Stainsby girls - Chris Rea

Chris Rea wrote 'Stainsby girls' as a tribute for his wife Joan, a former student of the Stainsby Secondary Modern School. The single was taken from the album 'Shamrock diaries', released in 1985. The album was a number one hit in many European countries and Australia.

The single was Rea's first major hit in the UK, reaching number 26 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4245
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Stainsby girls' / 'And when she smiles'

Horoscope - Harpo

Although I am not familiar with most of Harpo's work, I bought three singles by him on one day. This is the third and last one.

'Horoscope' was released in 1976, as a single from his album 'Moviestar'. It reached number 1 in Denmark and was also a hit elsewhere in Scandinavia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4244
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Horoscope' / 'Jessica'

Dreaming - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

When the compilation album 'The best of OMD' was released in 1988, the new track 'Dreaming' was released as the accompanying single. Produced by OMD and mixed by Tom Lord Alge, it was an uncharacteristically uncomplicated lovesong.

While the single was not a big success in the UK (where it peaked at number 50), it was the band's second most successful single in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 16. It was also the last single by OMD in their original lineup, as Paul Humphreys left the band in 1989 to form The Listening Pool. Andy McCluskey continued OMD on his own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4246
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dreaming' / 'Satellite'

Five miles out - Mike Oldfield

Released in February 1982, 'Five miles out' was a single from the Mike Oldfield album of the same name. The song makes numerous references to flying. It has a complex structure despite its short length. Maggie Reilly makes her first appearance on a Mike Oldfield song, but her voice is almost drowned in Mike Oldfield's voice (which is processed through a vocoder).

The single was a modest success, reaching number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 42 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4241
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Five miles out' / 'Live punkadiddle'

Oh l'amour - Erasure

'Oh l'amour' was released in April 1986 as the third single by the synthpop duo Erasure. Written by members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the song is a lament from someone experiencing unrequited love.

Upon its release, the single reached number 85 in the UK singles chart, but reached number 2 in South Africa, number 16 in Germany and number 13 in Australia. Furthermore, it became their only hit to date in France, where it reached number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 4242
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Oh l'amour' / 'March on down the line'

Two tribes - Frankie goes to Hollywood

People who grew up in the Eighties are usually familiar with the music video for Frankie goes to Hollywood's second single 'Two tribes', in which two actors playing Ronald Reagan and Konstantin Chernenko are in a wrestling match.

The track itself is equally famous for its hasty tempo and loud production by Trevor Horn. The single was released at the height of the cold war, when general fears about global nuclear warfare were at a peak. According to Frankie's frontman Holly Johnson: 'There's two elements in the music - an American funk line and a Russian line. It’s the most obvious demonstration of two tribes that we have today.' The single went number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 4240
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Two tribes' / 'One February Friday'

Visage - Visage

'Visage' was the fourth single by Visage, released in June 1981. It is the title track from Visage's selftitled debut album, produced by Visage and Midge Ure. This single is the German pressing, which comes in a different sleeve from the UK edition.

'Visage' reached number 21 in the UK singles chart, but was unsuccessful in mainland Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4239
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Visage' / 'Second steps'

Take Four EP - Mike Oldfield

The EP 'Take Four' was released in 1978. It contained one new track: 'Wrekorder Wrondo', plus three previous singles. 'Sailors hornpipe' was the finale on Mike Oldfield's most famous album, 'Tubular bells', while 'Portsmouth' and 'In dulci jubilo' were top 5 hits in the UK in 1976 and 1975 respectively.

Although this collection of tracks spans five years, it's surprising to hear the consistency in the sound of this EP. It's not that the tracks sound the same, but the folky instrumentation is there throughout the entire EP.

My collection: 7" single no. 4238
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Portsmouth', 'In dulci jubilo' / 'Wrekorder wrondo', 'Sailors hornpipe'

Give a little bit - Supertramp

Supertramp released one of their best albums in 1977 with 'Even in the quietest moments'. 'Give a little bit' was the opening track on the album, and also released as the first single from the album. Writing credits for the song were given to Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, members of the band, although it really is a Hodgson composition.

The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4237
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Give a little bit' / 'Downstream'

The heat is on - Glenn Frey

'The heat is on' was written by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey and recorded by Glenn Frey for the sountrack of the 1984 movie 'Beverly Hills cop'. The recording starts with an intriguing intro, then turns into a rather straightforward pop song.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and Australian singles chart, and peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4236
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The heat is on' (Glenn Frey) / 'Shoot out' (Harold Faltermeyer)

Americanos - Holly Johnson

Back in 1989, I didn't really like the track 'Americanos', written and performed by Holly Johnson. It was basically a listing of all the things I didn't like about the American junk culture - except maybe those Oreo cookies.

It was Holly Johnson's second solo single, after leaving his band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4235
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Americanos' / 'Americanos (Mambo dub mix)'

Oh yeah - Roxy Music

'Oh yeah' was written by Bryan Ferry. He explained in an interview: 'In this song I was trying to create a picture of Americana, and long hot summer evenings at drive-in movies. It is wistful and nostalgic, rather like a country record.'

The track was released as the second single from Roxy Music's 1980 album 'Flesh + Blood'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, just like the previous single 'Over you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4234
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Oh yeah' / 'South downs'

Johnny Blue - Lena Valaitis

Valaitis was born in Memel (Klaipėda), in 1943 part of the Memel Territory of East Prussia, Germany, now in Lithuania. Her father, a soldier of the Wehrmacht, was killed during World War II. At the end of the war, Valaitis, her mother, and her brother arrived as refugees in West Germany.

She began her musical career by joining the band Frederik Brothers. She signed a record contract with Philips in 1970 and released her first single, 'Halt das Glück für uns fest' that same year. Six years later she enjoyed her first big chart success with 'Da kommt José der Straßenmusikant'. In 1981, she represented Germany during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Johnny Blue', which finished second.

My collection: 7" single no. 4217
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny Blue' / 'Jeder Mensch hat seinen Traum'

Nobody's perfect - Mike and the Mechanics

'Nobody's perfect' was the first single from Mike and the Mechanics' 1988 album 'The living years'. With its rather original sound, the track still failed to catch the attention of the general public and went by almost unnoticed. Still, I got to know the song because my sister bought it when it came out.

The single reached number 63 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 80 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4233
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Nobody's perfect' / 'Nobody knows'

Via Satellit - Rheingold

Bodo Staiger, Brigitte Kunz and Lothar Manteuffel formed Rheingold in the early Eighties. Their biggest hit was 'Dreiklangs dimensionen', released in 1982. They continued making music, and this single from 1983 is proof of that.

'Via Satellit' is another synthpop track, slightly reminiscent of material by Kraftwerk, but with the lush production values of Conny Plank, who became famous for his work with Ultravox.

My collection: 7" single no. 4232
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Via Satellit' / 'Digital'

Que sera - Chris Rea

In 1988, Chris Rea released the album 'New light through old windows', an album of re-recordings of his own songs. Reportedly, Rea was dissatisfied with some of his earliest recordings, produced by Gus Dudgeon. There are rumours, however, that Rea wanted to dispense with royalties or contractual payments on the original recordings that would have been due under an agreement with his first manager John McCoy, with whom Rea had parted ways in the early Eighties.

'Que sera' predates this album by a couple of months. It is actually a re-recording of a track on his 1987 album 'Dancing with strangers'. Perhaps this re-recording was also a source of inspiration for 'New light through old windows'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4231
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Que sera' / 'Se sequi'

With a girl like you - Harpo

'With a girl like you' was written by Reg Presley and a hit single for the Troggs in 1966. Swedish singer Harpo released his version of the song in 1978. Although the single was released all over Europe, it was not a hit.

The B-side of the single features 'Ballad of Los Angeles', written by Harpo himself. He actually travelled to Los Angeles in 1977, and this song was one of the creative results from that trip.

My collection: 7" single no. 4230
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'With a girl like you' / 'Ballad of Los Angeles'

Walking on sunshine - Katrina and the Waves

'Walking on sunshine' is a song on Katrina and the Waves' second album of the same name. The song was released as a single from the album in a re-recorded version. This single, released in 1985, reached number 4 in Australia, number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side of the single features a version of 'Going down to Liverpool', a track that was a modest hit for the Bangles in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 4229
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Walking on sunshine' / 'Going down to Liverpool'

How old are you? - Robin Gibb

While a member of the Bee Gees, Robin Gibb still had a solo career. During the Eighties he released three solo albums: 'How old are you', 'Secret agent' and 'Walls have eyes'. From the first of these comes this single, the title track of that album.

'How old are you' reached number 37 in Germany and number 92 in the UK singles chart. Although I do remember the song from 1983, it was not a hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4228
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'How old are you?' / 'I believe in miracles'

On the radio - Donna Summer

Donna Summer's 1979 single 'On the radio' was written for the soundtrack of the movie 'Foxes' and also included as a new track on her first international compilation album 'On the radio: greatest hits volumes 1 & 2'.

When the track was released as a single, it peaked at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 32 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4227
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'On the radio' / 'There will always be a you'

Dance, dance, dance - Chic

'Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)' is a 1977 disco song recorded by Chic. Luther Vandross, who was a session vocalist at the time, provided backing vocals on the track. The 'yowsah, yowsah, yowsah' of the title, which appears as a spoken interjection in the middle of the song, originated with the American jazz violinist and radio personality Ben Bernie, who popularized it in the Twenties.

It was the group's first hit, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart and a more modest number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4226
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dance, dance, dance' / 'Sao Paulo'

Where did our love go - Amii Stewart

Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, 'Where did our love go' was originally a hit for the Supremes in 1964. In 1981, Amii Stewart recorded her cover version of the song, and included it on her 1981 album 'I'm gonna get your love', which was produced by Narada Michael Walden.

When the track was released as a single, it was not a big success, as it didn't chart in most territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 4225
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Where did our love go' / 'Premiere'

Room service - Fischer Z

I read in an article on Wikipedia that the songs written by Fischer Z's John Watts drew heavily on his experience as a mental health care worker. On the B-side of this single, entitled 'Limbo', he sounds like someone who really should be committed himself - but perhaps that was the intention. I remember I was really fascinated by this track back in 1980, and although I've had it on cd for several years, I was very happy to have found this single which features the track as well.

I was also intrigued by the label of the B-side, by the way: it does not contain any information except the logo of the record label. I suspect this is a mispressing. Since this single was not a hit, I can't imagine it's worth much though.

My collection: 7" single no. 4222
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Room service' / 'Limbo'

Who can it be now? - Men at work

'Who can it be now?' was the second single from the 1981 debut album by Men at work, 'Business as usual'. The lyric is the narrative of a reclusive, perhaps paranoid man who hears knocking at his house door and wishes to be left in solitude.

The track peaked at number 2 on the Australian singles chart and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4220
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who can it be now?' / 'Anyone for tennis?'

Ease on down the road - The Wiz Stars

'Ease on down the road' is one of the lesser known Michael Jackson hits. It was taken from the 1978 movie soundtrack 'The Wiz', based on the Wizard of Oz tale. The track was produced by Quincy Jones, with vocal performances by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. In the song, Dorothy (portrayed in the film by Ross) and the Scarecrow (played by Jackson) dance their way down the Yellow Brick Road, and give each other words of encouragement.

Released as a single, it reached number 41 in the Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number 45 in the UK singles chart. It was a number 1 hit in Turkey, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 4221
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ease on down the road' (Diana Ross & Michael Jackson) / 'Poppy girls' (Quincy Jones)

The floral dance - The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band

The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band was formed in 1881. Based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, the band relies on public subscriptions and fundraising.

The Brass Band had one of the most unlikely chart hits of the Seventies, when they released a recording of 'The Floral dance' as a single in November 1977. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and then went on to reach number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4219
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The floral dance' / 'Bachelor girls'

Then the music stopped - Pussycat

These days, Dutch bands find it hard to come up with a decent song, let alone decent instrumentation, but this 1981 single by Pussycat proves that it is possible even for a Dutch band to produce a great track.

'Then the music stopped' was released in March 1981, and rose to number 11 of the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4218
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Then the music stopped' / 'Cha cha me baby'

Sparvöga - Marie Fredriksson

'Sparvöga' is a 1989 single by Swedish artist Marie Fredriksson. It was written for the Swedish TV series 'Sparvöga', based on Ann-Charlotte Alverfors's book of the same name. The word literally means 'sparrow-eye', but it could be translated to the English word 'hawkeye', as it describes particularly sharp human eyes.

When the single was released in March 1989, it peaked at number 6 in the Swedish singles chart. It was Fredriksson's biggest hit until 2008's 'Där du andas'. 'Sparvöga' was added as a bonus track on the re-release of Marie Fredriksson's 1992 album 'Den ständiga resan' and quickly became one of my favourite tracks by her. Finding this single was a great surprise.

My collection: 7" single no. 4216
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Sparvöga' / 'Sparvöga (instrumental version)'

You can call me Al - Paul Simon

Paul Simon's legendary album 'Graceland' was brought to prominence partly because of the first single taken from the album, 'You can call me Al'. The names in the song came from an incident at a party that Simon went to with his then-wife Peggy Harper. The host of the party mistakenly called Paul 'Al', and Peggy 'Betty', inspiring Simon to write a song.

The song was made famous by the music video, featuring Chevy Chase, who lipsynchs Paul Simon's vocal, leaving Simon to do nothing much but look bored and dragging instruments on screen. The single reached number 23 in the US, number 4 in the UK, number 2 in the Netherlands and number 1 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4215
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'You can call me Al' / 'Gumboots'

Runaway - Janet Jackson

Written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, 'Runaway' was one of two previously unreleased songs on Janet Jackson's 1995 compilation album 'Design of a decade 1986-1996'. It was released as the first single from that album, and much to my surprise, it was also released on 7" vinyl - albeit only in the USA. I found this copy 14 years after its release.

'Runaway' reached number 1 in Canada, number 6 in the UK and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 4213
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway' / 'When I think of you (Morales House mix '95)'

Dschinghis Khan - Dschinghis Khan

Germany thought it was a good idea to send in a song about a cruel warrior when the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest was organised in Jerusalem. Obviously, this spelled controversy, but the band Dschinghis Khan with the song of the same name still got away with it.

The song was written by Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger, in praise of the Mongol warrior, describing his military and sexual escapades. The song finished fourth during the Contest and also became a hit in German speaking countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4211
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Dschinghis Khan' / 'Sahara'

Come live with me - Heaven 17

After the big hit 'Temptation' (which reached the charts all over Europe), Heaven 17 followed through with the wordy ballad 'Come live with me'. The single was a major success in the UK, where it peaked at number 5, but elsewhere it failed to appeal to the general public.

Personally, I only got to like the song when I saw it performed live by Heaven 17 during the Here & Now Tour of 2002. I'm quite happy to have found a UK pressing of this single now.

My collection: 7" single no. 4212
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Come live with me' / 'Let's all make a bomb (new version)'

Giving up on love - Rick Astley

'Giving up on love' was an US only single release, which came out just prior to Astley's tour in America. The track was taken from his second album 'Hold me in your arms' and remixed by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow to give it an even poppier sound.

The single reached number 38 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4210
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Giving up on love (7" pop version)' / 'I'll be fine'

Walk like an Egyptian - The Bangles

I was a bit surprised to find this 7" single, as it is different from the 'normal' release of 'Walk like an Egyptian', which features the track 'Angels don't fall in love' on the B-side. This UK pressing features a remix of the A-side, which as far as I know has not been released on any other format since then.

The single was written by Liam Sternberg. It was originally offered to Toni Basil, who turned the track down. David Kahne, who was producing the Bangles' album 'Different light', took the song to them, and they agreed to record it. Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Michael Steele all sing lead vocals on a verse. 'Walk like an Egyptian' went on to become a number 1 hit in the USA, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4214
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Walk like an Egyptian (Ozymandias 7" remix)'

We love you - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'We love you' was released as the second single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1986 album 'The pacific age'.

Although the first single 'Forever live and die' had been a reasonable worldwide success, this single only managed to reach number 54 in the UK singles chart, while flopping in all other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 4209
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'We love you' / 'We love you (dub)'

Wait - Wang Chung

After the third single from Wang Chung's second album 'Points on the curve', 'Dance hall days' had become a big hit, the record company decided to release a fourth single. It was a remixed version of 'Wait', another track on the album. The single managed to reach number 87 in the UK singles chart, but that was about it.

This double single features a second disc with a new track, 'Hard times' and a live version of 'Dance hall days'. However, I seem to have gotten a mispressing: disc 2 features the same tracks as disc 1, although the labels indicate otherwise.

My collection: 7" single no. 4208
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Wait' / 'Dance hall days (part 2)' // 'Hard times' [= 'Wait'] / 'Dance hall days (live)' [= 'Dance hall days (part 2)']

Cinema - Paola

A few months ago on this blog, I wrote about Paola's 1980 Eurovision Song Contest entry, 'Cinema'. Little did I know then, that there was also a German version of this song, which was released in German speaking countries that year. This single features both the original French version and the German translation.

The song finished fourth in the Contest, one of Switzerland's better performances. While widely released in Europe, the song was only a hit in Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 4207
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Cinema (Deutsche originalversion)' / 'Cinema (Französische originalversion)'

Don't look back - The Korgis

In 1982, the Korgis turned to legendary producer Trevor Horn for their single 'Don't look back'. It remains one of the most monumental ballads in their catalogue, with grand instrumentation and a great mournful lyric.

It's a mystery to me why this single didn't meet any commercial success. When everything Horn touches turns into gold, this one remains one of the hidden gems of his body of work.

My collection: 7" single no. 740
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 9, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't look back' / 'Xenophobia'

Vision of love - Mariah Carey

I truly believe the world would be a better place if Mariah Carey hadn't been discovered. But that's now, after 20 years of her vocal diarrhoea. Back in 1990, she was a fairly innocent girl, singing middle of the road ballads like 'Vision of love'. Even in this early recording, you can hear that she actually cannot hold a not, but prefers to sing 'around' it. It's a style that has since been adopted by many female singers, most recently Leona Lewis who really should shut up.

Anyway, this debut single was innocent enough, I even quite liked it back in the day. And I wasn't alone: it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, Canada and New Zealand. In the UK, it reached number 9 and in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 8.

My collection: 7" single no. 1304
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Vision of love' / 'Sent from up above'

Jericho - Simply Red

'Jericho' was the fourth single release from Simply Red's debut album 'Picture book'. It didn't change much about the troubled chart history of the band up to that point. Although their debut single 'Money's too tight (to mention)' hit number 13 in the UK singles chart, subsequent singles didn't reach the top 40 anymore. This single, too, stalled at number 53.

Things were different in the Netherlands: their third single 'Holding back the years' had reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, and 'Jericho' got to number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 410
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Jericho' / 'Jericho the musical'

All together now - The Farm

'All together now' was recorded by the Liverpudlian pop band The Farm on their album 'Spartacus' in 1990. Lyrically, the song was inspired by the Christmas Day Truce during World War I in 1914, when soldiers from both sides put their weapons down and met in no-mans-land to exchange gifts and play football. The song was produced by Suggs from Madness.

Originally released in November 1990, the single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1376
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 26, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'All together now' / 'All together now (Terry Farley / Peter Heller mix)'

Sea of heartbreak - Marty Wilde

When his daughter Kim made it big in 1981, partially thanks to his own songwriting, Marty Wilde decided to try and record another disc himself, too. This single was one of the results. Released on the small Kaleidoscope label, it featured a modern-sounding (for that time) production.

'Sea of heartbreak' was originally a hit single for Don Gibson in 1961. Personally I prefer the B-side, which was written by Marty and his son Ricky - the same duo that wrote Kim's first three albums. This single was not a success for Marty.

My collection: 7" single no. 1872
Found: Record fair, March 27, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sea of heartbreak' / 'Don't wanna be the one'

Loverboy - Billy Ocean

I remember a very strange music video for Billy Ocean's 'Loverboy', which was played rather often on television in 1985. These days, it simply does not appear anymore, except of course on YouTube.

The single was a good success for Billy Ocean, peaking at number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1842
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Loverboy' / 'Loverboy (dub mix)'

I feel possessed - Crowded House

'I feel possessed' was written by Neil Finn and included on Crowded House's album 'Temple of low man'. It was released as the final single from the album. The B-side was a live version of 'Mr. Tambourine man', a song originally performed by the Byrds and performed together with Roger McGuinn from the Byrds.

The single did not chart in most territories, although it was released worldwide.

My collection: 7" single no. 950
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 5, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I feel possessed' / 'Mr. Tambourine man (live)'

Jesus to a child - George Michael

'Jesus to a child' was the first single release from George Michael's 1996 album 'Older'. The song was a melancholy tribute to Michael's Brazilian friend and lover Anselmo Feleppa, whom he met when performing in Rio de Janeiro in 1991. Feleppa died two years later from an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage. Michael had been unable to write for the next 18 months as a consequence of his grief, but then penned the words to 'Jesus to a child' in little more than an hour, indicating that the time was right to move on with his life. Michael consistently dedicates the song to Feleppa before performing it live.

The single reached number 1 in the UK and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. As far as I know, this American pressing of the 7", without a picture sleeve, was the only 7" single release of 'Jesus to a child'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3993
Found: eBay.com, received August 6, 2009
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'Jesus to a child' / 'One more try'

Breakfast - The Associates

'Breakfast' was a single taken from the Associates' 1985 album 'Perhaps'. The album cost £250,000 and four years to make, partly because the master tapes disappeared halfway through the process (allegedly they were hidden by frontman Billy MacKenzie because he was dissatisfied with them). In the end, the album only sold 40,000 copies, putting MacKenzie in significant debt with his record company.

Meanwhile, 'Breakfast' was the standout track from the album, released as a single in early 1985. It reached number 49 in the UK singles chart. And yes, I own the 12" single as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 258
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Breakfast' / 'Breakfast alone'

You're a lady - Peter Skellern

Peter Skellern was born on March 14, 1947 in Bury, Lancashire. He studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then joined pop groups like Harlem and March Hare.

He scored his first solo hit in 1972 with 'You're a lady'. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1187
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You're a lady' / 'Manifesto'

I don't want your love - Duran Duran

Duran Duran released 'I don't want your love' as the first single from their 1988 album 'Big thing'. The single version was a remix by Shep Pettibone.

The single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It did much better in Italy, where the single spent six weeks at number 1, and in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where the single peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1565
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't want your love' / 'I don't want your love (album version)'

Under pressure - Queen and David Bowie

David Bowie originally came to the studio with Queen to sing backing vocals on a track called 'Cool cat'. He wasn't satisfied with the backing vocals he did, but did want to collaborate with the band on a different song. Queen had been working on a song under the title 'Feel like', but were not yet satisfied with the result. The band had a jam session together with Bowie, from which 'Under pressure' evolved.

When the single was released, it was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands and the UK. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single reached number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 3225
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Under pressure' / 'Soul brother'