Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained that the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad - instead of the standard melodic verse and heavy chorus, the band opted to reverse the dynamic, with heavy, distorted verses and a softer, melodic chorus, played with classical guitars. The song describes a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it.
The single became another hit for the band, peaking at number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1553 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 7, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'The unforgiven' / 'Killing time'
The proceeds of the very successful album and movie 'Purple rain' enabled Prince to build his recording studio Paisley Park Studios. So what came first, the studio or this song? Well, the song was recorded before 'Purple rain' was completed, so you do the math.
'Paisley Park' was included on Prince's 1985 album 'Around the world in a day'. It has a psychedelic feel, similar to some of The Beatles' later work with echoed guitar and finger cymbals. The lyrics describe a Utopian place that one can feel in their heart, despite the chaos of the world around them. The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 301 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Paisley Park' / 'She's always in my hair'
I've always considered this EP to be great value for money: not only did you get a double A-side with 'Somebody' and 'Blasphemous rumours', this disc also contained two live tracks, of which especially 'Everything counts' is quite fabulous. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.
'Somebody' is a soft, gentle love song in which Martin Gore sings of his desire to find a lover and confidant. The lyric does suggest a hint of sarcasm with the final lines: 'Things like this make me sick. In a case like this, I'll get away with it'. The song was reportedly sung in the studio by Gore without his clothes on.
By contrast, 'Blasphemous rumours' is a loud, angry song. The lyric tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl's failed attempt to kill herself by slitting her wrists. This story is continued when the girl is 18. She renews her faith in God only to be struck by a car, end up on life support, and dying shortly afterwards. The conclusion: 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours but I think that God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die, I expect to find Him laughing.' The song was considered offensive and was banned on some American radio stations. In the UK, although the song was not banned, it also aroused a firestorm of controversy, leading even the Church itself to speak out against the song. Well, of course... God forbid that people would even think about these things!
My collection: 7" single no. 254 Found: Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Somebody', 'Everything counts (live)' / 'Blasphemous rumours', 'Told you so (live)'
Here's another nice track from the Netherlands for your listening pleasure. 'Laat mij maar alleen' ('Just leave me alone') by the Klein orkest ('Little orchestra') is a charming piece of pop from the summer of 1982. Stating 'Even if loneliness is hard, sometimes it's worse when you're together', it's one of those 'Can't live with you, can't live without you' statements, set to upbeat music.
The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 and was the first of only three hit singles for the group that existed for seven years, between 1978 and 1985.
My collection: 7" single no. 161 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 3,5 guilders Tracks: 'Laat mij maar alleen' / 'Het leed versierd'
'A groovy kind of love' was written by Toni Wine and Carol Bayer Sager. It is heavily based on the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major, op. 36 no. 5 by Muzio Clementi. The song was first recorded by Diane & Annita in 1965.
Phil Collins recorded his cover of the song in 1988. He decided to record it when he took a starring role in the film 'Buster', which had a Sixties setting. The song first appeared on the soundtrack of the movie, while it was also released as a single. It hit number 1 in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 799 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 17, 1989 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'A groovy kind of love' / 'Big noise (instrumental)'
Tina Turner was famous for her big hits in the Sixties, but by 1984, she was totally forgotten. She released a new album 'Private dancer' in 1984, from which this single, 'What's love got to do with it' was taken. The song was originally written for the R&B singer Phyllis Hyman.
No-one expected this single to become the great success it became. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1008 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'What's love got to do with it' / 'Don't rush the good things'
Duran Duran's guitarist at the time, Warren Cuccurullo, is credited with developing the instrumentation for 'Come undone', most importantly its guitar hook, which he developed while trying to do a re-interpretation of 'First Impression' from their 1990 album Liberty. The lyrics were written by vocalist Simon Le Bon as a birthday gift for his wife, Yasmin le Bon.
The single reached number 13 in the UK and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. By contrast, it did not chart in the Netherlands at all.
My collection: 7" single no. 1915 Found: Record fair, May 22, 1993 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Come undone' / 'Ordinary world (acoustic)'
Although the rebel yell was a battle cry used by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War, Billy Idol reportedly refers to the whiskey brand of the same name, a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled at the Bernheim distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. During an event he attended, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones were taking swigs of 'Rebel Yell'; Billy decided and stated that he would set off to write a 'Rebel Yell' song.
The song was co-written by guitarist Steve Stevens. The instrumental introduction, which sounds like a combination of electric guitar and electronic keyboard, is performed by Stevens on guitar alone, who intended it to sound this way. The single was originally released in 1984, but re-released in a gatefold sleeve in the UK in 1985 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart on that occasion.
My collection: 7" single no. 1740 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1992 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Rebel yell' / '(Do not) Stand in the shadows'
As the years went by, it was easy to accuse Janet Jackson of using a formula for her albums: there were always a few ballads, some dance songs and one obligatory rock-oriented track. In the case of her 1989 album 'Rhythm Nation 1814', it was 'Black cat', released as the sixth single from the album.
The B-side of the single features 'The 1814 Megamix'. Remixed by Alan Coulthard, it includes snippets of Jackson's previous hit singles 'Alright', 'Escapade', 'Rhythm nation', and 'Miss you much'.
My collection: 7" single no. 1330 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Black cat' / 'The 1814 Megamix'
'Hello, you fool, I love you'. It was the message Per Gessle's girlfriend left on his piano - and a chorus was born. 'Joyride' was the first single release from Roxette's 1991 album 'Joyride'. The single topped the charts across Europe (including the Netherlands), Australia, Canada and the United States. In the UK, 'Joyride' peaked at number 4.
The B-side, 'Come back (before you leave)', reappeared on Roxette's next album, 'Tourism'.
My collection: 7" single no. 1437 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 26, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Joyride' / 'Come back (before you leave)'
'Change of heart' was the second single taken from Cyndi Lauper's second album, 'True colours' (1986). The Bangles sang background vocals on the track. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart the single reached number 3. In Europe, audience reaction was much less enthousiastic: in the UK singles chart the single stalled at number 67, whereas it didn't chart in the Netherlands at all.
I had to search for quite a long time for this single: when it was released, it didn't appear in Dutch record shops at all. I found a 12" single a few years later, and only in 1991 I found the single.
My collection: 7" single no. 1483 Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, July 3, 1991 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Change of heart' / 'Witness'
Exactly a year ago, I wrote about the 12" single of 'Un fait divers et rien de plus' by Le Club. As I said then, Le Club was a very anonymous group, which according to the credits of the song consisted of André Monet, Jacky Dieme and Olaf Zalcman.
I bought the 7" single eleven years before the 12" single during a record fair the day before I had a holiday in London. It was like the first course in a six course meal: I spent those days in London visiting numerous record shops.
My collection: 7" single no. 1986 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Un fait divers et rien de plus' / 'Un fait divers et rien de plus (remix)'
In the second half of the Eighties, the Dutch band The Nits was lauded by critics and bought by the audience: a perfect combination.
They won an Edison (the Dutch version of the Grammy's) in 1987 after their album 'In the Dutch mountains'. A year later, they released the mini-album 'Hat'. 'The dream' was the first single taken from the album, which peaked at number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. They won another Edison for this album.
My collection: 7" single no. 723 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 24, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'The dream' / 'The house'
'So far away' was released as the first single from Dire Straits' 1985 album 'Brothers in arms'. The single reached number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.
The B-side of this single is 'Walk of life', which was subsequently released as the fourth single from the album.
My collection: 7" single no. 908 Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'So far away' / 'Walk of life'
'If I say yes' was released in 1986 as the fourth single from Five Star's second album 'Silk and steel'. The single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.
The sleeve of this single featured a few photographs taken during the filming of the accompanying music video. Although Five Star never reached the kind of popularity they found in the UK, it was through music videos that I still got to know most of their singles, as music stations were all broadcasting from the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 2174 Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'If I say yes' / 'Let me down easy'
Albert Hammond was born in London on May 18, 1944. He is one of the more successful songwriters to come out of England during the Sixties and Seventies, and has also enjoyed a long career as a recording artist.
One of his hit singles is the 1974 track 'Air disaster'. It appeared regularly on the radio in the Eighties as a 'golden oldie', which is how I found out about this song. I bought this single at the first opportunity. Perhaps I shouldn't have: in more recent years I have seen this single with a picture sleeve.
My collection: 7" single no. 307 Found: Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Air disaster' / 'Candle light, sweet candle light'
'Hungry eyes' is a rather unknown single by the British band Sniff 'n' the Tears. Core member of the band is Paul Roberts, who is also a noted painter. He is responsible for much of the band's singles, and it was the sleeve of this single more than anything else that made me buy this single. I liked the picture, and in fact I still do.
The song, meanwhile, is not much to write home about. Maybe that's why it didn't chart in any territory.
My collection: 7" single no. 2592 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Hungry eyes' / 'Fight for love'
'Run for your life' was one of the single releases from Bucks Fizz's third album 'Hand cut'. It suffers from all the hallmarks of Eighties production values: loads of synths, loads of echos and a much too busy arrangement. And still it is a nice pop song, somehow.
The song's lyric talks about feelings of paranoia and insecurity. The single eventually rose to a peak of number 14 in the UK singles chart during a 7 week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 3230 Found: London, November 2001 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Run for your life' / 'Shot me through the heart'
It didn't happen very often - even in the UK - that a single was released in two different limited editions, but in the case of the Bangles, it did happen. 'Walking down your street' was first released as a double single featuring the previous single 'Walk like an Egyptian' as disc number 2, but then there was also this edition: a gatefold sleeve with a 'highlights of the year' foldout.
The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 2663 Found: Record fair, June 30, 1996 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post'
Foreigner had a worldwide number 1 hit with 'I want to know what love is', a powerballad written by Mick Jones, with some degree of uncredited contribution by Lou Gramm. It was the first single from their 1984 album 'Agent provocateur'.
The single features backing vocals from the New Jersey Mass Choir, which soon after Foreigner's single topped the charts, released its own, similar-sounding version of the song.
My collection: 7" single no. 250 Found: Wouters, Den Haag, December 1984 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'I want to know what love is' / 'Street thunder'
It wasn't until 'Weird Al' Yankovic released 'Smells like Nirvana' that I became interested in Nirvana's 'Smells like teen spirit'. When it was released, I just thought it was a lot of noise - infernal racket to be precise - and I didn't want to listen to it at all. Tori Amos also made a very beautiful ballad version of this song, and so in the end I had to concede there was some merit to this track after all.
'Smells like teen spirit' can be considered as the one single that introduced the world to the Seatlle grunge scene. Ironically, Kurt Cobain commented about the song: 'I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. (...) We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.' The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1786 Found: Record fair, November 7, 1992 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Smells like teen spirit' / 'Even in his youth'
To say that two legendary artists recorded 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' in 1986 would be a little far-fetched, but I bet that's how this single will be perceived in a few decades from now. Aretha Franklin is often called the queen of soul, whereas George Michael was still working on his status as a songwriter and performer - but nowadays he can be considered quite the legend himself.
The single was a number 1 hit for the duo in the UK, the USA, the Netherlands and Australia. In Canada, 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' reached number 4. I bought the 12" single four years after I found this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 2440 Found: August 26, 1995 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'I knew you were waiting (for me)' / 'I knew you were waiting (for me) (instrumental)'
This single was made in 1980, combining two of Rod Stewart's biggest hits of the Seventies on one disc. 'Sailing' was written by Gavin Sutherland and originally recorded by his band, Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. Stewart recorded his version in 1975, giving him a number 1 hit in the UK and the Netherlands, among other countries.
'Da ya think I'm sexy' is basically, according to Carmine Appice, who played drums on the track: 'a story of a guy meeting a chick in a club. If you listen to the lyrics, 'She sits alone, waiting for suggestions, he's so nervous...' it's the feelings of what was going on in a dance club. The guy sees a chick he digs, she's nervous and he's nervous and she's alone and doesn't know what's going on, then they end up at his place having sex, and then she's gone.' Again, Stewart hit number 1 in the UK, and peaked at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 with this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 452 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Sailing' / 'Da ya think I'm sexy?'
The Spanish pop group Mecano released their album 'Aidalai' in 1991: an eclectic mix of intimate ballads, technopop and traditional Spanish music. The album was released amidst rumours of the band splitting up because of creative differences between the band's main songwriters, Nacho Cano and José Maria Cano.
The single 'Tu' was released in the autumn of 1991 and gave them their second and last hit in the Netherlands: it reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. As you can hear, this is a mispressing of the single, as it warbles like a madman.
My collection: 7" single no. 3177 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 19, 2000 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Tu' / '1917'
Anne-Cathrine Herdorf was born on July 10, 1967. She represented Denmark during the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Bandjo, performing 'En lillle melodi'. The song finished in fifth place in a field of 22 contestants.
This single features the English version of the song, 'A simple little song', plus the instrumental version. Surprisingly, this single was made in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 4405 Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'A simple little song' / 'En lille melodi (instrumental)'
'Night fever' was another song written and recorded by the Bee Gees for the soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever'. Originally the movie was going to be called 'Saturday night', but Robin Gibb expressed hesitation at that title. When the song 'Night fever' was made, the two titles were combined, hence 'Saturday night fever'.
The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed at that position for two months. The single also topped the chart in Canada, the UK, Spain, Ireland and Brazil. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Night fever' reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 1478 Found: July 3, 1991 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Night fever' / 'Down the road'
In 1987, Sting was going through his messiah phase, thinking that his status as a rock star could give him the power to save the world. He toured around the world with an indian with a plate in his lower lip, while also trying to stop the Chilean regime of Augusto Pinochet.
He did so by composing 'They dance alone', a track on his second solo album '...Nothing like the sun' and subsequently released as a single. The song is a metaphor referring to mourning Chilean women who were dancing the Cueca, the national dance of Chile, alone with photographs of their disappeared loved ones in their hands. Sting explained his song as a symbolic gesture of protest against Pinochet, whose regime killed thousands of people between 1973 and 1990. Of course, this didn't move Pinochet to immediately stop his actions. Sting did reach number 29 in the Dutch Top 40, but the single flopped in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 1009 Found: London, October 17, 1989 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'They dance alone' / 'Ellas danzan solas'
'Stars' was recorded as the title track from Simply Red's 1991 album. It was released as the second single from the album. The B-side of the single was a remix of the track by PM Dawn.
The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, but did not chart in the USA.
My collection: 7" single no. 1561 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 21, 1991 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Stars' / 'Stars (PM-ized mix)'
'Wasteland' was the second single taken from the Mission's 1986 album 'God's own medicine'. There was a limited edition box set release of this single at the time of its release. As far as single box sets go, this one was quite lavish: not only did it include five colour photographs, it also had a second single with two bonus live tracks.
Perhaps as a consequence of this, 'Wasteland' became the Mission's biggest hit up until then, reaching number 11 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3153 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2000 Cost: 10 guilders Tracks: 'Wasteland' / 'Shelter from the storm (live)' // 'Serpent's kiss (live)' / '1969 (live)'
René Moore and Angela Winbush got together in 1980, both professionally and romantically. They formed the duo René & Angela and released three albums between 1980 and 1985. 'Save your love (for #1)' was released as the first single from their third and last album, 'Street called desire'.
The single gave them their first international success: 'Save your love (for #1)' reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. A year later, their marriage fell apart, with the duo falling apart not long after.
My collection: 7" single no. 4427 Found: Den Haag, January 16, 2010 Cost: - (present) Tracks: 'Save your love (for #1)' / 'Save your love (for #1) (instrumental)'
John Oates originally wrote 'Maneater' as a reggae-oriented song. On the insistance of Daryl Hall, the track was changed into a 'Motown kind of groove'. According to John Oates the inspiration for this song was English model and actress Kelly LeBrock. The track was included on their 1982 album 'H2O' and released as a single.
'Maneater' reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.
I actually have two different copies of this single: I bought the German pressing (pictured above) in 1995. Two years later, I saw the UK pressing and didn't recognise the sleeve. It's another example of how my photographic memory sometimes gets in the way...
My collection: 7" single no. 2469 / no. 2874 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995 / House of Rhythm, London, October 28 Cost: 1 guilder / 20p Tracks: 'Maneater' / 'Delayed reaction'
London Beat released their second album 'In the blood' in early 1991. The single 'I've been thinking about you' preceded the album by half a year, as it was released in August 1990.
The upbeat, breezy sound of the song made it an instant summer hit in many countries. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where it was released in April 1991, the single reached number 1 as well. The song also topped the singles charts in Spain, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia.
My collection: 7" single no. 1341 Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1990 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'I've been thinking about you' / '9AM (live)'
Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo was born on June 1, 1950 in Hollywood, California. In 1973, she signed to the Motown label. 'I've never been to me' was originally a single taken from her self-titled debut album 'Charlene' in 1977. It only managed to reach number 97 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1982, a DJ in Tampa, Florida started to play the song on the radio. Audience reaction was so impressive, that Motown was moved to re-release the single. This time around, 'I've never been ot me' reached number 3 in the USA and number 1 in the UK singles chart. It also reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. By that time, Charlene had moved to England and was working in an Ilford, Essex sweet shop.
My collection: 7" single no. 126 Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 5,5 guilders Tracks: 'I've never been to me' / 'Somewhere in my life'
After having had two consecutive top 10 hits in the Netherlands, Mai Tai recorded a new album in the summer of 1986. Entitled '1 touch 2 much', it was released in the autumn of 1986, with the title track released as the first single from the album.
Expectations were obviously high, but they were not met: the single didn't chart and the album didn't sell as much as its predecessor. Two subsequent singles reached the lower regions of the Dutch Top 40 only.
My collection: 7" single no. 629 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: '1 touch 2 much' / 'Inch by inch'
Howard Jones wrote the song 'Look mama' from the standpoint of a child pleading with its over-protective mother to be allowed greater independence and room to develop its own personality. The introduction to the song features some spoken dialogue sampled from the 1974 movie 'Alice doesn't live here anymore'.
The track was released as the second single from his second album 'Dream into action' in April 1985. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart, and it remains Howard Jones' last top 10 hit in the UK.
My collection: 7" single no. 1824 Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Look mama' / 'Learning how to love'
'No promises' was released as the first single from Icehouse's 1986 album 'Measure for measure' in November 1985. I remembered Icehouse from their 1982 single 'Hey little girl', and this single wasn't that much different from that sound.
The single peaked at number 30 on the Australian singles charts and reached number 72 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single stalled at number 79.
My collection: 7" single no. 437 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1986 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'No promises' / 'The perfect crime'
'Secret love' was written in 1953 by the American songwriting duo of Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. Its first performance was in the film 'Calamity Jane' by Doris Day. It received an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song was released on record as well, reaching number 1 in the USA and the UK singles chart.
The song was covered in 1982 by ex-Luv' member José, who released it as her third solo single in September 1982. This upbeat, modern-sounding version reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 155 Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Secret love' / 'Mr. Jones'
'It's raining again' was released as the first single from Supertramp's 1982 album 'Famous last words', an album that marked the end of an era. As relations between Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the main songwriters of the band, became more strained, they fought over just about everything. Not long after this album's release, Roger Hodgson decided to leave the band.
The single, meanwhile, was a good success for Supertramp, reaching number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 334 Found: Oldies Unlimited, UK, received September 1985 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'It's raining again' / 'Bonnie'
'Hanging on the telephone' was written by Jack Lee. It was first performed by Lee's short-lived US West Coast power pop trio The Nerves, who released it as the title track of their 1976 ep, the band's only release.
Blondie recorded a cover version of the track on their 1979 album 'Parallel lines'. When released as a single, it reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 110 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Hanging on the telephone' / 'Picture this'
'Stand above me' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1993 album 'Liberator', the second album recorded by Andy McCluskey without Paul Humphreys. It was the last single that also appeared on a 12" single.
'Stand above me' reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the German singles chart. In America, it did not reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it was a top 10 hit in the 'Dance play' and 'Modern Rock' charts.
My collection: 7" single no. 2000 Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Stand above me' / 'Can I believe you'
Making a meat sandwich, taking the 5 train, holding out the flag, putting it in there, going up and down... I'm always in awe of people who can creatively describe the act of making love and associated sexual acts. Back in 1981, my English wasn't good enough to appreciate the full meaning of 'Pull up to the bumper': I simply thought it was about cars.
Upon its original release, the single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, 'Pull up to the bumper' was re-released in 1985, reaching number 12 on that occasion.
My collection: 7" single no. 2860 Found: August 9, 1997 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Pull up to the bumper' / 'Feel up'
In 1989, Stan Ridgway released his second solo album 'Mosquitos'. The album is notable for the three tracks featuring Tori Amos pre-'Little earthquakes' and so has become sought after by Tori Amos fans.
But perhaps the album is even better known for the hit single 'Calling out to Carol', a rather radio-friendly track which reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 945 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1989 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Calling out to Carol' / 'Can't stop the show (live)'
Massive Attack had two hit singles in 1991, 'Unfinished sympathy' and 'Safe from harm'. They followed this up in early 1992 with 'Be thankful', the fourth and last single from their debut album 'Blue lines'. This proved to be a very unsuccessful release, as it only reached number 49 in the Australian singles chart, while failing to chart everywhere else.
I bought this single out of curiosity and because of the fact that the shop didn't have much else to buy. Sometimes I had this mood where I just had to buy cheap singles, and when there's nothing much on offer, I tend to buy whatever I think might be good. And this was, well, reasonably good.
My collection: 7" single no. 2251 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4, 1995 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Be thankful (Paul Oakenfold mix)' / 'Hymn of the big wheel (Nellee Hooper mix)'
'Sweet talkin' woman' was originally named 'Dead end street', but the name changed to avoid confusion with a 1966 hit of the same title by the Kinks. Some words that survived from that version can be heard in the opening of the third verse, 'I've been livin' on a dead end street'. It was recorded on ELO's 1978 album 'Out of the blue' and released as the fourth single from the album.
Initial copies of the 7" single were pressed on transparent purple vinyl in the UK. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1163 Found: January 27, 1990 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Sweet talkin' woman' / 'Bluebird is dead'
After Michael Jackson's phenomenal success with 'Thriller', it seemed like all of his siblings wanted a piece of the pie as well. Janet Jackson started a very successful career together with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Jermaine Jackson signed with Arista records to release 'Dynamite', an album featuring a couple of hit singles. One of them was 'Do what you do', which some say featured Michael Jackson on backing vocals.
The main revelation for me was the music video at the time. I was already familiar with the fact that belly buttons can be 'innies' or 'outies', but I'd never seen a spine so deeply hidden in someone's back (scroll to 3'21 to see this anatomical phenomenon). Meanwhile, 'Do what you do' reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 257 Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 5,5 guilders Tracks: 'Do what you do' / 'Tell me I'm not dreamin' (Too good to be true)' (duet with Michael Jackson)
'She makes my day' was released as the third single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova'. While the first single 'Simply irresistible' became a rock classic, the second one 'Early in the morning' went by almost unnoticed. 'She makes my day' was a top 10 hit in the UK and Australia, peaking at number 6 and 9 respectively, but was ignored in the rest of the world.
I loved the song when it was released in 1988, but twenty years later it sounds a little too syrupy for my taste.
My collection: 7" single no. 720 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 21, 1989 Cost: 3,5 guilder Tracks: 'She makes my day' / 'Disturbing behaviour'
'Fire' was written by Bruce Springsteen and was originally intended to be used by Elvis Presley. Robert Gordon ended up being the first artist to record the song in 1978. Later that year, the Pointer Sisters recorded their version. It gave them major worldwide success, reaching number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.
Although he performed the song live from his 1978 tour onwards, Springsteen himself did not release his own recording of the song until his 1986 'Live/1975-85' album, which contains his (heavily edited) December 16, 1978 performance.
My collection: 7" single no. 1624 Found: Disco Market, April 18, 1992 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'Fire' / 'Love is like a rolling stone'
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich explained that the band wanted to try something new with the idea of a ballad - instead of the standard melodic verse and heavy chorus, the band opted to reverse the dynamic, with heavy, distorted verses and a softer, melodic chorus, played with classical guitars. The song describes a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it.
