Words - The Christians

The brothers Garry, Roger and Russell Christian together with Henry Christian Priestman formed the Christians in 1985. Roger left the band in 1987 because of his reluctance to go on tour. After a very successful debut album and a couple of charity singles, the band released their second album 'Colour' in 1990.

It was preceded by the single 'Words', based on a traditional folk tune. It was a good success in Europe, where it became a number 1 hit in France and peaked at number 5 in the Netherlands. It did less well in the UK, where it stalled at number 18. The vinyl single features an edit of 'Words', whereas other formats contained the full album version which lasts over 7 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 1127

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Words' / 'Long gone'

See that glow - This Island Earth

This Island Earth was formed by John Hawkins and Kevin Brown in early 1983. The band also included Steve Brown, Rachel Furness and Mark Griffith. They signed to Magnet records, and released 'See that glow' in 1984. It became a minor hit in January 1985, peaking at number 47 in the UK singles chart. After one more single, the band disappeared from view.

This is a very catchy tune, but I forgot all about it after 1985. Almost a decade later I remembered it, and got this single during a record fair. It's always nice to rediscover and old gem.

My collection: 7" single no. 2572
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'See that glow' / 'See that glow (instrumental)'

Today - Talk Talk

'Today' was Talk Talk's first top 20 hit in the UK and Ireland. Taken from their debut album 'The party's over', the single was written by the whole band and featured the album track 'It's so serious' on the B-side. The songs were produced by Colin Thurston (who would go on to produce hits for Duran Duran and Howard Jones).

I bought the single several years after its release, like all the singles taken from that album. At some point there seemed to be no end to those early singles. But now I'm glad that I have them all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2168

Found: Record Exchange, London, September 26, 1994

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Today' / 'It's so serious'

Stay (I missed you) - Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories

Lisa Anne Loeb was born March 11, 1968 in Bethesda, Maryland (USA). She started her career in 1994 with the song 'Stay (I Missed You)'. The song was originally named 'Stay', but at the time it was getting popular, there were several popular songs with 'Stay' in the title, such as the U2 song 'Stay (Faraway, So Close!)'. '(I Missed You)' was tacked on to the end to differentiate it from the others.

The single became a number 1 hit in America and peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2160
Found: HMV, London, September 26, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Stay (I missed you)' / 'Stay (I missed you) (Living room mix)'

Vi maler byen rød - Birthe Kjaer

Birthe Kjaer was born on September 1, 1948. She's a Danish singer who began her career in the late Sixties. She made several attempts to represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest by participating in the national finals of 1980, 1986 and 1987. In 1989 she was finally chosen to do so with the upbeat song 'Vi maler byen rød' ('We paint the town red'). After a hilarious intro, the song keeps its optimistic atmosphere alive. The performance ensured a third place in that year's Contest for Denmark, one of the best placings for the country since Denmark won the 1963 edition.

Kjær hosted the Danish national final to pick the 2009 entry for the Contest, which was broadcast on January 31, 2009.

My collection: 7" single no. 2969
Found: Bea Records, February 21, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Vi maler byen rød' / 'Det menneske, jeg er'

Could it be I'm falling in love - Worlds Apart

The boyband Worlds Apart was founded in 1993 by Dan Bowyer, Cal Cooper, Schelim Hannan, Steve Hart, Marcus Patrick and Aaron Poole. Bowyer, Patrick and Poole left the band within a year, to be replaced by Nathan Moore. This formation had some chart success with hits like 'Heaven must be missing an angel', 'Everlasting love' and 'Could it be I'm falling in love'. Do these track titles sound familiar? Could be - Worlds Apart released a lot of covers during their career. After five hits in the UK their career played out mostly in Europe, especially in France where they became very popular.

'Could it be I'm falling in love' ended up being in my collection because of this limited edition poster sleeve and the fact that the tracks on this single were produced by Ricky Wilde. The B-side track 'Like it was, like it is' was co-written by him as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 3069

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

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Could it be I'm falling in love' / 'Everlasting love', 'Like it was, like it is'

Those were the days / Goodbye - Mary Hopkin

This single features two hits by Mary Hopkin. She was born on May 3, 1950. She started her music career as a folk singer in a Welsh local group called the Selby Set and Mary. After her appearance in the BBC talent show 'Opportunity knocks' she was recommended by model Twiggy to Paul McCartney, who signed her to the Beatles' Apple label.

Her debut single, 'Those Were the Days', produced by McCartney, was released in the UK in 1968 and went on to become a number1 hit. on 30 August 1968. The 1969 single 'Goodbye' reached number 2 in the UK. It's funny that her chart performance was just the opposite in the Netherlands, with 'Goodbye' reaching number 1 and 'Those were the days' peaking at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1957

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Those were the days' / 'Goodbye'

You're the voice - Heart

Heart released a live album called 'Rock the house' in 1991. The album marked a sharp decline in sales after a period of success that began in 1985 with the release of the self-titled 'Heart'. The single 'You're the voice' was taken from this album, a cover of the song by John Farnham.

I bought the single not because I thought this was a particularly good version (live tracks are usually unlistenable) but because of the limited edition etched disc. This disc featured the lyric of the song on one side, and the A- and B-side track on the other side. These kind of special editions are always so nice to have.

My collection: 7" single no. 3080

Found: London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'You're the voice', 'Call of the wild'

For the love of Conchita - Doce

The Portuguese girl group Doce was formed in 1980 by Laura Diogo, Lena Coelho, Fátima Padinha, and Teresa Miguel. They participated in the Portuguese national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980, but finished second. In 1981 they tried again, with the song 'Ali-Bábá, um homem das Arábias', which finished fourth. Their third try in 1982 was successful: the song 'Bem bom' brought them to Harrowgate to participate in that year's Contest.

After this song was released as a single, they followed it up with 'For the love of Conchita'. It didn't chart in most countries, except for Portugal. I bought the single while buying a stack of singles in my favourite shop round the corner, just out of curiosity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3294

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'For the love of Conchita' / 'Choose again'

Why - Annie Lennox

After having been one half of Eurythmics together with David A. Stewart, Annie Lennox started to work on a solo album together with former Trevor Horn protegé Stephen Lipson. The first result of their work was the single 'Why', released in early 1992. The single was an immediate commercial success, peaking at number 1 in Italy, number 5 in the UK and Ireland and number 6 in Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

I bought the single immediately after its release, convinced as I was that Annie Lennox's work was worth buying. And it was, at least for that first album 'Diva'. Later albums never quite reached that level of quality in my humble opinion...

My collection: 7" single no. 1594

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 21, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Why' / 'Primitive'

Twist in my sobriety - Tanita Tikaram

Tanita Tikaram achieved an international breakthrough with the song 'Twist in My Sobriety' in 1988. Taken from her debut album 'Ancient heart', this self-penned song was immediately recognised as something special. The single peaked at number 22 in the UK, number 23 in the Netherlands, number 2 in Germany and Austria and number 6 in Switzerland, Norway and France.

The first line of the song, 'All God's children need travelling shoes' is the title of a book by writer/poet Maya Angelou. The song was covered by Liza Minelli in 1989. Other covers were made by Italian disco singer George Aaron, Chinese singer Chyi Yu and death metal band Cynicism.

My collection: 7" single no. 673

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 28, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Twist in my sobriety (edit)' / 'Friends'

La folie - Valerie Lagrange

Valerie Lagrange was born in Paris on February 25, 1942. During her teens she started auditioning for acting roles, which resulted in her appearing in various French films. In 1964 she released her first single, a double A-side featuring the songs 'Paris-Wellington' and 'La nuit de mon amour'.

Many singles and albums later, Valerie released 'La folie' in 1984. It was taken from her album 'Les trottoirs de l’éternité'. It was a big hit in French-speaking countries, and also nearly made the Dutch Top 40. This is how I caught on to this song: it was regularly played on the radio and on one occasion I recorded it. Seven years later, I got hold of the single. It's still an alltime favourite of mine.

My collection: 7" single no. 1457
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, June 27, 1991
Cost: 3,9 guilders
Tracks: 'La folie' / 'Personne n'entend'

Felicidad - Boney M

Boney M released the single 'Felicidad' in 1980. The song was not included on any studio album. It was a cover of one hit wonder Massara's 'Margherita'. The single peaked at number 6 in Germany, but failed to chart in other countries.

Due to a frosty relationship to the group's members at the time, producer Frank Farian tried to record it with session singers Cathy Bartney, Patricia Shockley and Madeleine Davis plus himself only on vocals. He was then forced by record company Hansa to overdub Boney M. singers Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett's vocals.
My collection: 7" single no. 81
Found: Vienna, July 1980
Cost: nothing (present)
Tracks: 'Felicidad' / 'Strange'

The honeythief - Hipsway

Hipsway were formed in Glasgow in 1984 by ex-Altered Images guitarist Johnny McElhone on bass, and featuring Grahame Skinner (vocals), Pim Jones (guitar) and Harry Travers (drums). They were soon signed up by Mercury Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1985. Their debut single 'The honeythief' made number 17 in the UK singles chart, but stalled at number 33 in the Netherlands. The band split up in 1989, with McElhone leaving to found Texas.

I don't think I remembered the song when I bought it, but I did know I liked the song. Many years later, the track has disappeared from my memory alltogether. It was nice to hear it again when I played it recently.

My collection: 7" single no. 833
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The honeythief' / 'Wild sorrow'

Follow my rainbow - Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton made her acting debut in November 1987 in the television series 'Miami Vice', playing a singer named Caitlin Davies. She was to be protected by Sonny Crockett (played by Don Johnson) until her court appearance to render crucial testimony against certain corrupt music industry mavens. After five episodes, the character ended up being killed just moments after singing 'Follow my rainbow'.

The song was featured on the soundtrack album for 'Miami Vice', which was released in 1988, and subsequently also appeared on Easton's own album 'The lover in me', that same year. The single was released in late 1989, but did not chart. Personally I think the sleeve is better than the record, actually.

My collection: 7" single no. 2320

Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Follow my rainbow' / 'Days like this'

Geluk - Verona

When I recently saw a report about Dutch presenter Harry Vermeegen on television, anouncing his comeback to television, I immediately thought of this single. Together with Henk Spaan he formed a satyrical duo making programmes in the Eighties. Initially their programme was called 'Pisa', but when they moved to a different broadcaster (Veronica) they changed the name of their programme to 'Verona'.

Under this name they released the 1986 single 'Geluk' ('Happiness'). The lyric of the song refers to a man who is searching for happiness. ('I've searched everywhere, it's making me unhappy'). The lyric cannot be translated without loss of a lot of Dutch wordplay, but the music, produced by Henk Temming from Het Goede Doel, is strong and transcends all language barriers.

My collection: 7" single no. 1407

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, April 3, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Geluk' / 'Geluk (instr.)'

Zarah (Ich weiss, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehn) - Nina Hagen

'Ich weiss, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehn' was originally performed by Zarah Leander in the first half of the 20th century. Nina Hagen recorded this cover version in 1983 for her album 'Angstlos', produced by Giorgio Moroder.

Although not a hit in the Netherlands, I heard the song pretty soon after its release thanks to my sister. It was a remarkable cover, because for all its disco stomp in the second half, the first half of the song is a pretty faithful cover of the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1676

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1992

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Zarah (Ich weiss, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehn)' / 'Frühling in Paris'

This heart of mine - Anders Frandsen

Anders Frandsen was born ub Denmark on December 8, 1960. Although not a trained actor, he made his stage debut during the Eighties in theatre performances. In 1991 he represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Lige der hvor hjertet slår', a jazz-influenced lovesong composed by Michael Elo. The song didn't do well at the Contest, and placed 19th with only 8 points. That didn't hurt his popularity however, and the following year at the Danish national final, he was the host.

This single features the English-language version on the A-side. The song sounds rather more intruguing in Danish, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 1837

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, January 23, 1993

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'This heart of mine' / 'Lige der hvor hjertet slår'

Flash - Duke of Burlington

Nothing beats a good instrumental track from time to time. This 'golden oldie' appeared as background music in a commercial on a local radio station I listened to a lot during the Eighties. In time, I found out the name and artist behind the music, and then I found out that it was actually released when I was just born.

I have no idea who hides behind the stage name Duke of Burlington, but this track was a success in the Netherlands nonetheless: it peaked at number 11 in the autumn of 1970.

My collection: 7" single no. 382

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Flash' / 'Viva Tirado'

Say you'll be mine - Amy Grant

I'd just discovered Amy Grant's albums 'Lead me on' and 'Heart in motion' when she started to release singles from her new album 'House of love'. One of those singles was 'Say you'll be mine'. I bought it on the hunch that this material might be just as good. I was not too disappointed: the songs were a bit on the bubblegum pop side, but still nice and melodic.

Grant didn't score a big hit with this: it roamed the UK singles chart for only two weeks in the autumn of 1994, peaking at number 41.

My collection: 7" single no. 2227

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994

Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Say you'll be mine (radio mix)' / 'Life's gonna change'