Diggi loo diggi ley - The Herrey's

The Swedish brothers Per, Richard and Louis Herrey were the first act to perform on stage in Luxemburg during the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. The nonsensical title harked back to previous winning entries such as 'Boom bang-a-bang', 'Ding-a-dong' and 'La la la'.

I thought it wasn't a very spectacular song, and would have thought that Italy's Alice & Franco Battiato with 'I treni di Tozeur' would win. Instead, this song went away with victory. It's one of many occasions when I felt really disappointed with the winner in the Contest. I did buy the single, though, starting a tradition of buying winning songs in that year - although I would 'forget' to buy it in later years. The B-side is interesting for its lyric about an obsessive fan.

My collection: 7" single no. 234

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Diggi loo / Diggi ley' / 'Every song you sing'

I promised myself - Nick Kamen

Nick Kamen was born as Ivor Neville Kamen on April 15, 1962 in Harlow, Essex, England. He was first brought to the public's attention in 1984 when Ray Petri featured him on the front cover of the UK magazine The Face. A year later, he appeared in a Levi's commercial. In 1986, he released his debut single 'Each time you break my heart', written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray.

In 1990, he released his fourth album 'Move until we fly'. It contained the self-penned 'I promised myself', which would be his biggest hit in Europe. The single topped the chart in Austria and Sweden, and reached number 6 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1636
Found: April 20, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I promised myself' / 'You are'

Cathedral song - Tanita Tikaram

Tanita Tikaram was born in Münster, Germany on August 12, 1969 as the daughter of Fatimah Rohani of Malaysian descent and Indo-Fijian British Army officer Pramod Tikaram. She grew up in Basingstoke, England. She released her debut album 'Ancient heart' when she was only nineteen years old.

'Cathedral song' was the third single taken from that album. It reached number 48 in the UK singles chart. Like other tracks on the album, it was a moody, guitar-based song.

My collection: 7" single no. 765
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 11, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Cathedral song' / 'Sighing innocents'

Oh what a circus - David Essex

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote the musical Evita in 1976. The best known song from that musical is of course 'Don't cry for me Argentina', recorded by Julie Covington and Madonna, amongst others. The same melody line was used for this single, 'Oh what a circus', performed by David Essex. Like 'Argentina', this song was taken from the musical 'Evita'.

Essex had a hit with this single: it reached number 3 in the UK and number 18 in the Netherlands. It didn't become quite the classic that 'Don't cry for me Argentina' is now. My copy of the single was bought at Beanos, a wellknown record shop in the South of London. It's housed in a custom Beanos sleeve - probably because the original sleeve has gone missing.

My collection: 7" single no. 2889

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Oh what a circus' / 'High flying adored'

Don't feed the animals - Fay Lovski

Fay Lovski was born as Fay Luyendijk in Leiden on September 11, 1955. Her music career started in 1980 with the album 'Sound on sound', named after the recording technique she used to make her songs.

'Don't feed the animals' was a single taken from her third album 'Origami' (1983). Like the majority of her singles it didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2138

Found: Grammofoonplatenwinkel, Utrecht, August 2, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Don't feed the animals' / 'Palmtree luxury'

L'oiseau et l'enfant - Marie Myriam

Hard to believe, but it's now 32 years ago that a French-language song won the Eurovision Song Contest. Amina came close in 1991, but it's been mainly English songs since 1977. Between 1956 and 1977, 11 songs in French won the contest. And this was the last one: 'L'oiseau et l'enfant' by Marie Myriam.

She was born as Miriam Lopes on May 8, 1957 in Braga, Portugal. She represented France in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest and won with 15 points more than the number 2, 'Rock bottom' by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran for the United Kingdom.

My collection: 7" single no. 3609

Found: eBay, France, received March 20, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'L'oiseau et l'enfant' / 'On garde toujours'

Hot water - Level 42

Level 42 was founded in 1979 by Mark King, Mike Lindup, Rowland Gould and Phil Gould. 'Hot water' was a single taken from their fifth album 'True colours'. The single was a big hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3. By comparison, it fared worse in the UK, where it only got to number 18.

When this single charted, it was played on the radio so often that I didn't need to buy the single. I went on to buy some Level 42 singles in the Nineties, but this one never got into my collection. On my birthday in 2007, my wife (who was then still my girlfriend) gave me this single, which she'd gotten from a Kringloop store while looking around there. It was really funny, because I don't think she knew I didn't have this yet and probably had no clue what this song sounded like. I'm glad to have it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3614
Found: Birthday present, Den Haag, August 31, 2007
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'Hot water' / 'Standing in the light'

Turn it on again - Genesis

As Genesis had been recording and touring constantly in 1977 and 1978, it was decided by the members Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford to take the majority of 1979 off. Banks and Rutherford started working on solo material, while Collins made an attempt to save his marriage by following his wife to Canada. This didn't work, and so Collins returned to the UK and started working on solo material of his own, as well as new songs for Genesis.

'Turn it on again' appeared on their comeback album 'Duke' (1980) and subsequently became a live favourite. It peaked at number 8 in the UK, whereas it only made number 38 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 52

Found: Rapsody, Den Haag, 1980

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Turn it on again' / 'Behind the lines part 2'

Unconditional love (Planet earth) - Gentlemen without weapons

Kenny Young is an American songwriter who has been active as writer, artist and producer since 1963. In 1988, he was the founder member of the group Gentlemen without weapons. They released one album, 'Transmissions', from which this single was taken.

The album was unique because it used no instruments, only samples of animal noises. The point being that Young wanted to draw attention towards environmental awareness. The unique album was accompanied by a video produced by Pink Floyd's art director Storm Thorgeson, who also designed the album and single covers.

My collection: 7" single no. 766

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Unconditional love (Planet earth)' / 'The way of the dodo'

Hey little girl - Icehouse

The European release of 'Hey little girl' was different from the UK one. At least, that's what I concluded after I found this copy. And it wasn't just the sleeve, either: the single was pressed on clear vinyl, the title track was shorter than the one on the single I already had and the B-side was a different track as well.

'Hey little girl' peaked at number 17 in the UK, whereas in the Netherlands it got to number 13. Perhaps the European release was slightly better than the UK one? Well, I don't know, I always think that quality has nothing to do with popularity in the charts...

My collection: 7" single no. 2699

Found: Record Exchange, London, July 3, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Hey little girl' / 'Mysterious thing'

Strawberry fields forever - Candy flip

Candy Flip were a British electronic dance band associated with the Madchester music scene in the early Nineties. They were named after the slang term for the practice of taking ecstasy and LSD at the same time. The band consisted of Danny Spencer, Kelvin Andrews and Ric Peet.

The band reached number 3 in the UK singles chart with their electronic cover version of the Beatles' 'Strawberry fields forever' in 1990. The track sampled the drum beat from the track 'Funky Drummer' by James Brown. Candy Flip split up in 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 2216

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, November 14, 1994

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Strawberry fields forever' / 'Can you feel the love'

Tutti Ragazzi - The Nits

Henk Hofstede and Alex Roelofs formed the Nits in 1974 together with Michiel Peters and Rob Kloet. They participated in a contest a year later and won a recording contract with Dureco Records as a result. Their debut single 'Yes or no' was featured in the popular TV programme Toppop, but the limited availability of the single caused it to flop.

The band performed live a lot, and contributed 'Tutti Ragazzi' to a compilation album made by the Dutch magazine Oor. Manager Aad Link was very interested in the band and arranged a new contract with record company CBS. The album 'Tent' was released in 1979, and the single 'Tutti Ragazzi' was taken from it. It entered the Dutch Top 40 in February 1980, and peaked at number 31. It was the Nits' first hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 44

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Tutti Ragazzi' / 'Harrow accident'

Falling - Cathy Dennis

Cathy Dennis was born as Catherine Roseanne Dennis on March 25, 1969 in Norwich, England. As a teenager she was spotted recording demos at The Kitchen in Norwich. Simon Fuller signed her to his 19 Management company and to label Polydor at age 17. A successful career in music followed.

'Falling' was the third single from Cathy's second album 'Into the skyline'. The track was remixed for the single release by the then-popular band PM Dawn. It peaked at number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2667

Found: Record fair, Leeds, June 30, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Falling (PM Dawn version)' / 'Nothing moves me'

Do it again with Billie Jean - Club House

Club House was an Italian disco and house music studio group from Italy. They had a big hit in 1983 with their medley of two hits: the then-current 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson and the oldie 'Do it again' by Steely Dan. These days, a track like this would be called a mashup. The single got to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1983. They also made the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 75.

I recorded the track from the radio back in 1983 - and now, a quarter of a century later, I decided to do the honorable thing and get the single as well. On discount, of course. It's not that good.

My collection: 7" single no. 3611

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 21, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Do it again with Billie Jean' / 'Infusion'

Don't let it get you down - Echo and the Bunnymen

'Don't let it get you down' was the third single by Echo & the Bunnymen after three band members Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson reformed the band in 1997. The single was released in three different formats and peaked at number 50 in the UK singles chart. The 7" single was the only format to contain the demo version of 'Don't let it get you down'.

I didn't buy any Echo & the Bunnyman singles previously, and only got this one because it was playing in the shop. I thought it was a nice song, so I snapped up the 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2904

Found: HMV, London, October 30, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Don't let it get you down' / 'Don't let it get you down (demo)'

He's so dull - Vanity 6

The story of this single is similar to the one about 'Nasty girl': both Vanity 6 singles I owned were deleted from my collection in an act of revisionism. I always regret getting rid of singles - although I do confess I've shed no tears about the Dutch-language singles I've gotten rid of in the Eighties.

'He's so dull' is significantly less exciting that 'Nasty girl', but I still couldn't resist buying it again - especially since it was so cheap. I've got a feeling I won't be playing this one much, but at least I won't be missing this one from my collection anymore. Sometimes having a single is just about enough.

My collection: 7" single no. 3613

Found: Kringloop Holland, March 21, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'He's so dull' / 'Make-up'

Alléluia - Milk and Honey

While Europe got an English-language version of 'Hallelujah' in 1979, after Milk & Honey won the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, France got their own release of this song. The single featured a French and Hebrew version of the song. Especially the French version is a rarity, since it was released in France only.

I ordered this single from France, since I never saw it here. I'm currently in the process of compiling alternate language versions of Eurovision winners on cd, and most of them appear on websites for download - but this one is extremely hard to find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3610
Found: eBay, France, received March 20, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Alléluia (Version française)' / 'Alléluia (Version hebraique)'

Shoot your shot - Divine

Harvey Glenn Milstead was born on October 19, 1945. He started out as an actor, playing in various theatre pieces in New York in the Seventies. He also played in several movies in the Seventies and Eighties. Meanwhile, he had a successful music career, singing hi-energy disco music as a drag queen named Divine. His initial singles were produced by Bobby Orlando. The synth-heavy music was also composed, created and performed by Bobby 'O'.

'Shoot your shot' was his biggest hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3 in 1983. Divine died on March 7, 1988 as a result of heart failure.

My collection: 7" single no. 3612

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 21, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Shoot your shot' / 'Shoot your shot (instrumental)'

A piece of the action - The Babys

This orchestral rock song was released by the Babys in early 1978. It didn't chart in the UK, where only the earlier single 'Isn't it time' made it into the chart, but in the Netherlands they peaked at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40. It's not their best chart performance: two other singles made it into the top 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 825

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'A piece of the action' / 'Read my stars'

Coming home - Falco

Subtitled 'Jeanny part 2, one year later', this single was released as a sequel to Falco's big hit 'Jeanny'. The single was later said to be part of a trilogy. A third song, however, was never officially released. After Falco's death, a half finished version of a potential third song was made available for download, but it seemed to be a reworked version of the original with an alternative newsflash, designed to change the entire context of the song.

'Coming home' is a more straightforward song than 'Jeanny' was, with a more upbeat stance to it. It may be the explanation why it wasn't a big hit: the song was probably not intriguing enough like 'Jeanny' was.

My collection: 7" single no. 1819

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Coming home (Jeanny part 2, One year later)' / 'Crime time'