The William Tell Overture - Mike Oldfield

The 'William Tell Overture' is the instrumental introduction to the opera 'William Tell' by Gioachino Rossini. There has been repeated use (and sometimes parody) of this overture in popular media and it is quoted by Dmitri Shostakovich in his Symphony No. 15. William Tell was composed in 1829 and was the last of Rossini's 39 operas.

Mike Oldfield recorded a guitar-based version of the William Tell Overture in 1976. When released as a single, it failed to chart in all territories. It remains one of his lesser known singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 4733
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, March 20, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'William Tell Overture' / 'First excursion'

Sugar - Ruud Bos

The Dutch broadcaster TROS showed the weekly television drama 'De Fabriek' ('The factory') in 1981 and 1982. The sugar factory of the Dutch company CSM was one of the locations where the series was filmed. It became a television hit, with several million viewers every week.

One of the assets of the series was the theme tune, composed by Ruud Bos. Entitled 'Sugar' on this single, it is familiar even to some people who never even saw the series. Still, the single was never a hit in the Netherlands. I still consider this single a rare find.

My collection: 7" single no. 4732
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, March 20, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sugar' / 'Action'

Barbados - Typically Tropical

Typically Tropical was a British duo comprising Geraint Wyn Hughes and Jeffrey Calvert. They met through Hughes' band Quasar. They recorded the song 'Barbados' in 1974, after Calvert had been on holiday in Barbados and based the song on his experiences. It was recorded with various session musicians, including guitarist Chris Spedding, drummer Clem Cattini, and Vic Flick.

The song was ready for release in November 1974, but the release was stalled by the record company because they thought the song was better suited as a summer hit. They were right: the song reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, also peaking at number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 shortly afterwards. The Dutch Vengaboys made a horrible version of this song in 1999, entitled 'We're going to Ibiza'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4731
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, March 20, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Barbados' / 'Sandy'

Working my way back to you - Spinners

'Working my way back to you' was written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell. It was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1966, becoming a top 10 hit in the USA, but it was less successful in other territories.

In 1980, The Spinners' medley of "Working my way back to you' and Michael Zager's 'Forgive me girl' topped the UK singles chart for two weeks in April. In the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and in the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 4730
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, March 20, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Working my way back to you' / 'Disco ride'

Sweet freedom - Michael McDonald

The soundtrack of the 1986 American movie 'Running scared' featured several wellknown artists. Kim Wilde delivered 'Say you really want me', Patti Labelle sang 'I know what I want' and Michael McDonald performed 'Sweet freedom'.

The former Doobie Brothers member also managed to have a worldwide hit with his song, because it was released as a single. 'Sweet freedom' reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4729
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, March 20, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sweet freedom' / 'The freedom eights'

No commitments - PS and the Footnotes

I bought 'Final love song' a long time ago, but I was aware of another single by PS & the Footnotes, the Dutch band that never found fame despite a short-lived record deal with EMI.

'No commitments' was also released in 1984 and was equally unsuccessful in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4677
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'No commitments' / 'Straight through the heart'

Eve of destruction - Geff Harrison

'Eve of destruction' was written by P.F. Sloan in 1965 as a grave warning of imminent apocalypse, and considered by some to be the epitome of a protest song. It expressed the frustrations and fears of young people in the age of the Cold War, Vietnam, the nuclear arms race, and the civil rights movement. The most famous version of this song was recorded that same year by Barry McGuire. It earned him a worldwide hit.

This version was recorded and released in 1984 by the German singer Geff Harrison. It updates the Sixties track a bit, although it can hardly be considered a very Eighties version.

My collection: 7" single no. 4648
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eve of destruction' / 'How can you sleep'

Cantara Pepe - The Press

In 1980, the Dutch band The Walkers changes its name into The Press. Consisting of Rene Innemee, Michel and Walter Nita, John Coenen, Floor Minnaert and Willy Bronzwaer, they release their debut single 'I'm gonna shoot the D.J.' a few months later.

In July 1981, they release the follow-up, 'Cantara Pepe'. This single, taken from their album 'Press here', reaches number 11 in Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4675
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cantara Pepe' / 'In the quiet of the night'

Kick it in - Simple Minds

'Kick it in' was released as the third single from the 1989 Simple Minds album 'Street fighting years'. Although I wasn't that convinced that this song was actually any good, I was curious about the 89 remix of 'Waterfront', which is included on the B-side of this single. And so it still ended up in my collection.

The single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, while also making number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4670
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Kick it in' / 'Waterfront (89 remix)'

Day after day - The Pretenders

The Pretenders released their second album 'Pretenders II' in August 1981. Most critics at the time called it disappointing, although it is now generally considered a great album.

The track 'Day after day' was released as a single. The accompanying music video was played a lot on MTV in the USA, but that didn't lead to any chart success. In the UK, meanwhile, the single peaked at number 45.

My collection: 7" single no. 4676
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Day after day' / 'In the sticks'

Shock the monkey - Peter Gabriel

I first heard Peter Gabriel's 'Shock the monkey' as part of a compilation album for Greenpeace, released in the mid-Eighties. That compilation was remarkable for its inclusion of Kate Bush's 'Breathing' - the single version no less.

I never actually knew 'Shock the monkey' was released as a single, but that's mostly because it was not a hit in the Netherlands. Released in September 1982, it reached number 58 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4728
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Shock the monkey' / 'Soft dog (instrumental)'

Spirit, body and soul - The Nolan Sisters

In 1979, the Nolan Sisters participated in the UK national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Harry my Honolulu lover'. It was considered a favourite before the final took place, but in the end it came fourth, with Black Lace going on to represent the UK.

The group was picked up by Epic Records and the song was released as their first single for the label. It failed to chart. The follow-up 'Spirit, body & soul' was released in October 1979 and was ore successful: it peaked at number 34 .

My collection: 7" single no. 4640
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Spirit, body & soul' / 'More to love'

Can't get it out of my head - Electric Light Orchestra

First released on Electric Light Orchestra's fourth album 'Eldorado' in July 1974, 'Can't get it out of my head' was relased as a single in November 1974.

It became the band's first top ten single in the US, reaching number 9. It also reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. Amazingly, both the single and LP failed to chart in the UK. In 1978 the song was included on a four-track ELO EP that was released in the UK only, which reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4692
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Can't get it out of my head' / 'Illusions in G Major'

Love will tear us apart - Paul Young

'Love will tear us apart' was originally recorded by the British band Joy Division in 1979. The lyric ostensibly reflect the problems in frontman Ian Curtis's marriage to Deborah Curtis, as well as his general frame of mind in the time leading up to his suicide in May 1980. Deborah Curtis had the phrase 'Love will tear us apart' inscribed on Ian Curtis's memorial stone.

Paul Young took on the task of recording a cover version of the song on his 1983 debut solo album 'No parlez'. Although his version lacks the macabre undertones of the Joy Division version, it's still a reasonably good effort. The track was released as a single in the Netherlands only, reaching number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4672
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love will tear us apart' / 'One step forward'

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'