Wat een geluk - Rudi Carrell

Rudi Carrell was born on December 19, 1934 in Alkmaar, the Netherlands as Rudolf Wijbrand Kesselaar. In 1960, he represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Wat een geluk' ('Such luck'), becoming the first male singer to represent the Netherlands.

At the close of voting, the song had received just 2 points, placing it twelfth in a field of 13 competitors. The single did manage to reach number 9 in the Dutch charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4631
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received March 12, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Wat een geluk' / 'Panama-kanaal'

Tijd - Saskia en Serge

Saskia & Serge are a Dutch vocal duo consisting of singer Trudy van den Berg (born April 23, 1947, Grootebroek) and singer-guitarist Ruud Schaap (born March 22, 1946, Den Helder). They first attracted attention when they won a talent contest in 1967, performing as Trudy & Ruud. They married in 1969 and changed their professional name to Saskia & Serge, as their gentle, folksy style began to attract favourable attention.

In 1970, Saskia & Serge took part in the national final for Eurovision with the song 'Het spinnewiel' ('The spinning-wheel'), which was narrowly beaten into second place. They returned in 1971, this time singing all six songs in the selection, and 'Tijd' ('Time') was chosen to represent the Netherlands during the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. Although Saskia suffered a microphone malfunction at the start of the song, they finished in joint sixth place in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4630
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received March 12, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Tijd' / 'Vandaag begint de toekomst'

Someday - Mariah Carey

'Someday' was one of the five songs on the demo tape, handed by Brenda K. Starr to record executive Tommy Mottola, that led to Carey being given a recording contract. Sony made alterations to the version on the demo tape because they thought it was too rough—the horn melodies were taken out and replaced with electric guitar melodies, and the ending was shortened by about eight seconds. Reportedly, Carey was unhappy with the final version of 'Someday', because she thought it had been too 'polished'.

It was released as the third single from Carey's debut album in December 1990 and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 38 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2028
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Someday' / 'Alone in love'

Circle of one (remix) - Oleta Adams

Although Oleta Adams' debut album 'Circle of one' was a big seller in 1991, the singles seemed to be less popular. Although the title track was released as a single earlier on, the record company tried re-releasing the track in remixed form in a bid to get it higher up in the charts. The remix was made by one Yvonne Turner and sounded very different from the original version.

Still, the single was equally unsuccessful and did not chart in any territory. Meanwhile, the album kept selling...

My collection: 7" single no. 1805
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 19, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle of one (remix)' / 'Circle of one'

Rain or shine - Five Star

Five Star's biggest single hit was the mid-tempo ballad 'Rain or shine', released in the autumn of 1986.

It sold over 250,000 copies and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart, held off the top spot for three weeks by British pop band The Communards with the year's biggest selling song, 'Don't leave me this way'. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 16 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2576
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rain or shine' / 'Summer groove'

Phantom of the night - Kayak

By the end of the Seventies, the Dutch band Kayak were wellknown for their brand of symphonic rock, but that didn't mean they were consistently successful. Having had their first top 10 hit in February 1979 with 'Ruthless queen', two subsequent singles failed to chart.

The first of those two was 'Phantom of the night', the title track of their 1979 album. Personally, I'm more fond of the instrumental B-side, but having found this single is a miracle in itself: Kayak singles are very hard to come by these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 4629
Found: Deurmekaarspul, Den Haag, March 12, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Phantom of the night' / 'Ivory dance'

Feels like the first time - Foreigner

'Feels like the first time' was, appropriately enough, Foreigner's debut single, released in 1977. The song was written by Mick Jones. The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 39 in the UK singles chart.

This single was made in 1978, incorporating Foreigner's next hit single 'Cold as ice' as one of two tracks on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2664
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Feels like the first time' / 'Cold as ice', 'Long long way from home'

Deliverance - The Mission

Released as the second single from the Mission's 1990 album 'Carved in sand', 'Deliverance' is a perfect piece of trademark Mission rock: an intense track with deep, dark vocals and a storming guitar and drum backing.

The single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart, but unlike the first single from the album, 'Butterfly on a wheel', it didn't manage a chart placing elsewhere in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 3010
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Deliverance' / 'Mr. Pleasant'

(Everything I do) I do it for you - Bryan Adams

The idea of a song to promote the movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' came late in the making of the film. Michael Kamen, had originally wanted the song to be as if it were Maid Marian singing it to Robin Hood. He offered it to Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Lisa Stansfield but they all turned it down. David Kerschenbaum of Morgan Creek Records invited Bryan Adams – whom he had worked with in the early Eighties at A&M Records – to write the song based on the score from Kamen. Initially, Adams was to write the lyrics for another artist to perform, but it was decided that he should perform the song after writing it with his producer Mutt Lange. The pair recorded the song in Mayfair Studios in London.

The song is credited to Adams, Lange, and Kamen, and is played over the film's credits. A&M Records were at first reluctant to have the song appear on the film soundtrack, which was released through Morgan Creek, but the success of the record benefited both companies. The single was a number 1 hit around the world and instantly launched Adams to superstardom. The success of the single led to pre-order sales of a million for Adams' album 'Waking up the neighbours' throughout Europe. The album went on to sell 15 million copies around the world, whereas this single is still one of the best-selling singles of all time.

My collection: 7" single no. 1609
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: '(Everyting I do) I do it for you' / 'She's only happy when she's dancing (live)'

EDIT (April 5, 2010): I received a notice from Blogger that two posts about Bryan Adams got a complaint. I trust it's from the same people who posted a reaction on this post. They are obviously terrified that anyone should hear any Bryan Adams music, even if it's any good. The message these people are sending is: don't listen to music, you might get inspired to buy it yourself. And they wonder why the music industry is in such terrible shape...
Anyway, I'm taking down all of Bryan Adams' music. I don't need this. The divshare box is gone, all I can do now is write the following:

DON'T BUY BRYAN ADAMS MUSIC.

I hope they're satisfied now.

Skies the limit - Fleetwood Mac

Without Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac soldiered on. Billy Burnette and Rick Vito replaced him and in the new line-up they recorded the 1990 album 'Behind the mask'.

Four singles were drawn from the album, of which 'Skies the limit' was the third. The song was written by Christine McVie and her then-husband Eddy Quintela. The single did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1273
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 16, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Skies the limit' / 'Lizard people'

Too much heaven - Bee Gees

'Too much heaven' was the Bee Gees' contribution to the 'Music for UNICEF' fund. They performed it at the 'Music for UNICEF' concert on January 9, 1979. The song later found its way to the group's thirteenth original album, 'Spirits having flown'. Released as a single, it was a number 1 hit in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

The recording process was the longest of all the tracks on 'Spirits having flown' as there are nine layers of three-part harmony creating 27 voices, though the high falsetto voices are the most pronounced in the final mix.

My collection: 7" single no. 49
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much heaven' / 'Rest your love on me'

Magical - Bucks Fizz

Following the success of the rock-orientated track 'Talking in your sleep', Bucks Fizz were keen to replicate it with the release of this similar-themed song. 'Magical' was written by Meat Loaf and John Parr and originally recorded by Parr in 1985. While the track was not a hit for him in the UK, it did reach number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With the public still familiar with Bucks Fizz's clean-cut pop image, their cover of the song was not successful and 'Magical' became the group's lowest charting single. Released in September 1985, the song reached number 57 and spent only three weeks on the chart.

The single was significant in that it was the first release with new member Shelley Preston, who had joined a few months earlier, although she didn't perform on the recording. It was also the group's last release with label RCA before their move to Polydor early the following year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2759
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Magical' / 'Oh Suzanne'

Everything I wanted - The Bangles

The Bangles basically split up in 1989. When the record company CBS released 'Greatest hits' in 1990, they did so to fulfil the band's contractual requirements.

The album was promoted with a new single, the song 'Everything I wanted' that was described as previously unreleased, however it had a limited release previously as the B-side to their single 'I'll set you free' in Australia. The single was not a success, just like the album that only made the top 10 in the UK and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1239
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everything I wanted' / 'In your room'

Quiet eyes - Golden Earring

In 1986, Golden Earring released the dark and overproduced album 'The hole'. The first single from that album was 'Quiet eyes', the only single from the album to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9.

The accompanying music video and the sleeve artwork was created by Anton Corbijn. The single was actually released in four different sleeves, featuring one of the four band members and blue, green, yellow or red lettering on the front, and the remaining three band members on the back.

My collection: 7" single no. 421
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Quiet eyes' / 'Gimme a break'

In bloom - Nirvana

Bassist Krist Novoselic from Nirvana recalled that 'In bloom' 'originally sounded like a Bad Brains song. Then Kurt turned it into a pop song'. The band recorded a demo of 'In bloom' with producer Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin in April 1990. The song originally had a bridge section that Vig removed. Novoselic said that after the band recorded the song, Vig cut out the bridge from the 16-track master tape with a razor blade and threw it in the garbage.

After signing to DGC Records, Nirvana began recording its second album 'Nevermind' in May 1991. 'In bloom' was one of the first songs the band recorded during these album sessions. The arrangements for 'In bloom' and the other songs previously recorded with Vig in 1990 were largely unchanged; the recently hired drummer Dave Grohl stayed mostly with what his predecessor Chad Channing had recorded, but added more power and precision to the recording.

My collection: 7" single no. 1849
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 23, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'In bloom' / 'Silver (live)'

Space oddity - David Bowie

Following David Bowie's split from record label Deram, his manager Kenneth Pitt managed to negotiate a one-album deal with Mercury Records in 1969. Next he tried to find a producer. Tony Visconti liked the album demo-tracks, but considered the planned lead-off single, 'Space oddity', a gimmick track and delegated its production to Gus Dudgeon.

Following recording of the track, the single was rush-released on July 11, 1969 to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon landings. In the UK, it was used in conjunction with the BBC's coverage of the landing. This exposure finally gave Bowie a hit, reaching number 5 in the chart. The single also reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The song became so well-known that Bowie's second album, originally released as David Bowie in the UK (like his first album), was renamed after the track for its 1972 reissue by RCA, and has since become known by this name.

This particular single is a re-release from the mid-seventies, also containing the later hit single 'Changes'. While I am never too fond of re-releases (and especially those without a picture sleeve) I felt I had to buy it since getting an original copy from 1969 would - and will probably still - cost a fortune.

My collection: 7" single no. 550
Found: London, October 1987
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Space oddity' / 'Changes', 'Velvet goldmine'

Alleen in Dallas - John Lion

When John Lion sings 'Alleen in Dallas' ('Only in Dallas'), he isn't referring to the city in Texas, but rather the television series that was immensely popular in the Eighties. His encounter with a woman in a bar who turns out to have a big and rather aggressive boyfriend is apparently something that could only happen in a fictional television series.

The single was originally released in 1983, but failed to chart. I bought the single in 1988, when it was re-released. And again, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 633
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Alleen in Dallas' / 'Tussen wind en water'

King of pain - The Police

'King of pain' was released as the second single from the Police's 1983 album 'Synchronicity' in the USA and the fourth single in the UK. It was the only single from that album that didn't have an accompanying music video.

Despite this, the single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 17 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1415
Found: Record fair, April 7, 1991
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'King of pain' / 'Once upon a daydream'

Other people are us - Howard Jones

There's a preacher in every popstar, and to prove this, Howard Jones recorded 'Don't be part of it' in 1991. 'As long as there are the slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields' he sings, proposing us to stop eating meat just because of this. Well, I don't know...

Fortunately, the A-side of this rare Italian promotional disc is less moralistic. 'Other people are us' is a song in the best Howard Jones tradition, with a great melody and pure, simple vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1913
Found: Record fair, May 22, 1993
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Other people are us' / 'Don't be part of it'

Almost unreal - Roxette

Per Gessle wrote 'Almost unreal' for the soundtrack of the Bette Midler movie 'Hocus pocus' (1993), but it was not used. Instead, the song appeared in another movie soundtrack, from 'Super Mario Brothers'.

The track was also released as a single, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1998
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Almost unreal' / 'The heart shaped sea'

Crashed into love - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet's career seemingly came to an end in 1990 with the release of 'Crashed into love', the fourth and final single from their 1989 album 'Heart like a sky'. The previous single 'Empty spaces' had stalled at number 94 in the UK singles chart and this one did no better, as it only reached number 96.

After this, Spandau Ballet, from whom Gary Kemp was already feeling estranged, split up. Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble launched a failed court case against Gary Kemp for a share of his song-writing royalties. Although initially vowing to appeal the verdict, they later decided against this. They subsequently toured as a trio, but as they had to sell their shares in Spandau Ballet's company to Gary Kemp to pay off legal debts, and that company owned the rights to the name of Spandau Ballet, they had to tour under the moniker of 'Hadley, Norman and Keeble, ex-Spandau Ballet'. In 2009, the band surprisingly reformed completely.

My collection: 7" single no. 1202
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 6, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Crashed into love' / 'How many lies (live)'

Invisible sun - The Police

'Invisible sun' was written by Sting about the tensions in Northern Ireland. The song is a departure from Police songs before it; it contains a dark, looping synthesizer beat, and powerful, haunting lyrics. Among other things, the lyrics refer to the ArmaLite rifle used by paramilitary organizations, but mainly by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

It was the first single taken from the 1982 Police album 'Ghost in the machine' and it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 458
Found: Oldies Unlimited, received 1986
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Invisible sun' / 'Shambelle'

The lover in me - Sheena Easton

Under the wings of Prince, Sheena Easton reinvented herself as a sex bomb in the mid-Eighties. This image proved to be successful mostly in the United States, but sometimes her singles would have some chart success in Europe as well.

'The lover in me' was released in 1988 as the first single from Easton's album of the same name. Produced by LA & Babyface, it was one of her biggest hits in the USA and her first top 20 hit in the UK after eight years, peaking at number 15. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 775
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 23, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The lover in me' / 'The lover in me (instrumental)'

Anne - Clouseau

The Belgian group Clouseau participated in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Geef het op', but they also tried to get on the international Eurovision stage in 1989. Their song 'Anne' was one of the candidates at the 1989 national final in Belgium, but lost in the end to Ingeborg's 'Door de wind'.

In Belgium, the single 'Anne' still managed to become a big hit. The group found themselves in a wave of popularity that would last for at least three years.

'Anne' was re-released in 1990 in a limited edition with a different B-side. I had the re-release first, but when I came across a copy of the original release I couldn't resist buying that one as well. The B-side of that one is a great acapella track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1532 / no. 2845
Found: Bruxelles, October 11, 1991 / Record fair, April 5, 1997
Cost: 100 Belgian Francs / 2 guilders
Tracks (no. 1532): 'Anne' / 'Mary-Lou'
Tracks (no. 2845): 'Anne' / 'Killertip (ze zit)'

Little 15 - Depeche Mode

'Little 15' barely made it onto the album 'Music for the masses' and was never intended to become a single. However, the French record label insisted they release it, and so it still happened. Copies of the single did make it to the UK on import, however, giving the band a minor chart placing, as it peaked at number 60. In Germany, the single was a bigger hit, peaking at number 16, in Austria it reached number 25 and in Switzerland it peaked at number 18.

The B-side is a beautiful instrumental performed by Alan Wilder entitled 'Stjärna' (mislabelled 'Stjarna'), which is Swedish for 'star', written by Martin Gore.

My collection: 7" single no. 642
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 23, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Little 15' / 'Stjarna'

Un canto a Galicia - Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias was well known in his native Spain, but even his 1970 Eurovision entry 'Gwendolyn' didn't make him the international star he would become later on.

His first international success was the single 'Un canto a Galicia', released in the summer of 1972. That single sold 1 million copies in Germany and reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. It was the start of an international career that would last well into the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4628
Found: Markt, Rotterdam, March 9, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un canto a Galicia' / 'Como el alamo al camino'

Du - Peter Maffay

Peter Maffay was born on August 30, 1949 in the Romanian town of Brasov as Peter Alexander Makkay. He was the son of a German mother and Hungarian father. In 1963, he joined his first band, The Dukes. After completing his education and working for Chemigraphics, an art manufacturer, Maffay worked in clubs, where he distributed his music.

Peter Maffay's solo career started with the publication of his first single, 'Du' ('You'). It was the biggest German hit in 1970 and brought Maffay instant fame.The single also charted outside of Germany: in the Netherlands, the single was a number 1 hit for five weeks in March 1971.

My collection: 7" single no. 4627
Found: Markt, Rotterdam, March 9, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Du' / 'Jeder Junge braucht ein Mädchen'

Don't leave me this way - Communards

'Don't leave me this way' first charted in 1975 when it was recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. A year later, a cover version by Thelma Houston hit the international charts.

The Communards decided to record another cover version in 1986. It was a very Hi-NRG version, featuring guest vocals by Sarah Jane Morris. The single topped the UK singles chart for four weeks in September 1986 and stayed at number 1 for five weeks in the Dutch Top 40. Several remixes were issued, notably the 'Son of Gotham City Mix' which was split across two sides of a 12" single and ran for a total of 22 minutes 55 seconds.

My collection: 7" single no. 4626
Found: Markt, Rotterdam, March 9, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me this way' / 'Sanctified'

On every street - Dire Straits

'On every street' was released in early 1992 as the third single of Dire Straits' sixth and final studio album from 1991. I wasn't too wild about the two earlier singles 'Calling Elvis' and 'Heavy fuel', but this single seemed to be a return to the atmospheric tracks like 'Private investigations' and 'Brothers in arms'.

No promotional video was made for the song, and the B-side was an old track, from the band's 1980 album 'Making movies'. The single stalled at number 42 in the UK singles chart as a result.

My collection: 7" single no. 1590
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 29, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'On every street' / 'Romeo & Juliet'

Niet meer nodig - Sietze Dolstra

These days I'm not too wild about Dutch language music, but as a child that was difference. I guess the main attraction was that I could understand what people were singing, but I also guess that the music was a bit better back then.

There's a lot of drama in Sietze Dolstra's 'Niet meer nodig' ('Not needed anymore'): it's the story of a woman who is married to a trucker who is always away from home, a son that grows up and leaves her alone - and when she reaches out to the church because she doesn't feel so well, she gets an answering machine on the line. All this is set to a beautiful melody, as you can hear even if you don't understand Dutch.

My collection: 7" single no. 57
Found: Rapsody, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Niet meer nodig' / 'Liedje van verlangen'

Can't wait another minute - Five Star

'Can't wait another minute' was originally recorded by Lewis and covered by Five Star on their 1986 album 'Silk and steel'. It was released as the first single from that album.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 41 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1794
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't wait another minute' / 'Don't you know I love it'

All over the world - Electric Light Orchestra

'All over the world' is taken from the soundtrack of the movie 'Xanadu' (1980) featuring Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, and Michael Beck. The song also appears on the soundtrack album and was released as the second single from that album in 1980.

he single reached number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and also number 11 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2817
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'All over the world' / 'Midnight blue'

Sara - Circus Custers / Achter de wolken schijnt de zon - Johan Verminnen

When the men from the Dutch group Het Goede Doel decided to record an album with different Dutch and Belgian artists, choosing a different artist for every track, deciding the best single from that album wasn't a very easy task.

The record company finally decided to release two tracks from the album on two one-sided singles in one bundle. As luck would have it, the two songs were exact counterparts of one another: 'Sara' is a sad tale of two people having a baby which turns out to have Down syndrome, whereas 'Achter de wolken schijnt de zon' ('Every cloud has a silver lining') is an optimistic tale of people who don't let themselves be brought down by life's negative twists and turns. The package did not become a hit, however.

My collection: 7" single no. 694
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 3, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sara' (Circus Custers) // 'Achter de wolken schijnt de zon' (Johan Verminnen)

Come along - Duo Datz

Duo Datz consists of Orna and Moshe Datz. They are best known in Israel for their middle of the road type music and their series of children's dvd's.

In 1991, they represented Israel with the song 'Kan'. They finished third in a field of 22 competitors. This single features both the original and the English version of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1490
Found: Den Haag, July 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Come along' / 'Kan'

L'amour de ma vie - Sherisse Laurence

Sherisse Stevens was born as Sherisse Laurence in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. From 1978 to 1983 she hosted the show 'Circus' on CTV in Canada.

In 1986 she was chosen to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song 'L'amour de ma vie' ('The love of my life'), performed first on the night, was written by Frank Dostal and Alain Garcia and composed by Rolf Soja. The song finished third with 117 points.

My collection: 7" single no. 4391
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'L'amour de ma vie' / 'The love of my life'

Hold me - Fleetwood Mac

In 1989, the record company shied away from releasing 'No questions asked', one of two new tracks on Fleetwood Mac's 1988 'Greatest Hits' album. Instead, they put it on the B-side of a re-release of the song 'Hold me', which was originally a hit in 1982. Written by Christine McVie and Robbie Patton, it became one of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits in the USA. Released in July 1982, it peaked at number 4 for seven weeks.

The 1989 re-release was not quite as successful. It reached number 94 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 806
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 28, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold me' / 'No questions asked'

Nous on veut des violons - Morgane

Morgane was born as Ingrid Simonis in Blegny, Belgium on August 23, 1975. In 1992, she was selected to represent Belgium during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Nous on veut des violons' ('We want violins'). It proved to be an unsuccessful entry, finishing 20th in a field of 23 competitors.

Morgane released several more records after the contest, but after a few years he gave up her own career to become the mother of three children. In 2009, she relaunched her career, now performing rock/gothic-influenced music.

My collection: 7" single no. 4393
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Nous on veut des violons' / 'Nous on veut des violons (instrumental)'

I'll set you free - The Bangles

'I'll set you free' was released as the fourth and final single from the Bangles' 1988 album 'Everything'. The track was remixed by Bernard Edwards, making it 24 seconds longer than the album version and featuring a vocal introduction by Susanna Hoffs.

Although the three previous singles were a big success, this single stalled at number 74 in the UK singles chart. It was also a minor hit in Australia, reaching number 81. No promotional film was made for the single, as the band had all but broken up.

My collection: 7" single no. 993
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I'll set you free (remix)' / 'Watching the sky'

I'm not satisfied - Fine Young Cannibals

Although I have the limited edition singles in a tin can from all four previous single releases from Fine Young Cannibals' 1989 album 'The raw and the cooked' (1989) - 'She drives me crazy', 'Good thing', 'Don't look back' and 'I'm not the man I used to be' - I have not been able to locate the fifth one. It's not even offered on eBay or similar websites these days. It's a frustration, but I do have the 'normal' single.

Written by lead vocalist Roland Gift and bassist David Steele, 'I'm Not Satisfied' depicts a man who criticizes the weekends for being too short, his girlfriend for being too possessive, and the city for being too depressing. This fifth single release from 'The raw and the cooked' (1989) reached number 46 in the UK singles chart, number 83 in Canada and number 90 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1193
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm not satisfied' / 'I'm not satisfied (The Nicci edit)'

Looking at midnight - Imagination

'Looking at midnight' was released in May 1983, while Imagination were very much a part of the chart scene. Produced and co-written by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, the single followed a formula that had become familiar for the band: falsetto vocals and swirling synth sounds.

The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart, but was the first after a long line of single releases to not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3176
Found: February 19, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Looking at midnight' / 'Follow me'

No son of mine - Genesis

'No son of mine' was released as the first single from Genesis' 1991 album 'We can't dance'. The lyric tells the story of a boy who runs away from his abusive home, and - after some reconsideration - attempts to return, only to be rebuked by his father. In interviews, Phil Collins has said that the lyrics are deliberately vague as to whether the narrator or his mother is the victim of the abuse.

The track is notable for a distinctive sound heard during the intro and before the second verse. Referred to by the band as 'elephantus', the sound was created by Tony Banks recording Mike Rutherford's guitar with a sampler and then playing three notes on the bottom register of the keyboard, greatly lowering the pitch. The single relaunched Genesis' career after four years absence from the charts, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1547
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'No son of mine' / 'Living forever'

Over de muur - Klein orkest

'Over de muur' ('Over the wall') can be considered an Eighties classic in Dutch pop music. It was recorded by Klein orkest in 1984, at the height of the cold war. The song bemoaned the existance of the wall in Berlin and the strange differences between the two sides of the city: the stern greyness of communism on one side, exorbitant behaviour of capitalism on the other side. 'Only the bird flying from west to east Berlin are not called back and not shot down'.

The single reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1984. When the record company released a greatest hits compilation of the band in 1989, the single was re-released. Even now the wall had come down, the single was again a hit, peaking at number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1129
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Over de muur' / 'Achter elke deur'

Family man - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Mike Oldfield recorded 'Family man' as a track on his 1982 album 'Five miles out'. He wrote all of the music for the chorus, and verses were written by the other writers: Tim Cross, Rick Fenn, Mike Frye, Morris Pert and Maggie Reilly. Tim Cross has also claimed to have written the majority of the lyrics for the song, and cited Rick Fenn as the inspiration of the 'family man' mentioned in the song.

Daryl Hall & John Oates recorded their cover version a year later on their album 'H2O'. The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 15 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3172
Found: London, January 18, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Family man' / 'Open all night'

Frei zu leben - Chris Kempers and Daniel Kovac

'Frei zu leben' was performed during the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest by Chris Kempers and Daniel Kovac. Like more songs during that year's edition, the obvious theme was war and freedom, triggered by the fall of the Berlin wall in the autumn of 1989. Originally performed in German, the B-side of this single also featured a French version, while it was also recorded in English and Croation (since Daniel Kovac was born in Croatia).

The German entry was composed by Eurovision veteran Ralph Siegel with lyrics by Michael Kunze. It finished 9th in a field of 22 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4394
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Frei zu leben' / 'Laissez vivre'

It never rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond

'It never rains in Southern California' was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. The lyric of the song concerns the struggles of a singer who moves out to California to pursue a career in Hollywood but does not have any success and deteriorates in the process. In the chorus, Hammond sings, 'It never rains in California / but girl don't they warn ya / It pours, man it pours.'

The single was released in 1972 and reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 398
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It never rains in Southern California' / 'Anyone here in the audience'

Again - Janet Jackson

'Again' was included as the closing song of Janet Jackson's 1993 movie debut in 'Poetic Justice'. The song was, however, not included on the soundtrack album. It reappeared on Janet Jackson's own album 'janet.', also released in 1993.

The track became her seventh number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2081
Found: March 8, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Again' / 'Again (Piano/Vocal)'