Move to Memphis - A-ha

'Move to Memphis' was a new track by A-ha, released in 1991 to coincide with the release of 'Headlines and deadlines', their first ever compilation album. The single showed a more mature-sounding A-ha than ever before, already foreshadowing what their next album would sound like. A a new version of 'Move to Memphis' would actually appear on that next album.

The single became A-ha's least successful release up until then, only managing to reach number 47 in the UK singles chart during a two week chart run. The single didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1559
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 14, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Move to Memphis' / 'Crying in the rain (live)'

Goodbye girl - David Gates

'Goodbye girl' was the title track from David Gates' third solo album, released in 1978. The former Bread lead singer recorded only six new tracks for the album, the other six tracks were taken from his two previous solo albums.

The single was an unsuccessful one, as it didn't chart in Europe. Gates did continue recording music, although he took a break between 1981 and 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 2249
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4 ,1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Goodbye girl' / 'Sunday rider'

Too shy - Kajagoogoo

The English band Kajagoogoo was formed in 1979 by Nick Beggs, Steve Askew, Stuart Croxford Neale and Jez Strode. Originally named Art Nouveau, they struggled to find a record company but were unsuccessful. In 1981 they auditioned for a lead singer to add to their band and found Christopher Hamill. He made his profile catchier by using a stage name, 'Limahl', an anagram of his surname. His hairdo, blond on top and black on the sides, also helped, of course.

With this new addition, they attracted interest from record companies and got Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran to produce their debut album 'White feathers'. The debut single 'Too shy' was released in January 1983 and became a number 1 hit in the UK and Germany. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 4. The B-side is not a straightforward instrumental version as you might expect, but a rather interesting dub version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1941
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 11, 1993
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Too shy' / 'Too shy (instrumental)'

When am I going to make a living - Sade

I might never have become a fan of Sade's music if it wasn't for this single. I thought her debut 'Your love is king' was pretty boring, and initially I didn't like this song either when it showed up on music video TV channels. But the chorus grabbed me one day, and I found myself buying the single not long after that. It went on from there: 'Smooth operator' was kindof interesting (although I very much preferred the 12" and extended video version) and by the time 'Hang on to your love' was released, I was looking for the album.

This single reached number 12 in the Netherlands and number 36 in the UK singles chart. I'm relieved to hear that Sade is about to release a new album later this year. Well, knowing how quickly the band works, it could also be 2010.

My collection: 7" single no. 243
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'When am I going to make a living' / 'Should I love you'

Reach out I'll be there 88 remix - Four Tops

I'm not a purist by any means, but I do think that remixing Motown classics like this should be a capital offence. At the height of the Stock/Aitken/Waterman mania in the UK, Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, who worked with the trio rather often, were commissioned to make a remix of the Four Tops classic 'Reach out I'll be there'.

The remix reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. I bought the single out of curiosity during a holiday in London. The next day I found myself hurrying to a Central London hospital because of a kidney stone. I'm not sure if this is a cause and effect thing...

My collection: 7" single no. 3166
Found: House of Rhythm, London, January 18, 2000
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Reach out I'll be there 88 remix' / 'Standing in the shadows of love'

I won't let me down - Dominic

While still a member of the British group Guys & Dolls, Dominic Grant recorded a solo album in 1982, of which 'I won't let me down' was the lead single. The single was mainly a success in the Netherlands, peaking at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

The Guys & Dolls would continue as a group until 1985, after which Dominic Grant and Julie Forsyth went on as a duo - being again mostly successful in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 154
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I won't let me down' / 'Just a little in love'

It ain't necessarily so - Bronski Beat

'It ain't necessarily so' was written by George and Ira Gershwin (pictured here on the sleeve) in 1935 for the opera Porgy and Bess. In the opera, the track is sung by a drug dealer who expresses his doubt about several statements in the bible.

Covered by Bronski Beat in 1984, the song took on a whole new meaning. The gay trio used the song to make a statement about homosexuality, as some religious groups kept using the bible to attack gay people. Like the song says, 'Things that you're liable to read in the Bible, ain't necessarily so'. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1095
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'It ain't necessarily so' / 'Close to the edge'

Have I told you lately - Van Morrison

I'd like to start off this Sunday morning with some typical Sunday morning music. This romantic ballad by Van Morrison was originally written as a prayer, and it certainly contains a few religious lines. Popularly it is interpreted as a love song, often played at weddings and the like.

Released in 1989, Van Morrison reached the UK singles chart with this single for the first time in 10 years, although it only made the chart for one week at number 74. In the Netherlands, it was his biggest hit overall, peaking at number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 951
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 5, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Have I told you lately' / 'Contacting my angel'

The dreamer - All about Eve

Since All about Eve was pretty much famous in the UK only, their singles became increasingly hard to find in the Netherlands. Some shops were still selling import records in 1991, but I was unlucky with this single: the shop in Rotterdam where I got my imports only got the 12" single, cd-single and picture disc 12" (which of course I bought too).

Thankfully, my friend Puck was taking an apprenticeship in Newcastle between September 1991 and January 1992, so I had the chance to ask him to pick up this single. He did, and when he returned, I finally had that single to complete my collection. Of course, the single did turn up at record fairs in the Netherlands - but that was a couple of years later!

My collection: 7" single no. 1581
Found: Newcastle, January 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The dreamer (remix)' / 'Frida of blood and gold'

Mull of Kintyre - Wings

'Mull of Kintyre' is arguably Paul McCartney & Wings' most recognised song. McCartney wrote it as an ode of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where he had a home and recording studio since the late Sixties. McCartney commented about the song: 'I certainly loved Scotland enough, so I came up with a song about where we were living; an area called Mull of Kintyre. It was a love song really, about how I enjoyed being there and imagining I was travelling away and wanting to get back there.'

Released shortly before Christmas 1977, it became that year's Christmas number 1 in the UK, staying at the top of the singles chart for nine weeks. The single eventually sold over two million copies. The single also reached the top position in the Dutch Top 40.

I originally bought a copy of the single back in 1985, with the sleeve so torn up that I eventually cut out the photographs and made a new sleeve for it using standard white paper. This new copy is actually made in England, and in the condition it's in (i.e. very good) I bet a collector would pay dearly for this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 300
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Mull of Kintyre' / 'Girls school'

James Cagney - Nik Kershaw

Nik Kershaw's 1986 album 'Radio Musicola' was released to critical acclaim, but it wasn't a big success in commercial terms. It seemed Kershaw had outgrown his audience with the more mature work displayed on the album.

The single 'James Cagney' was released on the European mainland only. The 'extended version' on the 12" single is in fact the album version, which is about 2 minutes longer than the edit that appeared on the 7" single. A remix of 'Radio Musicola' is tacked on on the B-side for good measure.

My collection: 12" single no. 504
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 24, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'James Cagney (extended)' / 'Radio Musicola (remix)'

Situation / Only you - Yazoo

Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke formed Yazoo in 1981, after Clarke had left Depeche Mode. They took the name of the band from the labels of old blues albums: Yazoo Records. While their debut single 'Only you' was successful in the UK, peaking at number 2, it flopped in most European countries.

It was only after the hit success of their next single 'Don't go' that Mute Records decided to re-release the debut single. This time around, the B-side 'Situation' was promoted as the lead track, and it became a hit, peaking at number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy of the single has a new sleeve, but the single is still 'old', featuring 'Only you' as the A-side. It's not a mixup: this is how they were sold in 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 170
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Only you' / 'Situation'

Lunatic - Gazebo

Gazebo continued on with the theme set by 'I like Chopin', using classical influences in his Italo dance tracks. Synths and strings to a less appealing lyric - it was perhaps predictable that he wouldn't be able to have more success with such a formulaic single.

'Lunatic' did chart in some European countries, such as Italy (peaking at number 3), Germany (number 4), Switzerland (number 6) and Austria (number 13). However, the single did not chart in the Netherlands, which surprised me at the time. Now I'm not so surprised...

My collection: 7" single no. 226
Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lunatic' / 'Lunatic (instrumental)'

Kiss - Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones

'Kiss' is a cover version of Prince's 1986 hit single. It was recorded by Art of Noise and Tom Jones as a new track for Art of Noise's 1988 compilation album 'The best of the Art of Noise'. The track features elements from previous Art of Noise singles 'Close (to the edit)', 'Moments in love', 'Paranoimia', 'Dragnet' and 'Peter Gunn'.

In the UK, the Art of Noise and Tom Jones improved on Prince's success by peaking at number 5 in the singles chart, one position higher than the original. In the Netherlands, the single also reached number 5, but there Prince had reached number 2 just two years before.

My collection: 7" single no. 3913
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss' / 'E.F.L.'

Lucky number - Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich released her debut album 'Stateless' in 1978. The album reached number 35 in the UK albums chart, largely on the back of the success of the album's lead single, 'Lucky number'. That single came about when Lovich met DJ and author Charlie Gillett, who presented her recording of 'I think we're alone now', a cover of the 1967 Tommy James & The Shondells hit to Stiff Records boss Dave Robinson.

He immediately agreed to release the track, but a B-side had to be written. That was 'Lucky number', which was then released as a single instead and reached number 3 in the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3918
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Lucky number' / 'Home'

Still - Commodores

Taken from their 1979 album 'Midnight magic', 'Still' was the last hit single for the Commodores before Lionel Richie, who sings lead vocals on this track, went solo.

The ballad was a huge hit in America, topping the US BIllboard Hot 100. The single also reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3917
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Still' / 'Such a woman'

Another silent day - The Adventures

There's something really alluring to early Eighties remixes: they are always based on the original recording, they are just longer. Echo effects, instrumental passages, and sometimes extra choruses are used to give the listener that extended listening experience.

The Adventures released 'Another silent day' in 1984, which was the time when these extended versions were still made. I've been searching for this 12" single for a long time, so I was really glad to have finally found it.

My collection: 12" single no. 508
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Another silent day (extended)' / 'Another silent day', 'Happy depression'

The woman in you - Bee Gees

'The woman in you' is one of five new songs the Bee Gees contributed to the movie 'Staying alive' (1983), the unsuccessful sequel to 'Saturday night fever' (1977). In interviews following the release of the movie and soundtrack, the brothers expressed their displeasure at the way their songs were edited in the movie and revealed that their hearts were not in the music. By 1983, The Bee Gees were focusing their talents on solo projects and productions of other artists, so it is not surprising that they were not all enthusiastic about the 'Staying alive' movie.

The single was still a reasonable success, peaking at number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3920
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'The woman in you' / 'Stayin' alive'

She works hard for the money - Donna Summer

'She works hard for the money' was released as the first single from Donna Summer's 1983 album of the same name. During a contract dispute with Geffen Records over creative control, Summer released the album on a different label, Mercury. The song was written by Summer herself and was based on an encounter she had with an exhausted bathroom attendant.

The version found on the 7" single was edited from the over 5 minute version on the album. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3919
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'She works hard for the money' / 'I do believe (I fell in love)'

Het stoomlied - Ed en Willem Bever

The Dutch children's programme 'De fabeltjeskrant' ('The newspaper of little fables') was extremely popular in the late Sixties and early Seventies. It was made in such a way that the 5 minute broadcasts always told a little story for the children, but also contained literary references and double entendres for adults.

Meanwhile, the merchandise range was impressive: there were puppets, puzzles and schoolbags - and then there were some very popular singles. This was the first one: 'Het stoomlied' ('The steam song') as performed by Ed and Willem Be(a)ver. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1970. Why did I buy this? Why, it's a tribute to my own childhood, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 3910
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Het Stoomlied' (Ed en Willem Bever) / 'Lied van Momfer de Mol' (Momfer de Mol)