Manchild - Neneh Cherry

Neneh Cherry was born as Neneh Marianne Karlsson on March 10, 1964. She dropped out of school at 14 and moved to London, where she joined the punk rock band The Cherries. She then moved through several bands, including The Slits, New Age Steppers, Rip Rig & Panic, and Float Up CP.

She began a solo career with 'Stop the war', a protest song about the Falkland Islands. She also worked with The The and musician Cameron McVey, who co-wrote most of her debut album 'Raw like sushi', and whom she would eventually marry. After having had a big seller with 'Buffalo stance', the first single from 'Raw like sushi', she released the slower 'Manchild'. The song actually had a melody, although some irritating raps were still in the song. Despite this, I decided to buy the single. I wasn't the only one: the single peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 925
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Manchild' / 'Manchild (Original mix)'

A love bizarre - Sheila E

Taken from Sheila E.'s second solo album 'Romance 1600' (1985), 'A love bizarre' was written and produced by Sheila E. and Prince. Prince also sings on the track. On the album, the track is over 12 minutes long, while the single version is one third of that length.

The single became Sheila E.'s last major hit, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 422
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'A love bizarre' / 'A love bizarre (part 2)'

Can't take my eyes off you - Boys Town Gang

The Boys Town Gang were formed in 1980 by DJ Bill Motley, who saw an opportunity to form a group that catered to San Francisco's large gay clientele. Over the years the formation of the group changed a lot.

Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, 'Can't take my eyes off you' was originally a hit single for Frankie Valli in 1967. The Boys Town Gang made a disco cover of the song in 1982, which gave them a number one hit in the Netherlands. I rediscovered the tune in 1992, when I literally couldn't take my eyes off a girl I saw daily in school. This is the theme song of that temporary obsession.

My collection: 7" single no. 1783
Found: November 7, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't take my eyes off you' / 'Can't take my eyes off you (reprise)'

Let's talk about me - Alan Parsons Project

'Let's talk about me' is a single taken from the Alan Parsons Project album 'Vulture culture'. The song was composed by Eric Woolfson and Alan Parsons from the band. The song features voice-over commentary from Lee Abrams, credited on the album as 'Mr. Laser Beam' (an anagram of his name).

The B-side 'Hawkeye' is mostly an instrumental but contains a line from Monica, a woman working at the canteen in Abbey Road Studios. The line she says is: "Only what's on the menu". The single reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1268
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Let's talk about me' / 'Hawkeye'

They don't care about us - Michael Jackson

'They don't care about us' was released as the fourth single from Michael Jackson's album 'History'. The song attracted a lot of critiism for its lyric, which includes the line 'Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me'. The word 'kike' is an offensive term referring to a jew. Jackson responded to the allegations of antisemitism several times in the American media, commenting: 'The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted.'

In the end, the song was censored. In this single version, the words 'Jew me sue me' are replaced with 'Sue me sue me' and the words 'Kick me, kike me' are replaced with 'Kick me, kick me'. There's also a different censored version in which the offensive words are replaced by loud sounds.

This vinyl single was an utter surprise to me. As far as I knew, 'You are not alone' was the last Jackson single from 'History' released on vinyl. This copy has no picture sleeve, but it does have a 'normal' label (something which is omitted from later 'jukebox' releases). The single, meanwhile, reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, and number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3851
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'They don't care about us (LP edit)' / 'They don'tcare about us (Love to Infinity's Walk in the Park radio mix)'

Live to tell - Madonna

'Live to tell' was originally written by Patrick Leonard for the soundtrack of Paramount's romantic drama film 'Fire with fire', but after the company declined it, Leonard showed the song to Madonna. She decided to use it for 'At close range', the new film of her then-husband, actor Sean Penn. Madonna made a demo of the song, which the film's director, James Foley, after hearing, asked Leonard to write the score for the film, as suggested by Madonna.

The song was produced by Leonard and Madonna for her third studio album 'True blue' (1986). Released as its first single, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single managed to reach number 3. I liked the song a lot, despite the limited vocal skills of the performer. Someone with a stronger voice would have made this an absolutely overpowering ballad.

My collection: 7" single no. 2599
Found: Grammafoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Live to tell' / 'Live to tell (instrumental)'

I want your love - Chic

'I want your love' was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The track appeared on Chic's 1978 album 'C'est Chic'. It was originally intended for then-protégés, Sister Sledge. The single was slightly less successful than their previous single 'Le freak'.

It peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single peaked at number 4, making it the biggest hit from the band in that country. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 14. I hated the song in 1978, but a decade later I changed my mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 937
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I want your love' / '(Funny) bone'

Straight on - Heart

After the sales of their third album 'Magazine' were disappointing, Heart bounced back with their fourth one, 'Dog & Butterfly'. The album reached number 17 on the US albums chart.

'Straight on' was released as the first single from the album. However unsuccessful in Europe, the single peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 2243
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Straight on' / 'Lighter touch'

Amiga Quartett - Sandra

Here's another one of those Amiga Quartett EP's. Following her success in the Western part of Germany, the state-run record company of Eastern Germany decided to release this EP with four of her biggest hits. Judging from the cover, the single was released around the same time as Sandra's compilation album 'Ten on one'. As usual, the disc and the sleeve of this release do not state any year of manufacture.

The single has become quite a treasure in my collection, since East Germany (or the GDR as it is usually called) does not exist anymore. Which was also true when I bought this, actually.

My collection: 7" single no. 2400
Found: Record fair, July 8, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Everlasting love', 'Little girl' / 'Maria Magdalena', 'Midnight man'

Super trouper - Abba

'Super trouper' is a name for gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts and such. While Abba were never fond of performing live, the lyric seems to suggest that they 'feel like a number one' when they perform live. But in typical Abba style, the happy and upbeat song hides a darker and sadder subtext.

The music video for 'Super trouper' featured the largest number of artists the group ever used in a video. Other than Abba and their friends, the rest were from a circus troupe based in the UK. Group photos were made for the sleeve of this single and also for the album cover of 'Super trouper', where this single was drawn from. The single topped the charts in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 173
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Super trouper' / 'The piper'

The sun rising - The Beloved

On my birthday in 1990 I bought the album 'Happiness' by the Beloved. It's one of the most uplifting, positive and beautiful albums in my collection. Despite the fact that it's a dance-oriented work, the lyrics are intelligent, the music is beautiful and the rhythms are never overwhelming.

There is one exception, of course, and that's 'The sun rising'. The song is a bit repetitive and will no doubt have filled the dancefloors in the XTC-infested house scene that was dominating the clubs in 1989. The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart, meaning that after years of struggling, the Beloved had finally made their mark in the music business. They would finally have some success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1264
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The sun rising' / 'The sun rising (Eurovisionary)'

Zoom - Fat Larry's Band

Fat Larry's Band was formed by 'Fat' Larry James (August 2, 1949 - December 5, 1987). He recruited Art Capehart, Doug Jones, Jimmy Lee, Ted Cohen, Darryl Grant, Larry La Bes and Erskine Williams to form his band. They performed R&B and funk tracks between 1977 and 1987. The band folded when its founder died.

Their biggest (and only) hit in the Netherlands was the ballad 'Zoom', released in the autumn of 1982. It reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2424
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Zoom' / 'House party'

It doesn't have to be - Erasure

'It doesn't have to be' was released as the second single from Erasure's second album 'The circus' (1987). Written by the band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the track features Clarke's signature synthesizer programming along with a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics touch upon patching up an argument between two people in a relationship.

The single peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the German singles chart. In the Netherlands, it was only a minor success, peaking at number 38 in the Dutch Top 40.
The single's B-side, 'In the hall of the mountain king', is an excerpt from Grieg's Peer Gynt suite as performed by Vince Clarke.

My collection: 7" single no. 2547
Found: London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'It doesn't have to be' / 'In the hall of the mountain king'

I like Chopin - Gazebo

Paul Mazzolini was born on February 18, 1960 in Beirut, Libanon as the son of an Italian diplomat and an American singer. He learned to play the guitar at 10 to impress a girl in his class.

He used the stage name Gazebo when he started his solo career in 1982. 'I like Chopin', released a year later, became an international success. The piano motif in the song is not a Chopin composition; actually the entire song was composed by Pierluigi Giombini. The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 216
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I like Chopin' / 'I like Chopin (instrumental)'

Words - F.R. David

F.R. David was born as Eli Robert Fitoussi on January 1, 1947 in Menzel Bourguiba, Tunisia.During the Seventies, he was a member of the French rock band Les Variations. After this, he went solo, always wearing his trademark sunglasses and a white Fender Stratocaster guitar.

His single 'Words', released in 1982, became his trademark song when it sold eight million copies worldwide. It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. The song actually topped the charts in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway.

My collection: 7" single no. 1767
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Words' / 'When the sun goes down'

Your latest trick - Dire Straits

'Your latest trick' is a track from the classic Dire Straits album 'Brothers in arms'. It was released as a single in the UK, with all the royalties from the sale of the record donated to 'the hospitals for sick children'. Whether this helped a lot remains to be seen: the single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart, with only six weeks in the chart not one of the band's biggest hits.

The saxophone solo on the track was performed by Michael Brecker, an American jazz saxophonist who worked with many famous contemporaries including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, George Benson, Quincy Jones and Pat Metheny.

My collection: 7" single no. 2205
Found: Record fair, October 9, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Your latest trick' / 'Irish boy', 'The road'

Blood on the dancefloor - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson recorded 'Blood on the dancefloor' in 1991, during the sessions for his eighth album 'Dangerous'. The song was written by Michael Jackosn, but producer Teddy Riley came up with the title. It failed to make the final track listing of the album, but in 1997 it became the title track of Jackson's remix album, released after the double album 'History'.

Riley was reportedly upset that Jackson didn't call him to 'vacuum clean this old master'. Riley wanted to update the musical composition before it appeared on the remix album. The song was released as the first single from the album and reached number 42 in the US Billboard Hot 100. It was more successful in the UK, where the single topped the singles chart and in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 7.

Like 'History', which I found recently as well, this is a very rare single, released only for jukebox purposes, apparently.

My collection: 7" single no. 3853
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Blood on the dancefloor' / 'Blood on the dancefloor (Refugee Camp edit)'

More than one kind of love - Joan Armatrading

Around 1990 it happened regularly that I spotted a music video on one of the music channels (MTV Europe or Super Channel, the two that were most popular back then) and decided right away to buy the single. I happened by some interesting tracks that way.

I thought Joan Armatrading had long since stopped making music when I saw 'More than one kind of love' on television in 1990. I think the video was shown only once - at least, that I saw - and the success of the single wasn't great either: it reached number 75 during a one week run in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1257
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'More than one kind of love' / 'Love and affection (live)'

Go insane - Lindsey Buckingham

After ending his seven year relationship with Carol Ann Harris, Lindsey Buckingham released his second solo album 'Go insane'. The title track was released as a single, with a rather interesting music video to promote it.

The single became a modest hit, reaching number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the single did not chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 279
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Go insane' / 'Play in the rain'

Joey - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven's later work would be the housewife's wet dream, as the lyrics were all about homely subjects: period pains, faithful wifes and of course... children. However, her second single 'Joey', which was still quite listenable, was an early sign of this danger: the song was about her dog.

The audiences in different countries were not amused, and so the single flopped mercilessly. It's a shame, because the B-side is actually one of the best songs of her career!

My collection: 7" single no. 1959
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Joey' / 'It doesn't have to end this way'