Er is zoveel verdriet - Mam

The Dutch band Mam debuted in 1987 with this single, 'Er is zoveel verdriet' ('There's so much sadness'). It's a dynamic song that crashes around for a little over two minutes. It was played very often on Dutch radio at the time, which is how I got to know the track.

The B-side is 'Er luistert toch niemand' ('Nobody's listening anyway'), an intimate little song, in a version that is very different from the one on their debut album, released the same year. Both the album and the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 557
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Er is zoveel verdriet' / 'Er luistert toch niemand'

See the lights - Simple Minds

'See the lights' was the second single released from Simple Minds' 1991 album 'Real life'. The track was remixed and edited for the single.

It was a moderate success for the Scottish band, reaching number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 1549
Found: November 26, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'See the lights (7" version)' / 'Theme for great cities '91 (edit)'

Listen to the voices - Labi Siffre

In 1985, Labi Siffre came out of a self-imposed retirement from music after five years, when he saw a television film from South Africa showing a white soldier shooting at black children. He wrote '(Something inside) So strong', relaunching his career. The song has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre’s lyrics - although personally I didn't like that song.

The follow-up 'Listen to the voices' appealed more to me, although that one was significantly less popular in the charts. It reached number 23 in the Dutch Top 40, but didn't chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 692
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 1, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Listen to the voices' / 'Never let you down'

Too funky - George Michael

'Too funky' was George Michael's final single for Sony Music before he started legal action against his record company to be freed from his contract. Although the track was intended for his album 'Listen without prejudice vol. 2', George shelved that idea and donated this song along with two others for the project 'Red Hot & Dance', an album to raise money for AIDS awareness.

Lyrically, the song was a basic, animalistic plea from George Michael for sexual activity with an individual. The track featured a sound clip from the movie 'The graduate': Anne Bancroft's line of 'Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2480
Found: London, October 29, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Too funky' / 'Crazyman dance'

Le soleil donne - Laurent Voulzy

One of Laurent Voulzy's biggest hits in France was 'Le soleil donne', released in 1988. The song featured verses in French, English and Spanish and a very radio- and summerfriendly melody.

The single was even released outside of France, as is evidenced with this particular single, made in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 4198
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Le soleil donne (part 1)' / 'Le soleil donne (part 2)'

The pen is the mightiest weapon - Fay Lovsky

In 1985, Fay Lovsky released her fourth album 'Cinema'. The album was produced by Fay Lovsky herself. Two singles were drawn from the album: 'Galileo' and 'The pen is the mightiest weapon'. Both singles did not chart.

After this album, Fay joined the Dutch band The Magnificent 7, which existed between 1986 and 1991 and released only one album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4179
Found: Chelsea Records, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The pen is the mightiest weapon' / 'Bad continuity'

Lazy Bums - Lazy Bums

The comedic duo Datner & Kushnir performed 'Shir habatlanim' (English translation: 'The Bums' song') at the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Israel. The act consisted of two comedians, Nathan Datner and Avi Kushnir, dressed in black suits and ties in the style of the Blues Brothers. The lyrics describe the daily routine of an idle loafer, evidently unemployed, who wakes up in the morning at 10 am, drinks coffee and smokes and directing his dog to do the grocery errands. As happened more often in Israel, the entry was very controversial, prompting the Israeli Minister of Culture to threaten his resignation.

The song finished 8th in the Contest, and was subsequently released as a single in the Netherlands under the name 'Lazy Bums'. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4153
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lazy Bums' / 'Bumper's song'

I put a spell on you - Creedence Clearwater Revival

On her latest album, Lily Allen states that Creedence Clearwater Revival may very well be God's favourite band. When you listen to their best known track, 'I put a spell on you', you can just imagine Him playing airguitar.

'I put a spell on you' was actually a cover of a 1956 song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The Creedence version reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 539
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I put a spell on you' / 'Molina', 'Fortunate son'

Message in a bottle - The Police

'Message in a bottle' was released as a single from the Police's second album 'Reggatta de Blanc'. The single was The Police's first number 1 hit in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and only reaching number 74 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Police frontman Sting has stated later that this is his favourite song.

The Police reformed at Live Earth, a 2007 charity concert to raise awareness of global warming and other environmental hazards and performed 'Message in a bottle' as the US finale. Unfortunately Kanye West was mumbling through this track as well at the time. This 7" single was pressed on green vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3261
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2002
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Message in a bottle' / 'Landlord'

The promise - Arcadia

After their first hit 'Election day', things quickly went downhill for Arcadia. The single 'Goodbye is forever' was only released in the US, while in Europe the follow-up was 'The promise', a track featuring Sting on backing vocals.

'The promise' reached number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in Ireland, but failed to chart anywhere else. In fact, I only found out about the release years after it happened...

My collection: 7" single no. 2265
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The promise' / 'Rose arcana'

Don't turn me away - 10CC

The eighth studio album by 10CC was 'Ten out of 10', released in 1981. It failed to chart in the USA and UK. The album marked the first involvement with the band by American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold. The American record company wanted more of an American flavour to the album.

In the UK, the record company was less enthusiastic about this change. They replaced all three of Andrew Gold's contributions, as well as a Gouldman-penned track, with four tracks by Gouldman and Stewart. The second single taken from the album was 'Don't turn me away', written by Eric Stewart. I always thought it was an excellent song, however this single too failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 594
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't turn me away' / 'Tomorrow's world today'

Tingalingaling - Luv'

On March 5, 1981, Luv' disbanded. The replacement of Patty Brard by Ria Tielsch did not bring them the amount of success they hoped for, and there are also personal reasons to quit. However, that summer the trio reforms for a one off performance in the amusement park the Efteling for an event sponsored by the music weekly Hitkrant. Press and fans are enthusiastic, and so their record company decides to release one more single from Luv's last album, 'Forever yours'.

'Tingalingaling' is released in July 1981 and reahces number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Luv' perform the song in the popular tv programme 'Nederland Muziekland', which also is their official goodbye.

My collection: 7" single no. 4185
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tingalingaling' / 'Billy the kid'

Rapture '88 - Blondie

In 1988, Blondie's record company released 'Once more into the bleach', an album of remixes of Blondie hits. It also contained material from Deborah Harry's solo career and was released as 'Debbie Harry and Blondie'.

Three singles were released from the album, and 'Rapture '88' was one of them. The track was remixed by Teddy Riley and brought forward Debbie Harry's voice into the mix. This single was only released in Europe, as in America and the UK the B-side, a remix of 'Denis' was preferred. That remix reached number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4193
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rapture '88 (Teddy Riley remix)' / 'Denis (Dancin' Danny D remix)

All I want is you - U2

'All I want is you' is a track on U2's 1988 album 'Rattle and hum'. Although I really didn't like that album, this was the one standout track from that album and I was glad to see the single release - although the 7" single contains a rather ugly edit of the track.

The single reached number 83 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 upon its original release in June 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 893
Found: June 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'All I want is you (edit)' / 'Unchained melody'

Seven years in Tibet - David Bowie

'Seven years in Tibet' is one of the tracks on David Bowie's stunning 1997 album 'Earthling'. It was released as the fourth single from the album. The single included a Mandarin version of the song. The title of this translation translates back into English as 'A fleeting moment'.

The single reached number 61 in the UK singles chart during its one week chart run. The limited edition 7" single release was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2928
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 3, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven years in Tibet (edit)' / 'Seven years in Tibet (Mandarin version)'

Congratulations - Cliff Richard

'Congratulations' was written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Cliff Richard. The song was immediately popular in the UK and became a number 1 hit both in the UK and the Netherlands. On the day of the Contest, the British press were posing the question: 'What will come 2nd to 'Congratulations'?'.

Of course, Cliff Richard did not win, but came second to Spain's entry, the infamous 'La la la' performed by Massiel. In 2008, documentary film-maker Montse Fernandez Vila claimed that the loss was the result of rigging of the Spanish vote by state television on behalf of General Franco's fascist regime.

My collection: 7" single no. 4152
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Congratulations' / 'High 'n' dry'

Never tear us apart - INXS

'Never tear us apart' was the third single taken from INXS's sixth studio album 'Kick'. It was composed by Andrew Farriss, with lyrics by Michael Hutchence. The song was originally composed on piano as a blues number in the style of Fats Domino. Kirk Pengilly played a striking saxophone solo near the end of the song.

When the single was released, it reached number 24 in the UK, number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 745
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never tear us apart' / 'Guns in the sky (Kick ass remix)'

Into temptation - Crowded House

'Into temptation' was released as the third single from Crowded House's second album 'Temple of low men'. The track was edited for the single, which I felt was a shame because it had such a beautiful outro.

The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 792
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Into temptation' / 'Mansion in the slums'

The answer - Garland Jeffreys

Garland Jeffreys released 'The answer' as the second single from his 1992 album 'Don't call me Buckwheat' in December 1991. It sounded more electronic than any of his previous efforts, and almost sounded like a pop song.

Unfortunately the single didn't match the success that 'Hail hail Rock 'n' Roll' enjoyed, as it didn't chart in Europe. The accompanying music video was shown regularly on television, which is how I got to know this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2214
Found: Record fair, November 14, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The answer' / 'Murder jubilee'

Soul kiss - Olivia Newton-John

Although Olivia Newton-John's 1985 album 'Soul kiss' was only a moderate success in Europe, it did achieve gold status in America and Australia. When the album was released, Olivia was pregnant and thus unable to promote the album as much as would have been expected.

Some critics argued that the sexual overtones of the album were the real problem. The title track was released as a single and featured some uncharacteristic heavy breathing. The single did not chart in the UK and only reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2208
Found: Record fair, October 22, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Soul kiss' / 'Electric'