Hey Jude - The Beatles

'Hey Jude' was originally written by Paul McCartney as 'Hey Jules' as a song for Julian Lennon, after the divorce of his parents, John and Cynthia Lennon. Paul commented: 'I started with the idea 'Hey Jules', which was Julian, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better. Hey, try and deal with this terrible thing. I knew it was not going to be easy for him. I always feel sorry for kids in divorces... I changed it to 'Jude' because I thought that sounded a bit better.'

The song became a massive hit for the Beatles, reaching number 1 in charts around the world. The single was the debut release of the Beatles' record label Apple Records.

My collection: 7" single no. 425
Found: Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey Jude' / 'Revolution'

Love changes (everything) - Climie Fisher

My copy of 'Love changes (everything)' features a free poster. This is also the reason why I bought it, as part of a batch of the four last singles I bought during a holiday in London. I figured that limited editions like this were much harder to find again than the usual second hand singles.

'Love changes (everything)' is arguably Climie Fisher's best known single, and their biggest hit in the UK, peaking at number 2 in the summer of 1987. In the Dutch Top 40, the single landed at number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 1082
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love changes (everything)' / 'Never close the show'

Shine silently - Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren was born on June 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois (USA). He joined Neil Young's band, following this up with a brief stint with Crazy Horse in 1971. His own band Grin then landed a record deal and had some success for three years. Lofgren then launched a solo career.

His fifth album 'Nils' was released in 1979, featuring the single 'Shine silently'. This single reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn of 1979 and is still a firm radio favourite these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 1422
Found: Record fair, Den Haagt, April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Shine silently' / 'Kool skool'

Stop loving you - Toto

'Stop loving you' was the first single taken from Toto's 1988 album 'The seventh one'. The song was written by David Paich and Steve Lukather and featured backing vocals by Jon Anderson.

The single peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1812
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop loving you' / 'The seventh one'

Call me - Go west

Go west released 'Call me' as their second single. It was taken from their self-titled debut album, released in 1985. Although the single couldn't match the success of their debut single 'We close our eyes' in any territory. it still did rather well.

In the UK, 'Call me' reached number 12, whereas in the US Billboard Hot 100 the single reached number 54. In New Zealand, 'Call me' reached number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 312
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Call me' / 'The man in my mirror'

Why can't it wait 'til morning - Phil Collins

'Why can't it wait 'til morning' was the fifth single taken from Phil Collins' second solo album 'Hello, I must be going!'. It was only released in the UK, but it was not successful: the single did not chart, despite the fact that it is actually quite a great ballad.

The B-side was also taken from the album. The lyric of 'Like china' is about an infatuated teenager attempting to convince his girlfriend to sleep with him by saying he will treat her as gently like china. I wonder if she fell for it...

My collection: 7" single no. 3202
Found: Record fair, September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't it wait 'til morning' / 'Like china'

Sexy MF - Prince

There were some problems when Prince delivered his song 'Sexy motherfucker' in 1992. Puritan people were very distraught by this expression, whereas in that day and age it shouldn't really shock anyone much more than violence on TV and in movies. But apparently saying 'motherfucker' is worse than that. Channels like MTV hastily censored the offending word 'fucker' with an exclamation by Prince, which made the song sound very strange indeed.

The single did benefit somewhat from all the upheaval, as it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, the single stalled at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 1744
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sexy MF' / 'Strollin''

Kissing gate - Sam Brown

Sam Brown's second album 'April moon' spawned five singles, of which 'Kissing gate' was the second. It was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart and also reaching number 45 in Canada.

The single was released in a limited edition pop-up sleeve. The popup revealed an image of Sam Brown with the lyric of 'Kissing gate' behind her. The quirky B-side 'Is it mustard or mango?' is a nice treat as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 1258
Found: Tower Records, London, July 5, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Kissing gate' / 'Is it mustard or mango?'

Don't cry - Seal

I've been buying some Nineties singles recently, and it's interesting how the 7" format continued in America as it was slowly abolished in Europe already.

'Don't cry' was released as the fifth and final single from Seal's fourth album in 1995. It featured a radio edit of the track (which was not that much shorter than the album version). The single reached number 51 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4117
Found: eBay.com, received October 19, 2009
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Don't cry (radio edit)' / 'Fast changes'

Hallo spaceboy - David Bowie

'Hallo spaceboy' was a track on David Bowie's 1995 album '1. Outside', a loud rock track that would surprise a lot of listeners if they would hear it. The lyric of the song featured a return of Major Tom, a character wellknown from Bowie's songs 'Space oddity' and 'Ashes to ashes'.

The single version was remixed by the Pet Shop Boys and was far more dance oriented. The introduction was sampled from 'Outside's opening track, 'Leon take us outside'. Bowie initially expressed reservation about the additions, which referenced and 'chopped up' the lyrics to 'Space oddity', but later agreed that they worked well so long as Tennant sung them. The single became a hit for Bowie, peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The 7" single was pressed on pink vinyl. On my copy, the label of the B-side is missing.

My collection: 7" single no. 2632
Found: March 16, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Hallo spaceboy' / 'The hearts filthy lesson (radio edit)'

Robin (the hooded man) - Clannad

I bought the Clannad compilation album 'Pastpresent' somewhere around 1990 and it was through that cd that I discovered the interesting back catalogue of this Irish band. I went through a phase of buying their singles whenever I came across them - and I still will, I think.

'Robin (the hooded man)' was the only single to be lifted off Clannad's 1984 album 'Legend'. The music of that album was composed for the ITV drama series 'Robin of Sherwood', starring Michael Praed, who appears on the cover of this single. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2901
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Robin (the hooded man)' / 'Lady Marian'

What do I have to do - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue was changing her image from 'girl next door' to 'sex siren', and the music video for 'What do I have to do' was one of the means to do this. The video showed Kylie in a swimming pool, a fairground, doing the ironing in a French maid's costume, and dancing with a female friend in a club. The sexual undertones in the video directed by Dave Hogan proved too much for Saturday morning TV shows, and so they showed a censored version of the video.

The music video was exploited in the single release as well: this limited edition features two free postcards with stills from the video. 'What do I have to do' reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2701
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What do I have to do' / 'What do I have to do (instrumental)'

Hide and seek - Howard Jones

'Hide and seek' was the third single from Howard Jones' debut album 'Human's lib'. The ballad had an almost biblical lyric and intriguing synthesizer sounds. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

This 10" single features both the A- and B-sides of the 7" single, but also an exclusive 'concert version', recorded live in concert at High Wycombe Concert Hall in 1984.

My collection: 10" single [unnubered]
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hide & seek (Concert version)' / 'Hide & seek', 'Tao te Ching'

Circle of one - Oleta Adams

'Circle of one' was the second single released by Oleta Adams, taken from her debut album of the same name. Capitalizing on the success she found with Tears for fears wasn't easy at first, because after her debut single 'Rhythm of life' only reached number 52 in the UK singles chart, this one only managed to peak at number 95.

'Circle of one' was written by Adams herself and produced by Roland Orzabal and Dave Bascombe. It would take another single to finally find breakthrough success: the ballad 'Get here'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1302
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Circle of one' / 'Think again'

With or without you - U2

'With or without you' is the song that took U2 to superstardom for good. They scored their first American number 1 hit, launching the album 'The Joshua tree' with a bang. At the same time, band leader Bono became involved in way too many charities, taking on some kind of Jesus image - something he would never shake off since then.

The single also reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. The song recently re-entered the UK singles chart in May 2009 at number 43, based on download sales alone.

My collection: 7" single no. 914
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'With or without you' / 'Luminous times (Hold on to love)', 'Walk to the water'

Heal the pain - George Michael

'Heal the pain' was the fourth single taken from George Michael's 1991 album 'Listen without prejudice vol. 1'. The guitar-based love song was a moderate success, reaching number 31 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the USA, the sides were flipped and 'Soul free' was released as the A-side. That single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2569
Found: Record fair, December 2, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heal the pain' / 'Soul free'

Move right out - Rick Astley

As Rick Astley left Stock, Aitken & Waterman behind, his singles became better artistically and less appreciated commercially. 'Move right out' was written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher and was the second single release from Astley's third album 'Free' (1991).

The single reached number 58 in the UK singles chart and number 81 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Neherlands, the single failed to reach the Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1484
Found: July 3, 1991
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Move right out' / 'Move right out (vox, piano, strings mix)'

Why can't I have you - The Cars

I don't remember how I got to hear 'Why can't I have you' by the Cars. As it didn't reach the charts in the Netherlands and I can't imagine it being played on the radio much, I really can't figure it out. But I'm glad I did: it's one of my favourite songs from the Eighties.

'Why can't I have you' is a track from the Cars' very successful 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single only charted in the USA, peaking at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 917
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't I have you' / 'Heartbeat city'

No ordinary love - Sade

'No ordinary love' was released as the first single from Sade's fourth studio album 'Love deluxe'. The band had been away from the scene for three years and their comeback was highly anticipated. Some may have thought it was time for the band to explore new territories musically, but the song fit perfectly into the formula that had been so successful the three previous albums.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100, the single was slightly less successful, peaking at number 28. It was impossible to find this 7" single in the Netherlands, but fortunately a holiday in London helped me get the single after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1727
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'No ordinary love' / 'Paradise (remix)'

Im nin' alu - Ofra Haza

Ofra Haza scored her biggest international hit in 1988 with 'Im nin' alu'. A sample of the track, which was originally recorded in 1984, appeared in Eric B & Rakim's hiphop track 'Paid in full' in 1987. Izhar Ashdot then remixed Ofra Haza's song, and this remix was released within months of the chart success for 'Paid in full'.

As a result, Ofra Haza reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40. Reportedly the song sold three million copies worldwide, making it one of the first so-called 'world music' recordings to cross over to mainstream pop chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 2115
Found: Record fair, June 11, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Im nin' alu (Played in full mix - English vocal)' / 'Im nin' alu (Yemenite vocal)'