Absolute beginners - David Bowie

David Bowie was a good friend of Julien Temple, who directed the movie 'Absolute beginners' in 1986. Not only did he land a supporting role in the movie, he also agreed to record the theme tune for the movie.

The sessions, at Abbey Road Studios, were set up in a novel way, with a group of session musicians all receiving a card to work at the studio with 'Mr X', who turned out to be Bowie. The sessions were completed rapidly, but the release of the single was delayed, because the record company wanted the release to tie in with the film's opening. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 411
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Absolute beginners' / 'Absolute beginners (dub mix)'

The miracle of love - Eurythmics

'The miracle of love' was recorded by the Eurythmics in 1986 on their sixth album 'Revenge'. It was subsequently released as the third single from the album, although the single was not released in the United States.

It reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 488
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The miracle of love' / 'When tomorrow comes (live)'

Children say - Level 42

The 1987 album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 had been a great success, spawning four hit singles through the year, but still it was decided to release one further single from the album. It was 'Children say', which was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn for the single release.

The song was more successful than expected in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, the single peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 2305
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Children say (remix)' / 'Starchild (remix)'

Kontakt - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Kontakt' was the third and final single from Frank Boeijen Groep's fourth album of the same name. You don't have to understand Dutch to hear how powerful the music in this track is: with great drums and an uplifting guitar solo at the end, it's hard to deny the attraction of this single, which was released in the summer of 1984.

Although I have to add that this single did not chart in the Netherlands. Possibly because most people already had the album and this single did not add anything new (except for the fact that the single version was a remix), but more probably because the demise of the Netherlands' most popular group Doe Maar caused a disinterest for any music that was recorded in the Dutch language. These days you'd wish that disinterest would have endured...

My collection: 7" single no. 239
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Kontakt' / 'Macho (live)'

Something about the way you look tonight / Candle in the wind 1997 - Elton John

Yesterday it was twelve and a half years ago that Diana, Princess of Wales, affectionately known as Lady Di, was killed during a mysterious road accident in a tunnel in Paris. The outpouring of grief in the UK was unprecedented, but also set a trend that equalled mass hysteria whenever somebody famous died.

Part of the funeral service was Elton John's performance of 'Candle in the wind', the lyric of which was rewritten to suit the circumstances of Diana's life and death. When the song was released as a single, the official A-side was the song 'Something about the way you look tonight', a track from his then-current album 'The big picture'. The single reached number 1 around the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2924
Found: Record fair, November 30, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Something about the way you look tonight' / 'Candle in the wind 1997'

The prisoner - Howard Jones

The music video for Howard Jones' 'The prisoner' was notably innovative at the time, mixing multiple photo and video editing tricks at a time when computer-based graphics effects were not widely in use.

Although this, the second single from Howard's 1989 album 'Cross that line', didn't reach the UK singles chart, it did peak at number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1000
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The prisoner' / 'Rubber morals'

Never let me down again - Depeche Mode

'Never let me down again' was released as the second single from Depeche Mode's 1987 album 'Music for the masses'. The single's cover art features a fragment of a Soviet map showing the northern part of Russia adjacent to the Arctic Ocean.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart, but in Germany it peaked at number 2, while it was also a top 10 hit in most other European countries. In the Netherlands, like many other Depeche Mode singles, 'Never let me down again' was ignored.

My collection: 7" single no. 906
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down again' / 'Pleasure little treasure'

My lucky love - Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde's career took off after he released his fourth single, 'Endless sleep', which reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. But if you think it was smooth sailing from then on, you're badly mistaken: his next two singles failed to hit the charts just like his first three did.

The first of those two was 'My lucky love', released in September 1958. It was followed by the equally unsuccessful 'No one knows'. 1959's 'Donna' was to revive Marty's career, after which he had three more consecutive top 10 hits in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4610
Found: eBay.co.uk, received March 1, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'My lucky love' / 'Misery's child'

Sea of love - Marty Wilde

'Sea of love' was written by John Philip Baptiste and George Khoury. Baptiste, who was working as a bellboy in Lake Charles, Louisiana (USA), wrote the song for a love interest. He was introduced to local record producer George Khoury, who brought Baptiste into his studio to record the song. At Khoury's request, Baptiste took the stage name of Phil Phillips. It was his only chart hit in the USA; subsequent singles failed to chart.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the song was recorded by Marty Wilde and released simultaneously with Phillips' version. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, only one place lower than its predecessor, 'A teenager in love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4609
Found: eBay.co.uk, received March 1, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sea of love' / 'Teenage tears'

A teenager in love - Marty Wilde

In June 1959, Marty Wilde released the single that he would forever be associated with, the immortal 'A teenager in love'. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart during a 17 week chart run. Although his career as a teenage idol was short (and cut short partly because he got married six months later), his hits gave him an appeal that lives on even to this day. Having been at two live concerts, I have seen with my own eyes how his fans of those days are still enraptured by his stage presence whenever he performs in the UK.

During one of these performances, Marty commented that it's quite strange to see a man in his sixties complaining that he is 'a teenager in love'. But such is the power of music.

My collection: 7" single no. 4608
Found: eBay.co.uk, received March 1, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'A teenager in love' / 'Danny'

Somewhere somebody - Five Star

Shep Pettibone was commissioned to remix 'Somewhere somebody', the third single from Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. The result was included on this 12" single, released in December 1987: three versions of his remix work, of which the 'short version' is an edit of the 'Pettibone remix'.

'Somewhere somebody' was released while the band was touring. Hence, live photographs were used on the sleeve.

My collection: 12" single no. 535
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Somewhere somebody (The Pettibone remix)', 'Somewhere somebody (Dub beats)' / 'Somewhere somebody (Short version - The Pettibone remix)', 'Have a good time'

There goes my baby - Donna Summer

'There goes my baby' was written by Ben E. King and the songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Drifters recorded the song in 1959, with Ben E. King performing lead vocals.

Donna Summer recorded a cover version of this song in 1984, which was released as the first single from her album 'Cats without claws'. At this time Summer had a contract with Geffen Records who had refused to release much of her work, including the previous album which in the end was released by Mercury Records. After the success of that album, Geffen hired its producer, Michael Omartian to produce Summer's new album. This single reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4575
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'There goes my baby' / 'Maybe it's over'

Haus der drei Sonnen - Nena

Having bought the 12" single of 'It's all in the game' and the 7" single of 'Haus der drei Sonnen', it's obvious that I still had to have the 7" single of the former and the 12" single of the latter. The mission continues, but half of it has been successful: I found the 12" single of 'Haus der drei Sonnen'.

The 12" mix of this track is not different from the English version, but of course it is sung in German. The B-side is the same as the B-side of the 7" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 532
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Haus der drei Sonnen (extended)' / 'Ein Brief'

Little river - Audrey Landers

Written by the Germans Bernd Dietrich, Gerd Grabowski and Engelbert Simons, 'Little river' has all the hallmarks of a real German Schlager song. Audrey Landers recorded it as a single in 1983, to follow up the great summer hit 'Manuel goodbye'.

This single, however, failed to dent the charts outside of Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 4596
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Little river' / 'Give me back my heart'

You take my breath away - Dollar

Dollar's 1982 album 'The Paris collection' was recently re-released by Cherry Pop records, adding several bonus tracks to the tracklisting. I won't be buying it, because singles by Dollar is quite enough, I have to say. There is this undeniable kitch appeal, but I couldn't stand it for a whole album.

This limited edition picture disc was released to boost sales of the single 'You take my breath away'. It didn't work, as the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4605
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You take my breath away' / 'Don't change your life'

Pandora's box - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

By 1991, the cd-single had become a dominant format in the record industry. The 12" single was quickly losing ground, and this problem was tackled by including exclusive tracks on them. This record of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 'Pandora's box' is a good example: it features one remix that was not released on cd, the 'Abstract mix'.

Like the single version, it was created by Steve Anderson, and as such it can be considered an 'extended version'.

My collection: 12" single no. 530
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Pandora's box (Constant Pressure 12"mix)', 'Pandora's box' / 'Pandora's mix (Abstract mix)'

That's just the way it is - Phil Collins

'That's just the way it is' was written by Phil Collins as an anti-war ballad, about the conflict in Northern Ireland, The Troubles. Collins commented: 'It's about Northern Ireland as far as I am concerned. (...) If you are living in England and you just sort of constantly people getting blown to smithereens because this thing that's been going on for the last twenty years. You see newsreels of kids throwing petrol bombs because their brothers throw them and then their dads throw them and their dads dads and it's just bred, inbred now this violence. I just thought someone somewhere, and it's got to be from both sides, has got to say 'Hang on, life means more than this. This has got to stop.''

The B-side of the single is 'Broadway chorus', a demo version of the previous hit single from the album, 'Something happened on the way to heaven'. The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 4598
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's just the way it is' / 'Broadway chorus'

Giving you the benefit - Pebbles

Pebbles released her second album 'Always' in 1990. Ahead of the album, the first single 'Giving you the benefit' was released in late 1990. The track was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, giving it a very contemporary dance feel (i.e. it sounds quite dated now).

The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, while it stalled at number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4589
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Giving you the benefit' / 'Giving you the benefit (Benefitstrumental)'

Heaven - Chris Rea

'Heaven' was the second single from Chris Rea's 1990 album 'Auberge', released in early 1991. After the UK top 20 hit 'Auberge', 'Heaven' was a relative disappointment, peaking at number 57 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side is a beautiful instrumental track, not included on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4573
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven' / 'Theme from the Pantile Journals'

Alright - Janet Jackson

A slight correction on the earlier post about Janet Jackson's 1990 single 'Alright': I thought the B-side of the Dutch edition was 'Come back to me', but this copy of the single proves that it is actually a remix of 'Alright'. Two versions of the track on one single: if you like remixes, this is a good deal.

As written in the earlier post, 'Alright' didn't manage to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4582
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Alright (7" R&B mix)' / 'Alright (7" remix)'

The soul cages - Sting

'The soul cages' was released in 1991 as Sting's third solo album. The album was written as a concept album, focused on the death of Sting's father. Most of the songs have motifs related to sailing or the seas (Sting's father, according to Sting's autobiography, 'Broken music', had always regretted not becoming a sailor). There are also references to Newcastle, the part of England where Sting grew up.

The title track was released as the fourth and last single from the album. It was only a minor hit, reaching number 57 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 4578
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The soul cages' / 'Walking in your footsteps (live)'

Just another broken heart - Sheena Easton

'Just another broken heart' was released in 1981 as the first single from Sheena Easton's second album 'You could have been with me'. The album was produced by Christopher Neil.

Although the single did not chart in the Netherlands, where Easton had some success before, it still charted in the UK, peaking at number 33.

My collection: 7" single no. 4599
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Just another broken heart' / 'Savoir faire (he's got)'

Centipede - Rebbie Jackson

At the height of his fame, in 1984, Michael Jackson still had time to help his siblings with their career. Rebbie Jackson was his eldest sister, and also the eldest child of the Jackson family. At 34, she released her debut album 'Centipede'.

The title track was written and produced by Michael Jackson and featured backing vocals by Michael and LaToya Jackson. This 12" single features an extended mix of the track, which is not found on any other release. In 1997, it was included on the cd-single for a later Rebbie Jackson single, 'Yours faithfully'.

My collection: 12" single no. 534
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Centipede (extended)' / 'Centipede (instrumental)'

Het maakt me niks meer uit (Het grote lied van onverschilligheid) - Dingetje

Although Dingetje was always good in making parodies of wellknown pop songs in Dutch, this single is almost a direct translation of Bob Geldof's 'Great song of indifference', and that works less well. Entitled 'Het maakt me niks meer uit' ('It doesn't matter to me'), Dingetje released this single within weeks of the release of Bob Geldof's original.

The B-side is basically the sequel: the singer of the A-side tells the listener how he ended up doing this song in a rather longwinded way (similar to old age pensioners, who always end up repeating themselves) and demands to get the 500 guilders he earned from the job from the producer, named Joop van den Ende (the wellknown Dutch TV programme director).

My collection: 7" single no. 4586
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Het maakt me niks meer uit (Het grote lied van onverschilligheid)' / 'Ende'

Looking for Atlantis - Prefab Sprout

Although Prefab Sprout's fifth album 'Jordan: the comeback' had a running time of 63 minutes, it was released on a single vinyl disc, with each side running just over 30 minutes. With 19 tracks, it was a real treat for fans, but a broader audience was also attracted to it, making this the second album by Prefab Sprout to reach the UK albums top 10.

'Looking for Atlantis', the first track on the album, was released as the first single in August 1990. It reached number 51 in the UK singles chart, and although the single was released in Europe, it had no commercial success over there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4588
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Looking for Atlantis' / 'Michael'

Hypnotise - Scritti Politti

The single 'Hypnotise' by Scritti Politti was released in 1984, at a time when extended versions always used to be longer versions of existing tracks instead of totally overhauled tracks with only fractions of the original track in them.

I bought the 7" single of Hypnotise in 1989, but held off on buying the 12" single until now. Since I already have a few 12" singles by Scritti Politti, I had a hard time finding out whether I had it or not. As it turned out, I didn't - so now I have.

My collection: 12" single no. 531
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Hypnotise (long)', 'Hypnotise (short)' / 'Hypnotise (version)'

The only one - Transvision Vamp

'The only one' was the second single from Transvision Vamp's second album 'Velveteen'. The sleeve design was similar to that of the previous single 'Baby I don't care', this time featuring the band against a panelled backdrop printed with a large photo of Marilyn Monroe.

The single became a UK top 20 hit in 1989 and peaked at number 15, spending a total of six weeks on the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4590
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The only one' / 'The mystery song', 'Love me'

Goodnight Galileo - Fay Lovsky

Released as a single from Fay Lovsky's 1985 album 'Cinema', 'Goodnight Galileo' was another unsuccessful release for her. Throughout her career, only one single managed to reach (the lower regions of) the Dutch Top 40, and although many more singles were released, none of them met with commercial success.

Still, this single is worth a listen, even if you don't know Fay Lovsky. Most of her work can be characterized as artistically accomplished.

My collection: 7" single no. 4604
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Goodnight Galileo' / 'Islands'

Auberge - Chris Rea

The title track of Chris Rea's 1991 album 'Auberge' was released as a single in early 1991. The album as well as the title song was mostly notable for the association of the Caterham Super Seven that Chris Rea owned, in which he called it the 'Blue Seven'. That car appeared on the album cover, illustrated in oil by renowned motoring artist Alan Fearnley.

'Auberge' was a number 1 album in the UK in 1990. The single also gave Rea one of his biggest hits, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4572
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Auberge' / 'Hudson's dream'

When love takes over you - Donna Summer

'When love takes over you' was the fourth single taken from Donna Summer's 1989 album 'Another place and time'. The album was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The track was remixed before its single release, but the single was only released in Europe and the UK.

Released in November 1989, 'When love takes over you' managed to reach the UK singles chart for one week only, at number 72.

My collection: 7" single no. 4602
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When love takes over you' / 'Bad reputation'

Shooting star - Dollar

David van Day and Thereza Bazar formed Dollar in 1977 after leaving the group they joined at 17. At first, only Van Day quit the band to embark on a solo career, while Bazar could continue with Guys n' Dolls to earn a living for them both. The group's management were unhappy with the situation and sacked Bazar with the reasoning that a six-piece group consisting of three couples would now look odd with five members.

As Dollar, they released their debut single 'Shooting star' in late 1978. After a slow climb, it managed to reach number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4606
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Shooting star' / 'Talking about love'

A bridge of love - Joy Fleming

Although this single was released in 1975, it still sounds rather modern. But that's only because Joy Fleming uses the same repulsive singing techniques people like Mariah Carey and Leona Lewis still employ these days: singing like there's a kidney stone in your gut.

'Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein' (this single contains both the English and German versions) was the German entry for the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest. The song finished 17th in a field of 19 competitors. Despite this disappointing result, Fleming returned to the German national final three times: in 1986, 2001 and 2002. None of these resulted in a comeback on the international Eurovision stage.

My collection: 7" single no. 4601
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A bridge of love' / 'Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein'

Dream, dream - Luv'

The second single by the Dutch girl trio Luv' was not able to reach the Dutch Top 40. I was about nine years old when I heard the track (two years after its release) and even back then I concluded that the song was too 'sad' to be a hit. The fortunes of Luv' changed when they started recording consistently happy music.

That's not to say 'Dream, dream' is a bad pop song: it's got a great melody and the lyric, while still full of platitudes, is quite interesting. Finding a copy of this single is quite hard: I think there weren't that much to begin with and these days they don't pop up very often.

My collection: 7" single no. 4579
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dream, dream' / 'Hang on'

Let's go crazy - Prince and the Revolution

A request by one of the readers of this blog: 'Let's go crazy' as released in 1985 as a single from Price's hugely successful album 'Purple rain'. I bought this single although I was never too wild about this track 25 years ago. Now I quite like it, I have to admit.

When 'Let's go crazy' was released as a single, it was edited from the album version. It was a number 1 hit in the USA, peaking at number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4603
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Let's go crazy' / 'Take me with u'

Englishman in New York (Ben Liebrand mix) - Sting

'Englishman in New York' was originally a track on Sting's second album 'Nothing like the sun'. When it was released as a single from that album in 1988, it was moderately successful.

In 1990, just prior to the release of his third studio album The Soul Cages, Sting's record label licensed Dutch DJ and producer Ben Liebrand to remix the track and subsequently release it as a single. The remix played around with the introduction and some of the instrumentation, but the essence of the song remained the same. The new version was more successful, reaching number 15 in the UK singles chart in mid-1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 4600
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Englishman in New York (Ben Liebrand mix)' / 'If you love somebody set them free'

There's a brand new world - Five Star

It's interesting how Five Star went from supergroup to virtually unknown during the first five years of their career. While their first few albums were immensely popular, the album 'Rock the world', released in 1988, was ignored by the record-buying audience.

Still, the first two singles from the album, 'Another weekend' and 'Rock my world' reached the top 40 in the UK. It was this third single, 'There's a brand new world', that stalled at number 61, making this the first single since 1985's 'R.S.V.P.' not to reach the UK top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4592
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'There's a brand new world' / 'U'

Dust in the wind - Kansas

The American progressive rock band Kansas was formed in 1970 by Dave Hope, Phil Ehart, Kerry Livgren, Lynn Meredith, Don Montre, Dan Wright and Larry Baker. They released their self-titled debut album in 1974, From then on, they released an album every year, until 1978's 'Point of know return' came out. This album featured the track 'Dust in the wind'.

'Dust in the wind' was released as a single. Written by Kerry Livgren, it was one of the band's first acoustic tracks with a slow melody and melancholy lyrics. It was their only single to reach the top 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 6. It was also their only hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 19.

My collection: 7" single no. 4593
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dust in the wind' / 'Paradox'

Runaway boys - The Stray Cats

The Stray Cats formed in 1980 in New York. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom based their style upon the sounds of Sun Records artists and other artists from the Fifties. When they heard rumor that there was a revival of the Fifties Teddy Boy youth subculture in England, the band moved to the UK.

In the summer of 1980 the cats found themselves being courted by the elite of the music world including Virgin Records, Stiff Records and Arista records. Word quickly spread and soon members of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were at their shows. Dave Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they recorded their debut album, which was released in early 1981. Ahead of the album, their first hit single 'Runaway boys' was released. It reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4594
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway boys' / 'My one desire'

La Luna - Belinda Carlisle

Released in 1989, 'La luna' ('The moon') was the second single from Belinda Carlisle's album 'Runaway horses'. The track was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley and produced by Nowels - as most of her output up until then.

The single reached number 10 in Switzerland, but ended up outside the top 10 in other territories. In the UK singles chart, 'La luna' stalled at number 38.

My collection: 7" single no. 4584
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'La luna' / 'Whatever it takes'

Never wanna dance (when I'm blue) - Audrey Landers

Although most people remember Audrey Landers as the pouting blonde that played Afton Cooper in the American series 'Dallas', she also has a lengthy musical career under her belt. Starting out as early as 1978, she had her biggest hit in Europe with 1983's 'Manuel goodbye'. After this, she released ten albums and a few dozen singles.

One of those singles is this one, from 1988. 'Never wanna dance (when I'm blue)' was co-written by herself, but failed to make an impression in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4577
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never wanna dance (when I'm blue)' / 'It takes 2 to fly'

The way old friends do - Shirley

'The way old friends do' was originally a live recording by Abba, included as the last track on their 1980 album 'Super trouper'. The song was written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson.

In 1983, the Dutch singer Shirley recorded a cover version of this song, which in contrast to the original was released as a single. The single did not chart in any territory and as such is one of many obscure Abba covers out there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4597
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The way old friends do' / 'One and only'

The next time I fall - Peter Cetera and Amy Grant

'The next time I fall' was written by Bobby Caldwell and Paul Gordon, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant for Cetera's 1986 album 'Solitude/Solitaire'.

When the track was released as a single, it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1986. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In Europe, the single was released, but achieved no commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4583
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The next time I fall' / 'Holy moly'

Shelley - Marty Wilde

Although Marty Wilde was very successful in the UK between 1958 and 1962, he never managed to regain that early popularity. In 1968 he had a hit in Europe with 'Abergavenny', and that allowed him to record an album 'Diversions' in 1969.

This single, 'Shelley', was also released in 1969, but the track does not appear on that album. It is a good example of the versatility of Marty Wilde, as it doesn't sound at all like the rock and roll tracks he recorded in his heydays.

My collection: 7" single no. 4607
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 27, 2010
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Shelley' / 'Jump on the train'

Before - Pet Shop Boys

Although the single 'Before' by the Pet Shop Boys was not released on 7" vinyl, the record company had not abandoned the vinyl format altogether: 12" singles by the Pet Shop Boys continued to be released all through their career. And 'Before' was released in a plethora of different 12" singles. The promotional 12" singles with penises on the front cover were perhaps the most notorious ones, but this box set was the best item overall.

Comprising nine remixes on three discs, it is an hour's worth of music. And I'm using the term 'music' loosely here: only the last remix actually features verses and chorus of the song - other remixes are just collections of sounds and beats that sometimes seem to have nothing in common with the track itself. Still, it is a great collector's item for Pet Shop Boys fans, and finding this box set for so little money was a great bargain.

My collection: 12" single no. 533
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Before (Underground mix)', 'Before (Bonus dub)' / 'Before (Underground instrumental)', 'Before (Bonus beats)' // 'Before (Classic Paradise mix)' / 'Before (Aphrodisiac mix)' // 'Before (Hed Boys mix)', 'Before (Hed Boys dub)' / 'Before (Joey Negro extended mix)'

Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix) - Fox the fox

So I have the 7" single and the 12" single of Fox the fox's 'Precious little diamond' - what else could there be? As it turns out, this 1984 single was re-released in 1986 in a remix made by Shep Pettibone.

A lot has changed in two years: the band, originally consisting of six members on the 1984 sleeve, seems to have been brought down to only two members, and the remix diminishes the beautiful song to a rather substandard collection of beats. Well, maybe I'm a bit harsh, but although I like this remix, I do prefer the original track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4574
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix)' / 'Man on the run'

Some people - E.G. Daily

When the internet was still a new phenomenon in my life (i.e. some 14 years ago) I knew a young man in Canada, with whom I regularly swapped cassettes (yes, we still had those back then) with music. I sent him some Dutch stuff, and he came up with things like Amy Grant and E.G. Daily. These tapes really interested me, and most of the stuff he sent me ended up in my record collection.

E.G. Daily's 1989 album 'Lace around the wound' is actually a great album. Although it didn't have any commercial success in Europe, the record company still released a single from the album: 'Some people' was an unexpected find for me.

My collection: 7" single no. 4581
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Some people (remix)' / 'Are you there'

After a fashion - Midge Ure and Mick Karn

The one-off collaboration between Midge Ure and Mick Karn, 'After a fashion', was released in 1983. I had a hard time finding the 7" single, but when I did, I thought I had it all. That is, of course, until I found this 12" single today. I didn't know a 12" single existed, but I'm glad I was able to buy it right away.

This 12" single features an extended remix that is just that: an extended version of the 7" single version. It seems to be a simple cut and paste job, with longer instrumental passages, an effect that is achieved by putting them in a loop. A charming little remix.

My collection: 12" single no. 529
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'After a fashion (extended version)' / 'Textures'

Don't leave me behind - Everything but the girl

Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn created many albums together as Everything but the girl. Although these days, Tracey Thorn is active as a solo artist (her third solo album is due out soon), they are still together as a couple with their three children.

'Don't leave me behind' was released as a single from their 1986 album 'Baby the stars shine bright'. During a two week chart run, it stalled at number 72 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4587
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me behind' / 'Alfie'