Waterfront - Simple Minds

The early Simple Minds material has a certain quality their later songs did not have. It featured a sparser sound, it rocked like hell and the production by Steve Lillywhite was always spot-on. Their 1983 single 'Waterfront' sounded a bit like U2, that other band that was just coming up around that time.

The single was a massive hit in New Zealand, where it topped the chart. It also reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. I found my copy of the single during a festival market. The dealer which I bought this single from, had obviously been in London; the sticker from the Record Exchange was still on the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1469
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waterfront' / 'Hunter and the hunted (live)'

Wishing I was lucky - Wet Wet Wet

'Wishing I was lucky' was the debut single by the Scottish pop band Wet Wet Wet. It was taken from their 1987 album 'Popped in souled out'. It was released on 6 April 1987 and was their first hit, peaking at number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 26 on the Dutch Top 40.

Lead singer Marti Pellow recorded a solo version of the song for inclusion on his 2002 album 'Marti Pellow sings the hits of Wet Wet Wet & Smile'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2413
Found: Leiden, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Wishing I was lucky' / 'Words of wisdom'

Hang on to your love - Sade

Although 'Hang on to your love' was the fourth and last single from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life' in Europe, it was released almost at the same time in the USA as Sade's first single. While the USA single featured a 4'19 edit of the song, the European version was even shorter, clocking in at 3'58. The single was not released in the UK at all.

'Hang on to your love' reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 and narrowly missed the US Billboard Hot 100. It didn't harm her career: later on Sade would achieve an enormous popular across the Atlantic.

My collection: 7" single no. 479
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (edit)' / 'Should I love you'

Joseph mega-remix - Jason Donovan

Once before I had a guest entry on this blog: 'Juliana' was a single from the collection of my friend Puck. Well, here's another one: a single I actually bought for him, because I know he's addicted to soundtracks and musicals. And it's on the blog today, because I am giving it to him today!

This single is a release from the soundtrack of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. The mega-remix is a medley of different songs from the musical, in true Eighties style (but released in 1991, oddly enough). It actually was a hit in the UK, reaching number 13 in December 1991.

Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Tracks: 'Joseph mega-remix' / 'Close every door (Orchestral version)', 'One more angel in heaven'

True faith 94 - New Order

'True faith' was originally a hit for New Order in 1987, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart. On the occasion of a compilation album 'The best of New Order' (1994), a remix was made and released as a single. This time around, the track reached number 9 in the UK singles chart - still a very respectable feat.

A further remix single was released in 2001, but that one did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2456
Found: September 2, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'True faith 94' / 'True Faith (Perfecto radio edit)'

All by myself - Eric Carmen

When you're young, you will probably only know the horrible cover version of this song by Celine Dion. She did a very good job of murdering one of the most beautiful tracks ever recorded. Eric Carmen released this gem in 1976 as his debut solo single.

This 7 minute epic actually borrows from the second movement (Adagio Sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18. Carmen believed that the work was in the public domain, but subsequently had to come to an agreement with the Rachmaninoff estate. Nonetheless, Carmen had a hit on his hands: the track peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2319
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'All by myself' / 'Never gonna fall in love again'

Arrested by you - Dusty Springfield

'Arrested by you' was the last single taken from Dusty Springfield's 1990 album 'Reputation'. Although the track resembled some of the more laidback Pet Shop Boys tracks, it was actually prouced by the unknown producer Paul Staveley O'Duffy.

The single was not a big success, stalling at number 70 during a two week chart run in the UK singles chart. Dusty Springfield disappeared from the scene once again, resurfacing only three years later with 'Heart and soul', a duet with Cilla Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 3057
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Arrested by you' / 'Arrested by you (instrumental)'

La la la - Massiel

The song 'La la la' was originally performed by Joan Manuel Serrat, but he intended to sing the song in Catalan. The Franco government would not allow this, and so they used Massiel as a replacement. Massiel represented Spain during the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest and eventually won the contest, beating the United Kingdom's Cliff Richard with 'Congratulations' with just one point. Some critics still cite this song as an exemple of Eurovision at its worst.

Last year, it became clear that General Franco had the competition fixed to ensure a victory for Spain, boosting the image of the country abroad. According to a documentary shown on Spanish television, Spain had bought programmes from other countries for broadcast in SPain, in return for votes for the Spanish entry. Massiel herself was outraged by the allegations, insisting that she won because her song was better, and that Franco would have not been able to buy any votes for her in the first place. The theory of bought votes certainly makes the bitter pill of this song winning the Contest a little easier to swallow.

My collection: 7" single no. 2998
Found: Geest, Den Haag, June 20, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'La la la' / 'He gives me love (La la la)'

I feel the earth move - Martika

'I feel the earth move' was originally released as the debut single by Carole King in 1971. Martika recorded a cover version in 1988 on her debut album, and it was released as the third single from that album. It reached number 7 in the UK singles chart.

Part of the success must have been the release of this limited edition with a colour poster of the pretty singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 3094
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1999
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'I feel the earth move' / 'Alibis'

Comment te dire adieu - Jimmy Somerville and June Miles Kingston

'Comment te dire adieu' was first performed by American singer Margaret Whiting in 1966 as 'It hurts to say goodbye'. In 1968, the song was adapted in French by legendary songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Scottish pop singer Jimmy Somerville recorded a cover version of the French version in 1989, together with June Miles Kingston for his debut solo album 'Read my lips'.

The track was released in November 1989 as Somerville's first solo single. It reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1266
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Comment te dire adieu' / 'Tell the world'

My own way - Duran Duran

I thought I knew everything about Duran Duran's discography, until I found this single. I'd never heard of the track, the sleeve looked unlike any other Duran Duran sleeve at the time and so I assumed it was an early single, from before they were famous.

In fact, it was the fourth single by the band, a new track not on any album to capitalise on the success of 'Girls on film', their previous hit single. 'My own way' has often been cited by the band as their least favourite and is rarely played live. The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2467
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'My own way' / 'Like an angel'

Woman to woman - Beverley Craven

I didn't realise this when I wrote my previous entry about Beverley Craven's 'Woman to woman', but I've got several copies of this single. The UK edition features the same tracks as the European counterpart, but it has a different sleeve (no. 2266).

That same sleeve is used for a Spanish one-sided promotional single. It features only 'Woman to woman', and not the B-side (no. 2611). And finally, there's the limited edition poster sleeve from the UK (no. 2609; pictured below).

Now why did this single get all these different numbers in my administration? These days I use the basic premise that the single should have different tracks, but in the old days I didn't. And so, here it is: three different numbers - four, if you count the European one - for two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 2266 / no. 2609 / no. 2611
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 8, 1995 (no. 2266) / Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders each
Tracks: 'Woman to woman' / 'Everything but the blues'

The blood that moves the body (The Gun mix) - A-ha

After 'Move to Memphis', one more single was released to promote A-ha's 1992 compilation album 'Headlines and deadlines'. It was a remix of the 1988 single 'The blood that moves the body'. Since that single was the first A-ha single to land outside the UK top 20 in 1988, the record company probably thought it had some room for improvement.

So this remix was made, adding, well, not very much to the original version. The release went by largely unnoticed, and it did not chart. I only found out about the single a year after its release, and had to search for a few more years to finally find this 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2741
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The blood that moves the body (The gun mix)' / 'The blood that moves the body (Two-time gun mix)'

Digging your scene - Blow Monkeys

Fronted by lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and piano player Dr. Robert (born Bruce Robert Howard, 2 May 1961, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland), the Blow Monkeys formed in 1981. The other members were Mick Anker, Neville Henry and Tony Kiley. They released their debut album 'Limping for a generation' in 1984.

It was 1986's 'Animal magic', their second album, that carried their first hit, 'Digging your scene'. The lyric of the song dealt with the AIDS-fuelled backlash against gays. Robert commented: 'There was a little bit of hysteria about AIDS, I think, in the early days here in the tabloids. People were using it in order to slag off the gay scene and the gay culture. And what I wanted to do was redress the balance in my own way.' The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 405
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Digging your scene' / 'I backed a winner (in you)'

Kiss that frog - Peter Gabriel

'Kiss that frog' was the fourth single taken from Peter Gabriel's 1992 album 'Us'. Produced by Peter Gabriel and Daniel Lanois, the track was a bit of a messy affair, reminiscent of earlier singles by Gabriel, but not quite as effective.

The single only managed to reach number 46, and as a result, no further singles were taken from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2039
Found: HMV, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Kiss that frog (edit)' / 'Kiss that frog (Mindblender mix - edit)'

Ray of light - Madonna

'Ray of light' was the second single taken from Madonna's 1998 album of the same name. The track was based on Curtiss Maldoon's 'Sepheryn', although that track has a different melody and instrumentation. The track is full of weird high-pitched sounds, courtesy of producer William Orbit.

Madonna reached her creative peak with the album 'Ray of light', and the title track is an energetic, uplifting piece. The single reached number 17 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3022
Found: Record fair, September 8, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Ray of light' / 'Has to be'

Love on your side - Thompson Twins

Thompson Twins found themselves functioning as a trio as of 1982. The single 'In the name of love' had become a hit, and Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway wanted to pursue the single's different sound. They toyed with the idea of starting a new band on the side, which they planned to call 'The Bermuda Triangle'. John Hade, their manager, convinced them to downsize their original band, Thompson Twins.

Their first hit as a trio was 'Love on your side', a track that even quoted 'In the name of love' for a few seconds. The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart (their first top 10 hit in the UK) and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. This limited edition double single features the earlier single 'In the name of love' as disc 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 2314
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love on your side' / 'Love on your back' // 'In the name of love' / 'In the beginning'

Orangefield - Van Morrison

'Orangefield' was the second single drawn from Van Morrison's 1989 album 'Avalon Sunset'. The song is named after the school for boys which Morrison attended during his youth in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The single did not chart, despite the staggering beauty of the music in this track. Perhaps more people felt, like me, that the voice demolished the song a bit.

My collection: 7" single no. 1148
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Orangefield' / 'These are the days'

Angel eyes - Roxy Music

'Angel eyes' was the third single taken from Roxy Music's album 'Manifesto' (1979). It was a re-recorded version of the album track. An extended dance mix was also released on the accompanying 12" single, a relatively new format at the time. The song was in the charts at the same time as another song called 'Angeleyes', by the Swedish group Abba.

Roxy Music's 'Angel eyes' peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 515
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Angel eyes' / 'My little girl'

Baby baby - Amy Grant

Amy Grant was moving firmly into pop territory with her 1991 album 'Heart in motion'. 'Baby baby' was the first single drawn from the album and it was the biggest hit of her career. Not only did it top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it also reached number 2 in the UK singles chart (her first and biggest hit in the UK) and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 (her only hit in the Netherlands).

I didn't like the track upon its release, but in 1995 I got an Amy Grant tape from a friend in America and since then I was hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 2237
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, January 21, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Baby baby' / 'Lead me on'