Captured by a lovestorm - Carola

Carola represented Sweden for the second time during the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. The song she performed was 'Fångad av en stormvind', a dynamic song with a rather stupid choreography. While she finished third in 1981 with 'Främling', expectations were very high indeed.

Carola came through: while she ended up with exactly the same amount of points from the international juries as Amina's 'Le dernier qui a parlé...', the rules dictated that the song that got the 'douze points' the most won. And so Carola went away with the victory. Unfortunately, I have to add, because the other song was the artistic triumph of the two.

My collection: 7" single no. 1441
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, May 24, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Captured by a lovestorm' / 'Fångad av en stormvind'

That's what love is for - Amy Grant

'That's what love is for' was released in 1991 as the fourth single from Amy Grant's album 'Heart in motion'. In America, it was one of the few from the album to be released both to secular and Christian radio stations. The single peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single reached number 60.

The song was remixed for the single, but remarkably enough the single mix appears on the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2608
Found: January 27, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'That's what love is for (album edit)' / 'That's what love is for (single mix)'

Rage to love - Kim Wilde

'Rage to love' was the third and last single from Kim Wilde's fourth album 'Teases & dares'. The track was remixed for the single by rock 'n' roll legend Dave Edmunds. Kim commented: 'We got Dave Edmunds to remix that and it sounded very Stray Cats-ish. But I just thought it had the best energy of any record from that time, unlike myself. I didn't have an awful lot at that time. I kinda let things go, lost control a bit, became a bit jaded.'

Still, the single became Kim's biggest hit in the UK for three years, reaching the UK top 20, peaking at number 19. The B-side, 'Putty in your hands' is a non-album track and a cover version of the song originally performed by the Yardbirds.

My collection: 7" single no. 271
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rage to love' / 'Putty in your hands'

Waste of time - Maarten Peters

'Waste of time' is a single from Maarten Peters' debut album 'Hunting the queenbee'. Lack of information makes it hard to give it a chronology, but it's probably Maarten's second or third single. It is an interesting popsong which nevertheless did not chart in the Netherlands.

The B-side, 'I must get over you', is a non-album track that has never been released anywhere else. A moving ballad that is great for dark nights if you're lovesick.

My collection: 7" single no. 663
Found: Amsterdam, October 8, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Waste of time' / 'I must get over you'

Always - Erasure

'Always' was released as the first single from Erasure's sixth album 'I say I say I say'. The song quickly became Erasure's 13th Top 10 on the UK singles chart, peaking at number 4. It topped the charts in Ireland and hit number 5 in Germany. In the United States, the single peaked at number 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The real treat here is the instrumental B-side 'Tragic'. Andy Bell added vocals to this track later on - that version was released on the cd-single of the later single 'I love Saturday'. That single was not released on 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2507
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Always' / 'Tragic'

The name of the game - Abba

'The name of the game' was the first song to be recorded for Abba's fifth album, which would be named 'The album'. Written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson, it was their most complex composition yet and contained the influences of the laid-back California sound of the day.

An edited version of 'The name of the game', which omitted the entire second verse of the song, reduced the length of the track from its original 4:51 to 3:58. This was released on a promotional single in the USA. Somehow this edited version found its way onto various cd releases, including the compilation 'Abba Gold' and the 1999 digital remaster of 'The album'. Fortunately, the original single features the song in its entirity.

My collection: 7" single no. 130
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The name of the game' / 'I wonder (Departure)'

No mercy - The Stranglers

The relationship with my brother has always been a bit strange. He was very much into music, and didn't have any scruples about how to get hold of records. So when I started buying records as a child, sometimes I had singles disappear on me. There was also the odd swap, but he always came out on top, because I had a lousy judgement when I was eight years old.

This single is a historic one, because it was the first single I got from him, no strings attached. It happened one sunny summers day in 1985, when I'd done some radio work for him. I didn't really like the song, but I was too baffled to say anything about it. Lucky I kept it, because I really like the song now. The single reached number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 259
Found: Den Haag
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'No mercy' / 'In one door'

When a heart beats - Nik Kershaw

'When a heart beats' was the eighth hit single for Nik Kershaw. It was the third single taken from his 1984 album 'The riddle', and at the time of its release I really thought it was a bit of a tuneless affair. It was only later, when I realised I had nearly every single by Kershaw, that I bought this one. Now, twentyfour years later, I think it's a nice pop song, albeit a little unfocused.

The single reached number 27 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2449
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When a heart beats' / 'Wild horses'

This side of love - Terence Trent d'Arby

When you see the picture here, you would almost think there's been a mistake. But it's true: I bought this single in a completely white sleeve. And that's because this copy of 'This side of love' is a promotional single, with a white CBS sleeve and the warning 'For promotion only - Not for sale' on the label. This is slightly surprising, because I always thought CBS dropped Terence Trent d'Arby like a stone the minute they heard his second album 'Neither fish nor flesh'.

The album was precisely what the title described. A collection of songs with pretentious titles that weren't particularly radio-friendly. 'This side of love' did not chart in any territory. On the upside: the B-side of this single (a non-album track) sounds a bit like an Eric Satie piano improvisation.

My collection: 7" single no. 3290
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'This side of love' / 'Sad song for Sister Sarah Serenade'

Doctor doctor - Thompson Twins

'Doctor doctor' was the second single taken from Thompson Twins' hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap'. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, which was an improvement on the number 4 reached by the previous single, 'Hold me now'. In the Netherlands, 'Doctor doctor' reached a more modest number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 3264
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 21, 2000
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Doctor doctor' / 'Nurse shark'

More than this - Roxy Music

'More than this' was released in 1982 as the first single from Roxy Music's album 'Avalon'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Although it didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is still one of their best known singles there.

In 1999, Emmie released a very good dance cover of this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1290
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'More than this' / 'India'

When the spirit slips away - Ten Sharp

'When the spirit slips away' is the third single from Ten Sharp's 1991 album 'Under the waterline'. Originally released as a 7 track mini-album, it was expanded to 10 tracks when international success loomed.

With its environmental message, this single was probably deemed uninteresting by the Dutch public, as the single did not chart. In other countries it was equally unsuccessful, although it was released in only a few countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1966
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'When the spirit slips away' / 'When the spirit slips away (instrumental)'

Peeping Tom - Rockwell

Peeping Tom is a person who, in the legend of Lady Godiva, watched her during her ride and was struck blind or dead. The song 'Peeping Tom' was Rockwell's third single, taken from his album 'Captured'. It also featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture 'The last dragon', a Motown Productions picture. This martial arts film was a critical disappointment but a commercial success.

Although personally I think this is an accomplished song, it was not successful in any territory. I had the 12" single before I found this 7" single - and I do admit the remix is better than the single version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2581
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Peeping Tom' / 'Tokyo (instrumental)'

Break the chains - Private lives

'Break the chains' was the third and last single release from Private lives' debut album 'Prejudice and pride'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, as it added a sung intro.

Like most Private lives singles, this one did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2984
Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Break the chains' / 'You've got to win'

Part-time lover - Stevie Wonder

'Part-time lover' was released as a single in 1985 and was taken from Stevie Wonder's album 'In square circle'. The song reached number 1 in America, number 3 in the UK and number 11 in the Netherlands. The song featured R&B singer Luther Vandross humming at the end of Stevie's verses.

Sounds familiar? Well that's because I wrote about the 12" single of 'Part-time lover' on this blog a few months ago...

My collection: 7" single no. 2261
Found: April 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Part-time lover' / 'Part-time lover (instrumental)'

Praying for time - George Michael

'Praying for time', released in August 1990, was George Michael's first single in almost two years. The song was a dark and sombre reflection on social ills and injustice. George used an echoey vocal effect and put the melody in a low enough key to take away the sunny nature of his regular singing voice.

While George Michael refused to appear in videos to support the album, a music video was released featuring only the words of the song with a blue and black background that, at the end of the clip, reveals itself to be the image on the cover of the album 'Listen without prejudice', from which the song was taken. The single reached number 6 in the UK, number 10 in the Netherlands and number 1 in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1312
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Praying for time' / 'If you were my woman'

Lolly lolly - Wendy and Lisa

'Lolly lolly' was the second single released from Wendy & Lisa's second album 'Fruit at the bottom' (1989). The single was remixed by their former employer Prince, who made the track sound bouncier and funkier than on the album.

Despite his efforts, the single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 64. However, in the Netherlands 'Lolly lolly' shot to number 8.

My collection: 7" single no. 936
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 7, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lolly lolly' / 'Hip hop love'

(What) In the name of love - Naked Eyes

Back in 1984, while I was constantly watching television to see music videos, I got to know the duo Naked Eyes thanks to their video of '(What) In the name of love'. They were unknown in the Netherlands, but in the UK - where Music Box was based - they already had one hit under their belt with 'Always something there to remind me'.

It took me years to find this single, but I finally did in 1995. What a relief! It was not a hit for Naked Eyes, even though the music video was a regular on television in the summer of 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2431
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '(What) In the name of love' / 'Two heads together'

The other side of love - Yazoo

Yazoo released their second album 'You and me both' in 1982, and 'The other side of love' was the first single taken from that album. It was an uptempo song with a strong synth hook. Alison Moyet's soulful vocals completed the package.

While the album reached the top of the UK albums chart, the single stalled just outside the top 10, peaking at number 13. It's an energetic sort of song that has stood the test of time.

My collection: 7" single no. 177
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The other side of love' / 'Ode to boy'

A view to a kill - Duran Duran

Duran Duran was chosen to do the theme song of the 1984 James Bond movie 'A view to a kill' after bassist John Taylor (a lifelong Bond fan) approached producer Cubby Broccoli at a party and asked: 'When are you going to get someone decent to do one of your theme songs?'. As a result, the band was introduced to Bond composer John Barry. Simon le Bon comments: 'He didn't really come up with any of the basic musical ideas. He heard what we came up with and he put them into an order. And that's why it happened so quickly because he was able to separate the good ideas from the bad ones, and he arranged them.'

The song was completed in April, and was released worldwide in May 1984. It was the last track that the original five members of Duran Duran recorded together until their reunion sixteen years later, in 2001.

My collection: 7" single no. 1866
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 13, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'A view to a kill' / 'A view to a kill (That fatal kiss)'