Pink cashmere - Prince

'Pink cashmere' was written by Prince for his then-girlfriend, Anna Fantastic (Anna Garcia), for her 18th birthday. The song references the actual gift he presented to her, a coat made of pink cashmere with a black mink collar and cuff, the name Anna Fantastic embroidered on the sleeve, and '89' on the back. The coat was valued at $15,000, being custom made by his personal staff designer.

The single reached number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but failed to chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 2438
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Pink cashmere' / 'The future (Mark Moore remix)'

Have a little faith in me - John Hiatt

Sailing safely between beautiful and downright irritating, John Hiatt's 'Have a little faith in me' would never have become part of my collection if it wasn't played on the radio so often after it came out. The first few dozen times I heard it, I couldn't listen to the song, but in time I gradually warmed to it. When I listen to it now, I still don't know whether to keep listening or to throw the single out the window.

The song appears on John Hiatt's 1987 album 'Bring the family' and was released as a single over a year later. It reached the Dutch Top 40 in April 1989, peaking at number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 773
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 18, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Have a little faith in me' / 'Lipstick sunset'

32 jaar - Doe Maar

Nobody in 1981 could foresee the enormous popularity the Dutch band Doe Maar would have later on in their career, when they had their first hit single with this, '32 jaar' ('32 years'). The unassuming song about a man who is in love at the age of 32 reached number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was first released in May 1981.

The band would later have six hit singles, four of which reached the top 10, sold out concerts and girls screaming from the first moment they took to the stage until the very last one.

My collection: 7" single no. 89
Found: Disco Market, Den haag, 1983
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '32 jaar' / 'Mis'

Träume sind für alle da - Wind

'Träume sind für alle da' ('Dreams are there for everyone') was the German entry in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Wind. This was Wind's third Eurovision entry, they had previously represented Germany at the 1985 and 1987 contests with 'Für alle' and 'Lass die Sonne in dein Herz', both times finishing in 2nd position.

This sog was less successful, as it finished 16th in a field of 23 competitors. The song is in the schlager style made famous by composer-lyricist team Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger and consists of a series of sketches of characters who are dreaming of a change in their lives. The first of these, for example, is a young girl waiting on a platform for a train which she believes will take her to success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1680
Found: Deutschlandsberg, Austria, July 2, 1992
Cost: 54 Schilling
Tracks: 'Träume sind für alle da' / 'Freitagabend'

Never let me down - David Bowie

David Bowie's 'Never let me down' is seen as a homage to Bowie's late friend John Lennon, and is one of the more respected songs on a much-maligned album. The track is often complimented for its simple, straightforward arrangement. Despite comparisons to Lennon, Bowie at the time dedicated the track to his long-serving personal assistant Corinne 'Coco' Schwab.

Released as the third single from the album of the same name in August 1987, it reached number 34 in the UK singles chart. It would be Bowie's last solo single until 1992's 'Real cool world', barring a remix of 'Fame' in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1372
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, January 3, 1991
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down' / ''87 & cry'

Too much love will kill you - Brian May

'Too much love will kill you' was written by Queen guitarist Brian May, Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers. The lyric is about May's feelings during his divorce, and the choice one must make between two women that one loves equally.

The song was recorded around 1988 or before, and was intended to be on Queen's album 'The Miracle' in 1989. In 1992, Brian May performed it at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert after the death of Mercury in late 1991. It also was on his solo album 'Back to the light' that same year and released as a single, charting in the top 10 in the UK at number 5 and reaching number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. Unheard by most Queen fans with Freddie Mercury on vocals, 'Too much love will kill you' appeared on the 1995 Queen album 'Made in heaven', released four years after Mercury's death.

My collection: 7" single no. 1700
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 29, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Too much love will kill you' / 'I'm scared'

Lift me up - Howard Jones

The fifth studio album by Howard Jones, 'In the running', was his least successful one in commercial terms. The album failed to chart in all territories, and the singles didn't do much to raise its profile either.

'Lift me up', released as the first single from the album, was the only single to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 52. This was also his last chart single in the UK: all subsequent single releases between 1992 and now have been ignored by the general public. I wonder why, because his music has only got better and better.

My collection: 7" single no. 1733
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Lift me up' / 'I.G.Y. (live)'

Sleeping in my car - Roxette

'Sleeping in my car' was written by Per Gessle and recording by Roxette on their 1994 album 'Crash! Boom! Bang!'. It was also released as the first single from that album. It reached number 1 in Sweden, number 14 on the UK singles chart and number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 15.

When Roxette did a concert in Beijing, China in 1995, they were asked to change the suggestive lyrics of the song. 'We agreed, but didn't change them in the end', says Per Gessle.

My collection: 7" single no. 2098
Found: Record fair, April 6, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Sleeping in my car' / 'The look (MTV Unplugged live version)'

Cannonball - Supertramp

The lyric of the song 'Cannonball' by Supertramp may have been seen as a veiled message to former member Roger Hodgson - who left Supertramp a year before - but writer Rick Davies revealed in a French radio interview that the lyric to 'Cannonball' was inspired by a less than perfect concert promoter whom he refused to name but added that the guy knew who he was.

The track was written and sung by keyboardist Rick Davies all in the chord of G. Davies stated in an interview 'I did it simply to see if it could be done'. The single reached number 28 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1985. In the Dutch Top 40, the single only got as far as number 35.

My collection: 7" single no. 468
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 20, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Track: 'Cannonball' / 'Ever open door'

Here comes the rain again - Eurythmics

'Here comes the rain again' was performed by the Eurythmics on their 1983 album 'Touch' and written by its members, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Dave Stewart commented: 'The whole song was about that undecided thing, like here comes depression, or here comes that downward spiral. But then it goes, 'so talk to me like lovers do.' It's the wandering in and out of melancholy, a dark beauty that sort of is like the rose that's when it's darkest unfolding and bloodred just before the garden, dies. And capturing that in kind of oblique statements and sentiments.' He also revealed that the lyric to the song came into being after an argument between himself and Lennox while they were doing some songwriting in New York City's Columbus Hotel. The basic melody had already been written and Lennox looked out the window after their fight and noticed it was starting to rain. She announced, 'Here comes the rain again'.

The string arrangements by Michael Kamen were performed by members of the British Philharmonic Orchestra. The track actually lasted for five minutes, but was edited when it was released on the 'Touch' album to four and a half minutes. The track was edited even further for the single release. The full length version only appeared in 1991 on the US edition of 'Greatest hits'.

My collection: 7" single no. 981
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 2 guilder
Tracks: 'Here comes the rain again' / 'Paint a rumour'

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode released 'Personal Jesus' in the autumn of 1989 as the first single from their album 'Violator'. According to Martin Gore, the song was inspired by the book 'Elvis and me' by Priscilla Presley: 'It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?'

My collection: 7" single no. 1067
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Personal Jesus' / 'Dangerous'

With every heartbeat - Five Star

Five Star's single 'With every heartbeat' was released in 1989. It was their last single for RCA, the label they signed with in 1983. It proved a failure for the group, stalling at number 49 in the UK singles chart. The song never appeared on a studio album, but was included on the group's 'Greatest hits' album, released later in 1989.

The single was released in a limited edition with a gatefold sleeve including a booklet with pictures of the group members and the lyric of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2753
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'With every heartbeat' / 'Sound sweet'

This time I know it's for real - Donna Summer

With 'This time I know it's for real', Donna Summer presented herself as a Stock Aitken & Waterman protege for the first time. It was the first single to be taken from her 1989 album 'Another place and time', which was entirely written and produced by the infamous trio.

The single became Donna Summer's biggest hit since the Seventies, peaking at number 3 and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single managed to get to number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 788
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'This time I know it's for real' / 'Whatever your heart desires'

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'