Thriller - Michael Jackson

The title track from the album 'Thriller' was released as the fifth single. 'Thriller' is one of Jackson's signature songs, in no small part because of its music video, a 14 minute epic which features extra parts of acting and lots of impressive crowd dance scenes.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part nine of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983. The singles 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' and 'Human nature' were not included in this package.

My collection: 7" single no. 3530

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Thriller' / 'Things I do for you (live)' (The Jacksons)

Download: here

Wanna be startin' somethin' - Michael Jackson

'Wanna be startin' somethin'' was the fourth single taken from the album 'Thriller'. It was originally intended for the album 'Off the wall' but was not recorded until the sessions for 'Thriller' in 1982. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The song ends with a chorus repeatedly singing 'Ma ma-se, ma ma-sa, ma ma-coo-sa', which is an African chant. This chant was later re-used in Rihanna's 2007 single 'Don't stop the music'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part eight of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3529

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Wanna be startin' somethin'' / 'Rock with you (live)' (The Jacksons)

Download: here

Beat it - Michael Jackson

The third single from 'Thriller', 'Beat it', won two Grammy Awards for 'Record of the year' and 'Best male rock vocal performance'. Eddie Van Halen guested for the guitar solo on this track, which was again produced by Quincy Jones. The lyrics are an immediate, frightful warning to avoid fighting and violence at all costs, especially when honor seems to be at stake.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part seven of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3528

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Beat it' / 'Burn this disco out'

Download: here

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Released as the second single from his album 'Thriller', Michael Jackson met international acclaim with 'Billie Jean'. The groundbreaking video and the exciting music caused critics to be overwhelmingly positive. Jackson started writing the first demo of the song in his home in 1981. When he presented the song to his co-producer Quincy Jones, Jones had problems with the title and wanted to call the song 'Not My Lover'. He thought when audiences heard it they would assume Jackson was referring to tennis superstar Billie Jean King.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part six of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3527

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Billie Jean' / 'It's the falling in love'

Download: here

The girl is mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

This duet by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney was the first single taken from the album 'Thriller'. Following its release, some observers assumed 'Thriller' would only be a minor hit album. At the time of recording, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney were still on speaking terms. This would change some years later, when Michael acquired the rights over Beatles songs.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part five of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3526
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The girl is mine' / 'Can't get outta the rain'
Download: here

She's out of my life - Michael Jackson

'She's out of my life' was the fourth and final single taken from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. Unlike the previous singles, this song was a slow ballad. The song was written by Tom Bahler after Karen Carpenter broke up with him upon discovering he had fathered a child with another woman.

At the end of the song, Jackson appears to break down in tears. He tried many takes of the last few minutes of the song, but always ended the same way – breaking down in tears. Producer Quincy Jones finally decided to leave the recording 'as is'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part four of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3525
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'She's out of my life' / 'Push me away' (The Jacksons)
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including 'She's out of my life'

Rock with you - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's third single from 'Off the wall' was written by Rod Temperton. It was one of the last big disco hits by Jackson, since in 1980, disco was starting to lose its appeal to the general public in favour of punk rock and new wave. The song was produced by Quincy Jones. It would later appear on one of his own albums, 'Jook joint' in a cover version by singer Brandy in 1995.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part three of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3524

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Rock with you' / 'Get on the floor'

Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Off the wall - Michael Jackson

'Off the Wall' was the second single released from Michael Jackson's 1979 album of the same name. The track, composed by Rod Temperton, became Jackson's second top 10 single from the album, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part two of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3523
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Off the wall' / 'Working day and night'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Don't stop 'til you get enough - Michael Jackson

'Don't stop 'til you get enough' was the lead single from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. The song was written and composed by Jackson himself and produced by Quincy Jones. It went to number 1 in charts all over the world, including USA, UK and the Netherlands. The track also earned Jackson his first solo Grammy Award for 'Best R&B vocal performance'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part one of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3522
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop 'til you get enough' / 'I can't help it'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Be near me - ABC

ABC had reasonable success with this single, reaching no. 25 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1985. 'Be near me' by ABC was released as a double single in a strictly limited edition. The second single contained remixes of two of ABC's biggest hits from 1982: 'Poison arrow' and 'The look of love'. Previously released as DJ remixes in the USA, those 12" singles were changing hands on the black market for vastly inflated prices - or so the sleeve of this double single claims - and so the record company decided to release them on this double single.

For some time, the - frankly wonderful - remix of 'Poison arrow' was played regularly on local radio in my hometown, and I started searching for this double single. I was overjoyed when I finally saw it and had the opportunity to buy it. I regarded it as a crown jewel in my record collection. In a way, I still do.

My collection: 7" single no. 350

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 14,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Be near me' / 'A to Z' // 'Poison arrow (US remix)' / 'The look of love (US remix)'

Download: here

Nothing's wrong - Mo

The first incarnation of Mo consisted of Clemens and Huub de Lange with Harm Bieger and singer Heili Helder. The group split up in 1981, but Harm Bieger set up a new line-up, consisting of himself, Hans Niewint, Ton van der meer and Linda Bloemhard. The second line-up released two more albums and a handful of singles.

'Nothing's wrong' was the last single released by Mo. It is a slightly melancholy song, which failed to make any chart impact. Unfortunately, the band then folded for good. Mo is still one of the best Dutch bands ever.

My collection: 7" single no. 3515

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Nothing's wrong' / 'Beat the computer'

Download: here

The rhythm divine - Yello and Shirley Bassey

The lyric of 'The rhythm divine' was written by Billy MacKenzie, from the Associates. No wonder, then, that it stands out from Yello's repertoire as a more melodic and passionate song. The lead vocals were performed by Shirley Bassey, which made the track even more memorable.

I got the single as a birthday present from my sister in August 1987. Not long after that the cd-single became the third cd-single I ever bought.

My collection: 7" single no. 561

Found: Birthday present

Cost: nothing

Tracks: 'The rhythm divine' / 'Dr. Van Steiner'

Download: here

Mmm mmm mmm mmm - Crash test dummies

One of the strangest song titles ever has to be 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm'. The Canadian band Crash test dummies had a big hit with this in 1994. It peaked at no. 2 in the UK and no. 4 in the Netherlands. I even went to a concert by this band during that year, because Sarah McLachlan was opening for them (!). During this concert I realised that the Crash test dummies would never have a hit again, because all their other material was so similar. Lead singer Brad Roberts commented during this concert that he stuck with the demo's lyric 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' because the alternative, 'fucking shi-it' didn't sound so commercial.

In a 1994 essay in which he makes the case that modern life is better than life in the past, humorist P.J. O'Rourke wrote 'Even the bad things are better than they used to be. Bad music, for instance, has gotten much briefer. Wagner's Ring Cycle takes four days to perform while 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm' by the Crash Test Dummies lasts little more than three minutes.' Still, I think the music in this track is nothing short of beautiful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2666
Found: Record fair, Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm' / 'Here I stand before me'
Download: Album 'God shuffled his feet', including both tracks

Soul Dracula - Hot blood

There is a bad disco song for every occasion, I read somewhere on the web, and I think that's true. Take the lyrics of this single for example: 'Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Come in, little girl / Let me do it, baby / Do it / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Do it little baby, hahahaha / Ah, do it / Do it / Hahahahaha / Soul Dracula, hahahahaha / Hot Blood / Haha More More Hahahahaha / Oh, more / Hahahahaha / Hahahahaha'.

With screaming girls in the background and the 'scary' laugh of the lead vocal this song scared me out of my wits as a child. Nowadays, you just have to giggle when you hear this. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a copy with the original picture sleeve (featuring a drawing of a dracula-type vampire), so I made do with this English disc when I found it. Oh, and this was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands in 1977, would you believe....

My collection: 7" single no. 3079

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Soul Dracula' / 'Dracula's theme'

Download: here

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track from Alphaville's 1984 debut album. Originally a ballad, the 12" single contains a special dance version that changes the song into a dance anthem. Quite a feat for those early days of the twelve inch remix. The track has since been covered by artists such as Laura Branigan, Interactive, Sara Burnett and Youth Group, who had a hit with it in Australia in 2006.

The B-side track 'Welcome to the sun' is a beautifully understated ballad, well worth a listen. And that doesn't happen much to B-side tracks.

My collection: 12" single no. 83
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young (Special dance version)' / 'Forever young', 'Welcome to the sun'
Download: here

Special lady - Ray, Goodman and Brown

Harry Ray, Al Goodman and William Brown worked together as 'The Moments' until 1980, when they switched record companies. They started recording as Ray, Goodman & Brown and their first single, 'Special lady' was an immediate hit. It reached number 1 on the American R&B chart and number 5 on the pop chart. In the Netherlands, they reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. But strangely enough, the single didn't chart in the UK.

I bought this single in Rotterdam, where I was to see Janet Jackson live in concert that night. I'd say this song has a more enduring quality.

My collection: 7" single no. 2254

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, March 22, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Special lady' / 'Deja vu'

Download: here

I'm gonna shoot the deejay - The Press

I wonder if a song like 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' ("'cause he won't play my tunes") would be allowed these days on any record or radio show, under the new anti-terrorism laws. Even a verbal threat is reason enough to have you shipped off to Guantanamo Bay these days. But in 1980, it wasn't a problem. At least, in the Netherlands: The Press reached no. 13 in the Dutch Top 40 in August 1980. The Press were formed in the Netherlands by Rene Innemee, Michel Nita, Floor Minnaert, John Coenen, Walter Nita and Willy Bronzwaer. They were previously active as The Walkers, but they assumed the new band name in 1980 for this single and the album 'Press here'. In 1981, they had another hit, 'Cantara pepe', and after that the band quit.

My collection: 7" single no. 3396

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'I'm gonna shoot the deejay' / 'Meet the press'

Download: here

It's going to happen! - The Undertones

The Undertones formed in Derry in 1976. Members were John O'Neill, Diamian O'Neill, Michael Bradley, Billy Doherty and Feargal Sharkey. They released four albums between 1979 and 1983, of which 'Positive touch' (1981) was the third. This album contained the single 'It's going to happen'.

'It's going to happen!' is the only song by the Undertones that made it to the lower regions of the Dutch charts. Other singles fared pretty well in the UK, but outside of the UK they were pretty unknown. Singer Feargal Sharkey left the band in 1983, to pursue a more successful solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 3024

Found: September 19, 1998

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'It's going to happen!' / 'Fairly in the money now'

Download: Album 'Positive touch', including both tracks (password: hangoverhard.blogspot.com)

I'm alive - Electric Light Orchestra

Taken from the soundtrack of the movie Xanadu, this track by Electric Light Orchestra sound kindof familiar. It is almost a pastiche of earlier Electric Light Orchestra tracks. It was the second single taken from the soundtrack, after the title track 'Xanadu' (with Olivia Newton-John) had been a big hit all over Europe. By comparison, this single fared less well.

The film's version of the song contains a fairly lengthy instrumental introduction, a small segment of which is used for the album and single versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 3516

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I'm alive' / 'Drum dreams'

Download: Album 'Xanadu' (with bonus tracks), including both tracks

Whenever you need somebody - Rick Astley

'Whenever you need somebody' was Rick Astley's second single. It followed up his debut single 'Never gonna give you up', which was a worldwide number one hit. Expectations were high, and they were met. This too was a top three hit in the UK.

I bought this picture disc single together with that other single when I was completing the collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 3498
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2004
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Whenever you need somebody' / 'Just good friends'
Download: here