The sound of the crowd - Human League

'The sound of the crowd' was the fifth single by the Human League and represents the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart in May 1981.

Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and keyboard player Ian Burden, the song was recorded at Genetic Sound Studios, Reading, in March 1981. It was the first Human League song to feature female vocals from new band members Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, interacting with Philip Oakey's baritone lead vocals. Originally released as a stand-alone single in April 1981, it was subsequently re-recorded and incorporated into the studio album 'Dare', later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4751
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The sound of the crowd' / 'The sound of the crowd (Add your voice)'

Kiss the bride - Elton John

The third single from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero' was 'Kiss the bride'. Released in this limited edition double pack, a second disc included the old classic 'Song for Guy' from 1978 and another single from the same year, 'Ego'. Curiously, this package was not housed in a gatefold sleeve; the two discs were crammed into one sleeve instead.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart, with lower chart placings in Australia, Canada and the USA (number 25, 37 and 25 respectively).

My collection: 7" single no. 4747
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss the bride' / 'Dreamboat' // 'Ego' / 'Song for Guy'

Paint me down - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet released the second single from their second album 'Diamond' in November 1981. 'Paint me down' managed to reach number 30 in the UK singles chart, which was their lowest chart placing up to that point.

It has to be said that 'Paint me down' sounds a bit rough and sketchy, and is certainly not up to the standards of previous hits 'Muscle bound' and 'Chant no. 1'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4749
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Paint me down' / 'Man with guitar'

It's all in the game - Carmel

Carmel was born as Carmel McCourt on November 24, 1958 in Wrawby, England. Together with Jim Parris and Gerry Darby she formed the band Carmel in Manchester. Their debut single 'Storm' reached number 1 in the UK independent chart and they were signed to London Records as a result.

'It's all in the game' was taken from Carmel's fourth album 'Everybody's got a little... soul'. The B-side was recorded live at Ronnie Scott's in London on June 28, 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4757
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It's all in the game' / 'More more more (live)'

De beloning - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1986, the Frank Boeijen Groep switched record labels before they released their sixth album, 'In natura'. The first single from the album was 'De beloning' ('The reward'), a track that sounded a bit like their second biggest hit, 'Kronenburg park'. Like that single, this track featured a group of black women on backing vocals, while the instrumentation relied less on synthesizers and more on acoustic instruments.

The new sound paid off: 'De beloning' reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The album version was considerably longer than the single version, which faded out at 5 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 406
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De beloning' / 'Volle maan'

Still a thrill - Jody Watley

When I bought this single I wasn't sure whether I already had it or not. But I thought what the hell, it's a limited poster sleeve edition, and that alone warranted this acquisition. So I was really happy to find that I didn't actually have this single, which means that this is a genuine addition to my collection.

Jody Watley was hot in 1987. Her self-titled debut solo album was a smash hit and this, the second single from the album saw her singing in a deep lower register. The single only reached number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and did not chart in the UK, where this limited edition was made.

My collection: 7" single no. 4762
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Still a thrill' / 'Looking for a new love (acappella)'

Ben jij ook zo bang - Toontje Lager

The fact that Dutch pop was at its highest artistic level in the first half of the Eighties is proved once more with this single, released by Toontje Lager in September 1982. 'Ben jij ook zo bang' ('Are you so afraid too') is a fast-paced, almost manic track in which a sombre image of the future is painted.

The B-side is even better: a tale of sexual escapades set to great music. The guitar solo at the end is a treat. It's weird that this single didn't even manage to get into the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4765
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ben jij ook zo bang' / 'In gedachten'

Live at the Marquee - Howard Jones

I was pretty surprised when I found this single. I thought it was a very obscure item, released possibly before Howard Jones' debut single 'New song'. Two live tracks recorded at the Marquee, of which one - the A-side, 'What can I say', written by Howard Jones and William Bryant - I didn't know at all.

As it turns out, this was the 7" single that was included in a limited edition package of the 12" single of Howard Jones' second single, 'What is love'. Since I'm not likely to find that 12" single, I'm glad to have bought this single on its own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4755
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'What can I say (live)' / 'Bounce right back (live)'

Goodnight tonight - Wings

'Goodnight tonight' began as an instrumental track which Paul McCartney had recorded in 1978. Needing a single for Wings to accompany the album 'Back to the egg', he took out the track and brought it into the studio, where the full Wings lineup completed it. Since the track was over seven minutes long, an edited version was used as the single, with the full version available as a 12" single.

The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. McCartney's former songwriting partner John Lennon later commented that he didn't care for the song, but enjoyed McCartney's bass guitar on the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4746
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Goodnight tonight' / 'Daytime nighttime suffering'

(Feels like) Heaven - Fiction Factory

'(Feels like) Heaven' is one of the big pop standards of the eighties. It was released by Fiction Factory in early 1984. It was the band's only big hit, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

I also have the 12" single in my collection, but whenever I came across the 7" single I always thought I already had it. There was some doubt when I bought it this time, but I finally managed to pull it off and buy the damn thing.

My collection: 7" single no. 4748
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '(Feels like) Heaven' / 'Everyone but you'

Love's theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra

'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. It is one of the few instrumental and purely orchestral singles to reach number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the United States, in early 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 6 in March 1974. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would become popular the following year.

In May 1993, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released their single, 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' on which they sang their own lyrics over a sample of this Barry White's composition.

My collection: 7" single no. 4741
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love's theme' / 'Sweet moments'

We are not amused - Kayak

The Dutch band Kayak was famous in the Seventies and early Eighties, but still their singles are very hard to find. So whenever I see one these days, I pick it up. In this case, I didn't even know the song - but I wasn't disappointed. Kayak makes very beautiful rock songs, sometimes with a hard edge, and sometimes it's just all peachy.

'We are not amused' was released in May 1975 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4739
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We are not amused' / 'Serenades'

Love is an ocean - Earth and Fire

'Love is an ocean' was another single taken from Earth & Fire's 1981 album 'Andromeda girl'. The song was written by Bert Ruiter and lead singer Jerney Kaagman.

The single, released in February 1982, failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4738
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love is an ocean' / 'You'

Treat me like a lady - Five Star

'Treat me like a lady' was recorded in Five Star's new high-tech studio in the grounds of their family home, Stone Court in Ascot, Berkshire. The studio reportedly cost them £2.5 million. It was their first single for their new record label, Epic.

The single was released in a limited edition envelope pack, including five square 7" photographic prints. It reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1196
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Treat me like a lady' / 'Don't stop'

Adult education - Daryl Hall and John Oates

When Daryl Hall & John Oates released the compilation album 'Rock 'n Soul part 1' in 1984, 'Adult education' was a new track on that album, and released as a single to promote the compilation.

Someone thought it would be a good idea to do the same in 1991, when the compilation 'Looking back' was released. Of course, this single flopped.

My collection: 7" single no. 4742
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Adult education' / 'Rich girl'

I want to break free - Queen

The song 'I want to break free' is more famous for its music video than for its music. Directed by David Mallet, the video was a parody of the northern British soap opera 'Coronation Street'. In it, the band members of Queen dressed in drag, as mildly similar characters found in the soap at the time. The video also featured a ballet piece with the Royal Ballet.

The single reached number 1 in Austria, Belgium, New Zealand, Finland and the Netherlands and peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart. In the USA, the single only reached number 45. Again, this is explained by the music video, as many people in the USA failed to see the soap-opera connection and interpreted the video as an open declaration of transvestitism and Mercury’s homosexuality. The narrowmindedness of these people prevented all of Queen's singles to reach the top 40 in the USA until 'The show must go on' reached number 2 in 1991.

My collection: 7" single no. 4737
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I want to break free' / 'Machines (or 'Back to humans')'

Rag doll - Aerosmith

The lyric of 'Rag doll' was primarily written by Steven Tyler and Jim Vallance. The song was originally titled 'Rag time' but when Holly Knight was called in to help change the lyric, she suggested 'Rag doll'. This was actually another title Steven and Jim thought of, but Holly ended up getting credits just for two words. Steven was horrified about this and often complained to his manager.

The single peaked at number 17 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 721
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Rag doll' / 'St. John'

Baggy trousers - Madness

'Baggy trousers' was included on Madness' 1980 album 'Absolutely' and released as a single in September 1980. Written by lead singer Suggs, the lyric of the song reminisces on school days. The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, it was the eleventh best-selling single of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 4736
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Baggy trousers' / 'The business'

Temptation - Heaven 17

Heaven 17 recorded 'Tempation' in 1983 on their album 'The luxury gap'. Carol Kenyon provided backing vocals on this track as well as lead vocals in the bridge and chorus. The song also featured an orchestra, arranged and conducted by John Wesley Barker.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 - their first hit abroad.

My collection: 7" single no. 4752
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Temptation' / 'We live so fast'

Brave new world - David Essex

I guess you could call this the Find Of The Day: during a record fair I found this single today, and it is one that I was aware of, but never found until now. 'Brave new world' was the third single taken from Jeff Wayne's impressive 'War of the worlds' album, released in the autumn of 1978.

The album version of this track clocks in at 12 minutes, and so it has been edited down to 5 minutes and 24 seconds, omitting mostly non-singing parts in the track. The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4754
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Brave new world' / 'Streetfight'

Heart of stone (Leave me alone) - Maarten Peters

The second single from Maarten Peters' third and most successful album 'White horses in the snow' was the ballad 'Heart of stone (Leave me alone)'. Although the single did not chart, it certainly gave him some exposure, as he played in many television shows at the time.

This single brings together two of the longest tracks on the album, and also the most accomplished ones. Although Maarten Peters' pronunciation and diction is most certainly Dutch, the songs could almost have been made by a British singer/songwriter.

My collection: 7" single no. 1130
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart of stone (Leave me alone)' / 'Prince of darkness'

Here we are - Gloria Estefan

'Here we are' was the third single from the album 'Cuts both ways' by Gloria Estefan. It was one of her successful ballads that followed the fomula of previous ballads and was rewarded with the same amount of commercial success.

The single reached number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1128
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Here we are' / '1, 2, 3 (live)'

Cry to heaven - Elton John

I hated the song 'Nikita' by Elton John. I thought it was a sentimental piece of drivel with a much too repetitive chorus. This made it hard to like 'Cry to heaven', released a few months later. Still, I did buy the single a few years later, realising that this song actually had an interesting melody.

'Cry to heaven' reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 47 in the UK singles chart. It was less successful than 'Nikita', which inexplicably became a top 10 hit almost everywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 656
Found: Leiden, September 23, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Cry to heaven' / 'Candy by the pound'

I wish it would rain down - Phil Collins

'I wish it would rain down' was released in 1989 as the second single from Phil Collins' album 'But seriously'. Phil Collins commented that it was as close as he had ever gotten at the time to writing a blues song. He asked Eric Clapton to provide the guitar playing throughout the song. As Collins recalls, 'I said 'Eric, have I never asked you to play? Come on, I've got a song right up your street'.

The song was a top ten hit in many countries, including Canada where it topped the chart. In the USA and the Netherlands, the single reached number 3, while peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1174
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I wish it would rain down' / 'Homeless (Another day in paradise - demo)'

Ducks - The Tiptops

From the information I could gather online, the Tiptops were a Belgian group. This single, 'Ducks', was their first release in the summer of 1962. I bought this single in Denmark on the strength of the title: I am not a duckophile for nothing.

This is the kind of music you might hear on radio shows at the time, as background music. It's not been a hit in Europe, although I imagine it could have been a hit in Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 3426
Found: Esbjerg, June 17, 2006
Cost: 10 Danish crowns
Tracks: 'Ducks' / 'Little Sally'

Who's that girl - Eurythmics

Not to be confused with the Madonna track that was released four years later, 'Who's that girl' was released by the Eurythmics in 1983. The music video featured Annie Lennox appearing in a male and female version. She appeared as a nightclub singer performing the song and also as a man who is a member of the audience. The video features cameo appearances by Bananarama, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, Hazel O'Connor, Kate Garner of Haysi Fantayzee, Thereza Bazar of Dollar and Marilyn. In the end of the clip, the female-Lennox is shown kissing the male-Lennox.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 21 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 208
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Who's that girl?' / 'You take some lentils... and you take some rice'

How am I supposed to live without you - Michael Bolton

'How am I supposed to live without you' was originally recorded in 1983 by Laura Branigan. The song was written by Michael Bolton. He wrote several songs for various artists, during a gap of seven years in which he didn't release records of his own. His first two albums, 'Michael Bolton' (1975) and 'Everyday of my life' (1976) had failed to chart, but after he wrote some hit singles for others, his own career started once more from 1983 onwards.

In 1989, he released the album 'Soul provider', on which he recorded 'How am I supposed to live without you' himself. It turned out to be a good choice: it was his first international hit, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and the UK singles chart. From then on, he remained popular in various countries for inexplicable reasons: these days I find his voice particularly grating.

My collection: 7" single no. 1262
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'How am I supposed to live without you' / 'Forever eyes'

Geef niet op - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1986 Frank Boeijen and his group left his old record company Telstar to sign with BMG. Around that time, the old label decided to released the fourth and final single from the fifth album 'Foto van een mooie dag'.

As a result, 'Geef niet op' ('Don't give up') was not promoted by the band and sunk without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 397
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Geef niet op' / 'Nachtportier'

The big one - Black

Black faced the 'difficult second album' syndrome in 1988. After a very successful 1987, it was time to come up with a second album that would match the success of his debut 'Wonderful life'. 'Comedy' certainly met all the artistic demands, but commercially it was less fortunate.

The first single from the album was 'The big one', in comparison the weakest track from the album. As such it may not have been the best choice. The single was released in a limited edition poster sleeve in the UK, but this didn't help much: it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 678
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The big one' / 'You are the one'

The dreaming - Kate Bush

'The dreaming' was released in July 1982 as the second single from Kate Bush's fourth album of the same name. The first single, 'Sat in your lap', had been released thirteen months earlier, but was still included on the album as well. The song is about the destruction of Aboriginal homelands by white Australians in their quest for weapons-grade uranium. Musical guest Rolf Harris plays the didgeridoo on the recording. Bird impersonator Percy Edwards provided sheep noises.

The single reached number 48 in the UK singles chart, which was quite disappointing in a way, as all of Kate's single up to that point had reached the UK top 40 (with the exception of 'Hammer horror', which peaked at number 44). The single was not released in Europe, where the track 'Suspended in gaffa' was preferred.

My collection: 7" single no. 548
Found: HMV, London, October 1987
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The dreaming' / 'Dreamtime'

Daar gaat ze - Clouseau

Clouseau were already big in their native Belgium, but their international career took off in early 1990 when they released 'Daar gaat ze' ('There she goes') as a single from their debut album 'Hoezo'. It rocketed up the charts in the Netherlands, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in March. From then on, they became almost as popular in the Netherlands as they already were in Belgium.

The track was later recorded in English as 'Close encounters'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1282
Found: August 23, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Daar gaat ze' / 'Fiets'

One vision - Queen

'One vision' was released as the first single from Queen's 1986 album 'A kind of magic', released in 1985. Queen were inspired to write and record this song because of the euphoric feeling that came from their performance at Live Aid. The track contains mysterious and distorted beginning vocals, most prominently the vocals retained in the single version. The reversed vocals at the start of the song relay new lyrics when played forwards—they say, 'God works in mysterious ways... mysterious ways...'.

The final line of the song is 'fried chicken', although the printed lyrics say 'one vision'. This was a result of a prank that Freddie Mercury played in the studio, as the band had fried chicken for dinner that day. Jim Hutton, Freddie Mercury's lover, says in his book, that the singer was not sure whether to include it in the final cut or not. Hutton encouraged him, saying 'You are big enough' (to get away with this).

My collection: 7" single no. 1573
Found: Record fair, January 25, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'One vision' / 'Blurred vision'

Fireworks - Roxette

'Fireworks' was released as the third single from Roxette's 1994 album 'Crash! Boom! Bang!'. The song was written by Per Gessle and used all the now familiar trademark Roxette sounds.

The single achieved moderate success in various European countries, and made number 30 in the UK Singles Chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2162
Found: HMV, London, September 26, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Fireworks' / 'Dangerous (from MTV Unplugged)'

Meer Nederlandse sterre - Rubberen Robbie

After Rubberen Robbie discovered chart success with 'De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal', the band decided to make a sequel. For the second time, they glued together bits and pieces of famous Dutch songs and wrote their own funny lyrics for these songs.

After the previous single hit number 1, this one still did quite well, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 in October 1981. The best track of the two is, however, the B-side: a melodramatic piece about an alcoholic who wonders why his Marie left him.

My collection: 7" single no. 116
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Meer Nederlandse sterre' / 'Marie'

I.G.Y. (What a beautiful world) - Howard Jones

In 1993, Howard Jones fulfilled his contract with Warner Bros. with a compilation album spanning his ten year career. It included all of his hit singles, plus one new track: a cover of Donald Fagen's 'I.G.Y.'.

This new track was released as a single in the UK only, but it failed to reach the UK singles chart. The album did reach the albums chart, but peaked at number 36 during a two week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2011
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I.G.Y. (What a beautiful world)' / 'One last try'

Rock my world - Five Star

'Rock my world' was the second single from Five Star's 1988 album 'Rock the world'. The music video for this single saw the band leather clad, with long hair extensions, dancing in the bottom of a quarry, with dumper trucks driving around them. The B-side, 'Sweetest innocence', received a BPI award for best instrumental.

The single became their last ever UK top 40 hit, peaking at number 28. The next single, 'There's a brand new world' would bring Five Star's run of 16 consecutive Top 40 hits to an end when it only reached number 61.

My collection: 7" single no. 3099
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Rock my world' / 'Sweetest innocence'

Time will crawl - David Bowie

The lyric of 'Time will crawl' is about the pollution and destruction of the planet by industry. Bowie has cited hearing of the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986 as the genesis of the lyric. The song was praised by critics for its restrained production compared to Bowie’s other work of the era.

The song was released as the second single from the album, with a version of the song 'Girls' on the B-side. It reached number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 2885
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Time will crawl' / 'Girls'

Girls - Tina Turner

The song 'Girls' was written by David Bowie and Erdal Kizilcay. It was recorded by Tina Turner on her 1986 album 'Break every rule'. The track featured Phil Collins on drums and was produced by Terry Britten.

The single reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40, but as 'Girls' wasn't released as a single in the UK and the USA, it didn't chart there.

My collection: 7" single no. 511
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Girls' / 'Take me to the river'

Take it now - Maarten Peters and the Dream

The lyric of the song 'Take it now' can be described as a day in the life of a pop star. I was never too impressed with the song, but as I have all of Maarten Peters' singles, I couldn't let this one pass me by when it turned up for almost nothing.

'Take it now' was released in November 1986 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40. It was the first single from Peters' second album, 'Burn your boats'.

My collection: 7" single no. 586
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 6, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Take it now' / 'One night'

The way to your heart - Soulsister

The single 'The way to your heart' from the Belgian duo Soulsister was initially released as a one-sided 7" single. Subsequent copies did have a B-side, the track 'Bye bye'. Initially I searched for the one-sided version, but when that search proved to be unsuccessful, I settled for the 'normal' single.

Fortunately, I still found the one-sided single last year (it is described here), and so my collection of Soulsister singles is as complete as it ever will be.

My collection: 7" single no. 705
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 17, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The way to your heart' / 'Bye bye'

Mag het licht uit - De Dijk

The Dutch band De Dijk has had a career of almost thirty years up until now, with only a dozen hit singles to show for it. One of them was this single, 'Mag het licht uit' ('Turn off the lights), which reached number 23 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1983.

Even if you can't understand the lyric, you can appreciate the musical buildup of this track: a slow, tense ballad which turns into a rock song midway. The fact that the lyric isn't that interesting doesn't even matter if you don't understand Dutch anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 542
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Mag het licht uit' / 'Wat een vrouw (niet kan doen)'

Don't wanna lose you - Gloria Estefan

'Don't wanna lose you' was written and recorded by Gloria Estefan. It was released in 1989 as the first single from the album 'Cuts both ways'. The single reached number 1 in the USA, where it became her second number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

Estefan also recorded 'Si voy a perderte', which is the Spanish version of this song. It is included on the B-side of this single. A Portuguese version, 'Se tenho que perder' was released as a single in Brazil.

My collection: 7" single no. 927
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't wanna lose you' / 'Si voy a perderte'

I guess that's why they call it the blues - Elton John

'I guess that's why they call it the blues' was released in 1983 as a single from Elton John's album 'Too low for zero'. The track features Stevie Wonder on harmonica and received favourable reviews from the moment it was released. It has gone on to be one of Elton John's most-played songs on radio stations from the Eighties portion of his career.

The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1037
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'I guess that's why they call it the blues' / 'Choc ice goes mental' (Lord Choc Ice)

Don't ask me why - Eurythmics

'Don't ask me why' was written by Annie Lennox and David Stewart. The lyric of the song describes the ending of a relationship. The lyric can also be interpreted as a personal message from Lennox to her ex-husband, from whom she split acrimoniously in 1985, although some think the lyric is directed towards ex-lover and band partner Stewart.

The song was released as the second single from the Eurythmics' album 'We too are one'. It reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 40 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1125
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't ask me why' / 'Rich girl'

Born to be my baby - Bon Jovi

These days I don't play Bon Jovi anymore, but I can see why I bought 'Born to be my baby' back in 1988: it's a loud and proud rock track, slightly overstating the point that the couple depicted in this song's lyric may have been made for one another.

The song was released as the second single from Bon Jovi's 1989 album New Jersey in 1989. It peaked at number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 and number 22 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 814
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Born to be my baby' / 'Love for sale'

Enjoy the silence - Depeche Mode

When 'Enjoy the silence' was written by Martin Gore, he intended it to be a slow-paced ballad in C minor; the demo featured a harmonium with Gore singing. Fellow band member Alan Wilder saw hit potential in the track, and composed an upbeat tempo and structure for the song. Despite initial resistance from songwriter Gore, who felt the spirit of the song was not suited to an upbeat track, the rest of the group liked it. After some self-described 'sulking', Gore came around and added more to the embryonic fast version together with producer Mark 'Flood' Ellis, notably the guitar riff heard throughout. Within hours of recording the track, the band was convinced they had a hit single on their hands.

When released as a single, 'Enjoy the silence' became Depeche Mode's most successful song. It reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40, number 6 in the UK singles chart and went top ten in dozens of other countries. The song was released with several remixes on several formats, most notably the 'Quad:Final mix', clocking in at 15 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 1168
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Enjoy the silence' / 'Memphisto'

There's got to be a way / I don't wanna cry - Mariah Carey

Although 'There's got to be a way' and 'I don't wanna cry' were released as two separate singles in the USA, in Europe it was a double A-side single. 'I don't wanna cry', the best track of the two in my opinion, was written by Narada Michael Walden and Mariah Carey. Because of bad experiences during its production and because she feels it 'doesn't have a message', Carey later commented that she dislikes the song and tries to sing it as rarely as possible.

'There's got to be a way' was written by Carey and Ric Wake, and pleads for ways to help fix the state of the world. It is one of Carey's few socially conscious songs, and deals with racism and poverty.

My collection: 7" single no. 1504
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 6, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'There's got to be a way' / 'I don't wanna cry'

Another day in paradise - Phil Collins

Released as the first single from his 1989 album 'But seriously', 'Another day in paradise' was written to bring attention to the problem of homelessness. It all sounded slightly pompous coming from a man who was so rich that he could easily buy a building and shelter all the homeless people in the UK. But I guess Collins didn't think about that when he wrote the song.

The single became a number 1 hit in various countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. In the UK, the single peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1091
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 4, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Another day in paradise' / 'Heat on the street'