Allan (live) - Mylene Farmer

The live version of 'Allan' was the first single taken from Mylene Farmer's first live album, 'En concert' (1989). The song, which originally appeared on Mylene's second album 'Ainsi soit je..', is a tribute to the American poet Edgar Allan Poe. One verse of the song contains the word 'Ligeia' which refers to the name of Poe's fairy tale published in 1837.

'Allan' was only performed during Mylene's 1989 live tour, and has not appeared on subsequent live concerts since then. This single reached number 32 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2111
Found: Record fair, June 4, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Allan (live)' / 'Psychiatric'

I ran - A flock of seagulls

'I ran' was the third single of A flock of seagulls, taken from their self-titled debut album. The single peaked at number 1 in Australia, number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In an interview, band member Mike Score said that he resents the song, but plays it live because people enjoy it.

My collection: 7" single no. 863
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I ran' / 'Pick me up'

And the world turns on - Bolland and Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland had become completely independent by the mid-Eighties. Originally performing artists, they started producing in the early eighties and even owned their own recording studio as well.

When they released one of their last singles in 1988, it had also become clear that they might have been in need of some outside advise. 'And the world turns on' is a nice enough song, but the production is so cluttered and the track is so full of sound effects, that there's hardly any song left. No wonder it didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 702
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 17, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'And the world turns on (European mix)' / 'And the world turns on (USA mix)'

What you're proposing - Status Quo

Status Quo released their album 'Just supposin'' in October 1980. It was produced by the band and John Eden. The album was recorded at Windmill Lane Studio in Dublin. The recording sessions yielded enough tracks for this album and the follow-up, 'Never too late', released just five months later.

'What you're proposing' was the first single release from 'Just supposin'', a dynamic rock track that grooves like a madman. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2931
Found: Record fair, January 17, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'What you're proposing' / 'AB Blues'

My old piano - Diana Ross

Having had piano lessons between the age of 5 and 20, you would expect that I would have learned to play a mean bit of piano. But when I stopped playing for a year and then tried again, I realised I couldn't read any notes anymore and that the whole thing seemed to just have drifted away. I've never been any good at doing things alone: even in school, the only thing that kept my grades up were the group assignments.

However, I did always have a preference for keyboard-based music. And even a song like Diana Ross's 'My old piano', an ode to the instrument, caught my fancy. Produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, it gave Diana Ross a worldwide hit, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 963
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'My old piano' / 'Give up'

Eeny meeny miny moe - Luv'

'Eeny meeny miny moe' was released in the summer of 1979 as a single from Luv's second album 'Lots of Luv'. As usual, the track was produced by Hans van Hemert and written by Janschen and Janschens, the duo that had given Luv' five Dutch top 10 hits in 1978 and 1979. This was the first single to peak outside the top 10 of the Dutch Top 40: at number 11.

The French edition of this single featured the B-side 'I.M.U.R.' as the A-side and vice versa.

My collection: 7" single no. 4183
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eeny meeny miny moe' / 'I.M.U.R.'

Avanti la vie - Jacques Zegers

Jacques Zegers was born on June 25, 1947 in Brussels, Belgium. He began singing in cabaret at the age of 16 and continued to participate in song contests while he pursued a career as a journalist. In 1984, he was asked to record 'L.A. en Olympie', the official Belgian song for the 1984 Olympic Games.

In the same year, Zegers represented Belgium during the Eurovision Song Contest. His song 'Avanti la vie' finished fifth in the Contest in a field of 19 participants. It has become one of the lesser known Belgian entries for Eurovision.

My collection: 7" single no. 4154
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Avanti la vie' / 'Des etoiles dans le coeur'

Too much trouble - Limahl

After Limahl left the band Kajagoogoo, he embarked on a solo career. His first solo single was 'Only for love', a hit in the UK, USA and Germany. The second single, released in early 1984, was 'Too much trouble'. This single reached number 26 in Germany and number 64 in the UK singles chart.

Both singles were included on Limahl's debut solo album, 'Don't suppose', released in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 1828
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Too much trouble' / 'You've been gone for a little while (Too much trouble reprise)'

Go west - Pet Shop Boys

In 1992, when Pet Shop Boys were asked by Derek Jarman to perform at an AIDS charity event at The Haçienda nightclub in Manchester, Chris Lowe of the duo selected 'Go west' (originally released by the Village People) as the song they would perform. Though singer Neil Tennant was unable to remember the lyrics during that performance, the two decided to record it as a single.

The original single version of the song, set for an earlier release in 1992 as a non-album single, was never used. When the single was released as the second single from their album 'Very' in 1993, it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 1 in Germany and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1988
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Go west' / 'Shameless'

Loving you - Chris Rea

'Loving you' was released as the first single from Chris Rea's fourth album in 1982. The single was only a minor success, reaching number 65 in the UK singles chart and number 88 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It's not one of Rea's best singles, overstretching his voice as he sings this song. But it's still a decent release.

My collection: 7" single no. 3095
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Loving you' / 'Let me be the one'

Get down - Gilbert O'Sullivan

'Get down' is a track on Gilbert O'Sullivan's 1973 album 'I'm a writer, not a fighter'. The single spent two weeks at the top of the UK singles chart and reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

As young as I was in 1973, the song has always stuck in my head as one of the catchy tunes of that time. I'd all but forgotten about this track until I found the single today.

My collection: 7" single no. 4205
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,30 euro
Tracks: 'Get down' / 'A very extraordinary sort of girl'

Honey - Bobby Goldsboro

Bobby Goldsboro was born on January 18, 1941 in Marianna, Florida. He left university in 1961 to pursue a music career. He played guitar with Roy Orbison between 1962 and 1964, while releasing a few unsuccessful solo singles. In 1964, he had his first hit with 'See the funny little clown', after which his solo career took off.

The biggest hit of his career was 'Honey', released in 1968. The song is an unmitigated tearjerker, in which the protagonist mourns the death of his young wife. The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 2 in the UK singles chart. The single was re-released in 1975, and on this occasion it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart once more. The song is quite controversial among music lovers, as it has appeared on 'worst songs of all times' lists frequently. Personally I think this track is very beautiful.

My collection: 7" single no. 4204
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,40 euro
Tracks: 'Honey' / 'Muddy Mississippi line'

Nothing rhymed - Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert O'Sullivan was born as Raymond Edward O'Sullivan on December 1, 1946. He attended St. Joseph's and the Swindon College of Art, playing drums in a band founded by Rick Davies (who would go on to be in Supertramp).

In 1967, O'Sullivan signed a recording contract, releasing a handful of unsuccessful singles. It was in 1971, when he signed to MAM records, when he achieved his first major success with the song 'Nothing rhymed'. It reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4203
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,30 euro
Tracks: 'Nothing rhymed' / 'Everybody knows'

Saved by the bell - Robin Gibb

Traditionally, Robin Gibb was the lead singer of the Bee Gees, vying for the spot with his elder brother Barry Gibb during the trio's first period of success in the late Sixties. This resulted in a splitup of the Bee Gees, with all three brothers trying a solo career.

Robin's career took off really well, with his debut solo single 'Saved by the bell' reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1969. The album 'Robin's reign' was less successful. In the end, the Bee Gees reformed in 1970, starting a second run of success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4202
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Saved by the bell' / 'Mother and Jack'

One love/People get ready - Bob Marley and the Wailers

'One love/People get ready' was originally released in 1977 on the Bob Marley & the Wailers album 'Exodus'. The song contains an interpolation of The Impressions' song 'People get ready' written by Curtis Mayfield. 'One love' was inspired by Marley's friend Roman Selvaggio, a North Caribbean painter.

'One love' was released as a single in 1984 to promote the posthumous compilation album 'Legend'. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4201
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'One love/People get ready' / 'So much trouble in the world'

Kayleigh - Marillion

The song 'Kayleigh' has become one of those indestructible rock anthems from the Eighties, a staple on the radio and a big hit when it was originally released as a single in 1985. Although the lead singer and lyricist of the band, Fish, had at one point dated a woman whose forenames were Kay Lee, the song was more a compilation of several different women with whom he had had relationships. According to him, the song was 'his way of apologising to some of the women he had dated in the past.'

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. The name Kayleigh became very popular as a result of this song. In late 2005, 96% of Kayleighs living in the United Kingdom were born after 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 303
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Kayleigh' / 'Lady Nina'

Skin trade - Duran Duran

The title 'Skin trade' was derived from the Dylan Thomas book 'Adventures in the skin trade'. The music for the song was written long before Simon Le Bon wrote the lyrics. They reflect on how everyone is selling themselves, and 'there's a little hooker in each of us'. The single was quite a departure for the band. Not only was Simon LeBon singing in a Prince-style falsetto, but a horn section played a prominent role in the track, as played by The Borneo Horns.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 516
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Skin trade' / 'We need you'

Never never - The Assembly

When Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode, he had a brief period of working with various other artists. His first project was Yazoo, together with Alison Moyet, and then in 1983 he got together with Feargal Sharkey to record a single as The Asssembly. 'Never never' featured a sampled guitar track, triggered note for note on a Fairlight CMI.

Vince Clarke and producer Daniel Radcliffe had planned to record more tracks as The Assembly, using a different singer on each track, but none were released after 'Never never'. This one single was a big success nevertheless, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 996
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Never never' / 'Stop/Start'

Time (Clock of the heart) - Culture Club

'Time (Clock of the heart)' was a stand-alone single in most of the world, but the track was included on the American version of Culture Club's debut album 'Kissing to be clever'. In Europe, its first inclusion on a Culture Club album was on their 1987 compilation, called 'This time: the first four years'.

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

My collection: 7" single no. 832
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Time (Clock of the heart)' / 'White boys can't control it'

Change - Lisa Stansfield

There's a famous scene in the American sitcom 'Married... with children' in which Al Bundy judges a line of women with the qualifications 'Hot babe' and 'Cold shower'. Lisa Stansfield made a remarkable transformation from 'Cold shower' to 'Hot babe' in 1991, when she released her second album 'Real love'.

The first single from the album was 'Change', released in the autumn of 1991. It reachde number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1545
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Change' / 'A little more love'