London town - Bucks Fizz

Written by Andy Hill, the lyric of 'London town' tells of someone who is finding it difficult to adjust to life in a big city but is determined to stay. Lead vocals on the track were performed by member Bobby G, although he was unhappy with the way his vocals were mixed, giving them a distorted quality, claiming that he 'sounded like a munchkin'.

Released in September 1983, this was the Bucks Fizz's tenth single. It was the first of their singles not to reach the top 20 in the UK. It peaked at number 34 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1667
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'London town' / 'Identity'

Stripped - Depeche Mode

'Stripped' was the first single from Depeche Mode's 1986 album 'Black celebration'. It was the first time that the band presented their gloomier side, a side they would explore more on later albums. The track was laden with samples: the underlying beat is a distorted and slowed-down sound of a motorcycle engine running, while the main melody begins with a car's ignition starting, and the end uses sounds of fireworks. The single peaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart.

In the USA, the B-side 'But not tonight' was preferred. The single was flipped, which did not please the band, because they saw the track as a useless poppy track they recorded in less than a day. To make matters worse, 'But not tonight' did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1328
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Stripped' / 'But not tonight'

Time to say goodbye - Arabesque

Although Arabesque broke up in 1984 when Sandra wanted to pursue a solo career, Jasmin and Michaela continued as Rouge, soldiering on for the remainder of the Eighties.

Meanwhile, the song 'Time to say goodbye' was released as a single and a 12" single by Arabeque in 1985. It was not a commercial success, but fans of the group may have been very happy to get this 'posthumous' release.

My collection: 12" single no. 331
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Time to say goodbye (extended)' / 'Time to say goodbye', 'Stop crying for the moon'

Cradle of love - Billy Idol

'Cradle of love' is a good example of how a rather unremarkable song is brought to attention by an imaginative music video. The video was played often on MTV at the time, and since the video makes you want to watch things go wrong again and again, the song sticks in your mind. Not a surprise, then, that I ended up buying the single.

Billy Idol released 'Cradle of love' in April 1990. The single reached number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1340
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cradle of love' / '311 man'

Bailar pegados - Sergio Dalma

Sergio Dalma was born as Josep Sergi Capdevila Querol on September 28, 1964 in Sabadell, Spain. He started his career singing in bands and as backing vocalist, until he won the talent show 'Gent d'aqui'. His debut album 'Esa chica es mia' in 1989. Although the album was not very successful, Dalma was chosen to represent Spain during the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest.

'Bailar pegados' was a dramatic ballad that was tipped to win before the Contest took place. In the end, his song finished fourth out of 22 competitors. Dalma continues to be a successful artist in Spain, having had a number 1 album in 2008.

My collection: 7" single no. 4566
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Bailar pegados' / 'Amor descafeinado'

Y solo tu - Bacchelli

Bacchelli was born as José María Bacchelli Ortega in 1952 in Barcelona, Spain. He had a brief career in music in the late Seventies and early Eighties. In 1980 he released the album 'Prohibido'. A year later, he was selected to represent Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest.

He performed the song 'Y solo tu' ('And only you') in Dublin, which reached 14th place at the end of the Contest, out of 20 competitors. The single was released in most of Europe, but commercial success did not follow. A second album, also called 'Y solo tu', failed to sell as well. Shortly thereafter he retired from the music industry.

My collection: 7" single no. 4565
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Y solo tu' / 'Cuando te tengo en mis brazos'

Un grand, grand amour - José Cid

José Cid was born as José Albano Cid de Ferreira Tavares on February 4, 1942 in Chamusca, Portugal. He started a career in music in 1956 when he founded the Babies, a musical group which performed mostly covers. Besides being in various bands in the Sixties and Seventies, he also started a solo career.

In 1980 he was selected to represent Portugal during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Um grande, grande amor'. He finished seventh in a field of 19 competitors, which was Portugal's best result up until then. 'Un grand, grand amour' is the French version of the song, which was released internationally. The single was not a commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4564
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Un grand, grand amour' / 'Barbara'

Les jardins de Monaco - Caline et Olivier Toussaint

While Monaco was absent from the Eurovision Song Contest between 1980 and 2004, they did participate every year between 1959 and 1979. And so, 'Les jardins de Monaco', performed by Caline and Olivier Toussaint has the unique distinction of being the penultimate entry for Monaco before they gave up in the 20th century.

'Les jardins de Monaco' is a mid-tempo disco duet, which makes it sound a bit dated now. At the close of voting during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest, it finished fourth in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4563
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Les jardins de Monaco' / 'Tous les amoureux'

Waiting for a girl like you - Foreigner

Foreigner used the then-unknown Thomas Dolby to perform synthesizer on their track 'Waiting for a girl like you'. It was one of the factors in making this a big hit. Written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, it was the second single from Foreigner's album '4' (1981).

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It also achieved an odd chart distinction by spending a record-setting 10 weeks at number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, without ever reaching the top. It was held off the top spot by Olivia Newton-John's single 'Physical' for the first nine of those weeks, and by Hall & Oates' 'I can't go for that (No can do)' for the remaining week.

My collection: 7" single no. 1468
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waiting for a girl like you' / 'I'm gonna win'

Doe iets - Frank Boeijen Groep

The Frank Boeijen Groep released the second single from their third album '1001 hotel' in October 1983. It was 'Doe iets' ('Do something'). The lyric of the song, written as usual by band leader Frank Boeijen, was a cry for action between lovers.

After their first hit single 'Linda', this single again reached the Dutch Top 40, this time peaking at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 670
Found: Record fair, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Doe iets' / 'Macho'

Another one bites the dust - Queen

The bass line of 'Another one bites the dust' was inspired by the song 'Good times' by Chic. Recording sesions in Munich involved John Deacon playing almost all the instruments: bass, piano, rhythm and lead guitars and handclap percussion. Roger Taylor added a drum loop and Brian May contributed some noises with his guitar and an Eventide Harmonizer. There are no synthesizers used in the song: all effects are created with pianos, guitars, and drums, with subsequent tape playback performed in reverse at various speeds. Brian May later recalled: 'Freddie sung until his throat bled on 'Another one bites the dust'. He was so into it. He wanted to make that song something special.'

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in Argentina, Canada, Guatemala, Spain and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2107
Found: Record fair, June 4, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Another one bites the dust' / 'Dragon attack'

101 - Sheena Easton

Prince used his pseudonym Joey Coco to write '101' for Sheena Easton. The track was recorded on her 1989 album 'The lover in me', with Prince producing. When it was released as the second single from the album, the sleeve included a beautiful photograph by Sheila Rock.

It was not a big success for Easton, as '101' only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 875
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 3, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: '101' / 'Cool love'

Private eyes - Daryl Hall and John Oates

According to Daryl Hall, 'Private eyes' is 'a real Janna Allen(co-writer and sister of Sara Allen) song. Janna, and I, and Warren Pash wrote that. Warren and Janna wrote most of the song, and I took it and changed it around-changed the chords. Sandy [Sara Allen] and I wrote the lyrics. It’s a real family song, the Allen sisters and me.'

The single carries a similar rhythm to the duo's number one hit from earlier that year, 'Kiss on my list', with the difference being a handclap chorus that has made the song an audience-participation favorite at live Hall and Oates shows. The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2499
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Private eyes' / 'Tell me what you want'

Twilight zone - Golden Earring

My earlier post about 'Long blond animal' by the Golden Earring caused some readers to write a comment. I wrote that if the group had quit like they planned, it would have saved us a lot of unnecessary music. 'What about 'Twilight zone'?', was the general complaint.

Well, indeed. I did like the song when it came out in 1982, and I even bought the single. At the same time, the song has been played so often on radio and television that I'm still very bored by it. So would the world have been a darker place without this single? I don't really think so. But it was a number 1 hit for the band, which should have been, again, reason enough for them to call it quits. Unfortunately, they didn't...

My collection: 7" single no. 149
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Twilight zone' / 'King dark'

Church of your heart - Roxette

'Church of your heart' was the last single release from Roxette's 1991 album 'Joyride' in February 1992. It was the last top 40 hit for Roxette in the USA, peaking at number 36. In the UK, the single reached number 21.

More important to me than the 7" single at the time was the double cd-single release from the UK. I spent ages trying to find it, until I finally did during a record fair in the summer of 1992. This single was much easier to get: I bought it as soon as it came out.

My collection: 7" single no. 1648
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Church of your heart' / 'I call your name'

Wanted dead or alive - Bon Jovi

'Wanted dead or alive' is the phrase Jon Bon Jovi used for this song to show how he identifies with wild west heroes as being hated (wanted dead or alive). The band Bon Jovi had originally planned to do a wild west-themed album in the Eighties, but scrapped the idea.

Released as the third single from Bon Jovi's 1986 album 'Slippery when wet'. It peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 532
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Wanted dead or alive' / 'Shot through the heart'

Trödler und Co - Peter, Sue and Marc

One of four appearances at the Eurovision Song Contest by Peter, Sue & Marc, 'Trödler & Co' is certainly the most memorable one. Together with the unknown trio Pfuri, Gorps & Kniri, they performed a track that sounded a lot like slightly deranged gypsy music. 'Trödler' translates like 'dawdler', so presumably this is music by people who procrastinate a lot. (No, I don't know what that means either).

Representing Switzerland for the third time in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with this song, they finished tenth in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4457
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 3,5 euro
Tracks: 'Trödler & Co' / 'Groovy Musik'

Mai Tai - Body and soul

'Body and soul' was Mai Tai's second hit single in the UK, but there was a difference with the European version of 'Body and soul': it was released on the Virgin label, had a different sleeve and a different B-side. The B-side was 'What goes on', a hit single in the Netherlands in the previous summer.

Released in July 1985, Mai Tai scored their second top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 2385
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Body & soul' / 'What goes on'

Isn't it midnight - Fleetwood Mac

'Isn't it midnight' was released as the sixth and final single from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. The song was co-written and sung by Christine McVie.

In the UK singles chart, 'Isn't it midnight' reached number 60 in June 1988. In Ireland, the single reached number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 3197
Found: Record fair, Amterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Isn't it midnight' / 'Mystified'

Mercy mery me/I want you - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer recorded two of Marvin Gaye's songs, 'Mercy mercy me' and 'I want you' in a medley to form one hit single. I'm still not sure about this choice, as both songs come off a bit weird as lyrically they have very little in common. Still, it was a hit for Palmer, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My reason for buying this single is actually the B-side, which was co-written by Colin Vearncombe, a.k.a. Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 2822
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mercy mercy me/I want you' / 'Oh yeah'

Nights in white satin - The Moody Blues

The classic 'Nights in white satin' was first featured on the Moody Blues album 'Days of future passed'. Band member Justin Hayward wrote the song at age nineteen in Swindon, and titled the song after a friend gave him a gift of satin bedsheets. The song itself was a tale of a yearning love from afar, which leads many to assume it is a tale of unrequited love endured by Hayward. The track was originally over seven minutes long, but it was edited for the single version, omitting spoken poetry and orchestral passages.

The B-side of this 'Golden Oldies' single is the track 'I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band', a hit single from 1973. The track was written by bassist John Lodge. It is one of John Lodge's signature high-energy rock and roll songs, which lyrically is a rant by Lodge, who was frustrated that many of their fans looked up to them as spiritual leaders in a sense. He is basically disproving that fact, and proclaiming that he is 'just a singer in a rock and roll band.'

My collection: 7" single no. 256
Found: Leiden, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Nights in white satin' / 'I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band'

Make it happen - Mariah Carey

'Make it happen' was written and produced by Mariah Carey with David Cole and Robert Clivillés of the C+C Music Factory, and recorded for Carey's second album, 'Emotions' (1991). The song is characterized best as a dance/gospel track with uplifting lyrics like 'If you believe in yourself enough and know what you want, you're going to make it happen.'

After Carey's first five U.S. singles had reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, her sixth single 'Can't let go' had peaked at number 2. It was hoped that 'Make it happen' would be a number 1 again, but this time the single got to number 5. It did no better in the UK, where the single stalled at number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 1623
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Make it happen' / 'Emotions (Special motion edit)'

Shake your body (down to the ground) - The Jacksons

'Shake your body (down to the ground)' was released as a single from the Jacksons' album 'Destiny' in December 1978. The single version was edited down to almost four minutes from the original eight minute album version. The single reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

Performed during the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in September 2001, it would be the last song performed live by the Jacksons.

My collection: 7" single no. 1576
Found: Record fair, January 25, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Shake your body (down to the ground)' / 'That's what you get (for being polite)'

Blue emotion - Fiat Lux

Fiat Lux is one of those great unknown synthpop bands from the first half of the Eighties. They had two singles in the lower regions of the UK singles chart, but that was about it for them. I featured their singles on this blog last year, but I'm glad to say that I also own the 12" versions of most of them too.

'Blue emotion' is a particularly good 12" single, as it features extended versions of both the A-side and the B-side. When you listen to 'Blue emotion', you could easily mistake the band for Ultravox, as it's got these creepy synth sounds that wouldn't sound out of place on the classic album 'Vienna'.

My collection: 12" single no. 246
Found: 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Blue emotion (extended version)' / 'Sleepless nightmare (extended version)'

Take me down - Clouseau

'Take me down' was written by Kris Wauters from the band Clouseau with Nick Barron. It was released as the second single from their second international album 'In every small town'.

Although I consider this album to be the band's best work, most people did not agree: the single flopped and the album was to be Clouseau's last work in the English language.

My collection: 7" single no. 2070
Found: February 19, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Take me down' / 'Take me down (instrumental)'

Mama - Genesis

'Mama' was written and recorded by Genesis on their 1983 album 'Genesis'. Phil Collins commented at the time: 'Our manager, when he first heard it, thought it was about abortion, the kind of feeling of the foetus saying to the mother 'Please give me a chance, can't you feel my heart, don't take away my last chance'. All those lyrics are in the song but in fact what it is, is just about a young teenager that's got a mother fixation with a prostitute that he's just happened to have met in passing and he has such a strong feeling for her and doesn't understand why she isn't interested in him.'

Most people remember the song for Phil Collins' sinister laugh halfway through. Producer Hugh Padgham revealed that the inspiration for the laugh came from rap music pioneer Grandmaster Flash's song 'The Message'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 213
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Mama' / 'It's gonna get better'

1999 / Little red corvette - Prince

'1999' was recorded by Prince on his 1982 album of the same name. Prince shares lead vocals on the track with members of his band The Revolution, namely Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman and Jill Jones. Originally conceived to be a three-part harmony, it was later decided to separate out the voices that started each verse. It was released as a single in the same year, launching Prince to superstardom along the way.

On New Year's Eve 1999, Prince (his stage name at that time still being an unpronounceable symbol) held a concert entitled 'Rave un2 the year 2000' at his Paisley Park Studios Soundstage, and he later vowed never to play it again. However, in August 2007, as part of his Earth Tour, he reintroduced the song to his set after an absence of eight years.

My collection: 7" single no. 2908
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 1997
Cost: 50p
Tracks: '1999' / 'Little red corvette'

How many lies - Spandau Ballet

'How many lies' was released in early 1987 as the third and final single from Spandau Ballet's 1986 album 'Through the barricades'. The single featured a live version of 'Communication', recorded at the NEC in Birmingham on the B-side.

The single reached number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. While the band was traditionally also successful in Australia and Germany, 'How many lies' did not chart in these countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 2603
Found: Record fair, January 27, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'How many lies?' / 'Communication (live)'

Bailemos un vals - José Vélez

José Vélez was born as José Velásquez Jiménez, November 15, 1951 in Telde, Gran Canaria. He started his career in music in the late Sixties as a member of the Grupo Marabilla. He started a solo career after the group dissolved.

He represented Spain during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Bailmos un vals' ('Let's dance a Waltz'). The song was written by Manuel de la Calva and Ramón Arcusa, the team beind Massiel's winning entry in the 1968 Contest, 'La la la'. It ended up ninth in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4403
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bailemos un vals' / 'Por que te fuiste 'pa'?'

Ik ben de man - Raymond van het Groenewoud

I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but in hindsight I wonder if it was really a good idea to accept this single into my collection: I never played it besides the time I got it and now for this blog. 'Ik ben de man' ('I am the man') by Belgian single Raymond van het Groenewoud is a nice song, but it's nothing remarkable.

I got it from the shop owner at the shop where I went to get my weekly chart singles back in 1990. It was probably the only way for him to get rid of these singles, as they didn't sell at all. Six months later, Van het Groenewoud would have his first and only number 1 hit in the Netherlands with 'Liefde voor muziek' ('Love for music').

My collection: 7" single no. 1271
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 28, 1990
Cost: -
Tracks: 'Ik ben de man' / 'Geen boodschap'

Red letter day - China Crisis

I don't know if Valentine's day qualifies as a red letter day, but it's Sunday today, so what the heck. Here's a special song for the occasion: China Crisis's 'Red letter day'. It was released as the second single from their 1989 album 'Diary of a hollow horse'. A special treat on this single is the acoustic version of the title track of that album, as it's been so beautifully done. I actually like the acoustic version better than the original version.

The single was not a hit in the UK, despite its special packaging: the single was housed in a special outer sleeve: a red envelope.

My collection: 7" single no. 995
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Red letter day' / 'Diary of a hollow horse (acoustic)'

Love take over - Five Star

I don't think anyone remembers the band The Limit. They had a hit in 1985 with the track 'Say yeah'. (And no, I don't have it either.) The Limit consisted of Rob van Schaik and Bernard Oates, and they also wrote 'Love take over' for Five Star.

'Love take over' was released as the fifth single from Five Star's debut album 'Luxury of life'. It reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2409
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love take over' / 'Keep in touch'

For your babies - Simply Red

In 1991, Simply Red released the album 'Stars'. It was arguably one of their best selling albums, also yielding five singles. The third single was 'For your babies', a midtempo track written and composed by Mick Hucknall.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in Ireland. It did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1582
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 10, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'For your babies' / 'For your babies (Edition Français)'

The good times - José

José had two solo hits under her belt (with 'I will follow him' and 'Secret love') when she released her fourth solo single 'The good times'. It was a new track, composed by Piet Souer, with a lot of the trademarks of the two previous singles: a bright production, an upbeat sound and a recognisable melody.

However, it was not a cover version and it seemed like José could only have a hit with cover versions: 'The good times' did not chart in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 168
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The good times' / 'Say no more'

Wrapped around your finger - The Police

The Police created an impressive music video for 'Wrapped around your finger'. They performed the song in a candle-lit room, interspersed with scenes of Sting running among several tall candlesticks carefully arranged in a sort of maze. The video suited the song very well.

'Wrapped around your finger' is a tale of an apprentice who seeks esoteric wisdom under the tutelage of an erotic teacher, eventually superseding the mentor to become the master. Like other Police songs from this period, it features mythological and literary references, notably to the Scylla and Charybdis monsters of Greek mythology, and the German legend of Faust. The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart, number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 495
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wrapped around your finger' / 'Someone to talk to'

Anything for you - Gloria Estefan

'Anything for you' was recorded by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Such was the success of this single, that the album 'Let it loose' whence it came from was repackaged and renamed 'Anything for you' at the time of its release.

The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 744
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 11, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Anything for you' / 'Anything for you (English/Spanish version)'

Butterfly on a wheel - The Mission

The history of the bands All about Eve and The Mission has been intertwined from the very beginning. Mission frontman Wayne Hussey sang backing vocals on some tracks on All about Eve's debut album, whereas Julianne Regan from All about Eve sang backing vocals on the Mission's 'Severina'.

Also, Regan was in a relationship with Mission guitarist Simon Hinkler for some time. When the couple broke up, it inspired Hussey to write 'Butterfly on a wheel'. The track was featured on the Mission's album 'Carved in sand' and was released as a single just before the end of 1989. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart in January 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1165
Found: Free Record Shop, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Butterfly on a wheel' / 'The grip of disease'

Kinder dieser Welt - Gary Lux

Gary Lux was born in Ontario, Canada, but returned to live in Austria with his parents during his childhood. He represented Austria during the Eurovision Song Contest on six occasions, first as a member of the group Westend in 1983 and as a backing singer in 1984, 1993 and 1995. Only in 1985 and 1987 he was the starring performer.

His 1985 entry was 'Kinder dieser Welt' ('Children of the world'). The song finished eighth in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4469
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,8 euro
Tracks: 'Kinder dieser Welt' / 'Kino'

Linda - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen has often expressed that he regretted recording 'Linda'. There was some pressure from the record company to finally come up with a hit single, and this repetitive piece of Dutch pop did the trick. The line 'Linda / Ik wil alles voor je doen' ('Linda / I'd do anything for you') is repeated more than a dozen times, and the verses are not very imaginative either.

'Linda', released in May 1983, reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 and gave the Frank Boeijen Groep their first hit single.

My collection: 7" single no. 348
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Linda' / 'Nachtportier'

Light of the world - Kim Appleby

This 12" single is a good example of how a 12" single should be. Kim Appleby released 'Light of the world' as the first single from her second album 'Breakaway' and had several remixers do their job on this track. The result is three different remixes of 'Light of the world'.

The first remix is made by Phil Kelsey, who would also remix Kim Wilde's 'If I can't have you' that same year. The second remix is an extended version of the single version, while the third remix is made by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, long standing Stock Aitken & Waterman collaborators. At over 20 minutes, this is a good package for your money.

My collection: 12" single no. 527
Found: London, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Light of the world (Phil Kelsey remix)' / 'Light of the world (extended mix)', 'Light of the world (Harding & Curnow remix)'

The hollow man - Marillion

After trying and failing to reach a wider audience with Holidays in Eden, Marillion figured it was time to go back to their roots and make a more progressive rock-oriented album again. The result was 'Brave', a concept album based on a news story Steve Hogarth heard on the radio about a girl who was taken into police custody after being found wandering the Severn Bridge. She did not know who she was, where she came from and refused to even speak. This inspired Hogarth to write a fictional story about this girl and what might have led to her being on Severn Bridge in this state.

'Brave' was not a hit album because of EMI's lack of promotion and the fact that it had no real single potential. However, three singles were released: 'The great escape', 'The hollow man' and 'Alone again in the lap Of luxury'. 'The hollow man' was the most successful of the three, peaking at number 30 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2083
Found: UK, received March 26, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The hollow man' / 'Brave'

Fields of gold - Sting

Although 'Fields of gold' was covered by Eva Cassidy and reportedly brought many people to tears, it still is a bit of an overlooked Sting classic. He wrote and recorded the track on his 1993 album 'Ten summoner's tales'. It was released as the third single from the album that year.

The single reached number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 52 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 2392
Found: Marlyn Music, Eastbourne, July 5, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Fields of gold' / 'We work the black seam'

Come closer - Renée

'Come closer' is another single by the Dutch band Renée that didn't make the Dutch Top 40. Not that the track wasn't promoted: several television appearances have survived the three decades since its release (see here and here).

I didn't like the song when it came out, but I appreciated it more in hindsight. This is why I bought the single 20 years after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 3272
Found: November 10, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Come closer' / 'It's absurd'

Right by your side - Eurythmics

One of the most successful collaborations in Eighties pop is the Eurythmics. Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox were continually changing their sound, releasing one hit single after another. 'Right by your side' was lyrically and sonically different from past single releases from the band. The track is an uptempo love song featuring calypso music, synthesized steel drum and marimba sounds as well as a horn section.

The track was released as the second single from Eurythmics' third album 'Touch'. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3097
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Right by your side' / 'Right by your side (Party mix)'

So natural - Lisa Stansfield

After the big success of her first two albums and the track 'In all the right places' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Indecent proposal', Lisa Stansfield released her third solo album 'So natural' in 1993. It was her very first musical work almost entirely realized by the singer herself along with her husband and collaborator Ian Devaney. Previously, the pair had worked in a trio with Andy Morris, but he only shared writing credits on three tracks on this album.

It's all speculation whether this is really the cause, of course, but without Morris, Stansfield had a hard time maintaining her commercial success. The title track was released as a single, which reached number 15 in the UK singles chart but failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1994
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'So natural' / 'So natural (Roger's club mix)'

Tears on the telephone - Hot Chocolate

Although their success in the Seventies was phenomenal, in the early Eighties the success of the band Hot Chocolate headed for a steady decline. Their last big success was 1982's 'It started with a kiss', but subsequent singles didn't fare as well.

'Tears on the telephone', released in September 1983, was Hot Chocolate's last hit single in the Netherlands, peaking at number 14. It sold less well in the UK, where it only reached number 37.

My collection: 7" single no. 3121
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tears on the telephone' / 'It's my birthday'

Distant love - Maywood

1981 is a very successful year for the Dutch duo Maywood. They release three hit singles, of which 'Distant love' is the first, and they win the prestigious Silver Harp awards in the Netherlands. They also receive prizes and awards in Germany, Poland, Japan and Korea. A world tour takes them to Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Indonesia en de Soviet Union.

'Distant love' reaches number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, a placing that is exceeded by the two subsequent single releases.

My collection: 7" single no. 80
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Distant love' / 'I'm in love for the very first time'