Don Quichotte - Magazine 60

'No señor, Don Quichotte y Sancho Panza no están aqui' is the most important message in this song. When you enjoy thoughtful lyrics, this song will not exactly oblige you. But this message is one I used quite frequently, together with a friend, while we were following Spanish classes almost 20 years ago. A few years ago I decided I wanted to have the track.

Magazine 60 is a French synthpop trio consisting of Jean-Luc Drion, Dominique Régiacorte and Véronique Oliver. Although this single did not chart in most European countries, it was a modest hit in America.

My collection: 7" single no. 3297
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Don Quichotte' / 'Circonvolution'

The riddle - Nik Kershaw

'Near a tree by a river there's a hole in the ground / Where an old man of Aran goes around and around / and his mind is a beacon in the veil of the night / For a strange kind of fashion there's a wrong and a right'. What does it mean? These lyrics caused so much confusion that the record company MCA decided to run a competition to work out the meaning. However, according to Nik Kershaw himself, the lyic had no meaning at all: '[it was] nonsense, rubbish, bollocks, the confused ramblings of an 80s popstar'.

Despite all this, it gave Kershaw a considerable hit. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in December 1984, his biggest hit up to that point. In the Netherlands, the single reached a more modest number 19.

My collection: 7" single no. 2767
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'The riddle' / 'Progress'

Some kind of lover - Jody Watley

A sticker on the sleeve of this single announces that Jody Watley was a Grammy Award winner in the category Best New Artist in 1987. Which in fact is a bit strange, since Watley had been active in the music business all through the decade, first as a member of Shalamar, and then solo.

'Some kind of lover' was released as the fourth single from her self-titled debut album. The single only reached number 81 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2189
Found: Record Exchange, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Some kind of lover' / 'Some kind of lover (dub)'

Can I get a witness - Sam Brown

Released as the fourth and last single from Sam Brown's debut album 'Stop', 'Can I get a witness' was a cover version of Marvin Gaye's 1963 hit song written by Holland, Dozier, Holland. Other cover versions were recorded previously by Dusty Springfield, the Rolling Stones and Steampacket (with Rod Stewart).

Sam Brown's version was a hit in the UK only, peaking at number 15. The single was available in a limited edition poster sleeve, which of course I own.

My collection: 7" single no. 839
Found: unknown, 1989
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Can I get a witness' / 'Walking after midnight'

Take me to your heart - Rick Astley

'Take me to your heart' was released as the second single from Rick Astley's second album 'Hold me in your heart'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. It was also a top ten hit in Germany and Ireland.

When the American band Inner City released 'Big fun', it met with some controversy, as the music was very similar to 'Take me to your heart'. Stock Aitken & Waterman alleged that the band stole their music, but it is not known whether this led to any lawsuits.

My collection: 7" single no. 749
Found: V&D, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Take me to your heart' / 'I'll be fine'

Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder

Today I'm celebrating my birthday. So I thought I'd better pick one song that would be sort of appropriate. The title certainly is. 'Happy Birthday' was released by Stevie Wonder in 1981 as part of his campaign to have the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. become a national holiday in the USA. The single bizzarrely didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100, but reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

Wonder used the song to popularize the campaign, and continued his fight for the holiday. President Ronald Reagan approved the creation of the holiday, signing it into existence on November 2, 1983. The first official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was held on January 20, 1986, and was commemorated with a large-scale concert, where Stevie Wonder was the headlining performer.

My collection: 7" single no. 2818
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Happy Birthday' / 'Happy Birthday (instrumental)'

New moon on Monday - Duran Duran

'New moon on Monday' is the tenth single by Duran Duran, released in January 1984. It was released as the second single from the band's 1983 album 'Seven and the ragged tiger'. In February 1984, the single reached number 9 on the UK singles chart; a month later the single peaked at numebr 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Netherlands, the single stalled at number 26.

I have the European pressing of the single, which has a different sleeve compared to the original UK version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2151
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, September 1, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'New moon on Monday' / 'Tiger Tiger'

Closest thing to heaven - The Kane Gang

In 1984, the Kane Gang released 'Closest thing to heaven', arguably the most beautiful song of their career. It was certainly their most successful: it reached number 12 in the UK singles chart during an 11 week chart run.

In the Netherlands, the single didn't reach the Dutch Top 40. I waited two years and then bought the single for almost nothing.

My collection: 7" single no. 493
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven' / 'Mighty day'

Am I right? - Erasure

'Am I right?' was the third single released from Erasure's 1991 album 'Chorus'. It is a ballad in which the protagonist is wandering through the city streets after a romantic separation, while his lover contemplates whether or not (s)he is really in love and wants to return to the relationship.

The single was released as a four track EP, featuring three bonus tracks. It reached number 15 in the UK singles chart. Another EP, featuring new songs and alternate versions, also called 'Am I right', was released a month later and reached number 22. However, that EP was not released on 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2192
Found: Big Company Records, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Am I right?', 'Carry on clangers (edited)' / 'Let it flow', 'Waiting for sex (edited)'

A little peace - Nicole

So I've got 'Ein Bisschen Frieden', 'La paix sur terre', 'Een beetje vrede' and 'En smule fred'. No wonder that I've also got the English version: 'A little peace'. This is the only single released on the CBS label and with a different sleeve (although I do believe another version does exist with the same sort of sleeve as the other four).

It's rather unusual for any Eurovision winner to reach the UK singles chart, let alone reaching the top position. But that's exactly what Nicole did in May 1982. It may well have been the first time in a long time that any German captured the hearts of UK citizens.

My collection: 7" single no. 3572
Found: eBay.com, received February 2, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'A little peace' / 'Thank you, merci, danke'

So in love - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the dark

'So in love' was the last song written for OMD's album 'Crush'. It was originally dropped until band member Martin Cooper persuaded Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys to make a demo for the song. Andy McCluskey said it was about the painful end of a relationship.

Released as the first single from the album, it was a good success for the band. For years they tried to make it in the USA, and with this single, they did: it peaked at number 26 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK singles chart it reached number 27, while in the Netherlands, it reached number 7. This limited edition double single features two extra tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 2743
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'So in love' / 'Concrete hands' // 'Maria Gallante' / 'White trash (live)'

G.L.A.D. - Kim Appleby

Quite frankly, I still think that this song is a bit naff. The title 'G.L.A.D.' is an abbreviation for 'Good lovin' and devotion', as is explained in the song lyric, but why would anyone come up with such an abbreviation? It seems to me that Craig Logan and Mel and Kim Appleby were a bit short on inspiration when they came up with this song.

Still, since I'd bought every Mel & Kim single and the one Kim Appleby single that came before this one, I felt an obligation to own this one as well. I bought it after it left the Dutch Top 40, where it reached number 13 during a six week chart run. The UK audience was even less critical: they made it go to number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1435
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 26, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'G.L.A.D. (7" remix)' / 'G.L.A.D. (instrumental)'

Why can't we live together (new version) - Mike Anthony

So when 'Why can't we live together' by Mike Anthony was withdrawn, a new version was rushed out to continue the success story. This new version entered the Dutch Top 40 on April 17, exactly when the original version left the chart, and rose further to number 6. This version lasted eight weeks in the chart.

Further information about this track is not available. Mike Anthony also disappeared from the music business, at least here in the Western world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2421
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't we live together (new version - part 1)' / 'Why can't we live together (new version - part 2)'

Why can't we live together - Mike Anthony

Mike Anthony entered the Dutch Top 40 on April 3, 1982 with his version of Timmy Thomas' 'Why can't we live together'. The chart run of this single was only two weeks, while in the second week it climbed to number 15.

The Jamaican DJ ran into some legal problems with this single, as it used samples of the original recording by Timmy Thomas without consent. Within two weeks, the single was withdrawn and replaced with a new version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2418
Found: Plaatboef, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't we live together (part 1)' / 'Why can't we live together (part 2)'

Alive and kicking - Simple Minds

'Alive and kicking' was released as a single from the Simple Minds' 1985 album 'Once upon a time'. The single featured a single version that was 40 seconds shorter than the album version. However, the instrumental version on the B-side was 35 seconds longer, clocking in at 6 minutes.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart, number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1470
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Alive and kicking' / 'Alive and kicking (instrumental)'

What have I done to deserve this? - Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield

The Pet Shop Boys recorded a duet with Dusty Springfield in 1987. It was released as the second single from their 1987 album 'Actually'. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Dutch Top 40. (What a coincidence!)

The song's success helped revive Springfield's career and led to a resurgence of interest in her music. Following this duet, the Pet Shop Boys wrote and produced the singles 'Nothing has been proved' and 'In private' for Springfield.

My collection: 7" single no. 1641
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 3, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'What have I done to deserve this?' / 'A new life'

Famous last words - Tears for Fears

'Famous last words' was the last track on the Tears for Fears album 'The seeds of love' (1989) and released as the fourth and final sigle from that album. It was released by the record company without the band's involvement.

The single peaked at number 83 in the UK singles chart. Around this time, Curt Smith left Tears for Fears and Roland Orzabal continued the band alone.

My collection: 7" single no. 1348
Found: Melody Maker, October 27, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Famous last words' / 'Mothers talk (US remix)'

Hang on now - Kajagoogoo

With its swirling synthesizers and lush production, 'Hang on now' was the third top 20 hit for Kajagoogoo in 1981, taken from their debut album 'White feathers'. It was also their last single before lead singer Limahl left Kajagoogoo.

From the second album on, Kajagoogoo continued as a quartet, with bassist Nick Beggs taking over vocal duties.

My collection: 7" single no. 1308
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Hang on now' / 'Hang on now (instrumental)'

Banana republic - Boomtown Rats

Banana republic is a derogatory term for a country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique. The Boomtown Rats had a hit in the UK with a song with the title 'Banana republic', reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart in November 1980.

The track was taken from their 1980 album 'Mondo Bongo'. The album was was produced by Tony Visconti, who is best known for his work with David Bowie.

My collection: 7" single no. 958
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Banana republic' / 'Man at the top'

Never / These dreams - Heart

Both 'Never' and 'These dreams' were released as singles in 1985, but this double A-side was released in the UK in a limited edition gatefold sleeve edition in 1988. This is after their biggest success 'Alone', taken from 'Bad animals' (1987). These two tracks come from Heart's previous self-titled album (1985).

This double A-side release was another success for the band, peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3104
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Never' / 'These dreams'