Soldiers of love - Liliane Saint-Pierre

Liliane Saint-Pierre was born as Liliane Keuninckx in Diest, Belgium on December 18, 1948. She started her career in music in the Sixties when she was just 13 years old. After this, she became acquainted with French singer and producer Claude François, who decided to promote her in France. He added the surname Saint Pierre because this sounded French.

In 1987, she represented Belgium with 'Soldiers of love', featuring a rather pacifist lyric. The song finished 11th in a field of 22 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4612
Found: vinylroy.nl, received March 3, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Soldiers of love' / 'Soldiers of love (instrumental)'

De oude muzikant - Ben Cramer

This year's Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was written and composed by Pierre Kartner, a.k.a. Father Abraham. The resulting 'Ik ben verliefd Sha-la-lie' ('I'm in love Sha-la-lee') has already been criticised for being out of time and 'not good enough' for the Contest. Some have also questioned whether Kartner was the right person to compose a Eurovision song for the Netherlands.

Still, it's not the first time he did this. Ben Cramer's 1973 entry for Eurovision was also written and composed by Kartner. 'De oude muzikant' ('The old musician') used some of the same cultural references. Back then, the song finished 14th in a field of 17 competitors. If this year's entry also reaches this position, the Netherlands will be happy: after all, the country hasn't competed in the finals since 2004.

My collection: 7" single no. 4611
Found: Vinylroy.nl, received March 3, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'De oude muzikant' / 'Kom Sylvia dans met mij'

Lovesong - The Cure

This is a song title for nitpickers. It varies between 'Lovesong' and 'Love song' on many official Cure releases. The artwork for the album Disintegration uses both: 'Love song' on the tracklisting and 'Lovesong' on the lyrics sheet. When released as a single in 1989, the cover artwork displayed the title as 'Lovesong', while the printing on the disc itself read 'Love song' all three times. Subsequent releases of the albums 'Paris' and 'Galore' both use 'Lovesong' exclusively, whilst 2001's 'Greatest hits' compilation uses 'Lovesong' on the tracklisting and 'Love song' within the liner notes. 2004's 'Join the dots' also uses 'Lovesong' within the booklet presentation.

Whatever the title, this melancholy single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1003
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Lovesong' / '2 late'

Fingertips '93 - Roxette

Roxette recorded the song 'Fingertips' on their 1992 album 'Tourism'. When the track was chosen to be the third single from the album, it was re-recorded with a new arrangement.

The single was not released in all territories, but it did reach the top 50 singles chart in Sweden and Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1868
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 13, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fingertips '93' / 'Dressed for success (live)'

Be with you - The Bangles

After the huge success of the single 'Eternal flame', the Bangles had to come up with another single to reach the higher regions of the singles charts. The predictable choice would have been another ballad, but fortunately they chose to be original and release the uptempo 'Be with you'.

Released in the summer of 1989, the single couldn't match the success of its predecessor: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and got to number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 970
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Be with you' / 'Let it go'

Voyage voyage - Desireless

Whenever you feel depressed, leave it to the French to push you over the brink of suicide. Desireless' 'Voyage voyage' sounds like an uptempo pop song, but the underlying message is less upbeat. The fact that I can't understand a word of French also helps, of course.

This 12" single features two remixes of the track. The 'Britmix' was created by Pete Hammond and Peter Waterman, whereas the Euro remix was created by Steve Prestage. Both remixes are quite good, actually.

My collection: 12" single no. 427
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage (Britmix)' / 'Voyage voyage (Euro remix)', 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

In too deep - Genesis

'In too deep' was recorded for Genesis' 1986 album 'Invisible touch'. It was released as the second single from the album in the UK and the fifth single in the USA. It was to be the band's final single in the USA until 'No son of mine' (1991).

The single peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3241
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'In too deep' / 'I'd rather be you'

Ne t'enfuis pas - Kate Bush

The fact that collecting records is not always fun, is proved with this particular item. I ordered 'Ne t'enfuis pas' by Kate Bush from France, as it was possible to get a copy from there some 20 years ago. I sent my money, waited for a few weeks, and then received the package. The problem was: it was delivered by a particularly stupid and lazy postman, who decided to shove it through the letterbox. As a result, the single snapped and I found two halves in the sleeve.

I brought the single to the postoffice for a complaint, and had to leave the item with them, so they could decide what to do. One week later, I got my money back, and the record as well: they broke it up into twenty pieces, presumably to try out what it would take to break a record. Needless to say, I was fuming. And I never found another copy - at least, not for a reasonable price. Until today, that is... (to be continued!)

My collection: sleeve
Found: France, ca. 1990
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Ne t'enfuis pas' / 'Un baiser d'enfant'

By my side - INXS

'By my side' was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as part of the 1990 sessions for the X album. Record Producer Chris Thomas, who produced the album is also awarded songwriting credits, specifically contributing to the chorus and arrangement. Along with 'Never tear us apart', it was one of two INXS songs played at the funeral of frontman Michael Hutchence following his suicide on the 22nd of November 1997.

The song was released as the third single from INXS's 1990 album 'X'. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1398
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'By my side' / 'The other side'

Another kind of loving - Lasse Holm and Monica Törnell

Lasse Holm was born as Lars-Eric Gustav Holm on December 9, 1943. After becoming interested in music at an early age, he was a member of several bands during the Sixties, such as Doug and the Millsmen, The Spacemen and The Moonlighters. He subsequently developed his craft as a songwriter, writing six Eurovision entries for Sweden: 'Dag efter dag' (1982), 'Främling' (1983), 'Bra vibrationer' (1985), 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' (1986) and 'Eloise' (1993).

From these songs, only 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' was performed by himself on the Eurovision stage, together with Monica Törnell (born June 3, 1954). The song finished fifth in a field of 20 competitors during the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest. The single includes the English and Swedish versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 4399
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Another kind of loving' / 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek'

Just a little bit of peace in my heart / Please go - Golden Earring

Back in 1988, I spent a week in hospital for minor surgery. One of the joys of this was the fact that I had to do absolutely nothing except spend my time reading magazines and listening to the radio. One of the tracks I heard there was Golden Earring's 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart', an old track from 1968, when it reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

I found this re-release single from 1988 a few months later. The B-side was another hit from the band: 'Please go', which reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1965.

My collection: 7" single no. 859
Found: June 2, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart' / 'Please go'

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'