Only the rain - Dolly Dots

Angela Groothuizen, Angéla Kramers, Anita Heilker, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer and Ria Brieffies were brought together by a producer who had witnessed the success of Luv', and thought he could improve on the formula by putting six instead of three women on stage. In a way, he was right, although artistically it didn't really get any better.

'Only the rain' was released at a time when the band was still going strong in 1985. The single was released in a limited edition pressed on white vinyl, which became the main reason for me to buy it - albeit seven years later. The single peaked at number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1635
Found: April 20, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Only the rain' / 'Loverboy'

Hands to heaven - Breathe

'Hands to heaven' was the breakthrough hit single by Breathe, released in 1988. The song was written by group members David Glasper and Marcus Lillington. Ian Spice and Michael Delahunty completed the line-up.

The single reached number 4 on the UK singles chart, while in the USA the single even made number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same month This song was one of a number of singles, many by British and Australian bands, that helped to shape the smooth jazz radio format in the US in the mid to late 1980s. Other associated artists include Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz, Icehouse and Sade.

My collection: 7"single no. 1049
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Hands to heaven' / 'Life & times'

Say I'm your no. 1 - Princess

The debut single by Princess was 'Say I'm your no. 1'. Like most of her work, the single was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the producers trio that was at the height of their popularity during that year, 1985. In the UK and the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 7.

I didn't like the song when it came out; Princess looked ridiculous in that hat and it dominated my view of the artist and the song at first. In hindsight, I liked it better, and in the end I caved and bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1760
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say I'm your no. 1' / 'Say I'm your no. 1 (Senza voce)'

Crockett's Theme - Jan Hammer

'Crockett's Theme' was another track from the soundtrack of the TV series 'Miami Vice', with which Jan Hammer made his name in the mid-Eighties. The initial version of the theme first appeared in the episode 'Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List' which aired on October 19, 1984 in the USA.

Released as a single, the track hit number 2 in the UK singles chart and topped the charts in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1038
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Crockett's theme' / 'Miami Vice: New York theme'

Strange way - All about Eve

'Strange way' was the song that started it all for All about Eve mark 2, featuring Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars instead of Tim Bricheno. Like Julianne Regan commented in 1998: 'On the very first day in the unglamorous King's Cross rehearsal room, within the first hour of playing, Andy, Mark and Marty had written the music to 'Strange way'. I was in a state of absolute delight. To see this instant musical chemisty develop right in front of me and to feel and be involved in this great natural rapport that was happening was, after the recent miseries we'd been through, nothing short of wonderful.'

Unfortunately, this great single release (with a marvellous B-side!) was not rewarded by the UK audience: the single stalled at number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1529
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, September 28, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Strange way' / 'Drawn to earth'

Voyage voyage - Desireless

Desireless was born as Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop on December 25, 1952 in Paris, France. In 1983, she met Jean-Michel Rivat, a composer and record producer who had already made his name working with Michel Delpech, France Gall and Patrick Juvet, amongst others.

In 1986, Rivat composed 'Voyage Voyage', a synthpop song that topped the charts in many European countries, and even reached number five in the UK Singles Chart — a rare feat for a French-language song, although this was a remix of the original entry, which made number 53 in the UK.

I have both releases: the original one (pictured above) and the UK remix version (pictured below). Having heard the two singles, I still can't quite figure out the difference between the two. Maybe if you play it loud...?

Original version
My collection: 7" single no. 3144
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 18, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Remix version
My collection: 7" single no. 2487
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage (remix)' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Only time will tell - Earth and Fire

'Only time will tell' was the second single taken from Earth & Fire's 1974 album 'To the world of the future' and the first of their hit singles not to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. The single peaked at number 12, which may be explained by the slightly more complicated 'stop/start' structure of the song.

The track still sounds epic, like most of the band's work in the Seventies. I discovered the single a decade after its release and was immediately hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 862
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Only time will tell' / 'Fun'

What a fool believes - The Doobie Brothers

Although originally released in 1979, 'What a fool believes' only made the Dutch chart upon its reissue in 1986. It reached number 12, which is a better placing than the two in the UK in 1979 and 1986, when it reached number 31 and 57 respectively. In the USA, 'What a fool believes' was one of the few non-disco hits to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

The song was written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald and recorded on the 1978 Doobie Brothers album 'Minute by minute', with McDonald performing lead vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1336
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'What a fool believes' / 'Don't stop to watch the wheels'

Wijs me de weg - Humphrey Campbell

In 1991, the Netherlands did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest because it was organised on May 4, traditionally a national holiday in Remembrance of the dead from World War II. In 1992, the country returned to the Contest with Humphrey Campbell's 'Wijs me de weg'. Campbell was chosen during a national final in which ten artists sang ten different songs.

'Wijs me de weg' was written by producer Edwin Schimscheimer. At the close of the voting, the song received 67 points, finishing 9th in a field of 23 participants. The energetic live version must have contributed to this success. On the record, the song sounds unbelievably flat. 'Wijs me de weg' did not chart in the Netherlands. This was also the last Dutch song for Eurovision that was released on the 7" vinyl format.

My collection: 7" single no. 3854
Found: 45toeren.nl, received July 16, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Wijs me de weg' / 'Open your eyes'

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)'