It's hard to be tender - Carly Simon

In the Eighties, Carly Simon contributed songs to many film and television scores. 'It's hard to be tender' was contributed to the soundtrack of the 1986 TV miniseries 'Sins', starring Joan Collins. She played a woman who survived the Nazi horror in France, then became a French model/fashion designer who goes through all sorts of soapish trials and tribulations. The series was based on Judith Gould's novel of the same name.

The B-side features an instrumental track which includes some vague melodic references to the A-side track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1090

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 4, 1989

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'It's hard to be tender' (Carly Simon) / 'Face to face with the mirror' (Francis Lai)

Download: here

Uncertain smile - The The

The album version of 'Uncertain smile', which appeared on The The's first album for CBS Records, 'Soul mining' (1983), was released two years after the original single 'Uncertain smile'. The album version featured a lengthy piano solo, whereas the single version from 1982 featured saxophone and flute solos. The piano solo was played by Jools Holland, who revealed in his 2007 biography that they were in fact two separate solos joined together.

This version even made the Dutch Top 40, peaking at no. 31. Interestingly enough, this release didn't chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 346

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Uncertain smile' / 'Three orange kisses from Kazan'

Download: here

Katoozazaï - Nadieh

Nadieh was born on September 7, 1958 as Karin Meis. In September 1979 she married Iranian science and Bahai teacher Zia Reyhani. She started her music career as Karin Reyhani singing in the BB Band and De Dupe. In 1986 she records the solo single 'Windforce 11', which will be her only chart success, reaching number 23 in the Dutch Top 40. 'Katoozazaï' is the first single from her 1988 album 'Company of fools'. It is a melodic piece of work, which earns her a CD Award. Nadieh passed away on April 5, 1996 as a result of cancer.

My collection: 7" single no. 2598

Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Katoozazaï' / 'The sound of melting ice'

Download: here

Bring your daughter to the slaughter - Iron Maiden

'Bring your daughter to the slaughter' is the second single from Iron Maiden's 1990 album 'No prayer for the dying'. The song was originally recorded and released by Bruce Dickinson on the soundtrack album for the movie 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child'. When Dickinson rejoined his band after a two year hiatus, they recorded a new version of the track, which eventually became a number one hit for them in the UK. It would also be their only number one hit in that country.

The single was released in a special edition with one side containing autographs of the band members etched in the disc, with the other side containing both the 'A-side' and 'B-side' track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1381

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 13, 1991

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Bring your daughter to the slaughter', 'I'm a mover' / Etched side

Download: Bring your daughter to the slaughter, I'm a mover

Chenko (Tenka-io) - Red Box

'Chenko (tenka-io)' was the fifth single to be taken from Red Box's debut album 'The circle and the square'. An early version of the track had already appeared on an independent label (see also this entry), so the album version of 'Chenko' was remixed.

For the longest time, I believed this single did not exist. I'd seen the video on television some time after Red Box had some commercial success with 'For America', but when I bought the album in the second half of the Eighties, the song 'Chenko' was different from the video version I'd seen. It was a relief when I finally did find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3184

Found: Esprit Mailorder, UK, 1999

Cost: 4 pounds

Tracks: 'Chenko (tenka-io) (remix)' / 'Speeches'

Download: here

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) - Michael Jackson

'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' was the sixth single to be taken from Michael Jackson's legendary album 'Thriller'. The song was originally written by Jackson and Greg Phillinganes and was a mid-tempo soul jam. Quincy Jones wanted the song to be more upbeat, so he re-wrote it. This version ultimately appeared on the album.

When Michael Jackson was accused of child molestation in the Nineties, I always wondered about this particular track. Why, exactly, did he sing about a Pretty Young Thing? All the accusations were wrong, I think, but this track is a bit suspicious nonetheless....

My collection: 7" single no. 3533

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' / 'Working day and night'

Download: here

Scream down at me - China Crisis

China Crisis released 'Scream down at me' before their debut album 'Difficult shapes & Passive rhythms' in 1982. Both the A and the B-side wouldn't appear on that album, probably as a result of its lack of chart success. Also, the tracks were very different from the sophisticated sounds that were included on the debut album: the drums were more prominent and the singing was less subtle as well.

I didn't know this track when I bought the single; I simply bought it because I was curious. I do admit that this single is not as beautiful as their later work would be.

My collection: 7" single no. 3173

Found: Record Exchange, London, January 18, 2000

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Scream down at me' / 'Cucumber garden'

Download: here

Don't say you leave this summer - Albert West

Albert Westelaken was born on September 2, 1949 in Den Bosch, Netherlands. In the early Seventies he was lead singer of the Shuffles, until he left the band in 1973 to pursue a solo career. His third solo single, 'Ginny come lately', a cover of a song by Brian Hyland, became a big hit not only in the Netherlands but in all of Europe. It gave his career the boost it needed to become as successful as it would stay throughout the Seventies.

'Don't say you leave this summer' was recorded and released in 1981. It was taken from his album 'A piece of me', which was produced by Martin Duiser. The female vocals were provided by another wellknown Dutch singer: Anita Meyer. The single reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 835

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't say you leave this summer' / 'Hey Paula'
Download: here

Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello wrote 'Oliver's Army' at a time when unemployment in the UK reached the three million mark. Former workers were made dependent on state support and charity to survive. It reminded Elvis of the main character in Charles Dickens' story 'Oliver Twist'. The cheery summertime sound of the song contrasts with a bitter, melancholy lyric on comtemporary life - the chorus line saying 'And I would rather be anywhere else than here today.' During the recording of the album 'Armed forces', 'Oliver's Army' was nearly dropped, but was eventually kept after keyboardist Steve Nieve created a piano part for the song that was reminiscent of 'Dancing Queen' by Abba.

It became Elvis Costello's biggest hit ever, reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1979.

My collection: 7" single no. 2296

Found: Music Machine Mailorder, Hoorn, May 18, 1995

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Oliver's Army' / 'My funny Valentine'

Download: Album 'Armed forces', including both tracks

Heaven sent - INXS

INXS's 1992 album 'Welcome to wherever you are' was a conscious change in direction for the band. Creating a rawer sound and including sitars and an orchestra they wanted to set themselves apart from the straight rock sounds of grunge bands that became popular at the time. The first single was 'Heaven sent', which became only a minor hit for the band.

At the time I'd fallen in love with a girl who was really into this band and I also spent a lot of time in libraries with her. Although we never really spoke, I found out that she was actually into INXS. So much coincidence... It was meant to be that I would buy this single and then the album. The music became some sort of consolation for the fact that nothing ever really happened.

My collection: 7" single no. 1697
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven sent' / 'It ain't easy'
Download: here

Hold me now - Johnny Logan

In 1987, Johnny Logan participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time. He'd won the 1980 edition with 'What's another year' and wrote 'Terminal 3' for Linda Martin in 1984, which came third in the competition. He tried it again himself with 'Hold me now', a melodramatic ballad that, to the surprise of many, won the contest that year.

Personally, I felt, just like the first time, Logan was an unjust winner. There were many better songs in the competition, like the sunny summer song 'Laß die Sonne in dein Herz' by Wind (Germany) or the commercially successful 'Gente di mare' by Umberto Tozzi & Raf (Italy). In the end, I had to admit that if I wanted to have a complete collection of Eurovision winners, I would have to buy this single as well.

And if you really want to see something humiliating, you can watch these McDonald's advertisements starring Johnny Logan: here, here and here.

My collection: 7" single no. 3375
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hold me now' / 'Living a lie'
Download: Album 'Hold me now', including both tracks

Tell that girl to shut up - Transvision Vamp

'Tell that girl to shut up' was originally released in 1980 by Holly and the Italians, a short-lived American pop punk band. It was covered by Transvision Vamp in 1988, and released as their second single. Transvision Vamp was founded in 1988 by Nick Christian Sayer, Wendy James, Dave Parsons and Anthony Doughty. James, lead singer and frontwoman of the group, attracted media attention with her sexually-charged and rebellious image.

My collection: 7" single no. 798

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 15, 1989

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Tell that girl to shut up' / 'God save the royalties'

Download: here

Alice, I want you just for me - Full Force

As a certified hater of hiphop, it is a mystery how some singles do end up in my collection. This is one of those mysteries. Full Force is an American group of hiphop performers and producers from Brooklyn, New York. Members are the brothers Brian, Paul Anthony and Lucien George, plus their cousins Junior Clark, Curt Bedeau and Gerry Charles.

'Alice, I want you just for me' was taken from their 1985 debut album 'Full Force', and reached number 9 in the UK and number 7 in the Netherlands. There's just a hint of melody in the vocals and the rhythm is strong and quite interesting, which may be why I still bought it. Now, two decades later, the track sounds hopelessly dated though.

My collection: 7" single no. 2364

Found: London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Alice, I want you just for me' / 'Alice, I want you just for me (Ecrof's Favourite mix)'

Download: here

Trick of the night - Bananarama

There are basically two versions of Bananarama's 1986 single 'Trick of the night': one is produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, the other is produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman. Personally I always preferred the former, whereas the latter signalled a change in direction for the group: in 1987 they would release their next album, fully produced by the trio that was responsible for Kylie Minogue, Mel & Kim and Rick Astley's phenomenal success in that year.

The lyric of the song is about someone who has gone to seek his fortune in the big city and ended up a rentboy. The 12" single featured a remix version of both versions of the song, plus the B-side track 'Set on you', which has all the trademarks of a Stock/Aitken/Waterman remix written all over it.

My collection: 12" single no. 354

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Trick of the night (Number One remix)' / 'Trick of the night (Tricky mix)', 'Set on you'

Download: here

Eye of heaven - Esther Tuely

Taken from Esther Tuely's self-titled debut solo album, 'Eye of heaven' was her second single. It didn't reach the Dutch Top 40, just like the third single, 'Silence in my heart', which wasn't released on vinyl anymore - only on a one track cd-single.

Esther Tuely was awarded a Golden Harp - a Dutch music prize - in 1991, meant to encourage her to go on with making music. It didn't have the desired effect: she would not release a second album at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2213

Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, November 14, 1994

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Eye of heaven (radio edit)' / 'Eye of heaven (remix)'

Download: here

Popcorn - M and H band

Mark Haliday is the French musician who is the sole member of the M&H Band. He released a very 'Italo Disco' version of the familiar instrumental track 'Popcorn' in 1987. As far as I know, this version didn't chart in any country, but it did find its way to collectors of covers of Gershon Kingsley's 1968 composition.

The B-side of this single features an original instrumental composition by Mark Haliday himself.

My collection: 7" single no. 3345

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 2001

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Ordinopaso'
Download: here

Nothing - Frazier Chorus

When the pop landscape changed in 1990, Frazier Chorus adapted their music to conform to the newly set standard. Their single 'Nothing', taken from their second album 'Ray', was remixed by Paul Oakenfold and had a firm dance beat, just like bands like The Beloved. It didn't mean that they suddenly got a lot more commercial appeal: the single stalled at number 51, just like previous single releases.

At the time that I bought 'Nothing', I only knew the previously bought single 'Dream kitchen'. I was really surprised at their new sound, but at the same time I liked this track so much that I started to become very interested in this band.

My collection: 7" single no. 1324

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 16, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Nothing' / 'Little piece of hell'

Download: here

Born to be alive - Patrick Hernandez

Patrick Hernandez will always be remembered for this one song. 'Born to be alive' was written by him in 1973, but it took six years to get it released. When it was finally released, it was a worldwide hit. It sold 25 million copies around the world and went gold in over fifty countries. Even thirty years later, Hernandez is still performing the show in television shows and concerts. His performances never last longer than the one song.

There is one more fact associated with this song: a certain Louise Ciccone (a.k.a. Madonna) was employed to dance behind Hernandez in 1979, while he was singing his song. She was discovered during auditions in New York and went with Patrick to France. She didn't stay in his company for too long. She was brought in contact with several producers, so she could go her own way. Says Hernandez: 'She didn't want to sing at the time. She was only interested in dancing and acting'.

My collection: 7" single no. 11

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Born to be alive' / 'I give you rendez-vous'

Download: here

Time after time - Beloved

Not to be confused with the Cyndi Lauper song of the same name, 'Time after time' was released in 1990 by the Beloved. It was the fourth and last single to be drawn from their debut album 'Happiness', and also the least successful, as it was the first to fall outside the UK singles chart. Even this limited edition flip pack with a picture disc inside didn't help matters.

Still, it is a cheerful mid-tempo song, and I was very happy to find this limited edition almost a year after its release, because it was such a beautiful package.

My collection: 7" single no. 1279

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1991

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Time after time' / 'Time after time (Through the round window)'

Download: here

All time high - Rita Coolidge

Written by John Barry and Tim Rice, 'All time high' is the theme song for the 1983 James Bond movie 'Octopussy'. Reaching number 75 in the UK singles chart, it is the least successful Bond theme song of all times. This may partly be explained by the lack of an obvious link between the song title and the movie title. Coolidge was reported to have disliked the song ever since its release. Because it was written so quickly, she felt it wasn't a finished work.

The single features an extended instrumental version on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3378

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'All time high' / 'All time high (extended instrumental version)'

Download: here