The coldest days of my life - The Chi-lites

The intro of this song was used in the sappy Dutch radio programme 'Candlelight', in which a presenter with a deep, dark voice read out corny poems from listeners. The atmospheric, soft-focus track was recorded in 1972 by the Chi-lites, a group consisting of Eugene Record, Robert Lester, Creadel Jones and Marshall Thompson. Their most famous song is probably 'Have you seen her', a number three hit in the UK.

This single flopped in most territories, but reached number 47 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The single split the eight minute track in two parts.

My collection: 7" single no. 1847

Found: January 28, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'The coldest days of my life (part 1)' / 'The coldest days of my life (part 2)'

Download: here

Fred Astaire - Mo

'Fred Astaire' was the Mo's biggest hit in the Netherlands. It was released in January 1981 and reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. It was taken from the self-titled album 'Mo', which reached number 10 in the albums chart.

Ironically, out of all the Mo singles I have, it took me the longest time to buy this single. I couldn't remember how this song went, and when I finally did, the single didn't pop up in record stores and record fairs anymore. But in 2000 I succeeded in adding this one to my collection. It's a good thing, too: the B-side 'Band with bassoon' is just as good as the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3220

Found: October 12, 2000

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Fred Astaire' / 'Band with bassoon'

Download: here

The foolish thing to do - Heaven 17 featuring Jimmy Ruffin

Heaven 17 teamed up with Jimmy Ruffin to record this single, 'The foolish thing to do', in 1986. Ruffin was famous for the hit single 'What becomes of the broken hearted' and further hit singles recorded on the Motown label in the late Sixties and early Seventies, whereas Heaven 17 had had several hit singles in the first half of the eighties. Working together, they made a modern sounding soul song. Unfortunately, their effort wasn't rewarded by the audience: the single didn't chart anywhere.

For me, it was the first Heaven 17 single I ever bought. I quite resisted buying Heaven 17 singles because my sister was so into them. She was putting down my favourites, so it was only fair that I did the same with hers. But in the end, I couldn't resist this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1408
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, April 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The foolish thing to do (version 1)' / 'My sensitivity (gets in the way)'
Download: here

Haunt me - Sade

In 1988, Sade released her third album, 'Stronger than pride'. As far as I knew, three singles were drawn from it: 'Love is stronger than pride', 'Paradise', 'Nothing can come between us' and 'Turn my back on you'. I was greatly surprised when I found this single, 'Haunt me', in 1996. It was the first and only time I saw it.

According to the information I got when I bought this single, it was released in Spain. However, the single was made in Holland, as the label says. A 12" single also exists, with the extended version of 'Make some room' on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2628

Found: Record fair, March 16, 1996

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Haunt me' / 'Make some room'

Download: here

Luxemburg - The Good Cause

The Dutch group Het Goede Doel decided to try and forge an international career with this single, 'Luxemburg'. It was an English translation of 'België' ('Belgium'), their biggest hit in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, in the translation a lot of the humour of the original version had been lost. If only for the cultural fact that the Dutch tend to look down on their southerly neighbours, whereas no-one really has an opinion about Luxemburg.

After an appearance in a European broadcast (with this video), the single sunk without a trace. Still, it is kindof a collectors item in the Netherlands, because it wasn't released there.

My collection: 7" single no. 3018

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 5, 1998

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Luxemburg' / 'Bread and circuses (instrumental)'

Download: here

Dynamite - Mud

Mud was founded in 1968 by Rob Davis, Les Gray, Dave Mount and Ray Stiles. They were one of Britain's most successful glam rock bands, with three number one singles and eight further top 10 hits.

Even though 'Dynamite' only reached number 4 in the UK, it was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands in 1974. This is also how I found out about the band. Even though I was only four years old, I was watching the Dutch chart show Toppop every week, and my family still remembers how I kept requesting whether bands like the Sparks or Mud would return in that week's edition. I bought this single mostly for sentimental reasons. I didn't play it very often. I'd grown up, after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1902

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Dynamite' / 'Do it all over again'

Download: here

Alane - Wes

One of the most irritating songs of 1998 was 'Alane' by Wes - at least, that's my opinion. Not that a lot of people agreed: it was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Still, when I found out that there was a remix of this track by the Trouser Enthusiasts, it piqued my interest. I went hunting for this remix - but for some time I wasn't successful. Until I finally found a 12" single with the remix and a dub version. It makes a great dance track out of a stupid, boring song. Well, that's quite an achievement!

My collection: 12" single no. 415

Found: London, 2000

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Alane (Trouser Enthusiasts Orgasmic Apparition Mix)' / 'Alane (Trouser Enthusiasts Spectrophiliac Dub)'

Download: here

Bandido - Azucar Moreno

The sisters Antonia and Encarnación Salazar formed Azucar Moreno (meaning 'brown sugar') in 1982. They signed with EMI Spain and recorded two albums, to moderate success in their home country. In 1988 they signed with CBS-Epic and relaunched their music with a bolder production style and matching sexier image.

In 1990 they represented Spain in that year's Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Zagreb with this song, 'Bandido'. The start of their performance was marred by sound problems. Due to a tape technician not starting the pre-recorded backing track in time both the singers, their band and the live orchestra missed their cues. The song then started all over. Despite all this, 'Bandido' finished fifth. I bought the single as soon as I could. In those days, Eurovision songs - even the non-winning ones - still appeared in record shops around the corner...

My collection: 7" single no. 1234

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 19, 1990

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Bandido' / 'Bandido (Instrumental)'
Download: here

Waterfall - Triumvirat

Triumvirat formed in 1969 in Cologne (Germany). The founding members were Hans-Jürgen Fritz, Hans Bathelt and Werner Frangenberg. They started out by performing covers of chart hits, but then got influenced by progressive rock bands like the Nice and Emerson Lake and Palmer. So much so, that they were eventually called 'The German Emerson Lake and Palmer' in their home country.

Their 1979 album 'A la carte' signalled a change in direction, containing more pop-oriented songs. This single, 'Waterfall', was their first and only hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 372

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Waterfall' / 'Jo Ann Walker'

Download: Album 'A la carte', including both tracks

Incredibly red - Esther Tuely

Esther Teule was born on October 30, 1963 in Vancouver, Canada. In the eighties she became a singer in the Dutch disco band the Novo Band. In 1991 she recorded her first (and only) solo album, the self-titled 'Esther Tuely'. 'Incredibly red' was the first single drawn from this album. It became a modest hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1558

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Incredibly red' / 'Walk on'

Download: here

This man is mine - Heart

'This man is mine' was the first single to be released from Heart's sixth studio album, 'Private audition' (1982). The song is an ode to The Supremes. The single peaked at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but didn't chart in the UK and the Netherlands.

I knew Heart mostly for their earlier singles 'Magic man' and 'Crazy on you', so this song was very different from that material. I liked it instantly, though, and when I got a little older I was very happy to be able to buy this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1100

Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'This man is mine' / 'America'

Download: Album 'Private audition', including both tracks

Silly games - Lindy Layton

Lindy Layton was born on December 7, 1970. She was a founding member of the band Beats International, who scored a major hit with 'Dub be good to me' in 1990. While in Beats International, Lindy also launched a solo career. Her debut single was 'Silly games', a cover of a song originally recorded by Janet Kay in 1979. While Kay reached number 2 in the UK singles chart in 1979, Layton only managed number 22 in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1721

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 3, 1992

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Silly games' / 'Silly games (Classical groove)'

Download: here

Each and every one - Everything but the girl

Everything but the girl are a two person band, formed in Hull in 1982 by Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. They released their debut album 'Eden' in 1984. It featured their first hit single, 'Each and every one', which reached number 28 in the UK and number 9 in the Netherlands.

I thought the song was intensely dull when it came out. Of course, there were a lot more interesting pop acts around at that time to grab my interest. So I only grew to like this song later, and it was at the end of the eighties that I finally bought this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 847

Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Each and every one' / 'Laugh you out the house'

Download: here

Drowning in Berlin - Mobiles

The Mobiles were founded in 1981 and featured band members Anna Marie, Jhon Smithson, Chris Downton, David Blundell, Russ Madge and Eddie Smithson. Their debut single 'You're not alone' didn't chart, but their second single 'Drowning in Berlin' became a massive hit single. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart. They were invited to play in the television programme Top of the Pops as a result. The band members then claimed they were sacked from their day jobs because they took a day off in order to be able to appear in this programme. They only released one album, 'Drowning in Berlin', which was released on cd in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 2130

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Drowning in Berlin' / 'Tiptoe in paradise'

Download: here

Gentleman who fell - Milla

Milla Jovovich is best known for her modelling and acting work, but in 1994 she released her only music album to date, 'The Divine Comedy'. 'Gentleman who fell' was the first and only single drawn from this album. I bought all the cd-singles I could find (there are quite a few different promo's around) so I also had to have the 7" vinyl single, of course.

While the album was not a commercial success, it was highly praised and well-received by critics. And rightfully so: the left-of-center sound, influenced by folk and played on mainly acoustic instruments is a treat for the ears.

My collection: 7" single no. 2170

Found: Virgin at Marble Arch, London, September 26, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Gentleman who fell' / 'You did it all before (acoustic)'

Download: cd-single 'Gentleman who fell', including both tracks

No regrets - Midge Ure

As a big fan of Ultravox, even at an early age of 11, I got very worried when Midge Ure released this solo single. Sure, 'No regrets' was a beautiful song, as skillfully performed as any Ultravox track, but did it mean that my favourite group was falling apart? Fortunately, it didn't: Ultravox were going to release a few albums yet.

I found out later that 'No regrets' was a cover of a song originally performed by the Walker Brothers. And even though I really like that version a lot, I have to say I'll always prefer Midge's synth-driven cover. The B-side delivers exactly what the title promises.

My collection: 7" single no. 329

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'No regrets' / 'Mood music'

Download: here

Together too long - The Meteors

The Dutch band Meteors was founded in 1977 Ferdinand Bakker, Job Tarenskeen and Hugo Sinzheimer. They enlist three more musicians: Åke Danielson, John Vee and Erik de Zwaan. In 1979 they record their debut album 'Teenage heart', which contains the minor hit 'It's you only you'. 'Together too long' is the lead single from their second album 'Hunger' (1980), which is recorded after Tarenskeen, Vee and De Zwaan quit the band. They are replaced by Kim Haworth and Gerrit Veen. 'Together too long' is by far the most intense song the group ever recorded, but like the other singles it doesn't reach the higher regions of the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 613

Found: All that music, Leiden, 1987

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Together too long' / 'Out of the race'

Download: here

Vox - Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan released her debut single 'Vox' in 1988. It was apparently a hit in Canada, but failed to reach the charts in other territories. I would have to assume that the 7" single that I have, which was made in Germany in 1989, is quite a rarity. It will have been pressed in a reasonable quantity in Germany, but there's no reference to it on discogs.com and Wikipedia.

The single features a radio version which is slightly shorter than the album version on 'Touch', Sarah McLachlan's debut album (1989).

My collection: 7" single no. 2235

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, January 21, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Vox (radio version)' / 'Touch'

Download: here

King without a crown - ABC

The third single from ABC's successful comeback album 'Alphabet street' was 'King without a crown'. Besides the single, 12" single and cd-single there were also some promo 12" singles doing the rounds. This one-sided disc was one of them. I scooped it up in a record shop in London, some time after its release. It's one of those moments when you know that you've bought something exclusive. The remix on this disc wasn't released commercially, and that makes it very worthwhile.

My collection: 12" single no. 131

Found: London, 1992

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'King without a crown (The Mendelsohn mix)'

Download: here

Terry - Kirsty MacColl

Amazingly, the wonderful video for Kirsty MacColl's 'Terry' cannot be found on YouTube. It was this video that made me interested in the song after a long time. At first I couldn't stand the video, then I began to think it was pretty funny and in the end, I had to admit that the song was pretty amazing too.

Still, it would be 1990 before I bought the single, because when I finally liked the song the single had disappeared from all the record shops.

My collection: 7" single no. 1366

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 28, 1990

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Terry' / 'Quietly alone'

Download: here