Listen to your heart - Roxette

According to Per Gessle, 'Listen to your heart' was conceived as 'The Big Bad Ballad. This is us trying to recreate that overblown American FM-rock sound to the point where it almost becomes absurd. We really wanted to see how far we could take it.'

They took it very far, all the way to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart to be exact. When released in the UK in October 1989 it only reached number 62, but a re-release took it to number 6. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 1072
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Listen to your heart' / '(I could never) give you up'

19 (The final story) - Paul Hardcastle

'19 (The Final Story)' was the second 12" single to be released by Paul Hardcastle as a result of the success of his single '19'. The new remix features new spoken material and samples, as well as a totally different sleeve.

It's uncanny how catchy this collection of soundfiles about the Vietnam war is still after two decades. It's also strange how such a serious subject becomes danceable.

My collection: 12" single no. 521
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: '19 (The Final Story)' / 'King Tut (US remix)', 'Fly by night'

Can you forgive her? - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys followed up the two singles from their compilation album 'Discography' with the dramatic and impressive single 'Can you forgive her?'. It was a remarkable comeback for the duo, complete with a rather ridiculous space age image and a computer animated music video.

The lyrics describe a young man's humiliation when his girlfriend accuses him of having gay tendencies – even though he does in fact have them. The title of the song is taken from the Anthony Trollope novel of the same name. 'Can you forgive her?' reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1919
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Can you forgive her?' / 'Hey headmaster'

Bopper en larmes - Laurent Voulzy

'Bopper en larmes' is a rather straightforward pop song, not one of the things Laurent Voulzy specialized in during the Eighties, when he was predominantly releasing ballads and well thought out album tracks.

Still, it was a hit for Voulzy in France, where he has always had a big fan following. Outside of France, he remained virtually unknown.

My collection: 7" single no. 4199
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bopper en larmes' / 'L'Océane'

My number one - Luv'

After Patty Brard left Luv', it seemed like the girl group had reached the end of their tether. But this wasn't necessarily true: with a new girl, Ria Tielsch, they record their fourth studio album 'Forever yours'. The first single, released in advance of the album, is 'My number one'.

This single is their last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4184
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My number one' / 'The show must go on'

One more time - Fay Lovsky

Another single from Fay Lovsky's 1983 album 'Origami', 'One more time' is a ballad with a very intimate instrumentation. It's another single by Lovsky that didn't make the Dutch charts, although it was heavily promoted at the time as the follow-up to 'Ramon'.

I found this single together with three other Fay Lovsky releases in Belgium, which is quite extraordinary since they are so hard to find in Lovsky's native Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4178
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One more time' / 'Sugar me Sam'

Hero takes a fall (remix) - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is a single from the Bangles' debut album 'All over the place'. The song was written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from the band.

The single did not chart, but it did give the band some exposure. So much so, that they performed as an opening act for Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis and the News in 1984. It also won the attention of Prince, who would write their first hit: 'Manic Monday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4197
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'Tell me'

When will I be famous? - Bros

'When will I be famous?' was the second single by Bros, released in November 1987. The single became a huge success, launching Bros as the new boyband hype of the Eighties. The song reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

I remember the most ridiculous claims surrounded this single: some parts would have been sung by Michael Jackson, whereas frontman Matt Goss was made out to be a female by some. It all helped to give them exposure, I guess...

My collection: 7" single no. 4195
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When will I be famous?' / 'Love to hate you'

War child - Blondie

'War child' was a song on Blondie's sixth studio album 'The hunter'. It was written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison. It was released as a single in various countries, but not in the band's native USA. It was the second and final single from the album, and the last Blondie single (except re-releases and remixes) for some 17 years, when the band reformed and released 'Maria' in 1999.

The single was the lowest charting Blondie single to date in the UK, peaking at number 39.

My collection: 7" single no. 4192
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'War child' / 'Little Caesar'

Love enough for two - Prima Donna

Prima Donna represented the United Kingdom during the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. The group consisted of sisters Kate and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston (brother of Jay Aston, who became a member of Bucks Fizz the next year).

They performed the song 'Love enough for two', which finished in third place during the Contest.
It was the first UK entry since 1964 not to make the UK singles chart prior to the Eurovision final, only debuting in chart the week after the contest, peaking at number 48.

My collection: 7" single no. 4189
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love enough for two' / 'Missing out on love'

I didn't know - Ph.D.

'I didn't know' is the first single from Ph.D.'s second album 'Is it safe?', released in 1983. The single did not chart in the UK, but reportedly it did have some success in certain European countries.

Jim Diamond and Tony Hymas have recently reformed and released their third album 'Three' earlier this year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4188
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I didn't know' / 'Theme for Jenny'

Never let her slip away - Andrew Gold

I rediscovered 'Never let her slip away' by Andrew Gold a couple of years ago when I bought a compilation cd with hits from 1978. I loved the single when it came out (even though I was very young at the time) but forgot about it somewhere in the Eighties. When I heard it again, the memory came flooding back.

It's only this weekend that I realised I didn't actually have the single. That error has been corrected now. 'Never let her slip away' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4171
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never let her slip away' / 'Genevieve'

Louise (we get it right) - Jona Lewie

Jona Lewie had one of his biggest successes with 'Louise (We get it right)'. Although the single was ignored in Europe and the UK, it reached number 2 in Australia.

I didn't know this track when I bought the single. Since I like most of the Jona Lewie singles I have, this one couldn't go wrong I thought. And fortunately, I was right.

My collection: 7" single no. 4167
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Louise (We get it right)' / 'It never will go wrong'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Genetic engineering' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's fourth studio album 'Dazzle ships'. The album was co-produced with Rhett Davies, who was best known for his work on lusher-sounding albums by Roxy Music.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart, making it the biggest hit from the album - although it did not chart in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4165
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering' / '4 Neu'

More more more - Bananarama

'More more more' was originally recorded in Jamaica by the porn star Andrea True, who performed under the name Andrea True Connection. The song became a worldwide disco hit.

Bananarama covered the song on their 1993 album 'Please yourself'. Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Stock and Waterman added a second verse to their version of the song which was not present on Andrea True's original. When it was released as a single, it was remixed. It peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart. It was their last single to be released by London Records, their label since 1983. The duo would not release another single in the UK until 'Move in my direction' in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 4161
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More, more, more' / 'Give it all up for love'

Say it - ABC

'Say it' was the second single release from ABC's 1992 album 'Abracadabra'. The track was remixed by the people behind the house group Black Box.

The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart, but remained virtually unknown in the rest of the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 4159
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Say it (Abracadabra mix)' / 'Say it (Black box mix - edit)'

Theme from Mahogany - Diana Ross

'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' was written by Michael Masser and Gerald Goffin, and originally recorded in 1973 by Thelma Houston. Diana Ross recorded her version for the soundtrack of the 1975 Motown/Paramount movie Mahogany. Recorded with a full orchestral accompaniment, the track became one of the most recognizable elements of the movie.

The single was a number 1 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4156
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' / 'No one's gonna be a fool forever'

How do you do - Mouth and Macneal

Exactly a year ago, this blog started with what I consider to be my very first single. A year later, I have posted more than 3000 entries, and I'm three quarters through my collection. Looks like early next year, all I'll need to do is post my new acquisitions.

Anyway, to celebrate the one year anniversary of this blog, here's another single by Mouth & Macneal. Since 'Hello-ah' was the duo's second number 1 hit in the Netherlands, I thought it would be appropriate to post their first here. I bought 'How do you do' in 1981, ten years after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 98

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'How do you do' / 'Land of milk and honey'

My song of you - Laurent Voulzy

Laurent Voulzy recorded the song 'Les nuits sans Kim Wilde' in 1985, a tribute to the English singer and a remarkable pop song. I bought the compilation album 'Carib islander' a decade later and found out that Voulzy actually made several remarkable pop songs - and some lovely chansons as well.

'My song of you' is one of those chansons. Despite the English title, the song is almost entirely in French and showcases the amazing talent of Voulzy to write and perform a very melodic song seemingly without effort.

My collection: 7" single no. 4200
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My song of you' / 'My song of you (version acoustique)'

Smalltown boy (1991 remix) - Bronski Beat

When the record company released a compilation album of Jimmy Somerville's work with Bronski Beat and the Communards in 1991, they also decided to release a single to promote the collection. Bronski Beat's debut single 'Smalltown boy' was remixed by Stephen Hague and released in January 1991.

The single did not chart in Europe, but did manage to reach number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4196
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Smalltown boy (1991 remix)' (Bronski Beat) / 'There's more to love than boy meets girl' (Communards)