Something about you - Level 42

I've always considered the members of the band Level 42 unlikely candidates for a poster, but here you go: a limited edition poster bag was included with the UK pressing of the single 'Something about you'. It was the second single taken from the band's 1985 album 'World machine'.

Upon its release, the single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. I guess the poster really helped.

My collection: 7" single no. 1473
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: "Something about you' / 'Coup d'etat (version)'

Dressed for success - Roxette

When Roxette recorded 'Dressed for success', there were some problems. Marie Fredriksson later commented: 'I was so mad when I did it. Everything about that session went wrong, we argued about the arrangement, we changed the key, I was dead tired of the song when I went in to do a guide vocal. Did it in one blast and suddenly realized, "hmm... this is it".'

When the track was released as a single in October 1989, it reached number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single was re-released in November 1990 after the success of 'It must have been love'. On that occasion, it reached number 18.

My collection: 7" single no. 2618
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Dressed for success' / 'The voice'

Honesty - Billy Joel

'Honesty' was released in the summer of 1979 as the third single from Billy Joel's sixth studio album '52nd Street'. This album was actually the first album to be made commercially available on cd, when the new technology was released to the market in 1982.

It reached number 24 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 758
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 23, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Honesty' / 'Half a mile away'

The "Sweetest Girl" - Scritti Politti

Scritti Politti originally consisted of lead vocalist Green Gartside (born Paul Julian Stromheyer), Nial Jinks as bass player, Tom Morley as drummer, and Matthew Kay as the manager who sometimes played the keyboard. Gartside and Jinks had gone to school together in South Wales, and Gartside met Morley at Leeds Polytechnic, a college they both attended. Disillusioned and bored with art school, Gartside and Morley left in June 1978 and moved into a squat in Camden Town, London. Jinks was invited to join the band.

Gartside recorded a demo of one of his new songs, 'The "Sweetest Girl"' in January 1981. The song was included on a compilation of songs given out with the March issue of NME. The song prompted many major labels to offer Gartside record contracts, but he decided to stay with Rough Trade, who released the track as a single in the autumn. It reached number 64 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2779
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 1996
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'The "Sweetest Girl"' / 'Lions after slumber'

Hide and seek - Howard Jones

The 10" single of 'Hide & seek' already featured on this blog earlier, but obviously I've got the 7" single as well. I was lucky enough to find a UK pressing of this single, as the sleeve is so much more beautiful when it's made of heavy glossy paper.

The isingle reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 664
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hide & seek' / 'Tao te Ching'

Let's dance - David Bowie

I remember the media made a big thing out of the fact that chameleon David Bowie had become 'himself' for the 1983 album 'Let's dance'. The man who was behind Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust and many other characters had finally shed his stage costumes and showed his own face. The Nile Rodgers-produced album contained his most commercial tracks ever, and this showed in the sales figures for both the album and the associated singles.

The title track, 'Let's dance', was released as the first single in early 1983. The 7'38 album version was heavily edited for single release. It reached number 1 in most countries, including the UK, the Netherlands and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1285
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Let's dance' / 'Cat people (putting out fire)'

High time he went - Renée

The Dutch group Renée achieved their biggest success with the single 'High time he went', taken from the album 'The future none can see'. The story of a man with a midlife crisis reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

The group's biggest success was also their last: subsequent singles failed to chart, although one further album and associated singles were released.

My collection: 7" single no. 3303
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'High time he went' / 'Love's just a season'

The logical song - Supertramp

'The logical song' by Supertramp is a 'story of innocence and idealism lost' with Hodgson condemning an education system not focused on knowledge and sensitivity. It was recorded as a track on Supertramp's 1979 album 'Breakfast in America'.

When the song was released as a single it reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, 'The logical song' reached number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 401
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The logical song' / 'Just another nervous wreck'

D'you know what I mean? - Oasis

Noel Gallagher commented about 'D'you know what I mean?': 'I was going to make up some profound statement in the chorus but I couldn't come up with anything that fitted. Then I just thought "All my people right here, right now. D'You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah" Very vague, very ambiguous, that'll do. Look in the mirror and wink while you're singing it and it's quite saucy. And I fucking love that line, "Coming in a mess, going out in style". We were a bunch of scruffs from Manchester and we're going out in a Rolls Royce'.

The song was released as the first single from Oasis' third album 'Be here now'. Although the track clocks in at a lengthy six minutes, it was never edited for radio. The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart - as had become tradition with Oasis singles - but also topped the charts in Finland, Ireland and Spain. In the Dutch Top 40, 'D'you know what I mean?' reached number 25. The 7" single was released in a gatefold sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2861
Found: Record fair, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'D'you know what I mean?' / 'Stay young'

History - Mai Tai

'History' was the fourth hit single for Mai Tai in the Netherlands, peaking at number 22 in the Dutch Top 40 in May 1985. The single was released in the UK at the same time and became their first international hit. It peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart.

The trio became a regular guest at the satellite music tv stations at the time, such as Sky Channel and Music Box. In a way, this UK pressing of Mai Tai's 'History' was the beginning of a success story that would last for three hit singles in the UK...

My collection: 7" single no. 3059
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'History' / 'History (instrumental)'

Victor should have been a jazz musician - Grace Jones

After all the sonic mayhem of the Trevor Horn-produced album 'Slave to the rhythm' (1985), Grace Jones returned in 1986 with the album 'Inside story', produced by Nile Rodgers and Grace Jones herself.

The single 'Victor should have been a jazz musician' is a far cry from 'Slave to the rhythm', as it's a slow jazz track. The single was successful in the Netherlands, where it reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40, but it failed to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2625
Found: March 2, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Victor should have been a jazz musician' / 'Crush'

De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal! - Rubberen Robbie

When Dutch producer Jaap Eggermont achieved international success with his series of 'Stars on 45' singles, the group Rubberen Robbie - also Dutch - was inspired to create a parody. They glued together bits and pieces of famous Dutch songs and wrote their own funny lyrics for these songs. It gave them their first chart hit, and quite a big one: 'De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal!' ('The Dutch stars shine everywhere!') reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1981.

The B-side was the bluesy 'In de goot' ('In the gutter'), a story of a jobless lazy bum, who spends his days drinking and spending what little money he has on useless objects. It was a pretty accurate description of the 'no future' generation of that time.

My collection: 7" single no. 506
Found: Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal!' / 'In de goot'

It's only love - Simply Red

'It's only love' was written by Jimmy and Vela Cameron and recorded by Barry White on his album 'The man' (1978).

In 1988, Simply Red recorded a cover version of the song for their third studio album 'A new flame'. It was released as the album's first single. It reached number 1 in Italy, number 7 in Ireland and number 13 in the UK. In the Dutch Top 40, 'It's only love' reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 732
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 4, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'It's only love' / 'Turn it up'

Shoobedoo da dabba doobee - Imagination

Imagination's 'Shoobedoo da dabba doobee', released in the USA with the considerably duller title 'This means war', was released in 1984, ending a very successful run of chart hits for the band in the UK. This single failed to reach the UK singles chart and was also unsuccessful elsewhere in Europe.

Personally, I have always been fond of this track and especially its title. And it's one of those singles I've been searching for years, until I finally found it almost a decade after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 1823
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Shoobedoo da dabba doobee' / 'Shoobedoo da dabba doobee (dub version)'

I'm gonna love you too - Blondie

Joe Mauldin, Niki Sullivan and Norman Petty wrote 'I'm gonna love you too', originally recorded by Buddy Holly in 1958. Mauldin and Sullivan were members of Holly's band The Crickets; Petty was Holly's first manager and also his recording engineer.

Blondie's version of the song was chosen as the first single from their album 'Parallel lines'. Although the band was very successful with their cover of 'Denis', which was featured on their previous albums, this single failed to chart in most territories, although it did reach number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 121
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'm gonna love you too' / 'Fanmail'

Worlds apart - Cock Robin

Cock Robin released their third album 'First love last rites' in 1989. The music on the album was a bit darker than on previous efforts, and a little less poppy and accessible as well. Produced by Rhett Davies, the album featured some hispanic influences.

Some of these influences could be heard on the first single from the album, 'Worlds apart', released in December 1989. The single did not chart in most territories, with the exception of France, where it peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 1116
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 24, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Worlds apart' / 'Don't think twice (live)'

Eyes without a face - Billy Idol

Coincidence or not? In 1960, a French horror movie called 'Les yeux sans visage' was released. Billy Idol came up with the song 'Eyes without a face' in 1984, in which Perri Lister sings exactly those French words in the background.

Although Billy Idol usually recorded more rock-oriented tracks, it was this midtempo ballad that gave him a worldwide hit. The single reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40, number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2673
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Eyes without a face' / 'The dead next door'

Hotel California / Desperado - The Eagles

Not one, but two classic songs feature on this 'Old Gold' single from 1985. I bought this single for the A-side track, 'Hotel California', a 1977 hit for the Eagles from their album of the same name. On the surface, the song tells the tale of a weary traveler who becomes trapped in a nightmarish luxury hotel that at first appeared inviting and tempting. The song is an allegory about hedonism and self-destruction in the Southern California music industry of the late Seventies; Don Henley commented: 'It's basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America, which is something we knew a lot about.'

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in April 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 552
Found: WH Smith, London, October 1987
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hotel California' / 'Desperado'

Hey mister heartache - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde made her return to the limelight with this 1988 single, 'Hey mister heartache', the first single from her sixth album 'Close'. The track was written by Kim with her guitarist Steve Byrd and featured Junior Giscombe on backing vocals.

The single was only a minor hit, reaching number 37 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" singel no. 605
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 23, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey mister heartache' / 'Tell me where you are'

Someday (I'm coming back) - Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield recorded 'Someday (I'm coming back)' for the soundtrack of the very successful movie 'The Bodyguard' starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The track was released as a single in December 1992, one month after the release of Houston's dreadful theme song 'I will always love you'.

By comparison, Lisa Stansfield's single garnered much less attention from the media and record-buying public. The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40 - a stark contrast to Houston's undeserved number 1 hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 1801
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 11, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Someday (I'm coming back)' / 'Tenderly (live)'

Stay (Faraway, so close!) - U2

Bono and The Edge worked for a long time on 'Stay (Faraway, so close!)', a track that was inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra. They actually made the melody during sessions for U2's album 'Achtung baby', but only completed the song when they heard that Wim Wenders was looking for a song for his new movie 'Faraway, so close!'.

he single's B-side featured the song 'I've got you under my skin', as a duet between Bono and Sinatra, which was originally released on Sinatra's album 'Duets'. (I wonder how many U2 fans were excited about this track...) Released in November 1993, the single reached number number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2062
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stay (Faraway, so close!)' / 'I've got you under my skin'

Tragedy and mystery - China Crisis

When China Crisis started work on their second album 'Working with fire and steel', they added Gazza Johnson and Kevin Wilkinson to their line-up. Together with original members Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon they recorded a collection of tracks that included the hit singles 'Hanna Hanna', the title track and 'Tragedy and mystery'.

'Tragedy and mystery' was released as the first single from the album, six months prior to its release. A limited edition was pressed as a picture disc 7" single. While not a hit in Europe, the single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2014
Found: London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tragedy & mystery' / 'A golden handshake for every daughter'

Let's go all the way - Sly Fox

Sly Fox was formed in 1985 by Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper and Michael Camacho. They were brought together by British producer Ted Currier. Their only album, 'Let's go all the way' was released in 1985, and spawned one hit single of the same name. The song's title was often interpreted as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, though nothing else in the lyrics hinted at this.

When the single was released, it reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 472
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Let's go all the way' / 'Como tu te llama?'

Violence of summer - Duran Duran

After the compilation album 'Decade', Duran Duran found themselves in a period of less commercial success, with a new album and a new line-up. The first single from the new album 'Liberty' was 'Violence of summer', a simple rock song.

The single was released in July 1990 and managed to reach number 20 in the UK singles chart, while it was unsuccessful in most other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2274
Found: Record fair, April 23, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over)' / 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over) (The story mix)'

She's a river - Simple Minds

By 1995, the Simple Minds had become 'the former super group'. The line-up had diminished to Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, using session musicians for their tenth album 'Good news from the next world'. The album was reviewed positively in the USA, but in the UK, critics panned the album.

The single 'She's a river' preceded the release of the album, and was released in a limited edition of 7000 copies on 7". (I have number 1544.) The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2233
Found: Record fair, January 21, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'She's a river' / 'E55'

Out of my system - Feargal Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey's solo career took off with a bang in 1985, with his self-titled debut album and the associated hit singles 'A good heart' and 'You little thief'. When his second album 'Wish' was released in 1988, much of his fans had moved on and new audiences were not attracted. The album was considered a flop, just like the singles that were released from it.

'Out of my system' was one of these singles. It didn't reach the chart in any territory. I bought it after a long time of seeing it in the shop were I came regularly.

My collection: 7" single no. 2078
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 26, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Out of my system' / 'A touch of blue'

Rhythm nation - Janet Jackson

'Rhythm nation' was the second single from Janet Jackson's 1989 album 'Rhythm nation 1814'. The song preached racial unity and harmony among nations, 'looking for a better way of life' and a way to stop 'social injustice'. The song contains a sample from Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 song 'Thank you (Falettinme be mice elf agin)'. The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

I actually own two different copies of this single: the German pressing, which contains an instrumental version of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side, and a limited edition UK pressing with a gatefold sleeve and a remix of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 1164 / no. 2505
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 27, 1990 / House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rhythm nation' / 'Rhythm nation (instrumental' or 'Rhythm nation (CHR remix)'

Enter Sandman - Metallica

Hindsight is bliss. If I'd known that Metallica would be so vehemently against a service like Napster later on in their career, I would never have bought any of their records. But I did, and so now I'm stuck with them.

'Enter Sandman' was the first single from Metallica's black album, released in 1991. It was their most commercial album up until them, bringing the hardrock band into the mainstream for the first time. The single reached number 1 in Canada and Norway, but also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1514
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Enter Sandman' / 'Stone cold crazy'

Neverending story - Limahl

'Neverending story' was composed by Giorgio and Keith Forsey for the German movie of the same name. Limahl, formerly from the popular band Kajagoogoo, was asked to sing the song. In the end, it didn't feature in the movie at all, but it did appear on the soundtrack album. As a reference to the film and its title, the song has no distinctive beginning, nor an end. While many songs fade out, this track not only fades out, but also fades in, thus making it 'never ending'.

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1979
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Neverending story' / 'The ivory tower'

Unfinished sympathy - Massive

The group Massive Attack was only just becoming better known with their first hit single 'Unfinished sympathy', when the Gulf War started and anything slightly offensive was censored by the powers that be. So 'Attack' was dropped from the band's name for a while. (After all, as long as we're waging wars, we shouldn't really talk about it, should we?)

'Unfinished sympathy' featured vocals by Shara Nelson and is usually named as one of the first tracks to bring the 'triphop' genre to the mainstream. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1428
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 13, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Unfinished sympathy' / 'Unfinished sympathy (Nellee Hooper 7" mix)'

Losing my religion - R.E.M.

'Losing my religion' was essentially the breakthrough single for the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The song was originally composed by guitarist Peter Buck on a mandolin which he had just bought. The title of the song refers to an expression from the southern region of the USA that means losing one's temper or civility, or 'being at the end of one's rope'.

The single was released in early 1991 as the first single from R.E.M.'s 1991 album 'Out of time'. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, the only country where the single topped the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1401
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 16, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Losing my religion' / 'Rotary eleven'

Ain't no sunshine - Joe McGann and Rebecca de Ruvo

'Ain't no sunshine' was originally a hit for Bill Withers in 1971. It was re-recorded by Joe McGann and MTV hot babe Rebecca de Ruvo with a studio group called Bi Virtue. This 12" single was released in 1992.

This is one of those releases that sinks without a trace, fails to chart anywhere, and ends up in the sales bin all over Europe. I didn't know this version, but was curious enough about Rebecca de Ruvo's singing qualities to try it out. Hearing this now, it really sounds like an early Nineties production.

My collection: 12" single no. 522
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshine (radio mix)', 'Ain't no sunshine (Phill Chill mix)' / 'Why can't we just be friends (radio mix)', 'Ain't no sunshine (Up front mix)'

Sailing on the seven seas - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Paul Humphreys left Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in 1989 when the band's success in America forced them to make creative compromises. Other members of the band soon left as well, leaving founder member Andy McCluskey to go on solo under the OMD banner.

His first 'solo' OMD album was 1991's 'Sugar tax', preceded by the single 'Sailing on the seven seas'. The track featured a rather sparse synth sound, although it didn't sound very much like previous OMD tracks. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, making this a very successful comeback.

My collection: 7" single no. 1486
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 3, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sailing on the seven seas' / 'Burning'

Simply irresistible - Robert Palmer

'Simply irresistible' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. The single was accompanied by a music video that has since become one of the iconic images of the Eighties: Robert palmer backed by an all female band of mannequins.

The single reached number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 44 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2557
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Simply irresistible' / 'Nova'

Ice out in the rain - Sheena Easton

While 'You could have been with me' was taken from Sheena Easton's second album of the same name and 'Ice out in the rain' was taken from her third album, the two singles' sleeves still share the same photograph and artwork.

'Ice out in the rain' is one of Sheena Easton's lesser known single releases. When it was released as the follow-up to 'Machinery', it didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1472
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Ice out in the rain' / 'Loner'

Chant no. 1 - Spandau Ballet

'Chant no. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)' was the first single taken from Spandau Ballet's second album 'Diamond'. Released in the summer of 1981, it became the band's biggest hit up to that point, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in Australia.

Spandau Ballet was still profiting from the New Romantics scene in 1981, but their fortunes were quickly changing. Subsequent singles fared less well, and for their third album 'True', a change of style was much needed.

My collection: 7" single no. 85
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Chant no. 1' / 'Feel the chant'

In the Dutch mountains - The Nits

The Dutch band The Nits released the album 'In the Dutch mountains' in October 1987. The title track was released as the first single, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. The band decided to go back to basics and record this album live to two-track in their own rehearsal space to, in their own words, 'reproduce the special atmosphere of a Nits concert'.

The album was the first to be released in the UK and the USA. While the single 'In the Dutch mountains' was a success in several European countries, the album failed to receive similar commercial acclaim. This copy of the single was made in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'In the Dutch mountains' / 'Strangers of the night'

Hourglass - Clannad

'Hourglass' and 'Theme from Harry's Game' were released as a double A-side single by Clanad in 1989 to promote the greatest hits album 'Pastpresent'. 'Hourglass' was a new track, whereas 'Theme from Harry's Game' was (and still is) Clannad's biggest hit to date.

While 'Pastpresent' became Clannad's best selling album, reaching number 5 in the UK albums chart, this single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1055
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Hourglass' / 'Theme from Harry's Game'

Bad romance - Lady Gaga

'Bad romance' was released in October 2009 as the first single from Lady Gaga's second album 'The fame monster'. The lyric of the song talks about exploring the joys of a bad romance while referencing Alfred Hitchcock films in some of the verses.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart as well as in Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. The song is in the Dutch Top 40 right now, climbing to number 14 this week. As usual for a Lady Gaga single, 'Bad Romance' was released on a 7" picture disc as well as several other formats.

My collection: 7" single no. 4347
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, December 19, 2009
Cost: 5,9 euro
Tracks: 'Bad romance (radio edit)' / 'Paparazzi (DJ Dan club remix)'

Boys keep swinging - David Bowie

'Boys keep swinging' was the single from, and preceded the release of, David Bowie's 1979 album 'Lodger'. During the sessions for the album Bowie wanted to capture a garage band style for the track. He asked guitarist Carlos Alomar to play the drums and drummer Dennis Davis to play bass. The intention, according to Bowie, was to suggest 'young kids in the basement just discovering their instruments'.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in April 1979. 'Boys keep swinging' was not released in the USA because of, let's face it, homophobia. They couldn't handle the line 'When you're a boy / Other boys check you out' and the fact that the music video starred three drag queens on backing vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 91
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' / 'Fantastic voyage'

A winter's tale - David Essex

Today most of the country was covered in snow. It immediately made me think of David Essex's 1982 single 'A winter's tale'. The song is not necessarily a winter song, but rather a lovesong about a relationship gone sour.

In the UK singles chart, 'A winter's tale' reached number 2. In the Netherlands, where David Essex hadn't been in the charts in 1978, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2810
Found: Present @ Den Haag
Cost: -
Tracks: 'A winter's tale' / 'Verity'

Like a mountain (remix) - Soulsister

After the success of Soulsister's single 'The way to your heart', the previous single 'Like a mountain' was re-released in a remixed version. It was a small success in Belgium, but in other countries, this single did not follow in the footsteps of 'The way to your heart'.

My collection: 7" single no. 946
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Like a mountain (remix)' / 'Car'

Black Betty - Ram Jam

'Black Betty' is a 20th century African-American work song often credited to Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter as the author, though the earliest recordings are not by him. Some sources claim it is one of Lead Belly's many adaptations of earlier folk material; in this case an 18th century marching cadence about a flint-lock rifle.

In 1977 the rock band Ram Jam recorded a heavy version of the song. The single reached number 18 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, despite a boycott by civil rights groups who claimed the track insulted black women. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 4 and in the UK singles chart it reached number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 1861
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 30, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Black Betty' / 'I should have known'

The dead heart - Midnight Oil

The Australian band Midnight Oil specialises in songs with lots of socially conscious and political comments. 'The dead heart' refers to early white settlement in Australia, from the perspective of the Aborigines who had laid claim to the land prior to the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. The song also gives a mention to the industrialisation of Australia with the words 'Mining companies, pastoral companies, uranium companies, collected companies / Got more right than people / Got more say than people'.

Although originally released in 1986 in Australia, the single was only released in Europe in 1988 after the single 'Beds are burning' had become a worldwide hit. The less accessible 'The dead heart' only managed to reach number 62 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 769
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The dead heart' / 'Kosciusko'

Endless road - Time Bandits

The Time Bandits scored another hit in the Netherlands with the single 'Endless road' in the summer of 1985. Having had a successful run of hits since the early Eighties, it was not much of a surprise that this one reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

It was a surprise, however, that I found a UK pressing of this single nine years ago. The international career of the Time Bandits never took off, despite some interesting collaborations with American producer Dan Hartman.

My collection: 7" single no. 3195
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Endless road' / 'Fiction'

Mindworks - Sam Brown

'Mindworks' was released as the fourth single from Sam Brown's 1990 album 'April moon'. In the UK, a strictly limited edition featured a pop-up gatefold sleeve, with part of the lyric of the song and Sam Brown's head popping out.

Still, the single did not chart in any territory. Remarkably, the record company did not give up after this and released one more single from the album: 'As one'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1309
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Mindworks' / 'No man is an island'

When doves cry - Prince

I've never actually seen a dove cry, but I guess that's a poetic license the Purple Majesty took on himself in this song. Prince wrote and composed the tracks after all the other tracks on the album 'Purple rain' (which was also the soundtrack to the movie of the same name) were complete. In addition to vocals, he also played all instruments on the track. Remarkably, there is no bass line in the track. Prince has said that there originally was a bass line, but decided that the song was too conventional with it.

The song was released as the first single from the album, peaking at number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 237
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'When doves cry' / '17 days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose)'

Walking down your street - The Bangles

Following up the massive hit 'Walk like an Egyptian' was quite a chore for the Bangles, as they didn't have a lot of these unusual tracks on their album 'Different light'. In the end, the record company opted for 'Walking down your street', in a slightly remixed version when compared to the album version. In the UK, they released the single in a limited edition double pack with 'Walk like an Egyptian' as the free second single.

Of course, this single scored less well. It peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 504
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post' // 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Not like you'