Noi - Matia Bazar

Although it is not the band's biggest hit, my favourite song of Matia Bazar is 'Noi', released in 1987 from the band's album 'Melo'. Unfortunately, the track was edited for the single release, leaving out an interesting guitar solo. Even more unfortunate is the fact that I could only find this single without a picture sleeve at the time.

'Noi' did not chart, but it is still a very great piece of music.

My collection: 7" single no. 768
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Noi' / 'Da qui a'

Factory man - Maarten Peters and the Dream

It wasn't easy for Maarten Peters to get some commercial success. All of his single releases between 1985 and 1987 failed to reach the Dutch Top 40, with one exception. It must have been a relief that his eighth single 'Factory man' managed to get to number 35 in May 1987.

'Factory man' was the first single from his second album 'Burn your boats', released around the same time as this single. The B-side, 'May 29th', was taken from his debut album and was written after an incident at the Heizel stadium in Belgium on May 29, 1985. Hooligans from Liverpool and Turin started fighting, which eventually caused a wall to collapse. 39 people were killed and 400 were injured.

My collection: 7" single no. 518
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Factory man' / 'May 29th'

I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that) - Meat Loaf

When Meat Loaf sang that he would do anything for love but he won't do 'that', a lot of people were left with the question: what, exactly, is 'that'? At the song's conclusion, the female vocalist predicts two things that the protagonist will do: 'You'll see that it's time to move on and you'll be screwing around'. To both of these, he replies, 'I won't do that!'. Although Meat Loaf believed that the lyrics were unambiguous, the singer recalls that Steinman predicted that they would cause confusion. Meat Loaf says that the question, 'What is 'that'?' is one of the most popular questions he is asked.

Clocking in at over 7 minutes, it's another one of those epic Jim Steinman tracks that Meat Loaf became so popular with at the end of the Seventies. The single was taken from Meat Loaf's 1993 album 'Bat out of hell II: Back into hell' and reached number 1 in 28 countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1987
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that)' / 'Back into hell'

New beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Bucks Fizz

'New beginning' was released in May 1986 and was considered to be a comeback single, since the band hadn't released anything in eight months. The single featured new member Shelley Preston who had replaced Jay Aston a year earlier. It was also their first release on new record label, Polydor after their five-year contract with RCA had finished.

The song was written by Mike Myers and Tony Gibber and was produced by Myers along with the group's regular producer Andy Hill. According to the group's members, the recording of the song took an unusually long time to record. As well as the group recording their vocals repeatedly, there was also a children's choir and gospel choir used on the track. The musicians in the studio also were used on distant back-up vocals. Cheryl Baker remembers one version where Hill instructed them to deliberately sing out of tune, which she found difficult.

My collection: 7" single no. 478
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba seyra)' / 'In your eyes'

Kronenburg park (Ga die wereld uit) - Frank Boeijen Groep

The song 'Kronenburg park' is named after the park in Nijmegen, the city where Frank Boeijen grew up. The park is known for its prostitutes hunting for work. Boeijen apparently wrote the song after recognising one of the women in the park from his childhood. The subtitle 'Ga die wereld uit' ('Get out of that world') can be interpreted as a plea to women to leave this profession.

The single was the second one taken from the band's fifth album. Released in April 1985, 'Kronenburg park' managed to reach number 12 in the Dutch Top 40, becoming one of their biggest hits.

My collection: 7" single no. 288
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Kronenburg park (Ga die wereld uit)' / 'De waarheid'

Are you getting enough of what makes you happy? - Hot Chocolate

Released in July 1980, 'Are you getting enough of what makes you happy?' was the second single from Hot Chocolate's 1980 album 'Class'. During a seven week chart run in the UK singles chart, it reached number 17.

As usual, the single was written by lead singer Errol Brown and produced by Mickie Most.

My collection: 7" single no. 4655
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Are you getting enough of what makes you happy?' / 'I've got you on my mind'

Landslide of love - Transvision Vamp

It doesn't sound very romantic, a 'Landslide of love', but there you have it: it's the title of Transvision Vamp's eighth single.

Released as the third single from the band's second album 'Velveteen', it spent five weeks in the UK singles chart and peaked at number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 4660
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Landslide of love' / 'Hardtime', 'He's the only one for me'

Light of a gypsy - Pussycat

In 1984, Pussycat released the album 'After all' on their new label Ariola. 'Light of a gypsy' is released as the first single from the album. Both however fail to make an impact on the album and singles chart.

A year later, the band decides to call it quits. Lead singer Tony Willé tries to release some solo work, but it is also commercially unsuccessful.

My collection: 7" single no. 4680
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Light of a gypsy' / 'You'

I don't know what it is but I love it - Chris Rea

Released as the first single from his 1984 album 'Wired to the moon', Chris Rea was unable to get chart success with 'I don't know what it is but I love it'.

The single only managed to reach number 65 in the UK singles chart during a two week chart run. All this despite a rather interesting B-side track that wasn't included on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4683
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I don't know what it is but I love it' / 'Mystery man'

Totally hot - Olivia Newton-John

The 1979 album by Olivia Newton-John was called 'Totally hot', and the title track was released as a single. Featuring a more aggressive sound, the single failed to impress the audience who had come to know her as the sweet Sandy from the 'Grease' movie.

Both the A-side and the B-side were taken from the album, which was more successful: it was certified platinum in the USA and gold in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4700
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Totally hot' / 'Talk to me'

Boundaries - Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson released 'Animation' in 1982 during the Yes hiatus following the release of their album 'Drama'. At the time, Anderson was collaborating with Vangelis and Mike Oldfield and exploring new age and electronic pop.

The track 'Boundaries' was released as the second single from the album. It didn't chart in any territory. The track would later appear on other works by Anderson (entitled 'O'er', on 'The promise ring') and Yes (entitled 'Somehow, someday', on 'Open your eyes').

My collection: 7" single no. 4725
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Boundaries' / 'Much better reason'

Love is the seventh wave - Sting

'Love is the seventh wave' was the second single from Sting's 1985 solo debut album 'The dream of the blue turtles'. The song is supposedly about love being the seventh wave, or the strongest wave in a series of waves, thus wiping out any sort of problems. It concludes with a brief, self-mocking reference to Sting's biggest hit song with The Police, 'Every breath you take', which had been about the dark side of love that leads to sexual jealousy and obsession.

The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40, but stalled at number 41 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4706
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love is the seventh wave (new mix)' / 'Consider me gone (live)'

I wanna be - Lois Lane

The Dutch band Lois Lane released the second single from their second album 'Fortune fairytales' in the spring of 1990. 'I wanna be' was a straightforward pop song.

The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, becoming their fifth consecutive chart hit. Unfortunately, their next single would not make the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4726
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I wanna be' / 'Attracted to you'

Sanctify yourself - Simple Minds

'Sanctify yourself' was released as the second single from the Simple Minds' 1986 album 'Once upon a time', their seventh studio album. Released in the wake of their biggest hit 'Don't you (forget about me)' (1985), the band were able to ride the wave of success for some time. This single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart, number 11 in the Dutc hTop 40 and number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This double single set features a second disc with two live recordings, recorded at the Ahoy' in Rotterdam on December 3, 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 4716
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sanctify yourself' / 'Sanctify yourself (instrumental)' // 'Street hassle (live)' / 'Love song (live)'

All I need is a miracle - Mike and the Mechanics

'Mike + the Mechanics' is the debut album released by Genesis bassist and guitarist Mike Rutherford's side project 'Mike and the Mechanics' in 1985. The album featured two hit singles: 'Silent running', featuring lead vocals by Paul Carrack, and the up-tempo 'All I need is a miracle'.

Both songs reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, peaking at numbers 6 and 5 respectively. 'All I need is a miracle' stalled at number 53 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4712
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'All I need is a miracle' / 'You are the one'

A kind of magic - Queen

'A kind of magic' was originally written by Roger Taylor before Freddie Mercury took it over, added the bassline, some connectors and re-arranged the structure. Regardless, it was still credited to Taylor. The new version was featured on the album of the same name and released as its first single. An alternate version plays during the credits of the movie 'Highlander'.

The phrase 'A kind of magic' is actually used by Christopher Lambert in the film and impressed Taylor so much that he made it into a full song. There are references to the film in the lyrics – 'one prize, one goal'; 'no mortal man' and 'here can be only one'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4709
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A kind of magic' / 'A dozen red roses for my darling'

I'm sorry - Hot Chocolate

'I'm sorry' is one of the lesser known Hot Chocolate singles, released in November 1983. It was a commercial disappointment. After 'Tears on the telephone' reached number 37 in the UK singles chart, this single stalled at number 89.

The single was taken from Hot Chocolate's 1983 album 'Love shot', which was produced by Mickie Most.

My collection: 7" single no. 4654
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm sorry' / 'Love is a good thing'

I hang on to my vertigo - Rupert Hine

'I hang on to my vertigo' was released as a single in 1981. Like all of his solo work, it failed to reach the singles chart in any territory.

Both sides of this single were taken from Rupert Hine's 1981 album 'Immunity'. The album also failed to have any impact on the album charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4710
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I hang on to my vertigo' / 'Samsara'

You to me are everything - The Real Thing

'You to me are everything' was released in 1976 as the debut single by The Real Thing. Written by Ken Gold and Michael Denne and produced by Ken Gold, it became the band's only number 1 single in the UK, spending three weeks at the top in July 1976.

The song was a minor hit in the USA, where it peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Part of the reason for its lack of success was the flood of cover versions of the song released at the same time. American groups Broadway and Revelation both released versions of the song the same week, and at one point all three versions of the song appeared on Billboard Hot 100 chart. The three singles effectively prevented each other from becoming a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4684
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You to me are everything' / 'Keep an eye'

Throwing it all away - Genesis

'Throwing it all away' was released as the last single from the Genesis album 'Invisible touch' in the summer of 1987. It reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The sleeve uses an adaptation of the Tidyman logo from the Keep Britain Tidy Group.

My collection: 7" single no. 4702
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Throwing it all away' / 'I'd rather be you'

Found my girl - Imagination

Released in 1985, 'Found my girl' was dedicated to Charlotte. The song was written by Leee John and Ashley Ingram, so without any additional information I can only assume that the girl meant something to one of them - or both. However passionate the message in the song, it left the audiences cold, as the single didn't chart in any territory.

The B-side of this single is a reggae-fuelled version of 'In and out of love', a far cry from the smooth soul track they recorded in the studio.

My collection: 7" single no. 4656
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Found my girl' / 'In and out of love (live)'

Promised you a miracle (live) - Simple Minds

In 1987, the Simple Minds released the album 'Live in the city of light', which as the name vaguely describes, was a recording of their concerts at Le Zenith in Paris on August 12 and 13, 1986.

The live recording of 'Promised you a miracle' was released as the first and only single from this album in order to promote the album. One has to wonder at this: the live version doesn't add to the studio version but rather detracts from it because it's sung so flatly. The single still managed to reach number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4669
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Promised you a miracle (live)' / 'Book of brilliant things'

Telephone - Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce

Gaga originally wrote 'Telephone' together with Rodney Jerkins, for Britney Spears. however, Spears' label rejected it and Gaga recorded the song as a collaboration with Beyoncé Knowles for her own album 'The fame monster'. According to Gaga, the telephone addressed in the lyric of the song is not a physical phone, but a person in her head telling her to keep working harder and harder.

This single was released yet again as a picture disc on vinyl. Released in February 2010, 'Telephone' reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, number 20 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4735
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, March 25, 2010
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Telephone' / 'Telephone (Passion pit remix)'

Lovely day - Bill Withers

Although I've known Bill Withers' 1978 hit single 'Lovely day' pretty much since it came out, I never actually bought the single. While I did own the 1988 remix by Ben Liebrand on this single, I can't say that I actually saw this original single very often.

Although this single doesn't add very much (the original version of 'Lovely day' appeared on the B-side of the 1988 remix), it's still very interesting to own the original version in its original appearance. After all, this is what record collecting is all about.

My collection: 7" single no. 4673
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lovely day' / 'It ain't because of me baby'

We'll be together - Sting

'We'll be together' was originally written by Sting for a beer commercial for Kirin Brewery Company. The original recording included Eric Clapton on guitar, while other takes feature Brian Loren instead. The original version would surface on Sting's 1994 greatest hits album. Near the end of the song, Sting sings a snippet of his earlier hit, 'If you love somebody set them free'.

The single reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 41 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4708
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We'll be together' / 'Conversation with a dog'

If looks could kill - Transvision Vamp

Released in 1991, 'If looks could kill' was the final single by Transvision Vamp, the second to be taken from their third album 'Little magnets versus the bubble of babble'. This album took on a more mellow sound which was the reason that their record company at one stage refused to release it - it was eventually released in the USA but never in the UK.

Although released in a variety of formats, this single only managed to reach number 41 on the UK singles chart. The band subsequently broke up 'unofficially' before Christmas 1991 and officially with a statement through their label in February 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 4659
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If looks could kill' / 'My friend the tom cat', 'Puppy dogs tails'

You can't hurry love - Phil Collins

Unlike many of the earlier Supremes records, 'You can't hurry love' has inspired many different cover versions. The most notable of these was released in late 1982 as a single by Phil Collins from his second solo album, 'Hello, I must be going'.

Sounding rather retro, his version was immensely popular and reached number 1 in the UK and the Netherlands. Although Collins had previously done covers as album tracks (of Genesis' 'Behind the lines' and the Beatles' 'Tomorrow never knows' on his debut album 'Face value'), 'You can't hurry love' was the first cover he released as a single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4703
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You can't hurry love' / 'I cannot believe it's true'

Chicano - Pussycat

'Chicano' was released in 1983 as a single by Pussycat. It was taken from their album 'After all', also released that year. The song was written by Werner Theunissen, who was also responsible for the band's early successes.

However, this Latin-tinted track couldn't match those successes, as it failed to chart even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4678
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Chicano' / 'It's over'

Heart attack - Olivia Newton-John

'Heart attack' was one of two new tracks on the 1982 compilation album 'Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2'. It was released as the first single of the two to promote the album.

The single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart, but fared much better on the other side of the Atlantic: it reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 2 in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 4698
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heart attack' / 'Recovery'

That's what they always say - Chris Rea

'That's what they always say' was the second single taken from Chris Rea's 1989 album 'The road to hell'. The track was remixed for the single release, but it didn't help much: the single didn't chart in any territory.

I knew the album 'Road to hell' when it came out, and I didn't think this was the best track to release as a single. There are some standout tracks on the album, but this one wasn't one of them...

My collection: 7" single no. 4682
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's what they always say (remix)' / '1975'

Little girl - Marty Wilde

I wouldn't be surprised if people in 1960 compared Marty Wilde with Elvis Presley, as he sounds a lot like him on these recordings. 'Little girl' was Marty's eighth hit single in the UK, peaking at number 16 at the end of the year.

The B-side, 'Your seventeenth spring' sounds even more like an Elvis track. With all the imagery of proms and first boyfriends, it's a very American track. But that's what Marty Wilde was known for at the time: good covers of American rock 'n' roll tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 4719
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Little girl' / 'Your seventeenth spring'

Rockaria! - Electric Light Orchestra

'Rockaria!' was the second single from Electric Light Orchestra's 1976 album 'A new world record'. The track features the operatic voice of Mary Thomas during the introduction. She flubbed the first take by starting the vocals too early. However, Jeff Lynne elected to use the take (complete with her interjection, 'Oops!') anyway.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4689
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rockaria!' / 'Poker'

Love lies lost - Helen Terry

Helen Terry was born on May 25, 1956. She is best known for her work as a backing vocalist with Culture Club and the Pet Shop Boys, but she also had a solo single hit with 'Love lies lost' in 1984. It reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

After this, she pursued a career in film and television production, most prominently behind the scenes as a producer and executive producer for the TV broadcast of the BRIT Awards since 2001.

My collection: 7" single no. 4704
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love lies lost' / 'Laughter on my mind'

Zoals vrienden doen - Bonnie en José

'Zoals vrienden doen' was released as the follow up to Bonnie & José's 1984 single 'Cassandra'. It was a translation of the Abba track 'The way old friends do', featured on their 1980 album 'Super trouper'.

The Dutch duo had a minor hit with this single, peaking at number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1985. The album 'Herinnering' ('Memory'), released almost at the same time, featured more Abba covers translated into Dutch.

My collection: 7" single no. 4722
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Zoals vrienden doen' / 'Vandaag of morgen'

Gotta give up your love - Hot Chocolate

After the single 'No doubt about it', the band Hot Chocolate lingered on the theme of visitors from outer space some more on their next single, 'Gotta give up your love', albeit on the B-side, 'Children of spacemen'.

'Gotta give up your love' was released in February 1981 but failed to chart in any territory. The B-side resurfaced as the B-side of the later single 'I'm losing you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4653
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Gotta give up your love' / 'Children of spacemen'

Las palabras de amor - Queen

'Las palabras de amor' was inspired by the band's close relationship with their Latin American fans. It was released as a single from Queen's 1982 album 'Hot space' in June 1982. The single reached number 17 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

The baby's face image of the single's cover would reappear on The Cross single for their song 'New dark ages'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4705
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Las palabras de amor' / 'Cool cat'

Into the blue - The Mission

'Into the blue' was released in 1990 as the third single from the Mission's fourth album 'Carved in sand'. I never bought the single because of the similarity between the sleeve of this single and the one of 'Hands across the ocean' (at least, in my mind), which made me think I already had it.

The single reached number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4714
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Into the blue' / 'Bird of passage'

Sexual healing - Marvin Gaye

'Sexual healing' was composed by Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown and David Ritz. The song discusses a man's aching for finding sexual salvation with his woman - hence the title 'Sexual healing'. Some saw the song as Gaye's harmonious plea to sex in the form of him preaching the word of gospel, marrying his divided soul.

Released in 1982, it was Marvin Gaye's first single since his exit from his long-term record label Motown earlier in the year, following the release of the album 'In our lifetime' the previous year. The single reached number 1 in Canada and New Zealand, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4699
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sexual healing' / 'Sexual healing (instrumental)'

Tonight - Tina Turner with David Bowie

While Tina Turner live sounds a lot like a cat being strangled, this single is still of interest because of the appearance of David Bowie on the title track. The song 'Tonight' was written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop for Iggy's 1977 album 'Lust for life'. It subsequently appeared as the title track of Bowie's 1984 album.

Bowie recorded the track on his own album as a duet with Tina Turner. When Turner was on tour, he performed the song together with her on March 23, 1985 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. This version was included on the album 'Tina Live in Europe' in 1988, and released as a single. It was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 53 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4693
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tonight (live)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)'

Samba d'amour - Middle of the Road

After having had eight hit singles in several countries between 1971 and 1973, 'Samba d'amour' was the first of four singles that was only successful in Germany.

'Samba d'amour' was released in the summer of 1973 as the only single from Middle of the Road's 1973 album 'Music music'. It was the group's first album on the Ariola label. Ariola did not have the rights to release material in the UK and so an arrangement was made with a local Scottish record company to distribute 'Music music'. It failed to attract national attention in the UK and was relegated to obscurity there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4691
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Samba d'amour' / 'Winter's sun'

Have you ever had it blue - The Style Council

The Style Council recorded 'Have you ever had it blue' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Absolute beginners'. After David Bowie's song of the same name was released as a single, the Style Council's track was the next single to be taken from the soundtrack album.

Although this single couldn't match the success of Bowie's track, it still managed to climb to number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4713
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Have you ever had it blue' / 'Mr. Cool's dream'

Surrender - Swing out sister

'Surrender' is a 1987 single released by British pop act Swing Out Sister from their debut album, 'It's better to travel'. The song features a trumpet solo performed by John Thirkell. It was released as the follow-up to the successful single, 'Breakout'.

The song peaked at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1987 and reached the same position in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4717
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Surrender' / 'Who's to blame?'

Stray cat strut - Stray Cats

'Stray cat strut' is a track on the Stray Cats' debut album, released in 1981 in the UK. Released as the third single from that album, it reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in the UK singles chart.

In 1982, the song became a hit in the US, peaking at number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100. Brian Setzer later played this song with his new band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4696
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Stray cat strut' / 'Drink that bottle down'

My broken souvenirs - Pussycat

'My broken souvenirs' was released in March 1977 as the fourth single from Pussycat's debut album 'First of all'. Like their debut single and number 1 hit 'Mississippi', the song was written by Werner Theunissen.

The single becomes the second (and last) number 1 hit in the Netherlands for the group - it also reaches number 1 in New Zealand, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 4679
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My broken souvenirs' / 'Nothing to hide'

I don't wanna get hurt - Donna Summer

The album 'Another place and time' by Donna Summer, released in 1987, was entirely written and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman. As a result, the songs sounded a lot like many other hits at the time.

'I don't wanna get hurt' especially sounded like a Kylie Minogue or Mel & Kim track. I wonder if many Donna Summer fans were thrilled with this. The song was remixed for its release as a single. It reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4668
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I don't wanna get hurt' / 'I don't wanna get hurt (instrumental)'

Victim of love - Erasure

'Victim of love' was written by Erasure band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and incorporates the signature Erasure sound of uptempo rhythm, analog synthesizer and a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics pertain to one's apprehension when entering into a new love relationship. The song's protagonist doesn't 'want to look like some kind of fool' or become a 'victim of love'.

The song was released as the third single from their second album 'The circus' and remixed for single release. The single peaked at number 7 in the UK singles chart in June 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4690
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Victim of love' / 'The soldier's return'

Flashback - Imagination

'Flashback' was released in 1981 as a single by Imagination. It was their third single overall, but also the third single taken from their debut album 'Body talk', named after their debut single which peaked at number 4 in the UK single. Like the second single 'In and out of love', this single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

Although I spotted two versions of this single when I bought it, the other one had a photograph on the sleeve, but the B-side was 'In and out of love', which I already owned as a single in its own right. The B-side of this Belgian pressing is 'Burnin' up', which could be considered an early house track for its repetitiveness.

My collection: 7" single no. 4657
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Flashback' / 'Burnin' up'

Tired of getting pushed around - 2 men, a drum machine and a trumpet

During a time out from the Fine Young Cannibals between their debut album and its follow-up, David Steele and Andy Cox recorded - without frontman Roland Gift - an instrumental house single as 2 men, a drum machine & a trumpet.

Entitled 'Tired of getting pushed around', the single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Meanwhile, Roland Gift took up acting, appearing in the movie 'Sammy and Rosie get laid'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4727
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tired of getting pushed around' / 'Make it funky'

Dreamer - Supertramp

'Dreamer' was originally recorded in 1974 by Supertramp on their album 'Crime of the century'. Released as a single, it peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart.

A live version, taken from the album 'Paris', was released in 1980. That live version reached number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart ad number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4694
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dreamer' / 'Bloody well right'