The worker - Fischer Z

The biggest hit by Fischer Z was 'The worker'. It peaked at number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was remixed for the single, putting the emphasis on the keyboard parts instead of the bass and guitar parts.

The song was one of the few singles during that time to go down in the charts after being featured in the BBC chart show 'Top of the pops'.

My collection: 7" single no. 845
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The worker' / 'Kitten curry'

Wouldn't it be good - Nik Kershaw

'Wouldn't it be good' was released as the second single from Nik Kershaw's debut album 'Human racing' (1984). The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 24.

Kershaw performed the song live at Live Aid in July 1985. The song was covered by various acts including Placebo, Cascada and Soulwax.

My collection: 7" single no. 2762
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Wouldn't it be good' / 'Monkey business'

Uit vrije wil - Het Goede Doel

In 1988, the Dutch government launched an advertising campaign to stimulate the use of condoms. This was in the time when Aids was a relatively new phenomenon and safe sex was considered to be the only way to avoid an almost certain death. The campaign used the image of a bee and a flower, which was considered, shortly thereafter, a stupid move.

Be that as it may, the song 'Uit vrije wil' ('Free will') by Het Goede Doel tied in to the campaign, and was essentially a song about safe sex. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 635
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Uit vrije wil' / 'Uit vrije wil (instrumentaal)'

The days of Pearly Spencer - Marc Almond

Marc Almond recorded a cover version of David McWilliams' 1967 single 'The days of Pearly Spencer' on his 1992 album 'Tenement Symphony'. Unlike the original, this became a top 10 hit for Almond, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart. It would also prove to be Almond's last top 10 hit in the UK.

At the time of buying this single, I only knew the original version. I assumed that Marc Almond would do a decent job with his cover version. Fortunately, I was not wrong.

My collection: 7" single no. 1619
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The days of Pearly Spencer' / 'Bruises'

Days of Pearly Spencer - David McWilliams

David McWilliams was born on July 4, 1945. He recorded his first single in 1966 and recorded three albums in two years. All three albums managed to reach the lower regions of the UK albums chart, but single success never followed.

Nonetheless, his 1967 single 'Days of Pearly Spencer' became a classic of its time. The lyric was inspired by the fate of a homeless friend of McWilliams. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim in 2002, at the age of 56.

My collection: 7" single no. 1646
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Days of Pearly Spencer' / 'Poverty street'

Master Blaster (Jammin') - Stevie Wonder

'Master Blaster (Jammin')' was released by Stevie Wonder in 1980, taken from his album 'Hotter than July'. The song, built on a heavy reggae rhythm, was an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley. Wonder had been performing with Marley a few times in concerts (and actually billed him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of the year.

'Master Blaster' became a major hit, reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1065
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Master Blaster (Jammin')' / 'Master Blaster (dub)'

This corrosion - The Sisters of Mercy

'This corrosion' was the first single from the Sisters of Mercy's 1987 album 'Floodland'. The song was written by Andrew Eldritch. The lyric concerns the leaving of band members to form a new band, The Mission.

Produced by Jim Steinman, the track was constructed as a very impressive piece, incorporating a 40 piece orchestra, a choir, and lasting over ten minutes. For this single, the song was drastically edited. Peaking at number 7, the track became one of only two top 10 hit singles in the UK for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 1964
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'This corrosion' / 'Torch'

Hora - Avi Toledano

Avi Toledano was born in Morocco on April 4, 1948. His music career in Israel in the Eighties seemed to revolve around the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1981 he sang 'Carneval' in the national final, reaching third place. In 1982 he won the national selection and represented Israel with 'Hora'. He finished in second place, although a considerable distance behind the German winner, Nicole.

In 1983 Toledano composed the song that represented Israel in Munich, 'Hi', performed by Ofra Haza. He also wrote Israel's 1986 song 'Lechaim', performed by Chaim Moshe. In 1989 Toledano performed in the Israeli final himself and took second place with the song 'Dayenu'.

My collection: 7" single no. 202
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hora (English version)' / 'Hora (Hebrew version)'

Miami Vice theme - Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer was born on April 17, 1948 in Prague. After having been in several bands and returning to solo work every now and again, he finally hit the big time in 1985 after he composed the theme tune for the TV series 'Miami Vice'.

It was first heard by the public in September 1984 and released as a single in 1985, peaking at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40. In 1986, Hammer won Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 3315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Miami Vice theme' / 'Miami Vice theme (TV version)', 'Miami Vice theme'

Girls and Cadillacs - Albert West

Released in 1980, I always interpreted Albert West's song 'Girls and Cadillacs' as the story of a fallen popstar. 'Goodbye to girls and Cadillacs / I had my share and I had a ball'. The sleeve was rather appropriate with all the carwrecks, but I did wonder where the girls were in that picture.

The single was Albert West's first hit since 'Listen' (1977), peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 68
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Girls and Cadillacs' / 'Sunday rosas'

Weak in the presence of beauty - Floy Joy

'Floy Joy' is the name of a 1972 album by the Supremes. It's also the name of the band that debuted in 1986 with the single 'Weak in the presence of beauty'. This single did not chart, but when Alison Moyet recorded a version of that song, it shot to number 6 in the UK singles chart.

I bought two versions of the single: the regular German pressing pictured here and a limited edition UK single on which one side could be used as a mirror. Like the accompanying card says: 'You too can grow weak in the presence of beauty'!

My collection: 7" single no. 708
Found: December 22, 1988
Cost: 0,5 guilder
Tracks: 'Weak in the presence of beauty' / 'You and me'

Tell me your plans - The Shirts

Annie Golden, Ronald Ardito, Artie La Monica, Robert Racioppo, John Piccolo and John Criscione formed The Shirts in the mid-Seventies. Their debut album 'The Shirts' was recorded in London and released in early 1978. The album became very popular in Europe.

The first single, 'Tell me your plans' reached number 4 in the Netherlands after a chewing gum-gnawing Annie Golden appeared alongside her band in the popular weekly music show Toppop.

My collection: 7" single no. 631
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tell me your plans' / 'Cyrinda'

Dogs of lust - The The

In 1992, The The released the album 'Dusk'.The first single to be taken from the album was 'Dogs of lust'. The 7" vinyl was released in the UK only in a limited edition pressed on pink marbled vinyl. Whether this helped the sales is unknown, but the single peaked at number 25 in the UK.

The band would release two further singles from the album, but those were not released on vinyl anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 1850
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Dogs of lust' / 'The violence of truth (remix)'

Farewell mr. Sorrow - All about Eve

In 1990, guitarist Tim Bricheno left All about Eve to join the Sisters of Mercy. He was replaced by Marty Willson-Piper, who had worked with The Church. With this new guitarist, the band was pressured into becoming 'some sort of Fleetwood Mac', according to singer Julianne Regan. They resisted the pressure from the record company and instead made an album that was partly true to their own sound but also had definite influences from their new guitarist.

The clear-sounding, upbeat 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' was drawn as the first single from the album 'Touched by Jesus', and reached number 36 in the UK singles chart, which was a reasonable placing, considering their previous singles had peaked at number 34. Still, difficult times were ahead for the band...

My collection: 7" single no. 1454
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 22, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' / 'Elizabeth of glass'

Take me to the fire - This Island Earth

While I was searching for 'See that glow' by This Island Earth, I came across this follow-up single, 'Take me to the fire' repeatedly. At some point I got so tired of it, that I decided to buy this one. Sometimes the irony of buying records is that you get the ones you don't want quicker than the ones you do want.

'Take me to the fire' is not a bad song per se, but it's easy to see why it didn't reach the UK singles chart like the previous single did.

My collection: 7" single no. 932
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Take me to the fire' / 'Pearl of love'

Ooh, yes I do - Luv'

The girl trio Luv' was churning out hit after hit in 1979, at the height of their popularity. Not everything they did was highly inspired, but at least every single song they recorded was a happy, positive track.

'Ooh, yes I do' was released in October 1979 and reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 38
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ooh yes I do' / 'My guy'

Sowing the seeds of love - Tears for Fears

'Sowing the seeds of love' was released as the first single from Tears for Fears' third album 'The seeds of love'. The song was in essence a pastiche of the Beatles sound of the second half of the Sixties, a style the band would also stick to in their reunion cd 'Everybody loves a happy ending' released a couple of years ago.

The single was a wordwide success, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The B-side 'Tears roll down' was a demo version of a track the band would record as 'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' a few years later for the compilation album 'Tears roll down (Greatest hits 82-92)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 988
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sowing the seeds of love' / 'Tears roll down'

If you leave me now - Chicago

'If you leave me now' was released by the American band Chicago on their 1976 album 'Chicago X'. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.

The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976 and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit in America for the group. It also reached the number one spot in the UK and the Netherlands. The single went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

My collection: 7" single no. 1804
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 19, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'If you leave me now' / 'Make me smile'

My unknown love - Count Indigo

'My unknown love' by Count Indigo was produced by Mike Flowers and has that unmistakable retro sound that made the Mike Flowers Pops so popular circa 1995. Despite this, the single by the Count only reached the UK singles chart for only one week, at number 59.

I bought this 10" single during a holiday in London. I would obviously have preferred a 7" single, but since this was the only release on vinyl I thought I should have this.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'My unknown love' / 'My unknown love (Memory lapse mix)', 'My unknown love (Duelling Martini mix)'

What's a matter baby - Ellen Foley

Ellen Foley was born on June 5, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). She gained high public recognition singing the duet with Meat Loaf on the hit single 'Paradise by the dashboard light' from the 1977 album Bat out of Hell. Although Karla DeVito is featured on the music video, DeVito is lip synching to Foley's vocals.

Ellen Foley's debut album 'Nightout' was released in 1979. It featured the hit single 'What's a matter baby', a hit that peaked at number 7 in the Netherlands. The album was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson. Foley recorded a duet with Ian Hunter in 1980: 'We gotta get out of here'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1972
Found: October 16, 1993
Cost: 0,25 guilders
Tracks: 'What's a matter baby' / 'Hideaway'