Ring Ring - Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda

'Ring Ring' was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Their manager Stig Anderson wrote the lyrics with the intention of making a 'poppy' song and to make it more accessible to a universal audience, Anderson asked American songwriter Neil Sedaka to pen the lyrics for an English version, together with his songwriting partner, Phil Cody. Recorded in January, the song was submitted to the Swedish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest - and it finished third.

Nevertheless, the song fared much better in the Swedish charts, both in its Swedish and English language incarnations, where it hit number one and number two respectively. Björn + Benny + Anna + Frieda had an international hit on their hands and decided to re-enter for Eurovision the next year - and the rest is history. I never managed to buy this legendary single, but finally picked up a copy last weekend.

My collection: 7" single no. 5265
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Rock 'n' roll band'

Abergavenny - Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde's 'Abergavenny' is one of those songs that never fails to get me in a good mood. I love its kitsch appeal and the pure craftmanship of the songwriter. Marty entered the 1968 Knokke festival in Belgium with this song. This single is a Belgian pressing of 'Abergavenny', released on the occasion of that festival. Subsequently Marty had a European hit. Meanwhile, 'Abergavenny' was criminally overlooked in the UK.

A similar fate befell the album 'Diversions', also released in 1968. It features 14 tracks that are equally fascinating, including the melancholy B-side 'Alice in blue' and the songs 'Ice in the sun' and 'Jesamine', hits for Status Quo and the Casuals respectively. So when is this album finally released on cd? One can only hope.

My collection: 7" single no. 5263
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Abergavenny' / 'Alice in blue'

Empty rooms - Gary Moore

Gary Moore wrote 'Parisienne walkways' together with Phil Lynnott. It was released as a single in May 1979, and it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart. A live track was recorded in 1985, during a live concert of Gary Moore with guest vocals by Phil Lynnott.

The live version of 'Parisienne walkways' appears in this limited edition double single of 'Empty rooms', a track released by Gary Moore in the summer of 1985. It could be the best seven minutes of live music ever recorded: with those vocals, the amazing guitar work of Moore and a very responsive audience, it is always a pleasure to hear this.

My collection: 7" single no. 5261
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Empty rooms (Summer '85 version)' / 'Out of my system' // 'Parisienne walkways (live)' / 'Murder in the skies (live)'

The ink in the well - David Sylvian

David Sylvian released his first solo album in 1984, after the breakup of his band Japan. The album featured the hit single 'Red guitar', but two further singles were released. The second single, 'The ink in the well' was released in August 1984 and reached number 36 in the UK singles chart.

A limited edition featured a foldout sleeve with photography by Anton Corbijn. The song itself is a wonderfully textured, organic kind of track, the kind of music David Sylvian would continue to make with ever less chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 5260
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The ink in the well' / 'Weathered wall (instrumental)'

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

Growing up in the Seventies, I have rather vivid memories of my sister playing records to me. She's six years older than me and so she had a record collection while I was still dreaming of having one, one day. 'Mr. Blue Sky' was one of the songs she played a lot back in 1978, when it was in the charts. Ten years later I bought a copy of the single, and twenty years after that I bought the album 'Out of the blue' which is quite a fascinating album.

However, last weekend I found this new copy of 'Mr. Blue Sky', pressed on blue vinyl. I didn't think much about it: I simply had to have it. It's still one of the most fabulous songs I know.

My collection: 7" single no. 5258
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mr. Blue Sky' / 'One summer dream'

For everyone - Wind

The German band Wind entered the Eurovision Song Contest three times, but their debut took place in 1985, when they represented Germany with the song 'Für alle'. They finished second in a field of 19 competitors.

The band recorded the song in three other languages: French ('Pour tout le monde'), Swedish ('Så många människor' and English ('For everyone'). This single features the English version. The B-side of the original German single, 'Feuer und eis' also appears in an English version here as 'Fire and ice'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5255
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'For everyone' / 'Fire and ice'

19 (German version) - Paul Hardcastle

Paul Hardcastle had a surprise hit with '19' in 1985, a song about America's involvement in the Vietnam war and the effect it had on the soldiers who served, using sampled dialogue from an American television documentary about the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by veterans. He quickly recorded versions in French and German as well.

While I knew about these versions, I never realised a 12" version might also exist. But here it is: an extended remix of the German version of '19', featuring sampled dialogue entirely in German.

My collection: 12" single no. 607
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: '19 (German version) (12" mix)' / '19 (German version) (7" mix)', 'Eat your heart out'

Your love is so good for me - Diana Ross

'Your love is so good for me' was released in 1978 as a single from Diana Ross's 1977 album 'Baby it's me'. The album was produced by Richard Perry and the single was written by Ken Peterson. The album also contained songs written by Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, but for some reason those were not selected for a single release.

This slightly repetitive song reached number 49 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing comes from France, but unfortunately I have no information what the single did in the charts in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 5227
Found: Record fair, utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Your love is so good for me' / 'Baby it's me'

Miss you much - Janet Jackson

Here's another good example of the Puck-trick I employed so successfully last Saturday. In April I spotted this promotional 7" single of Janet Jackson. Interesting, since I've become a bit of a Janet Jackson collector lately. But I already owned the 'normal' single of 'Miss you much', so I wasn't prepared to spend 3 euros on this one.

But fortunately the same dealer returned this month, with a special discount on all of his 7" singles. Now the single had become very cheap, and it was still the collector's item I wanted to have. It's mine now!

My collection: 7" single no. 5233
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Miss you much' / 'You need me'

Who do you wanna be - Luv'

'Who do you wanna be' was the eighth single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in the autumn of 1979 by Philips/Phonogram Records. This song was taken from the group's debut album 'With Luv'' and released as a contract-fulfilling single just before they left the label and switched to CNR/Carrere Records. The single was only released in the Netherlands.

The girl group didn't promote the song as they focused on their new releases with Carrere, which is why it failed to reach the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5264
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who do you wanna be' / 'I.M.U.R.'

It could happen to you - Robert Palmer

'It could happen to you' was released in 1989 as the sixth and last single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. His first album for EMI Records after a 15-year association with Island Records (both with Vinegar Joe and as a solo artist), it followed Palmer's very popular album 'Riptide'. The name Heavy Nova derives from Palmer's love of both heavy metal and bossa nova rhythms.

The single only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but was not released in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5262
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'It could happen to you' / 'Change his ways'

I can't escape from you - Act

'I can't escape from you' was written by Claudia Brücken and Thomas Leer. It was the fourth and final single from Act. ZTT Records withdrew the previous single 'Chance' and hurriedly released 'I can't escape from you' on 7 March 1988. The single only managed to reach number 90 in the UK singles chart.

A 12" single and cd-single also appeared, featuring a cover of the Smiths' single 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5259
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't escape from you' / 'Dear life'

Don't drop bombs - Liza Minelli

'Don't drop bombs' was released as the second single from Liza Minelli's 1989 album 'Results'. Like the album, the single was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelssohn. The track was written by the Pet Shop Boys and featured background vocals by Tessa Niles. The single was a club favourite, but stalled at number 46 in the UK singles chart.

This limited edition of the single features a poster sleeve. Disappointingly, the same photograph was used for the poster, but it's still a collector's item. And you know how much I love those.

My collection: 7" single no. 5257
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't drop bombs' / 'Don't drop bombs (instrumental)'

Do re mi - Jahn Teigen

Jahn Teigen is known as a three time representative for Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1978, 1982 and 1983. For some reason, the adjective 'unsuccessful' always seems to spring to mind, but in fact, his last attempt was quite successful. 'Do re mi' was written by Teigen with his wife Anita Skorgan and ended up in ninth place at the Contest.

Although Teigen appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, he participated in no less than fourteen(!) Norwegian national finals: in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 and once again as late as in 2005. In addition to this, Teigen has been the host of Melodi Grand Prix and provided the interval act of the Melodi Grand Prix on a number of occasions. He has also acted as commentator for Norwegian television in 1991 in Rome, together with Jon Andreassen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5256
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Do re mi (English version)' / 'Do re mi (Norwegian version)'

Ring ring - Dollar

Released in 1982, 'The very best of Dollar' was a compilation album released by the duo's first label Carrere at a time when the duo was successful with Trevor Horn-produced singles on the WEA label. The old tracks were repackaged and re-released, with Carrere probably hoping for similar success.

Such schemes rarely work, and this case was no exception. 'Ring ring', recorded in 1979, was re-released as a single in 1982, and failed to reach the UK singles chart. Even if the B-side, 'Star control', is an intriguing piece of work, clocking in at 6 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5252
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ring ring' / 'Star control'

Jet - Paul McCartney & Wings

'Jet' is a song by Paul McCartney & Wings from their album Band on the Run. The song peaked at number 7 in both the British and American charts in 1974. Whereas most of the album was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, 'Jet' was recorded entirely at EMI Studios in London after the group's return.

Reviewers have reported that the subject of the song is McCartney's Labrador Retriever dog named 'Jet'. However, in a 2010 interview on the UK television channel ITV1 for the program Wings: Band on the Run (to promote the November 2010 CD/DVD re-release of the album) McCartney explained that 'Jet' was the name of a pony he had owned, although many of the lyrics bore little relation to the subject.

My collection: 7" single no. 5251
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Jet' / 'Let me roll it'

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

'Sweet Caroline' was written and performed by Neil Diamond and released in September 1969. In a 2007 interview, Diamond revealed the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" was President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time.

The song reached number 4 on the Billboard chart and eventually went platinum for sales of one million singles. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 8 in 1971.

My collection: 7" single no. 5250
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Sweet Caroline' / 'I am the lion'

Instant replay - Dan Hartman

'Instant Replay' is a disco song performed by Dan Hartman from the album of the same name. The single reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978. In the UK, the song peaked at number 8.

The single was successfully covered in 1990 by the UK pop duo, Yell!, who reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Instant replay' / 'Instant replay (replayed)'

Disco queen - Hot Chocolate

Released in early 1975, 'Disco queen' was Hot Chocolate's first big hit since 'Emma', released a year earlier. Three singles were released in the mean time, of which only 'Cheri babe' managed to reach the UK and Dutch top 40.

'Disco queen', written about the most popular music genre of those days, reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the US Billboard Hot 100 - their second American hit since 'Emma'. Later in the year Hot Chocolate would immortalise themselves with the single 'You sexy thing'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5248
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Disco queen' / 'Bump and dilly down'

Say you do - Janet Jackson

'Say you do' was the third single from Janet Jackson's self-titled debut album 'Janet Jackson' (1982). There are three versions of the song: an edit of 3'48, an album version of 5'20 and the 12" remix version, which clocks in at 6'49.

Janet performed this song live for the first time during her 2008 'Rock Witchu tour'.

My collection: 12" single no. 606
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Say you do [extended version]' / 'You'll never find (a love like mine)'

For America - Red Box

When Red Box released 'The circle and the square' as their debut album on WEA records, it was critically acclaimed. The record company worried about the lack of mainstream appeal of the band's material and was further provoked by the song 'For America', written by Simon Toulson-Clarke after WEA's request for something to appeal to American radio.

The lyric lambasted what he saw as the style-over-content approach of the American media. The song also alluded to the American military involvement in Grenada and Nicaragua. The song was not a hit in the USA, though it did worldwide outsell the previous single 'Lean On Me', reaching number one in six countries and the top ten in several others including the UK, where it spent twelve weeks in the chart including two at number nine.

My collection: 7" single no. 5253
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For America' / 'R 'n A'

One more chance - Diana Ross

'To love again' is a 1981 compilation album by Diana Ross, produced by Michael Masser. Following the success of 1980's 'Diana', produced by Chic, the set was released in early 1981 and consisted of old and newly recorded love songs by the Motown diva. Two of the three new recordings were issued as singles.

The first of them, 'One more chance' was the only one of the two to reach the charts, although it wasn't a very big hit. It reached number 79 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart. 'To love again' was to be Ross' last album of new material for Motown (before her return in 1989) after signing a $20 million contract with RCA.

My collection: 7" single no. 5246
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'After you'

Trouble - Heaven 17

Heaven 17 had their biggest success with their first three albums, 'Penthouse and pavement' (1981), 'The luxury gap' (1983) and 'How men are' (1984). When they released 'Pleasure One' in 1986, their popularity seemed to have vanished. The first single, 'Contenders' only reached number 80 in the UK singles chart and 'Trouble', the second and last single from the album, peaked at number 51.

A promotional video was created for the single, becoming one of the band's last music videos to date.

My collection: 7" single no. 5245
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Trouble' / 'Move out'

Till I can't take love no more - Eddy Grant

Although this song sounds remarkably like 'I don't wanna dance', the song that became a hit for Eddy Grant in 1982 and was taken from his third album 'Killer on the rampage', it was actually released a year later and the first single from the fourth album 'Going for broke'.

This similarity probably also explains why 'I don't wanna dance' was a number one hit in several countries, and this single only managed to reach number 42 in the UK and number 26 in Germany. This German pressing is part of a limited edition on red vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 5244
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Till I can't take love no more' / 'California style'

Because the night - Patti Smith Group

'Because the night' was originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen during sessions for his album 'Darkness on the edge of town'. He was not satisfied with it; the Patti Smith Group was working on Easter in the studio next door, with engineer/producer Jimmy Iovine working on both albums. Iovine gave Smith a tape of the song, she recast it, and it was included on Easter, becoming the first single released from that album.

The single quickly became a hit, peaking at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The song was later covered by 10,000 Maniacs, Cascada and Kim Wilde.

My collection: 7" single no. 5243
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Because the night' / 'God speed'

Not that funny - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac released the album 'Tusk' in 1979, with the first two singles, 'Tusk' and 'Sara' being the album's best known singles. Four more singles were released from the album, and this German release features two of them: 'Not that funny' and 'Think about me'.

'Think about me' reached number 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 24 in the Canadian singles chart, whereas 'Not that funny', which is the A-side of this single, wasn't a hit in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 5242
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Not that funny' / 'Think about me'

Ja - Gigliola Cinquetti

After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 singing 'No ho l'età', Gigliola Cinqutti returned to the Contest ten years later, again representing Italy. She performed the song 'Si' ('Yes') and finished second, behind Abba, who won the contest with the legendary 'Waterloo'.

Just like the winners, Gigliola recorded several versions of her song, one in English (entitled 'Go (before you break my heart)') and one in German (simply titled 'Ja'). I was pleasantly surprised to find this German single cheaply.

My collection: 7" single no. 5241
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Ja' / 'Es singt die Nachtigall'

A teenager in love - Donny Osmond

Released in 1972, 'A teenager in love' by Donny Osmond was a cover version of a track originally written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, and made famous in 1959 by Dion and the Belmonts, Craig Douglas and, last but not least, Marty Wilde. I am most familiar with Marty's version, and it's funny to find a cover by Donny Osmond, since Marty tried to launch his son Ricky as a sort of 'new Donny Osmond' that very same year, 1972.

In the UK, the sides of this single were apparently flipped, because 'Why' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in November 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 5240
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'A teenager in love' / 'Why'

Wings of a dove - Madness

'Wings of a dove' was released by Madness in 1983 as a stand-alone single. In 1984 it was included on the American version of their album 'Keep moving'. The single spent 10 weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2.

"Wings of a Dove" was written by Suggs and Chas Smash and they also share lead vocals here. The song is quite unusual for Madness, featuring steel drums by Creighton Steel Sounds and a gospel choir from the First Born Inspirational Church of the Living God. The song enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity in 1999 when it was featured in the movie '10 things I hate about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5239
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wings of a dove' / 'Behind the ball'

If we were lovers - Gloria Estefan

On the inside of this poster sleeve, Gloria Estefan explains: ''Con los años que me quedan' and 'If we were lovers' share the same melody but were written as two separate songs. They are not meant to be translations of each other, rather songs celebrating two different aspects of love. One being the renewal of vows for "eternal" love and the other being the inevitable sensual and passionate love affair.'

The single peaked at no. 40 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5238
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If we were lovers' / 'Con los años que me quedan'

Live your life - Stephanie

This 7" single of 'Live your life' is different from an earlier release, which features the album version of the track. This one features a dance remix, created by one Dimitri and clocking in at 5'17. The B-side is different too: it features the album track 'Besoin', which appears on Stephanie's debut - and only - album.

The sleeve of this single features images of a music video filmed at Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, according to the information at the back.

My collection: 7" single no. 5231
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Live your life (remix)' / 'Besoin'

Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac - Hot Chocolate

I should probably not enjoy a title like this one as much as I do, but I do. 'Heaven is in the back seat of my Cadillac' has got to be the best pickup line from the Seventies. Considering it's now 35 years old, it should probably get back in fashion, and fast. Shame I don't have a car, and I never will.

It was a hit for the band Hot Chocolate, peaking at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the German singles chart, but in other territories the single didn't do as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5247
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac' / 'Sex appeal'

Cours apres le temps - Svetlana

'Cours après le temps' ('Run after time') was the Luxembourgish entry in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in French by Svetlana. The song deals with the focus of the modern world - with Svetlana suggesting that it is all about running after 'time', 'money' and 'glory', when that is ultimately going to cause problems. As she explains, 'If I have to run all the time/What would I do with the money?' As the song concludes, she explains that she will simply love - and if this is madness, she wants to meet other mad people.

The song did pretty good during the night, ending up in 6th place in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5236
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Cours apres le temps' / 'Heureuse aupres de toi'

Ribbon in the sky - Stevie Wonder

Shortly after Stevie Wonder had a big hit with the slightly dodgy 'Ebony and ivory' together with Paul McCartney, he released 'Ribbon in the sky' as a new single from his greatest hits compilation 'Original Musiquarium'. It is a beautiful ballad that shows off his craftsmanship better than most of his singles at the time.

Astonishingly, the single wasn't a big hit although it did reach number 9 in the American R&B charts. The song was later covered by Intro, Ivete Sangelo and Boys II Men.

My collection: 7" single no. 5234
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ribbon in the sky' / 'The secret life of plants'

Luka - Suzanne Vega

'Luka' was released as the second single from Suzanne Vega's second album 'Solitude standing' in early 1987. It remains her highest-charting hit in the United States, peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song was one of the earliest to deal with child abuse and domestic violence.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was later covered by the Lemonheads, British indie group Easyworld and Chinese singer Olivia Ong.

My collection: 7" single no. 5232
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Luka' / 'Straight lines (live)'

Walking wounded - Everything but the girl

After Everything but the girl had a surprise hit with a remix of their song 'Missing' by Todd Terry and Tracey Thorn had a hit with Massive Attack's 'Protection', the duo thought that dance music could be the way to go if they wanted any success in the future. Their subsequent albums 'Walking wounded' and 'Temperamental' showed the band's musical progress as well as establishing Watt as a dance music producer.

'Walking wounded' was their first 'dance' single produced on their own, and this promotional one-sided 10" single featured a remix of the track by Dave Wallace. Further remixes appeared on other formats.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Walking wounded (Dave Wallace remix)'

Baby baby - Nicole & Hugo

Nicole & Hugo's 'Baby baby' could be the biggest surprise of the day for me. When I bought the single yesterday, I had a vivid memory of a ridiculous couple dress in purple jumpsuits singing a song slightly too loud with strange expressions on their face. But ridiculous clothing aside, this is actually a very good song! The video is included here for your pleasure, but listen to the track first - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Probably thanks to their appearance, the song ended 17th at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest - out of 17 competitors. Recent reviews have described it as 'a relatively tacky song' and 'a Eurovision turkey'. But personally I think the music on this track is impressive. Although the lyric is indeed pretty bad...



My collection: 7" single no. 5237
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Baby baby' / 'Jij en ik en wij'

Upside down - Diana Ross

'Upside down' was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers (of the band Chic) with Aretha Franklin in mind to record. When Franklin turned down the offer to record the album Motown passed the material and project to Ross. In a 2011 interview, Nile Rodgers said 'Diana Ross was the first big star we ever worked with and we took it very seriously.'

The single was her first release in the Eighties and also her biggest solo hit of the decade, reaching number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 5229
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Upside down' / 'Friend to friend'

Doot doot - Freur

I bought the single 'Doot doot' by Freur back in 1983 when it came out, but I was unaware that there was a clear vinyl/picture disc edition of this single until last April, when I spotted it at the record fair in Utrecht. However beautiful, I didn't buy it because the price was too high: 3 euros.

That same dealer was here again yesterday, but this time all the singles were priced down to 50 eurocents. It's the old Puck-trick all over again: wait until the price drops, and then get it.

My collection: 7" single no. 5228
Found: Record fair, Utrecht
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Doot doot' / 'Hold me mother'

Coupe coupe - Vanessa Paradis

Six singles were taken from Vanessa Paradis' debut album 'M&J', and 'Coupe coupe', released in December 1988, was the fifth one. It was the last one to reach the French singles chart, peaking at no. 22. All previous singles did better, but the single from her second album would all do worse. It would take her until 1992 to return to the French top 10 with the Lenny Kravitz-produced 'Be my baby'.

The nice thing about this single is that both tracks were taken from the album, but appear here in a remixed version. True value for money for the fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 5226
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Coupe coupe (remix)' / 'Scarabee (remix)'

19 (Dix neuf) - Paul Hardcastle

On May 21, 2010 I bought a copy of this single in the shop Da Capo in Utrecht. The sleeve mentioned Yves Mourousi, causing me to think the French version of '19' was included on the disc. I tried to listen to the disc (which didn't have the same information) but someone in the shop was keeping the turntable to himself. And so I had to go home and find out that the 'normal' version of '19' was on the disc.

Almost exactly 18 months later, I finally found this single again, and this time with the correct disc inserted. Very nice to finally hear this French version of '19'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5225
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: '19 (Dix neuf)' / 'Fly by night'

La source - Isabelle Aubret

'La source' was the French entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968, performed in French by Isabelle Aubret. This was Aubret's second appearance on the Eurovision stage, in 1960 she had won the Contest with 'Un premier amour'. At the close of voting, 'La source' had received 20 points, placing 3rd in a field of 17 competitors.

The song deals - unusually for songs at the time, especially in the Contest - with the topic of rape, with Aubret describing such an event in some detail. Aubret also recorded the song in German, then under the title 'Such' mich dort, wo die Sonne scheint'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5224
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'La source', 'La rose fanée' / 'Pleur' pas Stephanie', 'Le malheur d'aimer'

Blue eyes - Elton John

'Blue eyes' was written by Elton John and Gary Osborne and released by Elton John in 1982 as the first single from the album 'Jump up!'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

At the time of its release, I wasn't particularly impressed with this song, but I've grown to like it almost three decades later. Perhaps I'm getting less critical of Eighties music than I was then.

My collection: 7" single no. 5223
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blue eyes' / 'Hey papa Legba'

Never give up - Frizzle Sizzle

My first find at today's record fair in Utrecht was this single from the Dutch girl group Frizzle Sizzle. I thought I had them all, but obviously more singles were released than I was aware of - although this should really be the last one if various website sources are to be trusted.

'Never give up' was released in June 1986 as the follow-up to their Eurovision hit 'Alles heeft ritme' / 'Everything has rhythm' and would become one of the tracks on the girls' debut album 'First date' in 1987. This single did not become a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5222
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never give up' / 'Never give up (extended instrumental version)'

Ego - Kim Wilde

Of course I couldn't let the birthday of Kim Wilde go by without writing about one of her discs. So I thought I'd dig out a very rare one. This promotional 7" single was released in Australia in 1982. Marked 'For radio play only', it features two tracks from her second album 'Select' which were never released as a single commercially.

'Ego' and 'Words fell down' were the first two tracks from 'Select', both written by Ricky and Marty Wilde, her brother and father respectively. At the time of its release, Kim was only 21 years old. And now she's 51... Time flies, eh? A very happy birthday to Kim.

My collection: 7" single [not numbered]
Found: eBay.com, 2009
Cost: 7 euro
Tracks: 'Ego' / 'Words fell down'

Feedback - Janet Jackson

You can't fault a catchy tune, even if the lyric reads 'Do you like my style / Yeah that's sexy, sexy, sexy'. It's one indication that the album 'Discipline', which 'Feedback' was taken from, would have at least one or two songs about sex on it. The fact of the matter is, the whole album was full of sexual undertones - and overtones, come to think of it. Janet likes to profile herself as being very sexy, and the song lyrics she writes are often very sexy too.

This double 12" single set features a, well, sexy photograph of Janet Jackson on the cover, and includes six remixes of the track, created by four different remixers. It's pretty good stuff. I would say it's all pretty sexy.

My collection: 12" single no. 600
Found: Discogs.com, received November 1, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Feedback (Moto Blanco full vocal)' / 'Feedback (Wideboys club)', 'Feedback (Jody den Broeder club)' // 'Feedback (Ralphi Rosario Dirty club)' / 'Feedback (Moto Blanco dub)', 'Feedback (Wideboys dub)'

Killer - Seal

'Killer' was originally a hit for Adamski, but even on that version, Seal, who was then unknown in his own right, performed vocals on the track. Shortly after this hit, Seal recorded his debut album, had a major hit with 'Crazy' and released several other singles from the album.

One of those singles was 'Killer', which Seal re-recorded on his own for his debut album. The track was released with a handful of live tracks, but also with a couple of remixes created by William Orbit. The '3D mix' is an exclusive track on this 12" single: the other two mixes appeared on the US CD-single of 'Killer'.

My collection: 12" single no. 129
Found: 1992
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Killer (William Orbit remix)' / 'Killer (William Orbit dub mix)', 'Killer (3D mix)'