She was naked - Supersister

Supersister was formed in Den Haag, Netherlands in 1970 by Robert Jan Stips, Sacha van Geest, Marco Vrolijk and Ron van Eck. They made a name for themselves with progressive rock and made their debut with the album 'Present from Nancy'.

Their single 'She was naked' was a hit in the early summer of 1970, peaking at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side, 'Spiral staircase' is really interesting for its weird lyric.

My collection: 7" single no. 4695
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'She was naked' / 'Spiral staircase'

All summer long - Chris Rea

'All summer long' was released as a single from Chris Rea's commercially and critically acclaimed album 'Shamrock Diaries' (1985). The album reached number one in several countries including Germany and The Netherlands.

While this single did not reach the UK singles chart, it did reach number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4681
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'All summer long' / 'Dancing shoes'

Bodega Bay - Ruby Carmichael

The man on this photograph is hard to recognise - even for his fans. It's Henny Vrienten, who became the frontman of Doe Maar, a band that was seriously popular in the first half of the Eighties in the Netherlands.

He started his career in the bands Les Cruches and Sweet William in 1970. After this, he recorded singles and albums, using the names Paul Santos and Ruby Carmichael. 'Bodega Bay' was released in 1976 as the second and last single by Ruby Carmichael. I actually owned the single once before, between 1978 and 1981. Then I either threw it away or swapped it for another single with my sister. It was great to find this record again.

My collection: 7" single no. 4686
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bodega Bay' / 'If I knew'

Life on mars - Wall Street Crash

Twenty years ago, while I was studying, a girl I knew was very interested in David Bowie. Then, one day, she said that she was also looking for records by Wall Street Crash. She asked me - knowing that I was an avid collector of records - to look out for singles and LP's by this band. A week later, I went to Leiden and bought one LP and three singles by Wall Street Crash for her.

One of those singles was this one: a cover of David Bowie's 'Life on Mars'. Needless to say, she was very glad with the find, and especially this single. I played it before I gave it away, and had to admit that this was quite a good cover version. It's amusing that I found the single after such a long time in the very same shop!

My collection: 7" single no. 4671
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Life on Mars' / 'The mountains o'Mourne', 'Shot down'

Born to be sold - Transvision Vamp

'Born to be sold' was released in October 1989 as the ninth single by Transvision Vamp. The single featured two live tracks on the B-side, one of which was a cover version of the Rolling Stones' 'Down on you'.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart, but like most of their singles, it didn't chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4661
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Born to be sold' / 'Down on you (live)', 'Last time (live)'

Young 'n' Russian - The Korgis

AlthoughI bought a copy of the Korgis' debut single 'Young 'n' Russian' a few months ago, I bought another one last week. The reason for that was the attractive sleeve and the fact that it had a different B-side.

This copy was made in the United Kingdom, whereas the one I had was made in France. I already have an obsession for UK copies of singles, and when they have different B-sides, that doesn't help much to restrain me, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 4634
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Young 'n' Russian' / 'Mount Everest sings the blues'

And she was - Talking Heads

'And she was' was a track on the 1985 Talking Heads album 'Little creatures'. The song was written by David Byrne. According to him, the song was written about a girl he knew who used to take LSD in a field next to a Yoo-hoo beverage factory in Baltimore, Maryland.

The single reached number 54 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 in the UK singles chart. It was the band's last hit single in the Netherlands, peaking at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 4666
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'And she was' / 'Perfect world'

Crime passionel - Frank Boeijen Groep

When I was 14 years old, I'd never heard of the expression 'Crime passionel', the Dutch expression for a crime of passion. No wonder: it's borrowed from French and at the time I always had bad grades for French. It was also the title of the new single by the Dutch band Frank Boeijen Groep, released in January 1985.

Guitarist Wil Theunissen had left the group, and his place was taken by Maarten Peters. 'Crime passionel' was the first single from the band's fifth album 'Foto van een mooie dag' ('Photograph of a beautiful day'), which would be released a few months later. The single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 287
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Crime passionel' / 'De kooi'

Beat the beat - Mari Wilson

Released in February 1982, 'Beat the beat' was the first single by Mari Wilson to reach the UK singles chart. It peaked at number 59, which was not a very impressive placing, but it was only a taster of the bigger success to come.

The single was packaged in a Fifties style sleeve with a short blurb by Rex Luxore from Mari's record company, The Compact Organization. According to him, the 'lilting tune is courted by Mari with all the loving care with which a great ballerina perfects a dancing step.'

My collection: 7" single no. 4674
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Beat the beat' / 'Glamourpuss'

I'll be over you - Toto

I first heard 'I'll be over you' as a bonus track on Toto's cd-single 'Stop loving you', released in 1987. It was years later until I found out that it was actually a track on their 1986 album 'Fahrenheit', and released as a single in its own right.

'I'll be over you' reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40, but failed to chart in other territories. It features backing vocals by Michael McDonald - a very recognisable voice.

My collection: 7" single no. 4665
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'll be over you' / 'In a word'

Who do you think you're foolin' - Donna Summer

Donna Summer released her first album for Geffen Records in 1980. Entitled 'The wanderer', it was something of a departure as it sounded more like a rock/new wave album compared to her previous disco output.

With the single 'Who do you think you're foolin'?', Donna Summer attempted to reach the same audience as contemporaries like Blondie and Pat Benatar. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful, as the single only managed to reach number 40 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In other territories, the single flopped.

My collection: 7" single no. 4667
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who do you think you're foolin'' / 'Running for cover'

Dirty ol' man - Three Degrees

This year, the self-titled debut album by the Three Degrees will finally be released on cd. The UK label Big Break Records has taken up the project, releasing an album that originally saw the light of day in 1973 on the Philadelphia International label.

The album spawned three hits, the first of them being 'Dirty ol' man'. This single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 and was awarded a gold record in both Belgium and the Netherlands. The other two hits were 'Year of decision' and 'When will I see you again'. Hearing the whole album should be interesting.

My collection: 7" single no. 4663
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dirty ol' man' / 'Can't you see what you're doing to me'

Habadaba riwikidi - Urban Heroes

In 1981, the Dutch band Urban Heroes record and release their second album: 'The age of Urban Heroes'. The track 'Habadaba riwikidi' is released as a single and reaches number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. It remains their biggest hit.

That same year, they released a live album, produced by Rinus Gerritsen from the Golden Earring.

My collection: 7" single no. 4662
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Habadaba riwikidi' / 'Chips'

Night owl - Gerry Rafferty

In 1979, Gerry Rafferty had to come up with a follow-up to his very successful debut solo album 'City to city' (1978), which featured his best known hit 'Baker Street'. The result was 'Night owl', released in June 1979.

The title track was released as a single ahead of the album. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 5, becoming Rafferty's second and last top 10 hit. In Europe, however, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4658
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Night owl' / 'Why won't you talk to me'

Man to man - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate's 1976 single 'Man to man' was remarkable for its lyric: it's about a man who confronts the new lover of his wife and mother of their two children, asking him to 'love her' and 'love our children too'. It's a remarkable thing to do, especially for men at that time.

The single managed to reach number 14 in the UK singles chart as the third single from Hot Chocolate's 1975 self-titled album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4651
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Man to man' / 'Eyes of a growing child'

Autostop - Patty Pravo

Patty Pravo was born on April 9, 1948 in Venice, Italy as Nicoletta Strambelli. She studied at the conservatory institute of Benedetto Marcello. At the age of fifteen, she left home to live in London and then Rome where she began her career singing in the Piper Club. In 1966 she made her first single, 'Ragazzo triste' ('Sad Boy'), an Italian version of the song 'But you're mine' by Sonny & Cher.

In 1970 Patty hosted her own programme called 'Bravo Pravo', broadcast on French television, and in 1978 appeared in the highly controversial Italian TV show, Stryx, where she wore provocative clothing which attracted much attention. 'Autostop' was released in 1979 and reached number 13 in the Italian chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4647
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Autostop' / 'New York'

Play to win - Heaven 17

One of the synthpop bands of the early Eighties was Heaven 17, formed by Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig-Marsh and Martyn Ware, after the latter two had left Human League.

'Play to win' was their third single and the second one to be taken from their debut album 'Penthouse and pavement'. It reached number 46 in the UK singles chart. This single is a Dutch pressing which also includes their next UK single, 'Penthouse and pavement'. You guessed it: the title track from their debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4649
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Play to win' / 'Penthouse and pavement'

Just one cornetto - Pookiesnackenburger

The song 'Just one cornetto' started out as an adaptation of the Italian traditional 'O sole mio' in this television advert. It was slightly rewritten and recorded by the Brighton retro/busker band Pookiesnackenburger, released as a single on Stiff records in 1982.

Pookiesnackenburger consisted of Steve McNicholas, Sue Bradley, Paul Clark, John Helmer and Nick Dwyer. Although chart success eluded the band, they later morphed into Stomp, who went on to have international success with their theatre shows.

My collection: 7" single no. 4646
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Just one cornetto' / 'Turkish bath'

Criticize - Alexander O'Neal

Contrary to all the R&B and hiphop dross they make today, black artists used to actually come up with good songs every once in a while, back in the Eighties. Alexander O'Neal's 'Criticize' is a good example: a catchy tune with aggressively delivered vocals. The track was produced by Jellybean, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, which makes it sound almost like a Janet Jackson track.

'Criticize' peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn of 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4644
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Criticize' / 'A broken heart can mend'

Oh... Young people - Mo

After their second single 'Fred Astaire' reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40, attention for the Dutch synthpop group Mo was growing. They do a tour around the country, with mixes responses from the audience.

'Oh... Young people' is released as the third single from their debut album 'Mo' in early 1981, but it does not chart. Meanwhile, three members of the band, including woman singer Heili Helder, leave the band. After the summer of 1981, only drummer Harm Bieger remains from the original line-up. Ton van der Meer and Hans Nieuwint are recruited, as well as the new frontwoman Linda Bloemhardt. This new line-up records the second Mo album, which is released later on in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 4638
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Oh... Young people' / 'TV Talks'

Keine Mauern mehr - Simone

The impact of the fall of the Berlin wall was so big, that even Austria delivered a song about the subject on the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Simone Stelzer, who was born on October 1, 1969 in Vienna.

The lyric of the song speaks about the freedom brought about through the fall of the Wall. In keeping with the multi-national theme, she sung the song in German, English, French and Serbo-Croatian. The song finished tenth in a field of 22 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4409
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Keine Mauern mehr' / 'No walls anywhere'

Gotta pull myself together - The Nolans

The Nolans released their album 'Making waves' in 1980. While it only peaked at number 11 in the albums chart, it had the longest chart run of their career, spanning 33 weeks. Four singles were taken from the album, of which 'Attention to me' was the best known.

'Gotta pull myself together' was released as the third single from the album in the autumn of 1980. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in Ireland. It was also their first Australian chart hit, peaking at number 3 in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 4641
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Gotta pull myself together' / 'Directions of love'

Landslide - Olivia Newton-John

Not to be confused with the 1975 track by Fleetwood Mac, 'Landslide' was written by Olivia Newton-John's producer John Farrar for her 1981 album 'Physical'. It was released as the third single from the album in early 1982.

Although the single did not chart in the Netherlands, it was a success in the UK, where it peaked at number 18. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, 'Landslide' peaked at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 4639
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Landslide' / 'Falling'

Wonderful - Patty and Shift

Dutch broadcaster Veronica had some success in the late Eighties with the weekly drama 'Spijkerhoek'. The story focused on two families with children in their late puberty. The son of one family was a biker and the daughter of the other family wanted to make it big in the music scene. Actress Mary-Lou van Steenis played Patty, who got to record a song called 'Wonderful'. It's no surprise that this song was released as a single to promote the television series even further. It turned out to be a hit, too, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song itself is a cliched, tacky affair, so the real treat on this single is the B-side, as it contains the theme of 'Spijkerhoek'. It's an attractive instrumental, sounding a bit like Harold Faltermeyer meets Jan Hammer. And I guess that's what the producers were aiming for anyway, since both 'Miami Vice' and the 'Beverley Hills Cop' movies were broadcast by Veronica as well back then.

My collection: 7" single no. 789
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 7, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Wonderful' / 'Theme from 'Spijkerhoek''

Song from Moulin Rouge - Peters and Lee

My brother mentioned last week that he was looking for this song. The title and performer stuck in my head for some reason, and when I went shopping the next day, imagine my surprise when I came across this single. I figured I could take it with me. If I didn't like it at least he would have an addition to his collection. As it turns out, I like the track a lot - bad luck for him.

Peters & Lee was a British duo consisting of Lennie Peters (November 22, 1931 - October 10, 1992) and Dianne Lee (born in 1950). Their first performance was with Rolf Harris on April 30 1970 at a concert in Bournemouth. They remained popular all through the Seventies. 'Song from Moulin Rouge' was recorded in the Netherlands with the Harry van Hoof Orchestra, with Will Hoebee producing. It was their only hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 4645
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Song from Moulin Rouge' / 'Don't lay your head'

Good golly Miss Molly - De Tamara's

Every now and again, one has to take into account all the strong points of a particular single. As you can see on this sleeve, this single by the Dutch band the Tamara's has at least two strong points. I became interested enough anyway to find out what this single was all about.

Turns out that the Tamara's is a group of studio musicians which performs Dutch versions of wellknown rock and roll tracks. 'Good golly Miss Molly' was originally recorded in 1958 by Little Richard. This cover version was never a hit - but I do have to wonder why.

My collection: 7" single no. 4664
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Good golly Miss Molly' / 'Donna Donna'

Cry - Godley and Creme

Trevor Horn must be one of the most impressive producers out there, as he's been responsible for so many great records. I am certainly not the only person to think this, since when he produced Godley & Creme's 1985 single 'Cry', it was played to death on radio and television at the time. So much so, that I became sick of the track altogether. Now, 25 years later, I finally brought myself to the point where I could buy and listen to it again.

The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40, number 16 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4637
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cry' / 'Love bombs'

Lorilee - David Gates

After the breakup of his band Bread, David Gates recorded a solo album entitled 'First', which in my book is definitely a classic album. I never really knew how many singles were taken from that album, but I came across another one, and despite the state it was in, I knew I had to have it.

'Lorilee' was released in early 1974 and featured two tracks from the album: 'Lorilee' (the last track on the album) and 'Sail around the world' (The first track on the album). The single did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4636
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lorilee' / 'Sail around the world'

Mi amor - Audrey Landers and Camilo Sesto

In 1984, Audrey Landers recorded 'Mi Amor' as a duet with Camilo Sesto. He was born on September 16, 1946 as Camilo Blanes Cortés and became a prominent performer of Spanish pop music in the Seventies and Eighties.

The duo recorded the duet for Landers' album 'Holiday dreams', which was mainly a success in Germany. The production sounds a lot like German schlagers, and this went down well in Germany: the album was certified Gold within weeks of its release. The single also managed to reach number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4635
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mi amor' / 'Guantanamera'

Don't say that it's over - The Korgis

Over the past year, I have made an effort in completing some artist discographies. One of those artists was the British band the Korgis. They have released many singles in the first half of the Eighties, and most of them turn up in second hand shops for really good prices.

One of the singles I couldn't find last year was 'Don't say that it's over'. So I was glad to finally add that one to my collection last weekend. The picture sleeve is a bit boring, but the two tracks on this disc more than make up for that.

My collection: 7" single no. 4633
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'Don't say that it's over' / 'Drawn and quartered'

Sound and vision - David Bowie

'Sound and vision' was recorded by David Bowie on his 1977 album 'Low'. The track features a lengthy introduction with guitar and synthesizer, followed by withdrawn lyrics, inspired by the cocaine-fueled paranoia the singer had lived in while residing in Los Angeles. In keeping with the minimalist approach of Low, Visconti and Bowie originally recorded the track as an instrumental, bar the backing vocal (performed by Visconti’s wife, Mary Hopkin). Bowie then recorded his vocal after the rest of the band had left the studio, before trimming verses off the lyric.

Released as a first single from the album, the song was used by the BBC on trailers at the time. This provided considerable exposure, which was much needed as Bowie opted to do nothing to promote the single himself, and helped the song to number 3. In the Dutch Top 40, it even made number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1412
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sound and vision' / 'A new career in a new town'

Dancing in the dark - Tony Sherman

Tony Sherman's version of 'Dancing in the dark' was released in 1983, shortly after Kim Wilde's version. The song was unsuccessful in both versions, but Tony Sherman's version was only released in the Netherlands.

Last year I found the 12" single, but I've had the 7" single for a few years already.

My collection: 7" single no. 4632
Found: Record fair, Utrecht
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Dancing in the dark' / 'Another fool, another love'

Pa - Doe Maar

In February 1983, Doe Maar released the single 'Pa' from their new album '4us', the first album in Dutch language that was recorded entirely digitally.

It became the groups' second consecutive number one hit in the Netherlands. By this time, they had become so popular that anything they released could count on mass attention. This was, by the way, also the reason why they called it quits one year later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1363
Found: Disco Market, Den haag, December 28, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Pa' / 'Lajeninaja'

Hold on my heart - Genesis

'Hold on my heart' is one of the few ballads released as a single by Genesis. Taken from their 1991 album 'We can't dance', it was released as the third single in April 1992.

The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Hold on my heart' reached number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 2278
Found: May 6, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Hold on my heart' / 'Way of the world'

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'