Ze geeft om mij - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded a new version of 'Ze geeft om mij' ('She cares for me'), a track from his debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') when it was released as the second single from that album. The track got an altogether 'warmer' sound.

The B-side was a Dutch language cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', performed live during the television programme Rotland, presented by Jan Rot. Boeijen recorded that track in the studio with Belgian singer Yasmine some years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1584
Found: February 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ze geeft om mij' / 'Suzanne (live)'

Popcorn - Popcorn players

Back in 1972, the composition 'Popcorn' by Gershon and Kingsley was a very popular track. No less than four different performers charted with it in the Dutch Top 40. When this LP was released in 1972, roughly translated as 'The first hits of Veronica 538' after the famous radio station broadcasting in the Netherlands, the track could not be omitted.

However, I think they couldn't get permission from Hot Butter, Revolution System, Anarchic System and the Popcornmakers, so a fifth version was included, as performed by the Popcorn players. And when you collect all versions of 'Popcorn' like me, this one is a definite must have.

My collection: LP, unnumbered
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Vaya con dios' (The Cats), 'Popcorn' (The Popcorn Players), 'Everybody is telling me' (Monica & Oscar Benton), 'Black & white' (Three dog night), 'Femmes aux jeux d'amour' (Adamo), '10538 Overture' (Electric Light Orchestra) / 'Who was it?' (Hurricane Smith), 'To make my life beautiful' (Alex Harvey), 'Go all the way' (Raspberries), 'Devilish Mary' (Jen Rog), '6 Uhr früh in den Strassen' (Christian Anders), 'Oei oei' (Jan Boezeroen)

Little brother - Blue pearl

What kind of a name is Durga McBroom? It sounds like something from a fantasy movie. In actual fact, it's the name of the singer of Blue Pearl, one half of a dance duo consisting of her and Martin Glover, who later became famous as the producer Youth.

This 12" single features two unremarkable tracks, but since the B-side is a cover version of Kate Bush's 'Running up that hill', I still was tempted to buy it. Not that this version is actually any good: it's possibly the most unpassionate version of that song ever.

My collection: 12" single no. 408
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Little brother (remix)' / 'Running up that hill'

Hang on now - Kajagoogoo

Kajagoogoo were very successful after they stormed the pop scene with 'Too shy' in 1982. Subsequent singles 'Ooh to be ah' and 'Hang on now' reached the top 20 in the UK without too much trouble, and part of the appeal was, believe it or not, the outrageous hairstyles of the members of the group.

The record company recognised this fact with this release: the 12" single of 'Hang on now' came with a free poster. It took away attention from the fact that the music was pretty good, too: 'Hang on now' features lush synthesizers and a great guitardriven melody.

My collection: 12" single no. 344
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1997
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hang on now (extended)' / 'Hang on now (instrumental)', 'Introduction'

Rain or shine - Five Star

One of Five Star's biggest hits, 'Rain or shine' is best described as a mid-tempo ballad. The single was released in the summer of 1986 and reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single is an attractive package as it brings together two remixes of 'Rain or shine' plus an instrumental remix of 'Find the time', one of Five Star's previous hits. The throwaway B-side 'Summer groove' is also there, of course.

My collection: 12" single no. 259
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Rain or shine (remix)', 'Rain or shine (dub)' / 'Summer groove', 'Find the time (instrumental remix)'

Experiment IV - Kate Bush

In 1986, Kate Bush was involved in the creation of her first - and so far, only - compilation album. She recorded two new tracks for the album, both of which were released on this 7" single. The new track 'Experiment IV' was about the army experimenting with sound to 'kill someone from a distance'. The other track was an old one: 'Wuthering heights', Kate's debut single, in a new version. According to her, the original sounded too much like a young woman.

Both tracks showcase a woman who is definately a perfectionist. But in the case of the B-side, it doesn't always work out well. Fortunately, the A-side compensates a lot for it. The guest appearance of Nigel Kennedy on violin adds much to the spooky atmosphere of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 473
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Experiment IV' / 'Wuthering heights (new vocal)'

Koud in mijn hart - Frank Boeijen

After disbanding the Frank Boeijen Groep, frontman Frank Boeijen went solo. His first solo album was released a year after the last Frank Boeijen Groep album, so fans didn't have to wait for too long for new work from the singer.

'Koud in mijn hart' ('Cold in my heart') was released as the album's first single in November 1991. The song was written, composed and produced by Boeijen himself, but the B-side was proof that he wasn't just a lonely singer/songwriter now: that track was made in collaboration with Henk Hofstede from the band The Nits.

My collection: 7" single no. 1550
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Koud in mijn hart' / 'Wilde bloemen'

I'm only shooting love - Time Bandits

I have no idea whether the Time Bandits had any success in America in 1984, but that is where this 12" single comes from. The record company must have thought it a viable option, as they put a lot of work into it: the original track, produced by Pim Koopman, was remixed by Steve Thompson, who was a wellknown producer and remixer stateside.

Three versions of the track appear on this 12" single, which is marked 'For promotion only' on the back of the sleeve. 'Sale is unlawful', it says too. Still, I bought this disc in a shop in London.

My collection: 12" single no. 309
Found: Record Exchange, London
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I'm only shooting love (extended version)' / 'I'm only shooting love (dub)', 'I'm only shooting love (single)'

There's more to love - The Communards

This 12" single contains a very different kind of extended mix: basically it sounds like the whole track has been re-recorded. 'There's more to love (than boy meets girl)' has been given an infusion of Latin brass, giving the track a summery feel. The serious message in the lyric still remains: love is not reserved for straight couples only.

The B-side gives the listener three further treats: two old-fashioned-sounding tracks and one acapella-ish version of the A-side track.

My collection: 12" single no. 539
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'There's more to love (extended)' / 'Zing went the strings of my heart', 'Spanish rap', 'When the boy in your heart is the boy in your arms'

Interview 1986 - Kate Bush

When Kate Bush returned to the pop scene with her landmark album 'Hounds of love', everybody wanted to make money with it. There were quite a few bootleggers who released interview cd's, lp's and singles at the time.

This white vinyl 7" single was made in the UK and contains an interview of unknown origins. Not much surprises in the answers, because even at the time the information given was quite wellknown.

My collection: 7" single no. 1223
Found: Record fair, April 22, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Interview (part 1)' / 'Interview (part 2)'

So many men, so little time - Miquel Brown

It's no wonder, I guess, that one of the most popular gay anthems of 1983 was also a hit in the clubs and discotheques. This extended version of Miquel Brown's very appropriate 'So many men, so little time' was a corker at many gay - but also straight parties.

Accoding to the bio on the back of the sleeve, Miquel Brown was born in Detroit, Michigan (USA) and arrived in London in May 1973 to start a career as a singing and dancing actress. 'So many men, so little time' is called 'a biography of a modern day girl' and is dedicated to Miquel's father, Samuel Stevenson. I bet he's proud.

My collection: 12" single no. 538
Found: unknown
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'So many men, so little time (extended)' / 'So many men, so little time (extended instrumental)'

Wonderful life - Black

Black will always be remembered for that one song, 'Wonderful life'. Through the years it has been covered by Chinese techno bands, German rock bands and Dutch female singers, it has been a popular song during funerals and it has even been used on advertisements for cereals and life insurances.

It was an English life insurance ad that prompted Polygram to re-release 'Wonderful life' in 1994. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2439
Found: August 22, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Wonderful life' / 'Sweetest smile'

Kronenburg park (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen had just decided to disband the group he'd worked with for the last ten years, when this single was released. The final live dates were still happening, and in a way, this single was a big farewell to all the fans. Hearts were broken, girls were weeping and the end of an era had come. Indeed, there was never another Frank Boeijen Groep single release after this.

'Kronenburg park' had been one of the biggest hits for the band back in 1985, and this single featured both that hit version and the live version from the then-current album. Like the other singles from the album, this one failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1382
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 16, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Kronenburg park (live)' / 'Kronenburg park'

The word girl - Scritti Politti

I never actually took the time to compare them, but I do have the suspicion that all the versions of 'The word girl' included on this 12" single are actually different from the two versions on the 7" single. And if that isn't so, at least there's the extra extended version of the track on the B-side.

That B-side version was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn, one of the top remixers and producers of the Eighties. The track also features Ranking Ann, who I think is a complete unknown. But then again, I might just be missing some information there.

My collection: 12" single no. 321
Found: Record Exchange, London
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'The word girl', 'Flesh & blood' / 'The word girl / Flesh & blood (version)'

In my life - Kim Wilde

'In my life' was the second new song on the compilation album 'The Singles Collection 1981-1993' and was released as a single in remix form in 1993. It was the final Kim Wilde single to be released on the 7" vinyl format.

Partly due to the flat and uninspired remix by West End, 'In my life' achieved little chart success, peaking at number 54 in the UK singles chart and number 78 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 2060
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'In my life (West End 7")' / 'In my life'

Election day - Arcadia

Arcadia presented themselves for the first time with their debut single 'Election day'. But they were no debutants: the trio consisted of three members from the band Duran Duran, and guest vocals on this track were provided by Grace Jones.

This extended version showcases those vocals even better, while adding some elements to the track that were not on the single and album versions.

My collection: 12" single no. 176

Found: Record Exchange, London

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Election day (Consensus mix)' / 'Election day', 'She's moody and grey, she's mean and she's restless'

If I can't have you - Kim Wilde

When Kim Wilde was about to release a compilation album in 1993, there was a need for a hit single. Not convinced that they had a hit single among their newly written material, the Wildes set about searching for a song to cover. Eventually they decided on Yvonne Elliman's Saturday Night Fever hit 'If I can't have you'.

Although not as inspired as the 1986 cover of 'You keep me hangin' on', Kim's version of 'If I can't have you' certainly gives the old song a kick up the arse, and it was rewarded with good chart placings: the single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2042
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, October 23, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'If I can't have you' / 'Never felt so alive'

Onverstoorbaar (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Onverstoorbaar' ('Unstirred') was one of the six new tracks on the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live double cd, 'Hier komt de storm' ('Here comes the storm'). It was, however, the only new track to be recorded live, as the other five were recorded in the studio. Hence, no studio version of 'Onverstoorbaar' exists - but still the single was titled 'Onverstoorbaar (live)'.

Personally, I thought this track represented everything which made the band so great: a great melody, a lyric that clicks on an emotional level, and sounding full and lively. Most people did not agree with me: the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1362
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Onverstoorbaar (live)' / 'Hemel en hel'

Million miles away - Kim Wilde

'Million miles away' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is' in Europe and Japan. The track was a remixed version of the album version. The sleeve featured a photograph of Kim that looked a lot like a photograph of Marilyn Monroe made a few decades previous.

It was very hard to get hold of this 7" vinyl: most shops didn't stock the format anymore, and although this single was made in Holland, I finally found a copy almost a year after its release in Austria!

My collection: 7" single no. 1933
Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993
Cost: 30 Schilling
Tracks: 'Million miles away' / 'The light of the moon (belongs to me)'

Fly up to the moon - Black and Sam Brown

In 1991, Black recorded a duet with another A&M Records artist, Sam Brown. The track 'Fly up to the moon' was included on Black's 1991 self-titled album and was released as the third and last single from the album. The lyric includes a quote from the T.S. Eliot poem 'The hollow men': 'This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper'. Except Sam Brown actually sings '...but with a whimpy'.

The single also included two bonus tracks on the B-side. 'You lift me up' was re-recorded years later by Colin Vearncombe on his 2000 album 'Water on snow'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1694
Found: London, 1991
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Fly up to the moon' / 'You lift me up', What you are'

Het antwoord (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

While in the Netherlands a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest' was released as the first single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live album 'Hier komt de storm', the Belgian record company opted for 'Het antwoord' ('The answer'), the studio version of which was released as a single in 1983.

The live version from the album was edited by fading out at the end. The single did not chart, but it did become quite a rare item, as it wasn't released in the band's home country.

My collection: 7" single no. 4169
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Het antwoord (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'

Who do you think you are? - Kim Wilde

'Who do you think you are?' was released as the second single from Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is' in Europe and as the third single in the UK. The lyric of the song was written by Kim and were an observation of stardom and what it can do to people - and it was as much a comment on herself as it was on others.

The single reached number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 58 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1687
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 17, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Who do you think you are?' / 'I've found a reason'

Verjaardagsfeest (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1989, the Frank Boeijen Groep released a live double cd, featuring 150 minutes of music. It was a recording of several concerts, during which many songs from their ten year career were played in often great arrangements. As an added bonus, the set also contained a handful of new tracks.

The first single from the album was a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest', the track that put them in the spotlights back in 1981. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1293
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 21, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Verjaardagsfeest (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'

Megamix:ninety! - Mel and Kim

Mel & Kim was one of the most popular acts in the Stock/Aitken/Waterman stable of artists. While they only released one album and four singles, they were remembered by many as one of the acts to shape the sound of 1987. After the tragic death of Mel Appleby in 1988, Kim Appleby went solo, and Mel & Kim ceased to exist, understandably.

Still, in 1990, Alan Coulthard created a megamix of Mel & Kim's biggest hits. It was released as 'Megamix:ninety!' in Germany. This 12" single offers the full length megamix and an Italo House mix of 'Showing out', the duo's debut hit.

My collection: 12" single no. 364
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Megamix:ninety!' / 'Showing out (Italo House mix)'

Zeg me dat het niet zo is - Frank Boeijen Groep

Songs about death are usually controversial: either people love them, or they loathe them. 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' ('Say it isn't so') is one of those songs: the lyrics are quite vague, but the ending leaves nothing to the imagination: 'We doen alsof ze gewoon verder leeft / Zelfs als dat niet zo is' ('We pretend she still lives on / Even if it isn't so').

It gave the Frank Boeijen Groep their first hit in two years, even if it was a minor one: the single reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40. Since then, it has become one of those Dutch language classics you will always hear on the radio - or during funeral services.

My collection: 7" single no. 1126
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' / 'De grote kilte'

Heart over mind - Kim Wilde

Although 'Heart over mind' still sounded a lot like a Rick Nowels & Ellen Shipley composition, 'Heart over mind' was written by four other people. It was the final track to be recorded for Kim Wilde's 1992 album 'Love is', in fact the album had been completed and this song was sent over by Rick Nowels (who had written other tracks on the album) and Wilde decided to record it.

The original album version was edited for the 7" single release. It reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1772
Found: London, October 21, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Heart over mind' / 'I've found a reason'

Love is holy - Kim Wilde

After a brief pause, Kim Wilde started working on her eighth studio album 'Love is' in 1991. Some of the work was done in America, with Belinda Carlisle's main songwriter and producer Rick Nowels. He and Ellen Shipley wrote 'Love is holy', a song he had lying around for a while until Kim heard it and wanted to record it.

Backed with the beautiful 'Birthday song', which Kim wrote for her niece Scarlett, the single was released in April 1992. It met with considerably more success than the singles Kim released in 1990, reaching number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1637
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 27, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is holy' / 'Birthday song'

Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw - Frank Boeijen Groep

After having made a handful of albums with pop songs with romantic lyrics, the Frank Boeijen Groep were moving away from this image with their ninth album, 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' ('A summer at the end of the twentieth century'). The album featured mostly guitar-based tracks with lyrics about the world instead of lyrics about love and life.

The title track was released as a single on the same day as the release of the album. Most people were not convinced by this new sound and didn't buy the single (although the album still sold well).

My collection: 7" single no. 1084
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' / 'De piano van Beethoven'

Sufi - MFO

Mazhar Alanson, Fuat Güner and Özkan Ugur formed MFO in 1984. They represented their homeland Turkey twice during the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1985, they competed with the song 'Didai didai dai', which finished in fourteenth place. They competed again in 1988 with the uplifting song 'Sufi', which finished in fifteenth place. They are still active as a band today, having released more than a dozen albums.

'Sufi' was released as a 12" single in Germany. It featured studio recordings of the original Turkish version of 'Sufi' plus an English translation of the song. The 'long version' is basically a combination of the two with added instrumental breaks.

My collection: 12" single no. 109
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1990
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sufi (Long version)' / 'Sufi (Original version)', 'Sufi (English version)'

Interview - Kate Bush

There isn't a lot of information about this picture disc: the disc itself gives no information other than 'Made in England' and 'Kate Bush Interview 1985', and when you listen to the interview without any factual knowledge, it could have been recorded pretty much anywhere.

In actual fact, I do know it's the soundtrack of an interview on Music Box, the European version of MTV in 1985, when Kate Bush was promoting her album 'Hounds of love'. Martin Buchanan was the lucky fella who got to speak with her, and this is a large portion of what they were talking about. And of course, it is a bootleg release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2283
Found: Record fair, March 6, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: Interview (part 1) / Interview (part 2)

What kind of fool - All about Eve

All about Eve released 'What kind of fool' as the last single from their self-titled debut album in 1988. As usual, the single was released in a variety of different formats. This 12" single was released in a limited edition and contains a version of the song that didn't appear on any other format: the Synthesis mix.

The B-side tracks were of interest as well: 'Gold and silver' was re-recorded on the band's second album 'Scarlet and other stories' (1989) and 'The garden of Jane Delawney' is a cover of a track originally recorded by the rock band Trees.

My collection: 12" single no. 128
Found: Record fair, 1992
Cost: 10 pounds
Tracks: 'What kind of fool (Synthesis)', 'Gold and silver' / 'What kind of fool (Autumn rhapsody)', 'The garden of Jane Delawney'

Tell it to my heart - Taylor Dayne

The Eighties were loud, proud and percussive, as demonstrated on this 12" single by Taylor Dayne. 'Tell it to my heart' was her breakthrough hit in 1987, and it pretty much defines how dance music sounded around that time.

Instrumental breaks, drum beats, vocals that almost tear through your bone, and all that in three versions that don't necessarily sound all that different from one another. Still, this is a fine dance track that stands the test of time pretty well.

My collection: 12" single no. 183
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tell it to my heart (Club mix)' / 'Tell it to my heart (Percapella mix)', 'Tell it to my heart (Dub mix)'

So cold the night - Communards

The Communards released 'So cold the night' in 1986 as a track from their self-titled album from the same year. The 12" single featured a nine minute extended version of the track. It drags out a bit but it is never boring.

The B-side 'When the walls come tumbling down' was dedicated to Nelson Mandela, who at the time was still imprisoned in South Africa.

My collection: 12" single no. 373
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'So cold the night (extended)' / 'When the walls come tumbling down', 'Never no more'

Here it comes again - Black

The second single from Black's 1991 self-titled album was the beautiful 'Here it comes again'. It features backing vocals from Colin Vearncombe's wife Camilla Griehsel, who used to be a singer in the Norwegian band One 2 Many.

It was the last single by Black to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 70 in the summer of 1991.

My collection: 7" single no. 1693
Found: London, 1991
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Here it comes again' / 'Every waking hour'

De wereld - Frank Boeijen Groep

In a way, the single 'De wereld' ('The world') was a charity singles. All the proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn't be a very big gesture, as in the end the single did not chart. All the band could give the WWF was 2500 guilders - which in itself is a nice sum, but not too shocking.

The B-side of this single was a new song, 'Holland is vrij' ('Holland is free'). It's a cynical commentary on the release of 'The two from Breda', two war criminals who were released on account of the fact that they were, according to the minister of justice, 'very old'. Boeijen sketches the image of an old woman who is still suffering from the crimes by these people every night. In a way, Holland is only a free country for those who commit crimes against humanity. It was not a pretty picture, but good enough to be re-recorded and included on the band's next album.

My collection: 7" single no. 750
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De wereld' / 'Holland is vrij'

Afscheid van een vriend - Clouseau

The song 'Afscheid van een vriend' ('Goodbye to a friend') was released as the fifth and last single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. According to Koen Wauters from the band, the song was about a friend of him. 'He had an illness, but instead of taking it a bit easier, he was getting more and more out of hand. I imagined him dead. I imagined burying him and wrote the song about that.'

The single reached number 12 in the Belgian singles chart. After this, it became an often requested song during funerals in Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 2068
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Afscheid van een vriend' / 'Een huis vol liefde'

I can't say goodbye - Kim Wilde

'I can't say goodbye' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in the UK. It featured backing vocals by Jaki Graham. The album version was remixed for the single release, and the 7" single featured an edited version of this remix, whereas the 12" single featured the full length version of the remix. The B-side of the single was a megamix of Kim Wilde hits 'You came', 'You keep me hangin' on', 'The second time' and 'Can't get enough (of your love)'.

The single was released as a limited edition pack containing a poster, a Christmas postcard (well, it was that time of the year) and of course the single. 'I can't say goodbye' reached number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1400
Found: 1990
Cost: ?
Tracks: 'I can't say goodbye (edit)' / 'Sanjazz megamix (edit)'

The big sky - Kate Bush

'The big sky' was one of the tracks on Kate Bush's 1985 album 'Hounds of love'. The song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as spending the afternoon looking at the sky, watching the clouds take on shapes. It's probably the most uplifting, poppy song on the album.

When the song was released as a single in April 1986, a special single remix was made with an alternate intro. It reached number 15 in the Irish singles chart and number 37 in the UK singles chart.

'The big sky' was also the first Kate Bush single to be released as a picture disc. I wasn't aware of the release of this picture disc until years later. Such special items are notoriously expensive when the name Kate Bush is on it, but just when I had given up hope of finding this for a reasonable price, I found it. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.

My collection: 7" single no. 396 / no. 2948
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1986 / Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 6 guilders / 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The big sky (special single mix)' / 'Not this time'

Torture - King

The band King were able to maintain a stylish image throughout their career. The sleeve designs, the music videos and even the songs had a certain glossy quality to them that attracted a faithful fanbase. This 12" single of 'Torture', their last single release, was released in a limited edition poster bag featuring a 1986 calendar with photographs of the band members.

All this to sell a set of tracks that were actually good as well: the extended version of 'Torture' is percussive and dynamic, whereas the extra B-side track 'These things' is recorded with piano and vocals only, creating a very intimate atmosphere.

My collection: 12" single no. 141
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Torture (PF extended mix)' / 'Groovin' with the Kings', 'These things (The reprise)'

Turn your back on me - Kajagoogoo

Without Limahl, Kajagoogoo were still able to produce some cracking tracks. And the 1984 single 'Turn your back on me' with its great drums and percussion may be their finest track.

It was released as a 12" single as well, featuring an extended version that brought out all the best bits from the song plus some extras.

My collection: 12" single no. 537
Found: unknown
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn your back on me (extended version)' / 'The pump rooms of Bath', 'Turn your back on me'

I wanna go to a disco - Ricky Wilde

Father Marty Wilde wrote and produced 'I wanna go to a disco' for his son Ricky Wilde. It was released as a single in 1974. Like the singles before this one, it didn't chart in the UK but it did achieve some success in Scandinavia.

These singles by Ricky Wilde are great collectors items, as he went on to become his sister's producer and songwriter, but never returned to the spotlights himself.

My collection: 7" single no. 3269
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, October 22, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'I wanna go to a disco' / 'Mrs. Malinski'

World in perfect harmony - Kim Wilde

'Just think of the good things / Instead of all the bad', is the first line of Kim Wilde's 1990 single 'World in perfect harmony'. It was the optimistic counterpart of 'Who's to blame', another track on the same album, 'Love moves'. Both songs were about the environment, a subject close to Kim's heart, but it's no wonder that the optimistic version made it to a single release.

At least, 'World in perfect harmony' was released as a single in Europe. No music video was made for this single, but it was promoted with many performances in television programmes. The single did not chart despite these efforts.

My collection: 7" single no. 1352
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'World in perfect harmony' / 'Can't get enough (of your love) (remix edit)'

Heimwee - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen wrote a song about the people from the Dutch West-Indies, who were forced to come to the Netherlands while waiting for a free republic in their homeland. 'Heimwee gaat nooit over naar het land van onze dromen' ('Homesickness for the country of our dreams never ends') is the key sentence of this song's lyric.

Released as the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's eighth album 'Dans in slow-motion', 'Heimwee' did not reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 700
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 15, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Heimwee' / 'De wind nam hem mee (live)'

Als je me wil - Clouseau

Clouseau appeared on television quite regularly, and 'Als je me wil' ('If you want me') was one of the tracks that appeared during a television special with the band. I quite liked the song, although by this time I was growing a bit tired of their continuous output of music. Still, I bought the single quite quickly after that.

'Als je me wil' did not chart in the Netherlands but it did reach number 29 in the Belgian singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1719
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 26, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Als je me wil' / 'Alarm'

Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben - Frank Boeijen Groep

The story goes, that when Frank Boeijen told the members of his group that he'd written a song called 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' ('How terrible I am') they made jokes about it. And it's true, there aren't that many songwriters that qualify themselves as 'terrible'.

The song was released as the first single from the band's 1988 album 'Dans in slow motion' ('Dance in slow motion'), but it failed to chart. Still, the theatre tour that followed sold out and the album sold exceptionally well too.

The single was released in two different sleeves as well: the first edition featured a purple sleeve, whereas later editions (and the cd-single) featured a red sleeve. For no apparent reason, it has to be added.

My collection: 7" single no. 653 (1 & 2)
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 15, 1988 / Leiden, November 26, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders / 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' / 'Piccadilly Circus'

Spirit of the forest - Spirit of the forest

After Band Aid, Dance Aid, Ferry Aid and USA for Africa, the Gentlemen without weapons figured they had something to add to the growing amount of charity singles: a rainforest appeal. Together with the animal and rainforest noises which they'd already used for an album, they rounded up lots of famous artists to record 'Spirit of the forest'.

Somehow, the idea didn't quite work. The song sounded a bit naff and people were apparently not so concerned about the destruction of the rain forest as they were about starving children in Africa. The single was a commercial failure, but fans of Afrika Bambaataa, Jon Anderson, B52's, Michael de Barre, Big Country and the few dozen other artists mentioned on the sleeve of this single had another collector's item to get their hands on.

My collection: 7" single no. 900
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 23, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Spirit of the forest' / 'Spirit of the forest'