

'What you're proposing' was the first single release from 'Just supposin'', a dynamic rock track that grooves like a madman. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2931
Found: Record fair, January 17, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'What you're proposing' / 'AB Blues'

My old piano - Diana Ross

Having had piano lessons between the age of 5 and 20, you would expect that I would have learned to play a mean bit of piano. But when I stopped playing for a year and then tried again, I realised I couldn't read any notes anymore and that the whole thing seemed to just have drifted away. I've never been any good at doing things alone: even in school, the only thing that kept my grades up were the group assignments.

However, I did always have a preference for keyboard-based music. And even a song like Diana Ross's 'My old piano', an ode to the instrument, caught my fancy. Produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, it gave Diana Ross a worldwide hit, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 963
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'My old piano' / 'Give up'

Eeny meeny miny moe - Luv'

'Eeny meeny miny moe' was released in the summer of 1979 as a single from Luv's second album 'Lots of Luv'. As usual, the track was produced by Hans van Hemert and written by Janschen and Janschens, the duo that had given Luv' five Dutch top 10 hits in 1978 and 1979. This was the first single to peak outside the top 10 of the Dutch Top 40: at number 11.

The French edition of this single featured the B-side 'I.M.U.R.' as the A-side and vice versa.

My collection: 7" single no. 4183
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eeny meeny miny moe' / 'I.M.U.R.'

Avanti la vie - Jacques Zegers

Jacques Zegers was born on June 25, 1947 in Brussels, Belgium. He began singing in cabaret at the age of 16 and continued to participate in song contests while he pursued a career as a journalist. In 1984, he was asked to record 'L.A. en Olympie', the official Belgian song for the 1984 Olympic Games.

In the same year, Zegers represented Belgium during the Eurovision Song Contest. His song 'Avanti la vie' finished fifth in the Contest in a field of 19 participants. It has become one of the lesser known Belgian entries for Eurovision.

My collection: 7" single no. 4154
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Avanti la vie' / 'Des etoiles dans le coeur'

Too much trouble - Limahl

After Limahl left the band Kajagoogoo, he embarked on a solo career. His first solo single was 'Only for love', a hit in the UK, USA and Germany. The second single, released in early 1984, was 'Too much trouble'. This single reached number 26 in Germany and number 64 in the UK singles chart.

Both singles were included on Limahl's debut solo album, 'Don't suppose', released in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 1828
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Too much trouble' / 'You've been gone for a little while (Too much trouble reprise)'

Go west - Pet Shop Boys

In 1992, when Pet Shop Boys were asked by Derek Jarman to perform at an AIDS charity event at The Haçienda nightclub in Manchester, Chris Lowe of the duo selected 'Go west' (originally released by the Village People) as the song they would perform. Though singer Neil Tennant was unable to remember the lyrics during that performance, the two decided to record it as a single.

The original single version of the song, set for an earlier release in 1992 as a non-album single, was never used. When the single was released as the second single from their album 'Very' in 1993, it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 1 in Germany and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1988
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Go west' / 'Shameless'

Loving you - Chris Rea

'Loving you' was released as the first single from Chris Rea's fourth album in 1982. The single was only a minor success, reaching number 65 in the UK singles chart and number 88 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It's not one of Rea's best singles, overstretching his voice as he sings this song. But it's still a decent release.

My collection: 7" single no. 3095
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Loving you' / 'Let me be the one'

Get down - Gilbert O'Sullivan

'Get down' is a track on Gilbert O'Sullivan's 1973 album 'I'm a writer, not a fighter'. The single spent two weeks at the top of the UK singles chart and reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

As young as I was in 1973, the song has always stuck in my head as one of the catchy tunes of that time. I'd all but forgotten about this track until I found the single today.

My collection: 7" single no. 4205
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,30 euro
Tracks: 'Get down' / 'A very extraordinary sort of girl'

Honey - Bobby Goldsboro

Bobby Goldsboro was born on January 18, 1941 in Marianna, Florida. He left university in 1961 to pursue a music career. He played guitar with Roy Orbison between 1962 and 1964, while releasing a few unsuccessful solo singles. In 1964, he had his first hit with 'See the funny little clown', after which his solo career took off.

The biggest hit of his career was 'Honey', released in 1968. The song is an unmitigated tearjerker, in which the protagonist mourns the death of his young wife. The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 2 in the UK singles chart. The single was re-released in 1975, and on this occasion it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart once more. The song is quite controversial among music lovers, as it has appeared on 'worst songs of all times' lists frequently. Personally I think this track is very beautiful.

My collection: 7" single no. 4204
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,40 euro
Tracks: 'Honey' / 'Muddy Mississippi line'

Nothing rhymed - Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert O'Sullivan was born as Raymond Edward O'Sullivan on December 1, 1946. He attended St. Joseph's and the Swindon College of Art, playing drums in a band founded by Rick Davies (who would go on to be in Supertramp).

In 1967, O'Sullivan signed a recording contract, releasing a handful of unsuccessful singles. It was in 1971, when he signed to MAM records, when he achieved his first major success with the song 'Nothing rhymed'. It reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4203
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,30 euro
Tracks: 'Nothing rhymed' / 'Everybody knows'

Saved by the bell - Robin Gibb

Traditionally, Robin Gibb was the lead singer of the Bee Gees, vying for the spot with his elder brother Barry Gibb during the trio's first period of success in the late Sixties. This resulted in a splitup of the Bee Gees, with all three brothers trying a solo career.

Robin's career took off really well, with his debut solo single 'Saved by the bell' reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1969. The album 'Robin's reign' was less successful. In the end, the Bee Gees reformed in 1970, starting a second run of success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4202
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Saved by the bell' / 'Mother and Jack'

One love/People get ready - Bob Marley and the Wailers

'One love/People get ready' was originally released in 1977 on the Bob Marley & the Wailers album 'Exodus'. The song contains an interpolation of The Impressions' song 'People get ready' written by Curtis Mayfield. 'One love' was inspired by Marley's friend Roman Selvaggio, a North Caribbean painter.

'One love' was released as a single in 1984 to promote the posthumous compilation album 'Legend'. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4201
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'One love/People get ready' / 'So much trouble in the world'

Kayleigh - Marillion

The song 'Kayleigh' has become one of those indestructible rock anthems from the Eighties, a staple on the radio and a big hit when it was originally released as a single in 1985. Although the lead singer and lyricist of the band, Fish, had at one point dated a woman whose forenames were Kay Lee, the song was more a compilation of several different women with whom he had had relationships. According to him, the song was 'his way of apologising to some of the women he had dated in the past.'

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. The name Kayleigh became very popular as a result of this song. In late 2005, 96% of Kayleighs living in the United Kingdom were born after 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 303
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Kayleigh' / 'Lady Nina'

Skin trade - Duran Duran

The title 'Skin trade' was derived from the Dylan Thomas book 'Adventures in the skin trade'. The music for the song was written long before Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics. They reflect on how everyone is selling themselves, and 'there's a little hooker in each of us'. The single was quite a departure for the band. Not only was Simon LeBon singing in a Prince-style falsetto, but a horn section played a prominent role in the track, as played by The Borneo Horns.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 516
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Skin trade' / 'We need you'

Never never - The Assembly

When Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode, he had a brief period of working with various other artists. His first project was Yazoo, together with Alison Moyet, and then in 1983 he got together with Feargal Sharkey to record a single as The Asssembly. 'Never never' featured a sampled guitar track, triggered note for note on a Fairlight CMI.

Vince Clarke and producer Daniel Radcliffe had planned to record more tracks as The Assembly, using a different singer on each track, but none were released after 'Never never'. This one single was a big success nevertheless, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 996
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Never never' / 'Stop/Start'

Time (Clock of the heart) - Culture Club

'Time (Clock of the heart)' was a stand-alone single in most of the world, but the track was included on the American version of Culture Club's debut album 'Kissing to be clever'. In Europe, its first inclusion on a Culture Club album was on their 1987 compilation, called 'This time: the first four years'.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 832
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Time (Clock of the heart)' / 'White boys can't control it'

Change - Lisa Stansfield

There's a famous scene in the American sitcom 'Married... with children' in which Al Bundy judges a line of women with the qualifications 'Hot babe' and 'Cold shower'. Lisa Stansfield made a remarkable transformation from 'Cold shower' to 'Hot babe' in 1991, when she released her second album 'Real love'.

The first single from the album was 'Change', released in the autumn of 1991. It reachde number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1545
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Change' / 'A little more love'

Er is zoveel verdriet - Mam

The Dutch band Mam debuted in 1987 with this single, 'Er is zoveel verdriet' ('There's so much sadness'). It's a dynamic song that crashes around for a little over two minutes. It was played very often on Dutch radio at the time, which is how I got to know the track.

The B-side is 'Er luistert toch niemand' ('Nobody's listening anyway'), an intimate little song, in a version that is very different from the one on their debut album, released the same year. Both the album and the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 557
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Er is zoveel verdriet' / 'Er luistert toch niemand'

See the lights - Simple Minds

'See the lights' was the second single released from Simple Minds' 1991 album 'Real life'. The track was remixed and edited for the single.

It was a moderate success for the Scottish band, reaching number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 1549
Found: November 26, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'See the lights (7" version)' / 'Theme for great cities '91 (edit)'

Listen to the voices - Labi Siffre

In 1985, Labi Siffre came out of a self-imposed retirement from music after five years, when he saw a television film from South Africa showing a white soldier shooting at black children. He wrote '(Something inside) So strong', relaunching his career. The song has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre’s lyrics - although personally I didn't like that song.

The follow-up 'Listen to the voices' appealed more to me, although that one was significantly less popular in the charts. It reached number 23 in the Dutch Top 40, but didn't chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 692
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 1, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Listen to the voices' / 'Never let you down'

Too funky - George Michael

'Too funky' was George Michael's final single for Sony Music before he started legal action against his record company to be freed from his contract. Although the track was intended for his album 'Listen without prejudice vol. 2', George shelved that idea and donated this song along with two others for the project 'Red Hot & Dance', an album to raise money for AIDS awareness.

Lyrically, the song was a basic, animalistic plea from George Michael for sexual activity with an individual. The track featured a sound clip from the movie 'The graduate': Anne Bancroft's line of 'Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2480
Found: London, October 29, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Too funky' / 'Crazyman dance'

Le soleil donne - Laurent Voulzy

One of Laurent Voulzy's biggest hits in France was 'Le soleil donne', released in 1988. The song featured verses in French, English and Spanish and a very radio- and summerfriendly melody.

The single was even released outside of France, as is evidenced with this particular single, made in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 4198
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Le soleil donne (part 1)' / 'Le soleil donne (part 2)'

The pen is the mightiest weapon - Fay Lovsky

In 1985, Fay Lovsky released her fourth album 'Cinema'. The album was produced by Fay Lovsky herself. Two singles were drawn from the album: 'Galileo' and 'The pen is the mightiest weapon'. Both singles did not chart.

After this album, Fay joined the Dutch band The Magnificent 7, which existed between 1986 and 1991 and released only one album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4179
Found: Chelsea Records, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The pen is the mightiest weapon' / 'Bad continuity'