L'amour ça fait chanter la vie - Jean Vallée

Jean Vallée was born as Paul Goeders in Verviers, Belgium in 1941. He represented Belgium twice for the Eurovision Song Contest. He first appeared in the 1970 edition with the song 'Viens l'oublier', finishing eighth.

He was more successful when he returned in 1978 with the song 'L'amour ça fait chanter la vie', a bombastic typically Eurovision-sounding ballad, which finished second behind the winning song 'A-ba-ni-bi' by Izhar Cohen for Israel.

My collection: 7" single no. 4342
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'L'amour ça fait chanter la vie' / 'Nonobstant'

When the wind blows - David Bowie

'When the wind blows' is an animated movie from the UK, released in 1986 and based on Raymond Briggs' graphic novel of the same name. It depicts a nuclear attack on the UK by the Soviet Union from the viewpoint of a retired couple, Jim and Hilda Bloggs. They live in rural Sussex and are confused regarding the nature and seriousness of their situation, which is sometimes used to generate gentle comedy as well as darker elements. As the film progresses their situation becomes steadily more hopeless as they suffer from the effects of radiation sickness. The film ends on an extremely bleak note, with both of them dying as they pray.

David Bowie sang the theme song of the movie, which was released as a single in the autumn of 1986. The single peaked at number 44 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1519
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'When the wind blows' / 'When the wind blows (instrumental)'

(Forever) live and die - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'(Forever) Live and die' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1986 album 'The pacific age'. Lead vocals were performed by Paul Humphreys, unlike most OMD singles.

The single peaked at number 11 in the UK and became OMD's second hit in the USA, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its biggest success was achieved in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 2799
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 14, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '(Forever) live and die' / 'This town'

Could it be magic - Donna Summer

'Could it be magic' was written by Adrienne Anderson and Barry Manilow and recorded by Barry Manilow on his 1973 debut album, 'Barry Manilow I'. The song was released as a single two years later. The song is based on Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20, and Manilow's singing in the last verse fades into a straight performance of the last few bars of the Prelude.

Just one year after Manilow's original version was released as a single Donna Summer recorded a disco version of the track and included it on her second international album 'Love trilogy'. She added her own trademark moans and groans in the mix, which caused it to number 40 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2114
Found: June 11, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Could it be magic' / 'Whispering waves'

Everybody's got to learn sometime - The Korgis

Despite decreasing success, charity projects in pop music were still going on towards the end of the Eighties. In 1990, a compilation album called 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' to benefit International Hostage Release was released. It included tracks by Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Simple Minds, Steve Winwood, Mike Oldfield and many other artists who were wellknown for their commitment towards the freeing of hostages (?) .

The title track was performed by the Korgis. However, it was not the wellknown original version from 1980, but a new recording of the track. As far as re-recordings go, this was a rather good version, although it added nothing to the original version. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1395
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' / 'Everybody's got to learn sometime (instrumental)'

Too much, too little, too late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

Johnny Mathis' 1978 album 'You light up my life' featured two duets with Deniece Williams. Both duets are included on this single, with 'Too much, too little, too late' as the lead track. It became Johnny Mathis' comeback hit, peaking at number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, his first number one since 1957's 'Chances are'. The single also reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

The success of the duet with Williams prompted Mathis to record duets with a variety of partners including Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, and Nana Mouskouri. Mathis and Williams also recorded a follow-up duet album entitled 'That's what friends are for', however 'Too much, too little, too late' was not included on that album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2406
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much, too little, too late' / 'Emotion'

Je veux de l'amour - Raymond van het Groenewoud

'Je veux de l'amour' ('I want love') is the desperate cry of an artist who has everything in his career, except love. Belgian singer Raymond van 't Groenewoud played a very believable role in this song, with his emotive vocals.

He was rewarded with his first hit outside of Belgium: 'Je veux de l'amour' reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 674
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Je veux de l'amour' / 'Troonsafstand'

The biggest fool of all - Cock Robin

'The biggest fool of all' was released as the second single from Cock Robin's second album 'After here through midland'. A limited edition was packaged with a poster sleeve, featuring the photograph from the album's sleeve.

The single, released in 1987, was only successful in France and Germany, where it peaked at number 47 and 50 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 570
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: The biggest fool of all' / 'Blood of a saint'

It's all gone - Chris Rea

'It's all gone' was the first single from Chris Rea's 1986 album 'On the beach'. The track was written by Chris Rea and produced by Rea with Dave Richards.

The single reached number 69 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in Ireland. In Europe, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3070
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's all gone' / 'Bless them all'

Torture - King

'Torture' was the third single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet'. The single was released in January 1986 and reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.

After the number 2 hit single 'Love & pride' from January 1985, every next single performed worse than the one that went before. 'Torture' was the last single by the band King, after which lead singer Paul King went solo. His first solo single only reached number 59 in the UK singles chart, progressing the decline that had already set in.

My collection: 7" single no. 1018
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Torture' / 'Groovin' with the kings'

All out of love - Air Supply

'All out of love' is one of those immortal lovesongs that pops up on compilation albums and radio programmes regularly. It was originally recorded by British/Australian pop group Air Supply and released as a single in 1980. It reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Several artists have covered the song after this, including Cliff Richard, Andru Donalds, Westlife and Delta Goodrem.

My collection: 7" single no. 1639
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'All out of love' / 'Old habits die hard'

Food for thought - 10CC

The 1983 10CC album was mostly a product of Eric Stewart, as Graham Gouldman only performed partial lead vocals on one song. The album featured a lot of session musicians and Stewart later reflected that the original idea of a concept album was not realised. 'I longed to be like Pink Floyd and just go for large musical statements like 'One night in Paris' and 'Feel the benefit', but we were locked onto the singles roundabout, the 'quick buck', and it was impossible to break free at the time.'

Two singles were taken from the album, '24 hours' and 'Feel the love', but in Holland, a third single was released: 'Food for thought'. It was reasonably successful too, reaching number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 428
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Food for thought' / 'The secret life of Henry'

Mary Ann - Black Lace

'Mary Ann' is a rather straightforward love song, performed by the English band Black Lace. They represented the United Kingdom during the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with this song. It finished eleventh in a field of 19 contestants. The single reached number 42 in the UK charts, the lowest placing for a Eurovision entrant in many years.

The song was under threat of legal action when the band Smokey's publishers insisted that 'Mary Ann' was a rip-off of Smokey’s song 'Oh Carol'. The song's publishing company, ATV Music, insisted that any similarity was purely coincidental, and since they showed that the notation of the two songs were different the case was dropped. However, it was no secret in the Black Lace camp that every possible thing was done to sound like Smokey, from the lead vocal to the harmonies, the guitars and even the bass line. 'It was an intentional rip-off,' said Colin Routh from the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 4343
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mary Ann' / 'Drivin''

Dis lui toi que je t'aime - Vanessa Paradis

'Dis lui toi que je t'aime' was the second single taken from Vanessa Paradis' 1990 album 'Variations sur le même t'aime'. As with more tracks on the album, the song was written by Serge Gainsbourg.

The single reached number 41 in the French singles chart. While this is a relatively low chart placing, the album has consistently been in print in France since its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4320
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Dis lui toi que je t'aime' / 'Ardoise'

I can't help it - Bananarama

'I can't help it' was written and recorded by Bananarama together with their producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman. The track was included on their fourth studio album 'Wow!' (1987) and released as the third single off the album. The song does not sound very different from other Stock, Aitken and Waterman productions from around that time.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. The photos on the record sleeve were taken by famous American photographer Herb Ritts. It is the final Bananarama single to feature Siobhan Fahey, who announced her departure shortly after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4326
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't help it' / 'Ecstacy'

The power of love - Jennifer Rush

Jennifer Rush was born as Heidi Stern on September 28, 1960 in Queens, New York. She spent most of her childhood in Bavaria, Germany. This is also where she discovered her passion for music. Her debut album 'Heidi Stern' was released in 1979, but it didn't get much attention. She was more successful in the Eighties, when she released her second album 'Jennifer Rush' in 1984. This album contained the track 'The power of love'.

Having spent much of the summer of 1985 outside of the UK top 40, the single suddenly climbed to number 1 in its 17th week in the chart. It became the first single by a female solo artist to sell a million copies in the UK and it remains among the UK's best-selling singles of all time. The song was also a major hit in the rest of Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 7. In 1993, the song fell victim to Celine Dion, who butchered it with her awful voice.

My collection: 7" single no. 1119
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 1, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The power of love' / 'I see a shadow (Not a fantasy)'

Sugar mice - Marillion

The fourth studio album by Marillion, 'Clutching at straws', released in 1987, was a concept album written around the character of Torch, a 29 year old unemployed man who seeks comfort in alcohol to numb himself. Still, he can't forget his failed marriage, a deadbeat father and a lack of commercial success as a singer in a band.

The single 'Sugar mice' wraps up this theme rather nicely, creating a heartfelt and quite dramatic song. The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 699
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 6, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Sugar mice' / 'Tux on'

Long live love - Olivia Newton-John

'Long live love' was written by Valerie Avon and Harold Spiro and performed by Olivia Newton-John, who represented the United Kingdom during the 1974 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. In a field of 17 contestants, she finished in fourth place. (The Contest was of course won by Abba with 'Waterloo' that year.)

The single subsequently reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. 'Long live love' also became the title track of Olivia's 1974 album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4341
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Long live love' / 'Angel eyes'

Camouflage - Stan Ridgway

Stan Ridgway was born on April 5, 1954. In 1977 he joined the band Wall of Voodoo, until 1983. After a live concert at the US Festival on May 28, 1983 he and two other members left the band.

In 1986, Stan Ridgway released his first solo album, 'The big heat'. The song 'Camouflage' was taken from the album and became a Europe-wide hit. In the UK, 'Camouflage' reached number 4; in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 498
Found: Free Record Shop, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Camouflage' / 'Salesman'

It must have been love - Roxette

'It must have been love' was written by Per Gessle and performed by Roxette. It became their third number 1 hit in the USA in 1990, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and the UK singles chart. The song started its life in 1987 as 'Christmas for the broken hearted', a top 10 hit in Sweden but unreleased in other territories.

In 1990, the song was included in the movie soundtrack for 'Pretty woman'. Gessle has claimed that the two-year-old recording was chosen because Roxette did not have time to compose and record a new song while touring. 'Christmas for the broken hearted' was re-recorded with Marie Fredriksson replacing a single Christmas-referenced line in the song and adding some instrumentation and background vocal overlays to enhance the sound. The producers initially turned down 'It must have been love' but changed their minds after re-editing the film.

My collection: 7" single no. 1247
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 16, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'It must have been love' / 'Paint'

Miss you much - Janet Jackson

'Miss you much' was the first single taken from Janet Jackson's 1989 album 'Rhythm Nation 1814', the follow-up to the exceedingly successful 'Control' album. In the UK, the single was released with a poster sleeve, but it only reached number 22 in the singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 1, while in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 15.

The B-side, 'You need me', is about Jackson's personal feelings about her father, and how the tables are turned, that now he needs her. At the time of its release there were reports that the B-side was the product of Jackson's record labels pressure on her in an attempt to produce a 'Control part 2' album, addressing the rumours in the press regarding her personal life and family. Jackson didn't do this and only produced this one autobiographical track, which is therefore considers to be a collectors' item.

My collection: 7" single no. 999
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Miss you much' / 'You need me'

Do you believe in shame? - Duran Duran

'Do you believe in shame?' was dedicated to three of the band's fallen friends: record producer Alex Sadkin, artist Andy Warhol, and Simon Le Bon's childhood friend David Miles. Le Bon later commented that the song is the first part of a trilogy of songs written as a tribute to Miles, the other songs being 'Ordinary world' and 'Out of my mind'.

The single reached number 30 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in Ireland. It was considerably less successful in the USA, where it peaked at number 72.

My collection: 7" single no. 791
Found: April 15, 1989
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Do you believe in shame?' / 'The Krush brothers LSD edit'

Mystify - INXS

Although 'Mystify' was released as the fifth and final single from INXS' 1987 album 'Kick', that version of the single had a different sleeve than this one. I have the impression that this single was released earlier as well.

The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as part of the first sessions for 'Kick'. The single ultimately reached number 5 in Canada, number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 836
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mystify' / 'Kick'

Africa (Voodoo master) - Rose Laurens

Rose Laurens was born as Rose Podwojny on March 4, 1953. She started her musical career with a role in the French version of the musical 'Les Miserables'. In 1982 she released her debut album 'Déraisonnable', which also featured her most famous hit, 'Africa (Voodoo master)'.

The single reached the top 10 in various European countries and number 1 in Austria, although it did not chart in the Netherlands and the UK. A remix of 'Africa' was released in Germany in 1994, to minimal success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1827
Found: Record palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Africa (Voodoo master)' / 'Broken heart'

Let it be - Beatles

Paul McCartney said he had the idea of 'Let it be' after a dream he had about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for the 'White Album'. McCartney later commented: 'It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing 'Let It Be'.'

The single 'Let it be' showed exactly how the Beatles had progressed since their early days. They had become experienced musicians, who were able to write a classic song like 'Let it be', and at the same time they produced throwaway tracks like 'You know my name', which basically is a piece of improvisations. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the USA and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 454
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'You know my name'

Talk of the town - Pretenders

The Pretenders followed up their first big success 'Brass in pocket' with the first single from their second album 'Pretenders II', entitled 'Talk of the town'. The band sounded a bit more cohesive and sophisticated than on their debut album, and frontwoman Chrissie Hynde's vocals had also grown.

The single was rewarded with a number 8 placing in the UK singles chart and a peak position of number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3198
Found: September 30, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Talk of the town' / 'Cuban slide'

The more you live the more you love - A flock of seagulls

For their synth-heavy music, their strange lyrics, but mostly for their weird hairdos, A Flock of Seagulls have always been identified with the naff side of the decade of the Eighties. I remember seeing the music video for 'The more you live, the more you love' on a daily basis in 1984, and in the end getting quite sick of it. I knew every frame of the video, every note in the song. Of course, later on I wanted to have the single, but I had to search for it for a couple of years.

The single was the first out of three singles taken from the band's third album 'The story of a young heart'. It reached number 17 in the Dutch Top 40, number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2023
Found: London, October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The more you live the more you love' / 'Lost control'

Time to make you mine - Lisa Stansfield

As much as I like the song 'Time to make you mine' by Lisa Stansfield, even I have to admit that the music video was the real headturner here. With all the animation and Stansfield appearing to be naked in a field of flowers, some people definitely were in awe of this video.

The song, meanwhile, was the third single to be lifted from her second album 'Real love' in 1992. The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1647
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Time to make you mine' / 'All around the world' (with Barry White)

Angelina - Matia Bazar

'Angelina' was the second single taken from Matia Bazar's 1986 album 'Melanchólia'. Although the Italian band had just had an international hit with 'Ti sento', this single did not manage to break the charts the way its predecessor had done.

It has to be said that this song is a lot less catchy. I didn't know the track when I bought the single - and I quickly found out that I wouldn't play it very often. Still, it is a nice track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2957
Found: Record fair, February 7, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Angelina' / 'Fiumi di parole'

You made me the thief of your heart - Sinéad O'Connor

The movie 'In the name of the father' was directed by Jim Sheridan and was based on the true life story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the IRA's Guildford pub bombing, which killed four British soldiers and a civilian.

The soundtrack of the movie, which was an Irish production, featured a host of Irish musicians, most notably Sinéad O'Connor, who perfomed 'You made me the thief of your heart', the first single release from the soundtrack. The song was written by Maurice Seezer, Gavin Friday and Bono from U2. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2072
Found: Record fair, February 19, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'You made me the thief of your heart' / 'The father and his wife the spirit'

Still loving you - The Scorpions

The German rock band The Scorpions recorded 'Still loving you' in 1984 on their album 'Love at first sting'. It was released as the second single from the album, reaching number 64 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Oddly enough, the single only managed to hit the Dutch Top 40 in 1987, when it reached number 4. On that occasion, the track was taken from the Scorpions compilation album 'Gold ballads'.

The song is considered to be a thinly veiled metaphor for a still divided Eastern & Western Germany. 'Your pride has built a wall so strong that I can't get through, is there really no chance to start once again?' was a clear reference to the Berlin Wall and the despair many Germans felt about their divided homeland.

My collection: 7" single no. 512
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Still loving you' / 'Holiday'

I'll put you together again - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate followed up one of the biggest hits of their career, 'Every 1's a winner' with the ballad 'I'll put you together again'. The track was written by Don Black and composed by Geoff Stephens. Stephens is one of the most successful composers of the UK, based on the number of weeks which his songs have spent in the UK singles chart.

'I'll put you together again' was released in December 1978 and reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2442
Found: August 26, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'll put you together again' / 'West End of Park Lane'

Piece of the action - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz followed up their Eurovision-winning song 'Making your mind up' with their second single, 'Piece of the action'. The song was written by Andy Hill and included on their self-titled debut album, released later on in 1981.

The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart. The song was covered by the Bay City Rollers in 1983 as a Japanese-only single release.

My collection: 7" single no. 938
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Piece of the action' / 'Took it to the limit'

Elisabeth's eyes - Nik Kershaw

'Elisabeth's eyes' was the second and last single to be released from Nik Kershaw's fourth album 'The works'. Unlike the previous single, this one failed to reach the UK singles chart.

After this, Kershaw devoted himself to writing songs for other artists - the most successful track being 'The one and only' which launched Chesney Hawkes' career in 1991, peaking at number 1 in the UK - and only returned with an album called '15 minutes' in 1999, ten years after the release of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2718
Found: July 20, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Elisabeth's eyes' / 'My friend John'

Dance in the light - Mai Tai

It's interesting how Wikipedia states that Mai Tai didn't release any new work after 1987, whereas I have in my hand the proof that this statement is false. The single 'Dance in the light' was made in 1988. The track was produced by Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, who were involved in most of Mai Tai's Eighties songs.

'Dance in the light' is mentioned on the Wikipedia page, but as a new track on a 1991 compilation album. Wrong again! But one thing is true: the band did split up and reformed in 2003. Don't trust the online encyclopedia too much.

My collection: 7" single no. 4333
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dance in the light' / 'Wrap me up'

Heart of glass - The Associates

'Heart of glass' began its life in 1975 as a slow reggae track called 'Once I had a love', performed frequently on live tours by the band Blondie. It was recorded on their album 'Parallel lines' in 1978 as a disco-oriented track with producer Mike Chapman. It became one of the band's better known tracks.

The Associates recorded a cover of 'Heart of glass' in 1988, and their version hit number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2679
Found: Record Exchange, London, July 2, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / 'Her only wish'

Denis - Blondie

'Denis' seemed to be Blondie's debut single when it charted in the Netherlands in 1978, but in reality the band had already been going for some time. In the UK, it was Blondie's second single release, and in America three singles went before this one, including the second single which was 'In the flesh', featured here on the B-side.

The song is a gender-swapping cover of the 1963 hit 'Denise' by Randy & the Rainbows. Blondie's recording of the song contains a verse with partly improvised lyrics in French by vocalist Debbie Harry. Although Chrysalis insisted that the band re-record the song with a grammatically correct French translation, both the band and producer Richard Gottehrer preferred the first take. Eventually this version was released. (The second, re-recorded version had its debut as a bonus track on EMI UK's 1994 re-issue of the album 'Plastic letters'.) The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3048
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 23, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Denis' / 'In the flesh'

Distant sun - Crowded House

'Distant sun' was the first single release from Crowded House's fourth album 'Together alone' (1993). The single was a hit in the UK in the autumn of 1993, peaking at number 19, and in Australia, where it reached number 21. In March 1994, a remixed version of 'Distant sun' was released in the USA, but it did not chart.

Buying this single was a gamble: it was a new release during a week when I was in London, and I decided to buy it on account of the fact that I liked the band's previous singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1989
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Distant sun' / 'Walking on the spot'

If she knew what she wants - The Bangles

I wrote about 'If she knew what she wants' once before, but that was a UK pressing, and a limited edition double single to boot. This single, which I'd bought some time earlier, is the Dutch pressing, with a completely different sleeve.

A different sleeve, but no different tracks: both were taken from the Bangles' 1986 album 'Different light'. The single did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1610
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If she knew what she wants' / 'Angels don't fall in love'

Love in itself - Depeche Mode

'Love in itself' was released in September 1983 as the final single from Depeche Mode's third album 'Construction time again'. The single version was called 'Love in itself 2', as it was an edit of the album version. Number 3 is an extended version, and number 4 is an acapella version with piano. The B-side was the track 'Fools', written by Alan Wilder instead of the band's main songwriter, Martin Gore.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 867
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in itself 2' / 'Fools'

Church of the poisoned mind - Culture Club

'Church of the poisoned mind' was Culture Club's third big hit single, released in spring 1983. The uptempo track has some similarities to Motown tracks, especially 'Uptight (Everything's alright)' by Stevie Wonder.

The single was a number 2 hit in the UK singles chart and reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. The band also had their first hit in the USA with this track, peaking at number 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2064
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 29, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Church of the poisoned mind' / 'Man shake'

Don't stand so close to me - The Police

Sting, lead singer of the Police, was an English teacher before he found fame with his band. 'Don't stand so close to me', with its lyric dealing with the mixed feelings of a teacher (lust/guilt/fear), and inappropriateness leading to confrontation, caused some speculation on whether the song was actually autobiographical. Sting denied this in 2001 when he promoted the concert dvd 'All this time'.

The single was released in 1980. It gave the band their first hit in the USA, as it reached number 11 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, it was a number 1 hit, while in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 3. The single I have is part of a limited edition with a poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1219
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't stand so close to me' / 'Friends'

War party - Eddy Grant

'War party' was originally a track on Eddy Grant's 1981 album 'Killer on the rampage'. The track was remixed and released as a single in 1982. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart during a four week chart run.

This single was released as a limited edition pressed on red vinyl in Germany. This copy is one of that limited edition.

My collection: 7" single no. 3206
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'War party (Bajan remix)' / 'Say I love you'

A quoi je sers... - Mylene Farmer

Mylene Farmer released 'A quoi je sers...' ('To whom I serve...') in the summer of 1989, coinciding with her first live tour in France. It was a new song, not available on her debut album which the tour promoted. Both this song and its B-side, 'La veuve noire' were recorded fairly quickly.

As often with Mylene, the lyric of the song is very pessimistic. It's about madness, the desire of suicide and the impression of the futility of the life. According to some observers, the song sums up most of Mylene's work, as it displays the singer's doubts about her usefulness on Earth. The single reached number 16 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1971
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'A quoi je sers...' / 'La veuve noire'

Something to believe in - Clannad

Clannad collaborated with American singer/songwriter Bruce Hornsby to record 'Something to believe in'. He played piano and accordion on the track and also sang along on the track (his voice is clearly audible in the chorus).

The track was released as the first single from Clannad's 1987 album 'Sirius' but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1471
Found: June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Something to believe in' / 'Second nature'

Venus - Bananarama

'Venus' was written by Dutch musician Robbie van Leeuwen for his band Shocking Blue, released as a single in late 1969. Bananarama had the song in their live repertoire for a couple of years before they decided to record it. They wanted to turn it into a dance track and brought the idea to producers Stock Aitken Waterman. It became Bananarama's first collaboration with them.

Initially, Stock, Aitken and Waterman also resisted the idea because they believed that 'Venus' would not make a good dance record. The three members of Bananarama persisted, and so they recorded the song. When it was released as a single in the summer of 1986, it went to number 1 in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Mexico and South Africa. In the UK, the single reached number 8 and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 4. The collaboration on 'Venus' led Bananarama and SAW to work together on the group's follow-up album 'Wow!' in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4324
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Venus' / 'White train'

Young offender / Liberation - Pet Shop Boys

Throughout their career, the Pet Shop Boys have always been keen on remixing their songs. In the beginning, they made most of their extended remixes themselves, but when the Nineties started, they utilised more and more 'outsiders' for their remixes. This double 12" single set displays both the merits and the disadvantages of that approach.

The two Jam & Spoon remixes of 'Young offender' are great trance experiences, using most of the original song but in a very different musical setting. 'Liberation' was remixed by Murk, Oscar G and E Smoove, but none of them have been able to come up with something even remotely sounding like the original track. Some of them use one word from the track, namely its title, but the whole experience of disc 2 has become unlistenable dross. Remixing? Not everyone is good at it, you know.

My collection: 12" single no. 228
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Young offender (Jam & Spoon's Trip-o-matic fairy tale mix)' / 'Young offender (Remix no. 2)' // 'Liberation (E Smoove 7" mix)' / 'Liberation (Murk Deepstrumental mix)', 'Liberation (Oscar G's dopeassdub mix)', 'Liberation (Murk Dirty Club mix)'